The Unexpected Has Happened: Floods of 1904.

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by Kristine Schmucker, Archivist/Curator

Previously posted August 8, 2013, No Place Like Newton, Even if it does have a Sand creek”: The 1904 Flood
“Sand Creek, the despised and ridiculed, spread over its banks and overflowed the north end, for once a raging, destruction dealing current.”

“The Flood-gates Were Opened”

Tuesday evening, May 31, 1904, a large crowd was enjoying a street concert in Newton.  Everything came to an abrupt end when rain drops began to fall.  The crowd and band quickly scattered, but not everyone reached a place of protection “when the heavy fall of rain came and scores were drenched.”  The rain continued steadily the next morning, thoroughly saturating the ground.  At about 3 o’clock in the afternoon, “the flood-gates were opened and the rain fell in torrents . . . it was a deluge. . . . For awhile, it was impossible to see the buildings on one side of Main street from the other, so heavy and dense was the falling moisture.”  The system of sewers and the gutters was completely overwhelmed.  The editors of the Evening Kansan-Republican felt confident to report that although Sand Creek was “way out of its banks” and streets were flooded the main  “flood effects as usual were worst at the Third and Fifth street corners.”
Headlines from Evening Kansan-Republican, June 2, 1904


1904 Flood Newton
HCHM Photo Archives

The next edition of the Evening Kansan-Republican headlined with the statement that “Newtonians Have Never Thought Such a Flood as Yesterday’s Possible Here.”

“The unexpected has happened and Newton has had its first experience with flood conditions. During the floods that prevailed last spring in the eastern part of the state, Newtonians found satisfaction in the thought that their own town, of all others, was safe . . . being far from any river and apparently as high and dry as a town could be.”  (Evening Kansan-Republican, June 3, 1904, p. 1)

Headlines from Evening Kansan-Republican
June 3, 1904
Devastation was everywhere.   From four o’clock in the afternoon until after nine o’clock in the evening on June 2, 1904, “Sand creek, the despised and ridiculed, spread over its banks and overflowed the north end, for once a raging destruction-dealing current.”   The worst flooding was roughly an area from the Missouri Pacific Railroad tracks south  to Main  and Broadway and west to Sand Creek.
1904 Flood Newton
Jno. D. Riesen, photographer
HCHM Photo Archives

Bridges were washed away.  The Tenth street bridge washed out and floated downstream striking the Ash street bridge. Both were a total loss.  Also heavily damaged were the bridges on Main street and Broadway.

Many were unexpectedly trapped as their homes became islands because “it seemed so improbably that the water could possible reach to such a height.”  Rescue workers with “hacks and wagons . . . rescue men on horses” all worked to get everyone to safety.  In some places the water was so deep that it reached “almost to the horse’s head” and wagons could not be used.

Rescuers faced not only deep water and a swift current, but the hidden danger of “the barbed wire and the fences which they encountered.”   One rescuer, Ben Mears, was in the water for an hour and a half. Another rescuer, Harry Howes later admitted that he was nearly overcome while rescuing  a frightened child that had fallen out of a rescue boat.  Howes  swam to the boy and “held the boy above the water” with one hand until help arrived. The rescuer later noted that  “he was not conscious of his actions or his words at that time.”
Those between the Missouri Pacific tracks and the Main street bridge were completely cut off.  Most sought refuge at the home of Frank Wedel, which was the highest point in the area.  At one point the flood water was almost to this point and people were frantic. Eventually the water receded and danger averted.
June 1904 Flood Bethel College
Graymaroon, Bethel College Yearbook, 1917
HCHM Photo Archives

Train service was also delayed, stranding passengers at Emporia and Strong City.  Track washed out in several locations including between Peabody and Florence and a bridge was washed out at Cedar Point.

“Everybody has a story to tell:” Stories from the Flood

A good portion of the June 3, and June 4 Newton Evening Kansan Republican related stories of rescue and damage a few of which are included below.
“Such is the irony of fate that while there were many chickens and pigs drowned, one lot of pigs, which had been especially obnoxious to the neighbors were every one saved.”

“At Rev H.R. Voth’s home, No. 1211, the water was four inches above the lower floor.  The carpets are ruined.”

“One of the worst sufferers was James J. Norton at No 1222 Main.  Mr Norton had just moved into the house, having installed the last load of his goods at noon . . . yesterday. . . .Mr. Norton got the family out.  The water rose nearly two feet in the house.  Carpets and most of the furniture were ruined.  Many pictures, books and other articles were piled on the floor temporarily which made the loss particularly severe.”

“Mr. and Mrs. Harry Trauber stayed in their house until late getting things out of danger and then waded in water waist high to dry land.”

“Mrs. Jackson staid [in her home] until the water oozed through the boards of the first floor as she walked over them. By that time the water around the house was very deep and the work of rescue was dangerous.”

In a June 6, 1904 editorial, S.R. Peters noted that “There is no place like home. No friends like home friends. No scenes like home scenes.  No skies like Kansas skies.  No place like Newton, even if it does have a Sand creek.”

Note:  According to two “old settlers”, A.B. Gilbert and W. J. Puett,  there had only been two other times Sand Creek had flooded to this extent – in 1877 and 1871 – based on their observations.

The flood on June 2, 1904 was the first major flood to occur in Newton. The rainfall, measured at 4.10,” came in a short amount of time. Primarily affecting the north end of town, flood waters got up to 12 feet. From 4 – 9 pm, the rescue efforts were underway and there was no loss of life.

“Worst Flooding in It’s History”

Roughly one month later, Harvey County was hit with another deluge.   On July 6-7, the Little Arkansas River overflowed causing major flooding in Halstead and Sedgwick.

Halstead experienced perhaps it’s worst flooding to that date with the entire easter part of the town under water. According to reports it rained for 11 pm until 4 am dropping 3 1/4 inches. From the river past the Presbyterian church had depts of two to four feet. In front of the newspaper office, the water was 3 1/2 feet delaying the printing of the paper until the next day. Despite the trials in town, the farmers along the river were affected the most. It was noted that the river rose at the rate of 2 to 2 1/2 inches an hour from eleven o’clock but had decreased to 1/2 an inch by 2 pm.  It was expected that the river could rise another 5-6 inches as a result of all of the rain up stream.

1904 Flood Halstead
HCHM Photo Archives
1904 Flood Halstead
HCHM Photo Archives
1904 Flood Alta Mill
HCHM Photo Archives

Sedgwick faired a bit better. By July 7, the flood waters had receded. Train service was greatly impacted with many bridges out.  The weather system affected an area from Topeka to Wichita with “nearly every river in state flooding.”

Sedgwick Flood Photos July 6, 1904.

Sources

  • Evening Kansan-Republican, June 1, 1904.
  • Evening Kansan-Republican, June 2, 1904.
  • Evening Kansan-Republican, June 3, 1904.
  • Evening Kansan-Republican, June 6, 1904.
  • Evening Kansan-Republican, July 7, 1904.
  • City Directories: 1902-03; 1905.
  • HCHM Photo Archives

 

Community Builder: Pat Rickman

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By Kristine Schmucker, Curator

Mary Ruth Martinsdale Rickman

Photo Courtesy Jullian Wall
Englishwoman, Mary Martinsdale arrived in Newton  to answer an advertisement for a mail-order-bride placed by Patrick Rickman of Newton, Kansas.  Much to her surprise, her future husband was black. She had answered the ad because “Rickman was a good English name, but now that she was here he was stuck with her.” 
(“On Equal Ground”  by Judy Burks, Newton Kansan, 125th Anniversary, Section B)

They wasted no time. Mary and Patrick were married March 17, 1911.
Mary was born on a farm near Liverpool, England on October 22, 1872.  She had come to the United States at the age of 14 “to work for a family.” Not much else is known of her life prior to coming to Kansas. In the spring of 1911, at the age of 39 she traveled to Newton, Kansas to meet her future husband.
Patrick Rickman  was a well-known and respected craftsman in Harvey County.  Born in White County, Tennessee on July 31, 1857, Pat came to Harvey County in 1879.  Here, he joined his father, Joseph Rickman, and aunt, Mary Rickman Anderson Grant.  He learned the trade of brick mason.
In 1882, he married Amanda Burdine and they had four children; Angus and Guy, who died young, and Hazel and Lloyd who lived to adulthood.  Pat and Amanda divorced in the fall of 1899.
Patrick Rickman  was a well-known and respected craftsman in Harvey County.  Born in White County, Tennessee on July 31, 1857, Pat came to Harvey County in 1879.  Here, he joined his father, Joseph Rickman, and aunt, Mary Rickman Anderson Grant.  He learned the trade of brick mason.
In 1882, he married Amanda Burdine and they had four children; Angus and Guy, who died young, and Hazel and Lloyd who lived to adulthood.  Pat and Amanda divorced in the fall of 1899.
Patrick Rickman
Photo courtesy Jullian Wall
At the time of his death, Pat Rickman was “one of the best known workmen in this section, as well as one of the most dependable, respected workman.  Many a building  stands today as a monument to his skill and industry.” (Evening Kansan Republican, 25 August 1926, p. 2.)
 
His daughter, Hazel, later recalled the times she brought lunch to her father (Pat) while he was working on the foundation of Bethel College Administration building.  According to family tradition, Patrick Rickman was the head of the construction company that employed several members of the larger Rickman/Anderson family.This company worked on the foundation of the building for the new Mennonite college.*

After the death of Patrick, his wife Mary, “worked as a private nurse having in her care, until their death, several of Newton’s widely known and highly respected citizens.”  In her obituary, Mary was described as “kind and loving, patriotic and charitable.” She was survived by her step-children, Lloyd Rickman and Hazel Rickman Rossiter. Services for Mary were held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Newton.  The pallbearers were  members of her adopted American family, the Rickmans, Andersons, and Rossiters. (Evening Kansan Republican, 12 Aug. 1943, p. 2.)

During the month of  February, in honor of  Black History Month, we will be featuring related stories from Harvey County. Much of the information on the Rickman/Anderson/Grant family is based on oral traditions preserved by Marguerite Rickman Huffman & June Rossiter Thaw and research by Karen Wall.  We are grateful for their willingness to share the stories of this Harvey County family. 
 
For more about the early life of Patrick Rickman   http://hchm.org/old-story-murder-main/



*No records have been found that identify who constructed the first half or foundation of the Ad Building. “On Equal Ground”  by Judy Burks, Newton Kansan, 125th Anniversary, Section B
Sources: 
  • Harvey County Historical Museum & Archives Marriage Certificate – March 17, 1911
  • Harvey County Historical Museum & Archives City Directories 1885-1926
  • Evening Kansan Republican, 25 August 1926, p. 2.
  • Evening Kansan Republican, 28 August 1926, p. 2.
  • Evening Kansan Republican, 12 Aug. 1943, p. 2.
  • “On Equal Ground”  by Judy Burks, Newton Kansan, 125th Anniversary, Section B
To view the complete inventory of Marriage Certificates at the Harvey County Historical Museum & Archives, visit http://hchm.org/ and click on the ‘Research Library’ tab.

Posted by at 7:33 AM 

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Cigars & Confectionaries: The Buildings at 615-617 Main

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by Kristine Schmucker, HCHM Archivist/Curator

There have been some good changes on Main Street in Newton! Some of the older buildings are getting attractive ‘facelifts’ which help the whole community. Because some of these buildings have been standing since the 1880s, extra care needs to be taken. It also means there are lots of stories to be told!

Two buildings, 615 N Main and 617 N. Main are two that have had work done. Both buildings are very old, one dating to about 1901 and the other 1884. Of course there have been many changes, especially on the exterior, but the actual structures have stood strong since almost the beginning of Newton.

Paint, Perfume & Tobacco – 617 N. Main

In 1884, a small stone building was located at 617 N. Main and a wooden one at 615 N. Main.

Sanborn Fire Insurance Map, 1884

The building at 617 N. Main started out as a small stone structure with a wooden front porch and awning. One of the earliest businesses at 617 N Main was Dymond & Arnold.  The store was a pharmacy that also sold paint and perfume.

Weekly Kansan Republican, 6 November 1884

The 1884 newspapers mention an earlier partnership of Dymond & Kraum, but the location is not given. Dymond may have gotten his start in business in Sedgwick in 1875 when he ran a boarding house. (Weekly Kansan Republican, 1 April 1875)

By 1887, Mrs. S.E. Davis had a millinery shop at 617 N. Main. There is no residence listed for a S.E. Davis or a Mrs. S.E. Davis. She possibly lived either in the back of the building or on a second floor. Mrs. Davis was only there for a short time. In November 9, 1889, Miss Lena Smith announced that she was closing her millinery business at 617 N. Main.

In 1898, there was a notice in the paper that Tom Sheridan had repainted his “Cigar Man . . . in fine style” and it was again standing in front of his store at 617 N. Main.

Thomas Sheridan Jr came to Kansas with his parents and three brothers in March 1878. They settled on a farm in Highland Township, Harvey County, Ks. Thomas married Elizabeth Conway in 1896. They had one son, Frank, who died at 4 months. She died in 1898 exactly a year later from the death of her son.

Interior Sheridan Tobacco, 1905

Thomas remarried in 1902 to Louisa Felix. Sheridan ran a cigar and tobacco store and factory at 617 N. Main in Newton, Ks for many years. He was also on the Board of Directors for the Kansas State Bank. Perhaps around 1917, he moved from Newton to Los Angeles. Sheridan seems to have kept an interest in his Newton business until at least 1919-1920.

Evening Kansan Republican, 5 November 1919

Other stores that have occupied 617 N. Main include Litwin’s and Browns Hallmark.

Brown’s Hallmark opened in 1877 by Roy L. Brown and Tom Brown from Hutchinson. Kansas.


615 N. Main – Confectionary, Cigars and Women’s Clothing

 According to Sanborn Maps 1884, 1886, & 1896 the structure was wood and not very large. The first businesses included Henry Held, L.A. Meade, J.L. Meade and Jacob Moser as butchers. In 1889 John Herby listed as butcher. In 1896, a new confectionary was in place at 615 N. Main.

In 1902, a new stone structure is built and the length of 615 & 617 match. A few years later a “new modern front” was added. (Evening Kansan Republican 6 May 1906) At that time Ball’s Place – Confectioner, Cigars & Tobacco was located at the address with Walter Ball manager. Several owners had confectioneries between 1905-1913. 

In 1915, Central Shine opened for business owned by the Collin brothers. (Evening Kansan Republican, 13 April 1915). They may have been the ones to make some improvements.  Brick and stone extensions were added to the back of the building with an outside stairway to the second floor in 1915.

In 1916, Schwenker Confectionery, Cigars owned by Fred Schwenker was located at 615 N. Main. It’s not clear when he opened the business, but he ran into trouble almost immediately. On January 10, 1916, a police raid was conducted on two confectionery and cigar stores. One was run by Alex McGuigan on the south side known as “Mack’s Place” and the other Fred Schwenker. The police wanted to examine the “soft drinks.” From Schwenker, bottles of “Tempo” “Tanhauser” and cider were taken to see if they were intoxicating beverages. (Evening Kansan Republican 01/10/1916)

Schwenker operated the business until 1921 when he left Newton for Los Angeles.

Newton Music Store quickly took over the space.

In 1960, Mrs. Katherine Gilchrist purchased the clothing store from Kenneth Granger at 615 N. Main and renamed it Katherine’s. A popular women’s clothing story into the early 1990s. She also operated another clothing store named Katydid’s, targeting the teenage market.