The First Woman Superintendent of Schools in Kansas

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by Kristine Schmucker, HCHM Archivist/Curator

Harvey County has the distinction of electing the first woman to be superintendent of schools in Kansas. In an earlier article, Ruth Mitten was featured as an early Harvey County Superintendent and educator, but she was not the first woman elected to be superintendent of schools. That honor goes to Mrs. Ellen Webster.

In June 1872, Mrs. Ellen Webster was elected and according to the State Record the first woman elected to as a superintendent of schools and to county office in Kansas.

State Record, 19 June 1872

 

Newton Kansan, 28 November 1872

As the first woman, there was some push back. The other person running filed a complaint “that she was not eligible on account of her sex.” A trial was set for July 9, 1872, “but her contestant failed to put in an appearance.” Mrs. Webster’s counsel, Col. Wood of Chase County, noted that the other party did not show because “the fellow was ashamed of himself” for bringing the case. (Chase County Leader 19 July 1872)

Newton’s First School in Cutler’s History of Kansas

Unfortunately, her time as superintendent was marred by bad decisions made under the influence of her brother, O.M. Millard. Little else is known about Ellen Webster beyond her election and the influence of her brother. Who was O.M. Millard? Not much is known about him either. Like his sister, he appears in Harvey County history for a brief time, makes an impression and then fades away.

“A Few Questions of O.M. Millard”

O.M. Millard was elected justice of the peace in 1872-1873. Prior to the election there were many questions about his character with hints about his influence on his sister.

In an October 24, 1872, letter to the editor, Lakin Township residents who knew him best noted that he had “announced himself for Representative of Harvey county . . . we will ask a few questions of O.M. Millard.”

The writers of the letter noted several areas of concern including the observation that he was more concerned about who would pay him the most. Bribery was also mentioned. The residents noted that he dismissed a criminal case “under the Texas cattle law, against a man who was driving a drove of wild cattle through, without calling a jury as the law requires, for the pitiful bribe of ten dollars” as one example.

He advised his sister, Ellen Webster, superintendent of schools, “to make charges against the county for all the days possible and had such ungodly influence over her that the county commissioners . . . were compelled to cut down her bill one-half.”  

“When the Wicked are in Authority the People Mourn”

The accusations continued and included attempted rape of a young girl “who went to the house of Mrs. E. Webster during absence on an errand.” Millard was at his sister’s house alone and he threatened the girl. She reportedly “fled home like a scared fawn.” The newspaper account noted that “the villain said: ‘I will tell all the young men she is a loose character’.” The letter concluded with “save yourselves from such a calamity as the election of that man; for when the wicked are in authority the people mourn.” Signed: Many Citizens (Newton Kansan, 24 October 1872).

Millard was not elected as a Representative.

By May 1873, Millard was working to establish a Grange of the order of Patrons of Husbandry in Sedgwick County, Ks.

October 31, 1872, F.L. Faatz was on the ballot for Superintendent of Public Instruction, “well known in this vicinity as moral and upright.”

By February Mr. F. L. Faatz was the County Superintendent. O. M. Mallard continued to work with grange organization in the area. Of Mrs. Ellen Webster, the first woman Superintendent of Schools in Kansas, no more information could be found.

See also Qualified in Every Detail: Miss Ruth Mitten – Harvey County Historical Society (hchm.org)

Sources

  • Newton Kansan: 17 October 1872, 28 November 1872, 6 February 1873,
  • Manhattan Nationalist 12 July 1872
  • Chase County Leader 19 July 1872.
  • Topeka Weekly Times: 11 July 1872.
  • Wichita Eagle: 1 May 1873, 17 July 1873.

“Splendid Golfers Were Developed:” the Newton Country Club

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by Kristine Schmucker, HCHM Archivist/Curator

In 1903, golf was a new sport to people in Harvey County. One spring day, Mr. & Mrs. J. W. Murphy and E.A. Hoag went to Wichita to check out this new sport. The famous golf player Lieut. Richmond P. Hobson was scheduled to play and they wanted to see what all the fuss was about. They seemed to like what they saw and returned to Harvey County ready to learn golf.

Newton Country Club, 1903-1919

“Rustic . . Two-room House”

They leased 65 acres of land north of the city from the Tower estate, later purchased by Fred Tangeman, for a golf course. Al Musselman laid out the course and E.A. Hoag ordered the needed supplies including 20 or more sets of clubs, bags, and markers. Newton was ready to golf! Dues were $10 a year and at one point there were 75 members. After about five years it was decided to build a club house. A “rustic . . two-room house with wide porch on three sides” was completed in 1908.

Newton Country Club, 1912

In addition to golfing, the club house served as a place to hold dances, picnics and concerts.  The group leased the ground from year to year. By 1919 the price had gotten too high for the club to continue. Plus, the amenities were lacking with no water or lights. The club went out of business in 1919.

“Splendid Golfers Were Developed”

However, many “splendid golfers were developed . . . many of them playing fully as good if not a better game” than earlier players. Many prominent Newton citizens enjoyed playing golf and were not interested in giving up on the sport. On Jue 22, 1920 a group of men gathered to discuss the matter. By July 7, 1920, they had organized and became known as the “Newton Country Club.”

Newton Country Club, 1920

A new location with 80 acres was established one-half mile south of 1st street on Kansas Ave. By fall 1920, the membership was at about 150. Wichita architect, Lorenz Schmidt, designed the club house and S.P. Merchant was the builder.

Newton Country Club, 1935.

The new club house has room for a “spacious dance floor, a grill room and kitchen, large locker rooms for both men and women with shower baths, a nice lounge and game room.” A favorite feature was the commodious porch which was capable of being enclosed with glass in the winter.

Newton Country Club Over the Years

1961

1980s

In February 2024, the Newton Country Club/Fox Ridge Club House building was torn down.

Source

  • Newton Kansan 50th Anniversary Ed, 22 August 1922, “The Newton Country Club- Original Club Was One of the Oldest in Kansas,” p. 82.

“The Only Colored Boy Ever Graduated From the High School”: Lee O . Frame

Posted on by hchm-curator

by Kristine Schmucker, Archivist/Curator

Note on language:

Unfortunately, in 1905, and for too long after, Black people were referred to as “colored” and “boy.” Today, we find this offensive. For this article, I only used the words when they were in a direct quote. It helps us get an accurate picture of the time period, how different people groups were viewed and how harmful it was.

My hope with this article is to highlight the accomplishments of one man as the first Black man to graduate from Newton High School and what he did later in life. His life gives us a view into the Black community at a time that is hard to get a picture of because so much space is given to white people.  I hope by telling his story we get a glimpse of life in Harvey County that we do not often see. It is not my intention to trigger anyone or be offensive. I am open to dialog about how to use historical language in modern day articles. Reach me at curator@hchm.org. -Kris

The NHS Graduating Class of 1905

In the May 22, 1905 issue of the Evening Kansan Republican, the Newton High graduating class of 1905 was introduced. Among the twenty-one graduates was “Lee Frame, a colored boy, the only colored boy ever graduated from the high school, his studious habits having enabled him to rank well in his scholarship.”  (Evening Kansan Republican, 22 May 1905)

Evening Kansan Republican, 22 May 1905

First Black Male to Graduate from NHS

From this article, it would seem that Lee Ora Frame was the first Black male to graduate from Newton High School. The first Black woman to graduate was Mabel Hillman in 1900.

Lee O. Frame was a life long resident of Harvey County. Born March 26, 1884 to Silas and Tennessee Anderson Frame.  His father Silas Frame, “was a well respected colored citizen,” who ran a dairy for a number of years. The family owned land in Highland Township, Harvey County and in Sedgwick County. In addition to Lee, they had five other children – John, Ida, Nellie, Bessie and Jeff.

“The Swellest Event”

Lee graduated from Newton High in 1905 and worked for a time for the Postal Office. In 1909, the I.R.A. Club held “the swellest event that ever occurred in Newton among the colored people.”  There were sixty-four members present for the banquet held at 505 1/2 Main. Among those involved in the program was Mr. L.O. Frame performing a vocal solo.

“Hosts Most Successfully”

The January 1, 1908 issue of the Evening Kansan Republican listed a number of “Open Houses” on New Years’ Day. Those hosting an open house included Messres S. Frame and L. Frame at their home on E 12th. The point of the event seemed to be that the men acted as host and the women were the ones entertained. The article ended with “the gentlemen had many of the gentler sex to entertain, but did the part of hosts most successfully.  All the names listed were members of the Black community in Harvey County.

“His Preferred Occupation, Farming”

On May 4, 1911, Lee Frame married Eva C. Beckham at the home of his parents. Eva was described as “an orphan … a lady of refinement and culture.” She had previous been living in Wichita with relatives. After marriage, Lee undertook “his preferred occupation, farming.” The newlyweds lived on E 11th Street in Newton.

Marriage License, Lee O. Frame & Eva Beckham, May 4, 1911.

Frame was active in the community as a member of the Newton Negro Business League and member of the Rising Sun Masonic Lodge, Newton, Ks. In 1912, Frame gave a speech at the Negro Business League, “Results of a Good Business.” Throughout his life he worked as a farmer, real estate broker and bondsman.

Frame had six children. Kathyrn J. Price Frame was his second wife. He married a third time April 2, 1932, to Nannie Anderson. His WW2 Draft Registration Card, 1942, gives details of Frame’s physical appearance. He was 6’3″, weighed 246 pounds, black skin and eyes.

Lee Ora Frame died January 2, 1964 at the age of 75 in his home at 301 E. 12th, Newton. He was survived by his wife, Nannie, three sons and two daughters and one step-daughter. He had 18 grandchildren and 14 step grandchildren.

Sources

  • Evening Kansan Republican: 22 May 1905, 3 January 1908, 21 May 1909, 5 May 1911, 1912.
  • Marriage License, Lee O. Frame & Eva Beckham, May 4, 1911, Marriage License Collection, Harvey County Historical Museum & Archives, Newton, Ks.
  • U.S WW II Draft Cards, 1942, Lee Ira Frame, Family Search.org.
  • Lee O. Frame, Find A Grave, includes Obituary.
  • U.S. Census: 1910, 1920, 1930.
  • Kansas Census: 1895.
  • Newton City Directories: 1911 – 1960.