County Tractor and Grader Go Through Buck Creek Bridge

From the Oskaloosa Independent, June 6, 1930

Oscar Ross and John McNish, county road men, narrowly escaped serious injury Tuesday morning, when a county ten-ton Caterpillar tractor and attached road grader crashed through the Buck Creek bridge south of Oskaloosa four and a half miles.

Buck Creek

Ross was driving the tractor, and McNish was on the grader as they crossed the bridge. Near the middle of the 50-foot span the tractor suddenly smashed though the bridge, landing with the bridge floor in the bottom on the stream, 12 feet below.

The bridge approaches buckled into the air as the tractor went down and the grader wheels caught on the edge, keeping the grader from turning over onto the tractor, and undoubtedly saving both men from injury or death.

The bridge is 80 feet long, with 50-foot span and 15-foot approaches. County road and bridge men were called and by three o’clock Tuesday afternoon, the tractor and grader had been brought out of the stream, practically undamaged. The bridge was torn down, ready for a new structure, which will be put in at once.

This story appeared in “Yesteryears” in April 2002.

As One Saw “Oscaloosa” in 1858

Originally printed in The Kansas National Democrat, Lecompton, Kansas Territory, August 1858

Reprinted in The Oskaloosa Independent, January 23, 1941

Oskaloosa, Jefferson County, K.T., July 20, 1858

FRIEND BRIGGS — For the benefit of the traveling public, I wish to give through your paper, a short description of the shortest and best way route between Lecompton and Atchison. In the first place, it may be well to know, that there are two old routes; one running upon the West side of Grasshopper Creek, and crossing at the old Indian Mill ford, from thence across the Delaware Reserve, keeping the old Parkville trace, to the junction of it, with the Lawrence and Doniphan road near the town of Oscaloosa. The objections to this route, besides being circuitous, are the impossibility of fording the Grasshopper, a great part of the year, and about six miles of wet bottom (this year). The other route lies across the ferry, (with quite reasonable fare,) at the mouth of the Grasshopper, and keep the Leavenworth road several miles in the Kaw Bottom, crossing Ten Mile, or Stone House Creek and taking the left fork of the “Round Mound” upon the Lawrence and Doniphan road, following it to Oscaloosa. The latter has all the objections of the former, except fording the Grasshopper.

Now, “the route,” is at last surveyed, staked and marked, leaving the Leavenworth road at a point a quarter of a mile east of the ferry, running past the school house in the timber; and the very shortest possible cut across the prairie to a point of bluff which breaks down by successive steps to the bottom prairie. It was at this place the rocks were quarried for building the saw mills near the ferry, the grade up the bluff, though capable of improvement, is naturally very easy, and from this standpoint the Capital of Kansas is better seen at one view than from any other place, and the road continues on, through a pleasant grove keeping a “divide,” in nearly an air line to the junction of the old route, with the Lawrence and Doniphan roads before mentioned. It will be seen then, that this route lies between the others, with three miles less bottom, much less hill, and from three to four miles less distance, being much pleasanter to travel. From Oscaloosa, it keeps the old road, via Hickory Point.

One word about Oscaloosa. In my travels of the Territory, I have found people generally ignorant of the situation of this place, and as it is a real live two horse town it may be well for your readers to be posted. It is situated on the township line, between townships nine and ten, range nineteen, one half mile west of the dried up town of Jacksonville, as on the map, and embraces about 200 acres of as pretty rolling prairie, with excellent springs of water, as can be found in any country. It is not boasting to say it excels any and every town in Kansas, off the Kansas and Missouri rivers, and being strictly temperate, has outstripped all places of its age. It is at a point where many important roads intersect; well provided with water and timber and most excellent farming country, which is fast improving. There are two good saw mills in constant operations, with burs and bolts attached, for grinding all kinds of grain. — There are about 80 dwelling houses, and more going up, with a population of over 400. The citizens have just subscribed about $800 towards building a school house; the ground floor will be 30 by 40 feet, with posts 21 feet high. The quarter block, donated by Jesse Newell, that whole souled man, Uncle Jesse, is the finest location in town. The different religious denominations hold their regular stated meetings at this place.

This shows that towns can be built up without agents to puff and blow, and lie, by hawking shares all over the territory. I will challenge any one to show a town that has done more in twelve months, under like circumstances. There will be strong competition for the county seat, next October, and as Oscaloosa is three miles nearer the center of the county than any other place, I think its chances favorable. — It is 22 miles southwest of Leavenworth City on a direct line to Ft. Riley, by the new bridge built at Russell’s Mill across the Stranger, and another across the Grasshopper at Ozawkie.

Any one passing this way, will find an agreeable stopping place at the Kansas Hotel. This house has been refitted and furnished, it has also a good barn well supplied with hay and grain, and I will guarantee that man or beast will be well cared for, and kindly treated, the charges are moderate.

I had intended to speak of other points on the route first mentioned, but am admonished by the length of this letter to stop for the present, hoping you may make it convenient to call up this way soon.

            With great respect, I remain, Yours Truly, Jefferson

This story appeared in “Yesteryears” in April 2009.

Trials of Carpet-Making

The rag-carpet problem has been a source of trouble to many housekeepers, and the subject of much newspaper talk. A correspondent gives an account of his trials as follows:

OSKALOOSA, Mar. 31, [18]74.

As sure as Spring-time cometh, just so sure cometh house-cleaning in all well-regulated families, with its healthful, romantic delights. Preparatory to this renovating process, many good wives bethink them how to adorn and beautify the domicil, without calling very loudly on the family purse, these hard times—well knowing that an attractive home circle will, in a manner, cure this staying out-late business. A pretty new carpet, they say, with many bright colors, gives a cheerful appearance to the sitting room, and, as in-grain costs a pile of money these times, a substitute can be made in the shape of rag carpets, which, with plenty of bright rags, are very pretty. It is not much trouble to make them, and if the rags are not sufficiently bright, it isn’t much trouble to color them, and the entire cost will be only a trifle.

So thought and argued a lady on Liberty street. Her husband is particularly fond of bright colors—especially red—and so the carpet of dazzling hues was at once decided upon, and the work commenced, on a basis of 26 pounds of rags for the required number of yards. The family wardrobe and rag-bag, including the husband’s last shirt, were exhausted, and two weeks’ steady labor showed a deficit of about ten pounds, and the husband went about the streets mourning and shirtless. Then another week was spent, overhauling neighbors’ rag-bags; and when the 26 pounds were secured at last there was an alarming deficiency in red, “yaller,” green and black.—Woman’s inventive genius comes to the rescue and demonstrates the fact that red flannel can be bought at 35 cents per yard, good enough for carpet-rags, and the other colors could be easily made with “jack-oak” bark, log-wood, vitriol, indigo and alum.—Whereupon the Rev. George Miller was employed as a “jack-oak” expert, and the stock in trade of the drug stores drawn upon for the other coloring matter, and on the morning of the next day the coloring process began.

Instead of supper that evening her husband found the wife of his bosom seated on a pile of rags, her face bearing all the hues of the rainbow, smiling like Patience on Distress, and pointing to another pile, which, having been subjected to the bark process, ought to have been “yaller,” but persisted in being about the color of a sun-burnt bird’s-nest. Then the alum water was suggested and had the desired effect. The first day’s setting sun gleamed upon the desired color.

The second day was devoted to the black, and when the shades of evening were gathering, the lady, happy in the thought of a great deed accomplished, threw 14 gallons of log-wood and vitriol on the ground, in just the right place to mingle with 20 feet of water in the well!

The third day dawned clear and bright, and revealed, oh, horrors! about one-half of the rags which she had over-looked and forgotten to color! “Jack-oak” bark, Geo. Miller and all the other coloring matters were again in demand, and procured. The next day saw the work about finished, when an unfortunate movement of the almost exhausted lady upset the cradle, and “dumped” that four-months-old baby into about half a barrel of log-wood. He was fished out and stripped of his best and only change of baby clothes, which were thrown into the pile of black. The hair that was once red was red no more!

 

[The husband] engaged in doing a sum in arithmetic. His figures demonstrate that a rag carpet can be made, with lots of bright colors, at a cost of $1.52 per yard, including jack-oak, George Miller and other dye-stuffs, red flannel, shirts, babies, and three days’ work drawing twenty feet of “pizened” water from the well.

—LEUMAS

[Published in the Oskaloosa Independent, Saturday, April 24, 1874.]

This story appeared in “Yesteryears” in October 1994.

Maria Stark Writes to the Stark Family in Perry, Kansas, 1863

Letter from Maria Stark to the Stark Family at Perry, Kansas (Part 4, September 1863)

Note: These old letters are part of the Stark family heritage and were shared with us by Irene Gordon of Ozawkie, a Stark descendant. The letters are 127 years old [in 1990], written in long hand by Gilbert Stark to his family. As we copied them we typed as nearly as possible the spelling and punctuation as he used it. A soldier in the Civil War, Gilbert Stark paints a picture of his times, which we now share.

[From Maria Stark to Eliza A. Stark] 

Darby C. Plains

September the 1^st, 1863

Dear Mother,

After the elapse of over a week, I find myself trying to address a few lines to you. I hope you are all well and enjoying life. I feel pretty well at present. But Kittie is not very well, she has the diareah very bad, and wants to drink all the time. she has had it for 3 or 4 days  she is very cross and restless  I have ben 3 or 4 days trying to write a letter to Gilbert  have just finished it. I think it is the change of water or else of weather, or diet, you know she always made a meal of potatoe[s], here she has none  there is not but few potatoes in the County. the weather is very changeable  we have had hard frosts for 3 or 4 nights. The corn is not out of the way yet.

Well I presume you would like to know how we got home. We got to Grafton just in time, arrived at Delaware all safe. when I got off the cars someone caught hold of me and kissed me before I had time to look around. come to find out it was Annie  she said she had been there for the last week. she lives about a half mile from the depo. she made Ann go and stay with her until Monday. We arrived at Milford a little past noon  our folks was there Thursday and Friday but did not expect us Saturday. we went over to Mr. Reeds and Tom rode along in the evening  he seen me on the Portico and stopped. I did not know him, until Lillie said it was Tom  it was so late he could not go home and back again in time for us to go home  we stayed all night and Tina came after us Sunday  found our folks all well.

Tom’s wound looks very bad  I am afraid it will always be running sore  he goes around to[o] much on it. His cough is better. Ann started to the station to school yesturday if you believe me  I feel homesick and lonesome  Kittie is looking and calling Mina and her Granpa all the time.

I seen Sinclair  he said Gilbert was as well and hearty as he ever seen him when he left. he said he was coming over this week  then I can find out more about him. I have not got my letters from him since  if there does any come to Brunswick please forward them on and I will make it all right. I guess I have not left anything but that Itch ointment  I carried it down stairs and left it on that shelf in the dining room. I am sorry for it  Kittie is breaking out again. I wonder if it would melt if you put a little in a piece of writing paper and send it in a letter  if I had a little I could have the doctor make some like it. how do you all get along? how is the baby? Now it is getting late and I must take this to town  I cannot think of anything of importance to write. my Compliments to Malztta. tell her I will soon write her a letter  my love to all. The girls say please accept their compliments.

            no more from your daughter, 

            Maria A. Stark

I forgot to leave Gilbert’s directions

Mr. Gilbert J. Stark

Company B, 32^nd Regiment O V I

4^th Brigade, 3, Divission

Memphis, Tennessee

care of Capt. Sinclair

please forward to the Regiment

[Gilbert Stark enlisted in Company B, 32^nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry, August 8, 1862. Company B was recruited mainly in Union County, Ohio. The 32^nd Ohio served in western Virginia, at the siege of Vicksburg in Tennessee, and in Sherman’s campaigns including the March to the Sea. Gilbert Stark was promoted to Corporal on January 1, 1863. “U.S. Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles, 1861-1865,” gives his age at enlistment as 27. The record notes that he was a prisoner of war. A September 1864 letter to the “Citizen and Gazette” reported that he had been held in the Confederate prison at Andersonville, Georgia, for a year. 

Gilbert Stark survived the war and was mustered out on June 17, 1865. He eventually moved to Perry, Kansas, with his wife, Maria, and their daughter, Kittie. They had two more children, Eliza “Lida” Ann and Gilbert Franklin. Maria Connor Stark died in 1872. Gilbert Stark remarried, twice. He died in 1887. Gilbert and Maria Stark are buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery, Perry, Kansas.]

This story appeared in “Yesteryears” in October 1990.

Gilbert Stark and the 32nd Ohio Serve in Virginia, 1862

Letter from Gilbert J. Stark to His Family at Perry, Kansas (Part 3, November 1862)

Note: These old letters are part of the Stark family heritage and were shared with us by Irene Gordon of Ozawkie, a Stark descendant. The letters are 127 years old [in 1990], written in long hand by Gilbert Stark to his family. As we copied them we typed as nearly as possible the spelling and punctuation as he used it. A soldier in the Civil War, Gilbert Stark paints a picture of his times, which we now share.

[Gilbert Stark enlisted in Company B, 32^nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry, August 8, 1862. Company B was recruited mainly in Union County, Ohio. Stark was promoted to Corporal on January 1, 1863. U.S. Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles, 1861-1865, gives his age at enlistment as 27. The 32nd Ohio served in the Shenandoah Valley of western Virginia in 1862, opposing Confederate General T.J. "Stonewall" Jackson.]

Direct to Gilbert J. Stark

92 Reg. Company B in care of Cap. Parmer OVT Winchester via

Charlston Virginia

Sunday Nov. 1st 1862

S. Starks.

Dear Sir.

Here I am with the 42 Encamped near Charleston about (?) miles from the Ohio river up the valley of the Great Canaway. We started from Portland  Jackson Co.  in Ohio  Oct. 21. Reached here the 30^th  Resting 1 day and ½ having my marched nearly eighty miles  I stood the march wel, the rebels retreated from Charleston and the Surrounding fortifications, an Our approach the inhabitan[t]s can say they numbered Eight thousand, the road we come follows the bank of the River and is very Good,  The Conaway  is navigable Some 20 miles above here now, for Small Steamers and in high water the Ohio River Boats Come up nearly to Sauly [?] which is 30 miles above here  Charlston Looks hard half the buildings or more being empty or burned down. Much of the property along this valley has bin destroyed it having ben held in Succession a number of times by union and rebel Soldiers  many Incidents worthy of note along the way Whick I must tell you When I return. This is What we would term a very ruf Country but the valley, a strip of Bottom land averaging perhaps a mile wide  is verry fine farming land producing the Crops of the north as well as tobacco in abundance  We passed many fine farms made so from Slave labor  it is Said a good Share of the Slaves are gon  Probably many takin or sent South by their masters, and not a small number gon north   

One Old Negro Woman came out to the gate as we marched along  by appearance the mother of a large family  She came Shouting and Claping her hands, declaring that we wer the men she had ben praying long to See. How long we are to Stay here I do not know. I think verry few if any in the regiment does now. Some think in a few weeks  We will go back to the Ohio river. Some think We are to gradually move South till we intersect Some Southern Railroad  Others that we are to Stay here to Keep the rebels out of the Salt works in this vicinity.

I should have written you before But I rarely have much time to write  I have had but two letters from home till this moment  While I am Writing the Lieutenant hands me two letters  One from my wife Dated the 14^th Oct the Other from O J Howard dated 22  As regards army movements I can tell you no news  your facilities for knowing them [are] ten to One to mine. Our resources for aught els except Uncle Sam furnishes is rather limited  I paid twenty cents for a Canteen of milk this morning a trifle over a quart  the Second time I have tasted any Since I left home, Still I find We Can enjoy tolerable health while we dispence with many of the Comforts of home.

            (no signature)

(To be continued)

This story appeared in “Yesteryears” in October 1990.

Gilbert Stark Enlists in the 32nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry, August 1862

Letter from Gilbert J. Stark to His Family at Perry, Kansas (Part 2, August 1862)

Note: These old letters are part of the Stark family heritage and were shared with us by Irene Gordon of Ozawkie, a Stark descendant. The letters are 127 years old [in 1990], written in long hand by Gilbert Stark to his family. As we copied them we typed as nearly as possible the spelling and punctuation as he used it. A soldier in the Civil War, Gilbert Stark paints a picture of his times, which we now share.

[Gilbert Stark married Maria Connor in Union County, Ohio, in 1860. Their daughter, Kittie, was born in December 1861. He enlisted in Company B, 32^nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry, August 8, 1862. Company B was recruited mainly in Union County, Ohio. Stark was promoted to Corporal on January 1, 1863. “U.S. Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles, 1861-1865,” gives his age at enlistment as 27.]

Fort Segil

August the 29^th, 1862

Dear Father & Mother,

I avail myself of the oportunity to i[n]form you of my health & whereabouts. I hope this will find you all well & happy  I have inlisted into the service of my country. I thought it my duty. It was the ha[r]dst trial of my life. I had just setled down and was prosperous  I had a Wife & one child & to leve them was hard  it tried my iron will fore once.

Mother  Kitty is the handsomest child I ever saw & I never knew how well I loved them untill I left but such is the fate of man; I thought that Maria could not stand it  it was hard fore her. . but all should be ready to make the sacrifice let it be litle or grate. her health is better this sumer than I ever knew it. she lives at squaire Reeds & will untill I return  she will come up & make you a visit if you will let her know wheather you can meet her at the cars.

I sold my corn and hogs 1 yourk of oxen fore 7 hundred dolars  I left 9 good horses & 2 cows — [?] head of young cattle & 1 hundred dolars worth of farming utensils untill I get back — I only got 50 dolars down; don’t give yourself any unease about that note that you seinged with me fore I have left a plenty to pay all my debts and leve Maria 1 thousand dolars  tel Lucina that she must wait a little until I collect some of my pay but Maria will pay the Interest this fall. I left Maria a plenty to do here while the ware wil last  yesterday the booming of distant cannon around our camp; all is anrzty here. it is rumored that a battle is going on between Jackson & Pope  we hope fore the best but no nothing as yet; a horsman has just arived; the blood stained sides of his panting steed shows that he has come at a fearful pase; the Artilrey horses is just hitched; now they go of[f] as hard as they can whip  the Cavelry has just ben drawn up in line, the order is forward & away they go. we are not to go away from our post.

The people of this country is ful of sech but few union people in this place; Virginia is ful of mountains & hills  it looks a good deal like the state of Neyork  whear we are is very healthy  we have splendid watter; it is very cold here nights. it is very dry and has ben ever since early in the season. I should like to have Maria come up their & see you  I want her to spend the time as pleasently as she can while I am gone  Lon Wilson & Joseph Ault is here with me  they are both good boys  we are both in one company; Jack is in the 96 Reg. Please write often to me fore a leter is a prise. Yours truly, from your affectionate son,

            Gilbert J. Stark

(To be continued)

This story appeared in “Yesteryears” in October 1990.

Gilbert Stark's Civil War Era Letters to His Family at Perry, Kansas

Letter from Gilbert J. Stark to His Family at Perry, Kansas (Part 1, November 1856)

Note: These old letters are part of the Stark family heritage and were shared with us by Irene Gordon of Ozawkie, a Stark descendant. The letters are 127 years old [in 1990], written in long hand by Gilbert Stark to his family. As we copied them we typed as nearly as possible the spelling and punctuation as he used it. A soldier in the Civil War, Gilbert Stark paints a picture of his times, which we now share. 

[Gilbert Stark was born in Ohio in 1835. His parents moved to Perry, Kansas, in Kansas territorial days. He traveled east in search of work in 1856, when he was 21 years old.]

Hamden, Nov. 16^th / [18]56

New Haven Co.  Ct.

Dear Father and Mother,

I avail myself of this opportunity of writing a few lines to you to let you know my whereabouts  I am wel as usual only I have got a hard cold  I like this place very wel but the country as a genral thing I dont’ like. Lant can tel you the circumstances of our being separated  I intended to have seen him again before he went home but I could not if I went home with Mr. Cooper, it cost me 84 dolars to come here & I thought that I could never spend 4 dolars in a beter way then to get a peep at New Haven  I come home with Mr Coopr one Monday Night & I hired out one thursday night and comenced work friday morning  I am to work fore, Hail & Aling, Co. an omnibuss line. They keep 9 horses & run an omnibuss to New Haven, 3 times a day. I have only hired to them for one month fore shure & at the end of the month if we booth like I have agreed to stay untill the first day of April for 18 dolars per month  I drive team most of the time or shal do so after a litle. I have drove omnibuss ever since I have ben here. I shal have to haul one load of wood to town a day & then at night drive a four hours omnibuss to town. The[y] has a man put one sone teams opposition to the men that I work fore & as long as that last I shal have to drive Night & day  last night I drove to town twice & did not get to bed untill after one o clock.

I dont know as I am making a living here but there is one thing that I do know that is I wil try  I have bought me a new pair of boots fore 3 dolars, a pare of Gloves 1.22 & a pair of over hauls for .50 cents so that I am pretty will drest. I think that I shal stay here untill spring if nothing hapens & then if you want me to come home & stay next sumer I will do so. I had rather stay to home than to stay here in the sumer time. I want you to write just as soon as you get this & let me know how you got along  I shal send you 20 dolars in this letter & I want you to write whether you got it or not  dont fail to write just as soon as you get this fore it has ben so long since I have heard from home that I should like to get a line. Gile Briggs wanted me to write what wages was  tel him if he wil come down here in febuary he can git big wages. I want you to pay Lant 50 cents for me, father I wish that you would take that Harness of Chadbourns & get it fixxt & send it home  ther is a colar & bridle that goes with it  that little colare is the one, it wants one new pipe, one hip strap wants fixxing & the chains want fixxing. I ment to have done it before I come away but foregot it. I thought that I had eat oyesters in Ohio but I never did until I come here. I want Hariet and Lydia & Hellen & Frank & all the rest of you to write to me & I wil answer as fast as I get time. I cant write any more at present.

I have not told you half of the news about the hills & mountains that we crost  I shal have to put it of[f] until some other time. I am in a hury now & wil write soon again. I want Mother to write & I want you to write fore it is lonesome — here. If it was not fore Cooper folk I should dye but I go & see them often  they are good folks  Good bye from your Afectionate son

            Gilbert J. Stark

(To be continued) 

This story appeared in “Yesteryears” in October 1990.