Published by permission from the historical society.

Transcribed by Mrs. McElroys' MMS class.

Old Settlers

             Kansas opened the Osage Territory in 1856 and the settlers started moving into the lush Arkansas River area. The area around the present town of Mulvane 1874.

            In the fall of 1873, according to information from many early settlers, Jessie Bowles invited neighbors and friends to enjoy a basket dinner in the walnut grove on his farm. The farm is now owned by Dell Mantz and the walnut grove was cut down by the Lampkys in 1954. The next year, we understand, it was held on the Fred Wagner farm and each year following on different farms.

            Jim Brown, who had a trading post at Littleton, just south and east of the present site of Mulvane, started promoting a colt show, and the annual picnics were held in a grove near the trading post. Settlers would bring their prize animals for all to see.

            The first organized picnic and written account was in 1884 according to appointment. The time before noon was devoted to social intercourse and was profitable spent by neighbors getting acquainted. Then the baskets, buckets, boxes, tin pails, jugs, bottles, watermelons, peaches, grapes, etc., were brought forth, and the feast no milder name will convey the real situation, began. Logan’s National Martial Band enlivened the woods with patriotic airs.

            Alonzo Shull was the chairman of the after dinner program. J.B. Drummond gave a speech about early settlement in Sumner County. P.S. Conroy was awarded the honor of being the first settler of Sumner County. Cheatham broke the first ground in Sumner County and raised the first corn.

            Other speakers were introduced and they told some of their experiences.

            A vote of thanks was tendered Major Freeman for the use of his grove and for furnishing seats, stands, etc. This was the end of the Harvest Home Picnics and the start of the Mulvane Colt Show. The picnic was soon moved to the main street of the new town of Mulvane.

            In 1900 the Mulvane Colt Show was merged with the Mulvane Agricultural Association at which time C.A. Steele was elected president, J.L. Nessly, vice president, and John Reed, secretary-treasurer. The annual meeting continued to bear the name of the Mulvane Colt Show until 1904, when the committee of E.W. Phillips, John Hatchett, J.A.B. Shippey, and John Anderson in their meeting previous to the picnic voted to change the name to the Quad County Old Settlers’ Picnic. Mr. Shippey was the originator of  the change. The four counties of Sedgwick, Butler, Cowley and Sumner all lie near Mulvane, and they felt that by locating such a meeting here, it would enable great multitudes from the four counties mentioned to be present. At the meeting the date of the picnic was set on the last Thursday in August, 1904. First officers were: E.W. Phillips, president;  F.C. Schaper, Mulvane, vice president, Sumner Co.; G.L. Seaman, Udall, vice president, Cowley Co.; James McCluggage, Rose Hill, vice president, Butler Co.; J.A.B. Shippey, secretary; and M.D. Canaday, treasurer.

            From an account of the Quad County Old Settlers’ Picnic in 1905 comes the following: Out of 5,000 citizens of Sumner, Sedgwick, Cowley, and Butler Counties who attended the Quad County Picnic of Mulvane, less than three dozen had been continuous settlers in this section of the state since 1870. Not many years ago hundreds who attended annual picnics in this section could boast of this distinction. But time has thinned the ranks of the old settlers, until now it is indeed a rare sight to see even a score of 1870 settlers gathered in one group. A picture was printed, of course not all the people that were in town are in the picture, but this is the list that was.

            In the group of those who came in 1870 were H.H. Snyder, Fred Wagner, Mrs. L. Scott, J.S. Brown, Mrs. E.R. Wood of Belle Plaine, Mrs. Amelia Wagner, and E.W. Phillips. Among those who came in 1871 were: John Thompson, A.D. Cushman, Mrs. L.H. Bruce, I.P. Garris, Mrs. K. Pomeroy, Jack Walsh, A.G. Forney of Wichita and D.A. Keller of Belle Plaine, William Blampied, who came in 1869 was also in the picture.

            From the beginning the Quad County Old Settlers’ Picnic became a reunion place once each year for the pioneers of the four counties, for their pleasure and their association and the renewing of acquaintances.

            With the passing years, and the advent of the automobile, the affair has grown from a gathering of a thousands who yearly converge on Mulvane. This day is to honor the real pioneers, who settled this land in the years 1870 to 1880, and  the ones who followed them in the building of this southern Kansas empire.

            We have tried to find out the date when the carnival was added but have not been able to. Everyone says they can always remember there being a merry-go-round.

            Horse races were held on a race track that was located west of the Civil Defense Building. Baseball was played on diamonds at different places around Mulvane, some were near the present location of the saddle club, in Miller’s pasture, the children played on the grade school grounds, etc.

            Pitching horseshoes was also big with the men and some pretty hot contests were held.

            The ladies had a nail driving contest, some ending with smashed fingers. Splitting kindling was also up to the ladies.

            Main Street was completely closed to traffic and the middle block was used for barrel races, horse shows, pie eating contests, sack races, turtle races, freckle contest and anything else the people could think of.

            There used to be a vacant lot east of Mulvane State Bank, a telephone pole was set up and $5.00 was placed on top; then it was well lubricated with grease. If you managed to climb the pole the $5.00 was yours.

            Great fun was enjoyed by the children when the greased pig was turned loose, and the children scampered after it. Some lucky child always ended up with it. Mothers ended up with greasy clothes.

            George Blair was instrumental in getting a parade started in 1915; this has been a highlight ever since. The oxen pulling the covered wagon have always been present. Mr. George Seamen had excellent white oxen which he drove in the parade until his death. His grandson, Carl Storey, drove them the year of his grandfather’s death. We can thank the Storeys, Ashmores, and Logans for keeping oxen in the parade all these years. The “pioneer woman” float was also always looked for; many Mulvane young women and children have played this part.

            Through the years different things have started and some have become a standard such as the coon dog float. Aug. 26, 1937, the Old Settlers decided to pick a queen to honor the early pioneer women. Sarah Jane Jones, mother of Glenn Jones, was chosen for this honor. Thanks to Mrs. Glenn Jones and Ronnie Jones, her grandson, we now have pictures and this write up from an old newspaper clipping.

            SARAH JANE JONES Aug., 26, 1937. Queen of the annual Quad County Old Settler’s Reunion, Thursday, Aug. 26, 1937, will be Mrs. Sarah Jane Jones, 81 year-old pioneer of near Waco-Wego, known to neighbors near and far as plain “Mrs. Jones”.

            Definitely thrilled by the honor accorded her, Mrs. Jones Saturday took time away from her chores to tell of her life and experiences as one of the earliest settlers in the Arkansas Valley.

            “It is the first time a queen has been chosen for the reunion and it’s the first time I’ve been a queen’, she smiled. The combination should be perfect.

            Born in Indiana, the sprightly old-timer took her first trip in an oxen-driven wagon to Illinois where she spent her girlhood. She came to Kansas in the summer of 1884, fell in love with the country, settled and began teaching school at Waco.

            For a time she attended the Normal School at Winfield and then pioneered in the region near what is now Copeland. Her subsequent return to Waco proved lasting.

            Mrs. Jones doesn’t like to be called “Aunt Sade”. The name originated years ago when she befriended a child who called her that; others took it up until she “had to use drastic measures to stop it. She laughed, “Neighborhood folks don’t call me that anymore.

            Mrs. Jones had three children and eleven grandchildren. Glenn lives but a short distance from Mrs. Jones. Verne is an Army Captain stationed at Fort Sill, Okla. She has one daughter, Mrs. E.H. (Joy) Batt, of Wichita.

            With Mrs. Jones in the spectacular parade and pageant will be her four attendants, all pioneer residents of Kansas. The are: Mrs. Rosie Seigfried, 86 years of age, a resident of Mulvane for 53 years; Mrs. Emma L. Smith, seventy, (mother of Homer Smith) and inhabitant of Kansas for 59 ears; Mrs. Marie Penney who has been in this state since 1882- she is 79 years old; and Mrs. Peachy Belle Satterthwaite, eighty, a Kansas resident since 1871. All now live in Mulvane.

            The pageant itself will depict through the units of the parade, which is to commence at 11:30 a.m., the period of Indian occupation, the cattlemen and trappers who preceded the permanent settlers and the various periods of the county’s development.

DOW HELBERT LED THE PARADE IN 1937.

            Fresh new ideas are always enjoyed. Of course, the parade would not be complete without the horses, bicycles, country doctor, Indians, Midian Shrine, bands, covered wagons, the beautiful shire, Belgian Percheron, and Clydesdale draft horses, floats and many other things.

            In the early days team pulling contests were held at the Mulvane Co-Op. Farmers would bring their regular working teams and compete to see who had the best. Now the team pulling contest is on a more professional basis.

            The horticultural Show held in Nessly garage was a great drawing card. The men and women worked hard to produce prize products. Wheat, corn, oats, watermelons, cantaloupes, fruits and vegetables of all kinds were judged. The ladies brought their baked, canned goods and fancy work. This was very much like the state fair holds today.

            One of the highlights of the day was the horse square dance. This was called the Equestrian Quadrille. Thanks to Ralph Johnson we have a newspaper clipping from the Nov. 13, 1926, Wichita Beacon.

            EQUESTRIAN QUADRILLE,  Mulvane men start unique cowboy stunt. Mulvane, the capital of the milk industry, whose railway timetable schedules more overland limited passenger trains and fast freights than any other town of its size in Kansas, has become noted for its Equestrian Quadrille, a decidedly unique and entertaining diversion in horsemanship.

            By way of explanation, Frank Watson and Art Huff met at the post office one morning in the late spring and agreed that something out of the ordinary should be worked out as an attraction for the Old Settler’s Reunion, Mulvane’s outstanding annual event.

            When the big posters were printed announcing the day and place of the recurring fall festival, set forth that among the many and varied attractions would be an equestrian quadrille. Many were in doubt as to its portent. Quite a few who scanned the program thought it might be a new brand of breakfast food, while others decided to await developments.

            Anyhow, several thousand people took a chance by attending the reunion and witnessing one of the snappiest and interesting horse acts ever staged outside of a circus. It made such a hit that the people of Belle Plaine engaged its presentation at their fair on October 1. Last week it was re-enacted at the big National Live Stock Show in Wichita, and proved to be one of the sensations of the week. In fact it met with such favor that the management of the Kansas City National Live Stock Exposition is negotiating for its reproduction at Kansas City next week.

            This novel equine terpsichorean fantasy is composed of seventeen cow ponies and seventeen riders, which execute the movements of the quadrille (or square dance) from the Virginia reel to “cheetum and swing’, keeping step to the rhythm of “Money Musk,” “Buffalo Girls,” “Washerwoman” and other old time favorite dance tunes. The riders, garbed in the realistic habiliments of the cowboy, were divided up into eight couples, or pairs. The seventeenth rider called off the changes.

            Frank Watson and Art Huff claim that it required considerable time and patience to perfect the act, but that its final success has amply repaid them for their trouble.

            Those taking part in the equestrian quadrille, all Mulvane boys, are: Frank, Everett, Lindley and Joe Watson; Everett and Oscar Helbert; Cliff and Harry Howard; Ralph Johnson; Art Huff; Bill (Jingling) Johnson; Earl Carl; Carey Butts; C.O. Burgess; Fred Kersey; Wm. Orrell and Newt Reed, the last acting as caller for the dance.

By Lewis W. Moore.

            We take note here that over the years other men took part as replacements or substitutes. They are: Will Wagner, Walt Costin, Clarence Sommer, Ed Giddeon, Warren Sealock and Glenn Mills. Dale Burgess was water boy. Over the years these men traveled many miles to put on this unique horse show.

            Programs were held in the park all day. The Old Fiddlers’ contest livened the afternoon, speeches, talent shows and many other things were going on throughout the day. In the evening, a band concert was enjoyed by all.

            Windows up and down Main Street were decorated by different groups or individuals. Most of these are hobbies, art, and antiques. These were judged ad prizes given for the most original.

            Five hundred of Dr. S. T. Shelly’s babies came to see him, Aug.. 25, 1932, Old Settlers’. He entertained them on the lawn of his home.

            Dr. Shelly was disappointed that more of his 4,300 babies couldn’t be present. Dr. Shelly stated, “I did not expect all of my 4,300 babies to be here today, for they are scattered over all America, and some are in foreign countries, but I did look for at least a thousand or two to come.”

            Mr. And Mrs. Bert Roby entered the lawn with a big basket on his arm with a pair of twins (Earle & Merle). They were born in Mulvane, July 28, 1932. Just then a man walked up put his arm around Doc’s shoulders and stated, “I am your oldest baby.” This was Albert Noreen, a 52 year old farmer living near Mulvane. Dr. Shelly stated he had delivered a girl baby the day after he arrived in town, but he had forgotten who she was. Her name was supplied by Mrs. Everett Howard; it was Mammies Williams.

            Mr. Maple arrived on the lawn and stated he had three generations with him, Doc Stork, had delivered. They were his wife, Dora Drummond, on Christmas, 1885. Dr. Shelly delivered her five children. Eldon, Mrs. Maple’s oldest son, was with here and his son, Bobby, one year old, who Dr. Shelly had also delivered.

            So they kept coming all day. There was the Dye Family of eleven children. He gave them all a good entrance into life.

            There were men and women who drove from Emporia, Topeka, Hutchinson and many other parts of Kansas. A man and his wife were passing through Kansas from Florida on a trip. Hearing of the reunion they came to join the other babies.

            Oscar Hilbert was born in a log house fifty years ago, with Dr. Shelly on hand to see that he had a fair start in life.

            Dr. Shelly nearly drowned in the Cow skin trying to cross. His horse finally hit firm ground about a half mile down stream and Doc delivered the baby while he was dripping wet. He was also stuck in many a snow drift. But hell or high water, he was there. He also has proof that he never lost a mother or baby.

            Through the years, changes have taken place. When Main Street was blacktopped the horse contests and barrel races were moved to the grade school grounds. In 1943 they were held at the Saddle Club in the south part of town. The Saddle Club built new facilities across the tracks west of Mulvane in 1947 and all rodeo events have been held there since.

            Last year an Arts and Crafts Show was added where artists and craftsmen could display and sell their works. This was enjoyed by many.

            On the 75^th anniversary of the Old Settlers’, the little Santa Fe train was added to the parade. George Derby of the Santa Fe came in his private rail car and joined the celebration. He invited George Blair, George Saylor, George Drake, George Seaman, and George Bloomenshine for lunch in his private car. The men were introduced to his Negro waiter whose name was also George. He said, “Gentlemen, George Washington was also a good man.” Since all these men have played such a good pat in the history of  Mulvane, we agree, George is a good name.

            Old Settlers’ has changed greatly over the 100 years. It was originally started by the people who depended on each other for survival and loved to share one with the other. Nobody would think of being paid for the part they played in making Old Settlers’ a success. Today it is becoming commercial enough that it is hard to get even a band without pay. No, we would not want to go back and start living like they did 100 years ago, but let’s not forget that to share our talents is to bring happiness to many as well as to ourselves.