A Man Named Winne: from the HCHM Archives

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by Kristine Schmucker, HCHM Curator

There are thousands of stories waiting to be discovered at the Harvey County Historical Museum & Archives. Since we have recently hosted several programs related to the Civil War, I did some exploring in the  John C. Johnston Collection of Civil War Pensions. This collection contains a wealth of information on Civil War veterans and their families that settled in Harvey County. Fox Winne was the name I picked for this blog post.

In late April 1863, 20 year old Fox Winne joined the 11th Kansas Cavalry, Co. G. which was involved in a number of skirmishes on the Kansas/Missouri border.  From August 20-28, the 11th Cavalry was involved in operations against Quantrill during his raid in Kansas under the command of Col Thomas Ewing,Jr.   Co. G also acted as body guard to General Samuel Curtis at Fort Leavenworth, Ks.

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Henry Barnes, Harry Boothe, Fox Winne, N.D. Horton, members of Co. G, 11th Kansas Volunteer Calvary, 1863. Photo courtesy Kansas Historical Society.

The 11th Kansas Cavalry mustered out of service at Fort Leavenworth, July 17, 1865.  The regiment lost 173 men in roughly 2 years; 63 killed during or as a result of battle, 110 died of disease.

Fox Winne had come to Kansas in 1855 at the age of 12 with his parents Jacob and Magdalena Fox Winne.  The family originally was from Minden, New York and had spent time in Illinois before settling in Riley County near Manhattan, Kansas.  After the Civil War, in 1866, Winne married Mary E. Haulenbeck.  By 1880, Fox and Mary with three children were living in Newton, Kansas.

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Fox & Mary Winne Home, 200 W. Broadway, Newton, Ks, 1886.

Thirty-six year old Winne was listed as ‘a lumber dealer.’  Between 1876 and 1880, Winne established the Newton Lumber Co at 113 E. 6th, Newton.  No doubt he was able to take advantage of the building boom of the mid-1880s.

Newton Lumber Co, 113 E. 6th, Newton, Ks. ca. 1885

Newton Lumber Co, 113 E. 6th, Newton, Ks. ca. 1885.  Owner Fox Winne.

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Newton Lumber Co., 113 E.6th, Newton, Ks, 1905.

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Interior, Newton Lumber Co., 113 E 6th, Newton, KS, 1919.

Eventually, a son-in-law, John B. Olinger, joined Winne in the business.

 

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Newton Lumber Parade float, ca. 1921.

The war left it’s mark. Winne experienced health problems throughout his later years, some related to his two years in the cavalry. In the 1890s, he worked with John C. Johnston to apply to the Department of Interior, Bureau of Pensions to file a claim.

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He received his pension with the diagnosis of “Disease of the Digestive Organs and Piles” and “Chronic Diarrhea.”

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According to other documents in the file, he “contracted  Chronic Diarrhea and piles which has resulted in fistula disease of rectum” at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, April 1, 1865.   At that time he was treated at the Ft Leavenworth hospital, but apparently continued to experience problems for the rest of his life.

These health difficulties did not stop Winne for seeking business opportunities, both in Newton and in Texas.

In 1894, the state of Texas opened the eastern section of Chambers County for settlement under a homestead grant.

The Santa Fe Railroad saw an opportunity and sent Newton businessman, Fox Winne as an engineer to review the prospects.  In 1895, the town of Winnie, Tx  was surveyed and named in honor of Newton contractor and investor, Fox Winne.

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Fox Winne, Newton businessman, ca. 1925.

Fox Winne died at the age of 84 on July 20, 1927.  He had been in poor health for two years. He was survived by his wife, Mary, sons John, Elmer and Grant and daughter Maud Winne Olinger.

Note on the name “Winne.” In most of the historical documents, the last name is spelled “Winne,” including  census’, pension records and tombstones.  For some reason, a change occurred with the naming of the town “Winnie” and on the marriage certificate of his daughter, Maude where it is “Winnie.”

 Sources:

  • Winne, Fox File. John C. Johnston Collection of Civil War Pensions, HCHM Archives, Newton, Ks.
  • U.S. Census, 1880
  • City Directories for  Newton, Ks 1885, 1887, 1902, 1905, 1911, 1913, 1917, HCHM Archives, Newton, Ks
  • Voters Registration List 1882-1902, HCHM Archives, Newton, Ks
  • Evening Republican Kansan 20 July 1927, 10 Dec. 1934.
  • http://www.civilwaronthewesternborder.org/content/henry-barnes-henry-boothe-fox-winne-and-nd-horton
  • http://www.pddoc.com/skedaddle/010/0078.htm
  • U.S. Civil War Soldiers Index, 1861-1865.
  • U.S. National Park Service, Battle Unit Details – The Civil War at www.nps.gov/civilwar/search-battle-units-detail.htm.
  • Winnie Area Chamber of Commerce – Winnie Early History at winnietexas.com/early-history/
  • County Markers at uncoveredtexas.com/texas-historical-markers-detail.php?city=Winnie&county.

Purposeful Stitches: Community Quilts

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Old Settler's Signature Quilt, 1908-1910.

Old Settler’s Signature Quilt, 1908-1910.

Our new exhibit, Purposeful Stitches: Community Quilts opens on Sat., February 20, 2016.

Detail of Old Settler's Signature Quilt, 1908-1910.

Detail of Old Settler’s Signature Quilt, 1908-1910.

During the late 19th century women’s groups became an important part of the community.  Groups like the Women’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU), and the Women’s Relief Corp (WRC), were more than social gatherings, these groups had a purpose. Traditional sewing skills were used in their efforts to support and raise funds for charitable activities.  In the churches, groups known as the Women’s Mission Circle or Society and Ladies Aid Society organized and sewed clothing and other necessities for destitute people.  Quilts were also made and sold to provide funds for church projects, including buildings and furnishings,  as well as for missionaries.  By the 1880s, fundraising quilts were a staple of women’s organizations helping to raise money for social causes.

Woman's Relief Signature Quilt, n.d.

Woman’s Relief Signature Quilt, n.d.

Woman's Relief Corp Signature Quilt detail, n.d.

Detail of Woman’s Relief Corp Signature Quilt, n.d.

The exhibit will feature quilts from the museum’s collection that were made for fundraising by various groups in Harvey County. Other signature quilts, including friendship and family quilts will be included.

 

From Our Collection: What is it?

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by Kristine Schmucker, HCHM Curator

In our collection, are objects that once may have been commonplace, but today are something of a curiosity.

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The hat stretcher, pictured above, was donated to the museum several years ago and is from a time when men’s hats were of much more importance. Prior to the 1960s, hats were worn by all men, at times providing important clues about the social status of the individual man.

Interior of the Newton Carriage Worls, 128 E. 6th, Newton, 1887.

Interior of the Newton Carriage Worls, 128 E. 6th, Newton, 1887.

During the 1880s, researchers have estimated that the average American man bought a hat every year or two.

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Advertisement, 1908

A good fit was important.

The hat stretcher in our collection is wooden with metal posts between the two pieces.  The number “03” over a “4” is the only thing stamped on the piece.

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The stretcher was used to shape and enlarge hats to fit better.

Image of a modern hat stretcher in a hat.

Image of a modern hat stretcher in a hat.

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Sources:

  • http://www.press.uchicago.edu/Misc/Chicago/117987.html