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Johnson county is located in the western part of the State. It is bounded on the north by Leavenworth and Wyandotte counties, on the east by Missouri, on the south by Miami county and on the west by Douglass county. It contains 480 square miles, or 307,200 acres. When it was first organized, in 1855, the Kansas river was its northern boundary, but in 1859 the present boundary line was established. About ten per cent. of the county is bottom land, and ninety per cent. upland, and the surface generally undulating. The central and southeastern parts are the highest portions, the streams having their sources there and flowing northeast and south. The soil is very productive; from one to six feet in depth and well adapted to the raising of wheat, corn, oats, potatoes and wild and tame grasses. Alfalfa does well. Timber belts skirt the small streams where clearings have not been made. The streams are small. The Kansas river, along the west two-thirds of the northern border, receives as tributaries, Cedar, Clear, Captains, Mill and Turkey creeks. Blue and Indian creeks run eastward and the two forks of Bull creek run south. Good well water is found at an average depth of twenty-five feet. There is considerable limestone and some sandstone in the county, and excellent brick clay. Johnson county was organized in 1855, but there was no full set of officers until March, 1857, when Gov. Robert J. Walker appointed the following officers: Commissioners, John T. Ector, John Evans and William Fisher, Jr.; probate judge, John B. Campbell; treasurer, John T. Barton; sheriff, Pat Cosgrove. The commissioners held their first meeting on September 7, 1855. John Henry Blake was appointed clerk and Samuel C. Wear as deputy sheriff. But little business was taken up at this meeting. An election was ordered for the purpose of electing county officers, but owing to some informality connected with it, was declared void. October 28, another meeting was held at which time the townships of Aubry, Lexington, Monticello, McCamish, Olathe, Sante |
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72 Fe (now Oxford), Spring Hill and Shawnee, were organized, and special commissioners appointed to prescribe their boundaries. Gardner, then a part of Spring Hill township, was soon separately organized. At the third meeting of the commissioners, December 7, constables were appointed for each township; Anderson Tate for Olathe, N. T. Milliner for Monticello, David P. Wear for Shawnee, T. M. Powers for McCamish, Robert Victor for Gardner, Jacob Buttram for Oxford and R. Todd for Lexington. In March 1858, the first county election was held. The following officers were elected: Commissioners, John T. Ector, John J. Evans and William Fisher, Jr.; J. J. Blake, register of deeds; James Rich, clerk of board of commissioners; Pat Congrove (sic), sheriff; Jonathan Gore, county attorney; S. B. Myrick, deputy clerk; Samuel Wear, deputy sheriff by appointment. In the following September, J. M. Griffin was appointed county attorney to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Jonathan M. Gore. The county at this time was overwhelmingly Democratic and the free State men made no attempt to elect officers. But they did attempt to arrest John T. Evans on account of his connection with operations in 1856. John Lockart was the leader of this party. After chasing Evans on the open prairie most of one day, he gave up the attempt, and returned to Olathe and arrested Judge Campbell, and took him to Lawrence for trial, but he was soon released. In the election of 1859, the following county officers were elected by the Democrats: Probate judge, E. F. Wilkerson; clerk, S. B. Myrick; treasurer, S. B. Squires; register of deeds, J. H. Blake; sheriff, Pat Cosgrove; county attorney, G. M. Waugh; surveyor, A. Slaughter; superintendent of public instruction, I. W. Christison. All the officers elected were good men, and thoroughly competent to perform the duties devolving on them, with the exception of the treasurer. He proved to be a reckless and dishonest official and at the end of the term was a defaulter for a considerable amount. In compensation, or part compensation, to the county, he offered to turn in Johnson county scrip, which was refused by the board of commissioners. Suit was brought and a judgment obtained against him for $6,000. He again tendered scrip which was again refused, and as a result his bondsmen were released. The county secured nothing on the judgments and Squires left. The county officers elected in the fail of 1861, were all Republicans, though some of them had, but recently, joined the party. This was the case of S. B. Myrick, who had fought at the battle of Bull Creek under General Reid, and had been repeatedly elected to the office of county clerk by the Democrats. |
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73 The contest was close, and the officers elected as follows: Commissioners, Elias Mason, G. W. Roberts and Adam Sheets; clerk, J. H. Jackson; register of deeds, S. B. Myrich (sic); treasurer, J. W. Sponable; sheriff, John Jones. Since the above election, the county officers have been as follows: County commissioners in 1863 were D. W. Williams, Evan Shriver and Elias Mason; 1864, Thomas Hogan to fill vacancy, in 1865 D. M. Williams, W. C. Smith, and C. L. Dille; in 1867, B. F. Hollenbeck, John Brady and John Fulcher; 1869, W. H. Brady, John Brady and H. W. McClintock; 1873, J. A. Hibbard, J. E. Barnard, V. R. Ellis; 1875, L. F. Watts, J. A. Hibbard, and Alexander Miller; 1877, Thomas Douglas, T. G. Stephenson, Thomas Pierce. After this election the law was changed and two commissioners held over, one only being elected each year. In 1878, C. Zehring was elected for three years, and in 1879, T. G. Stephenson; in. 1880, A. Fritz; 1881, C. Zehring; 1882-85-88, D. P. Hoagland; 1884, David Hunt; 1886, R. R. Moore; 1887, P. J. Cross; 1889-92, I. D. Hibner; 1890, A. N. Edgington; 1891-94, Samuel McPherson; 1893, Lewis W. Breyfogle; 1895, C. K. Dow; 1896-99, W. S. Speer; 1897, I. H. Legate; 1898-1901, J. T. Cramer; 1902, J. E. Young; 1900-'03, S. H. Allison; 1904, J. W. Perkins; 1906, Robert Baker; 1908, J. H. Hibner; 1908, Harry King; 1910, A. J. Calvert; 1912, W. W. Anderson; 1912, F. M. Gordon; 1914, J. W. Jones. Probate Judges of Johnson county have been as follows: 1862-64, L. F. Bladgett; 1866-68-70, B. Noteman; 1872-74-76-78-80, G. F. Hendrickson; 1882-84, F. E. Henderson; 1886-88, J. D. Allen; 1890, William Henry; 1892-94, William Pellet; 1896-98, James Hammond; 1900-02, S. G. Long; 1904-06, John T. Burris; 1908, S. G. Long; 1910-12, Robert Baker; 1914, G. A. Roberds. Sheriffs: 1863, John Jones; 1865-67, J. M. Hadly; 1869-71, A. J. Clemmans; 1873, Nicholas Reitz; 1875-77, A. J. Clemmans; 1879-81, William Julian; 1883-85, W. P. K. Hedrick; 1887, C. V. Townley; 1889, G. T. Goode; 1891, J. R. Easdale; 1893-95, J. J. Glover; 1897-99, J. W. Jones; 1904, P. K. Hendrick; 1906-08, John Steed; 1910-12, L. L. Cave; 1914, E. G. Carroll. County Clerks. -- 1863-65-67, F. E. Henderson; 1869-71, J. T. Taylor; 1873-75-77, Joseph Martin; 1879-81, Frank Hantoon; 1883-85, Henry V. Chase; 1887-89, W. M. Adams; 1891-93, John J. Lyons; 1893-97, J. W. Thomas; 1899-1902, J. G. Rudy; 1904-06, Roscoe Smith; 1908-10, J. T. Kincaid; 1912-14, W. J. Moore. Clerks of the District Court. -- 1861, J. T. Weaver; 1864-66, S. B. Myrick; 1868, T. J. Hadley; 1870-72-74, J. M. Badley; 1876-78-80, A. H. Lott; 1882, J. H. .Marshall; 1884-86, C. E. Caress; 1888-90, W. F. Pugh; 1892-94, C. H. Mossman; 1896-98, W. D. Morrison; 1900-02, J. R. Thorne; 1904, Ben H. Hancock; 1906-08, G. W. Folmer; 1910-12, S. W. Alderson; 1914, James Rose. |
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74 Treasurers. -- 1861-63, J. W. Sponable; 1865, Col. J. E. Hayes; 1867- 69, J. H. Blake; 1871-73, J. B. Bruner; 1875-77, H. A. Taylor; 1879-, A. J. Carpenter; 1883-85, Solon Rogers; 1887-89, G. F. Goode; 1891-93, D. R. Johnson; 1895-97, Edgar Ripley; I899-1902, A. E. Moll; 1904-06, W. T. Turner; 1908-10, J. T. Nichols; 1912-14, M. T. Meredith. County Attorneys. -- 1864, A. S. Devenny; 1865, William Roy; 1866, J. T. Burris; 1868, J. L. Wines; 1870-72, Frank R. Ogg; 1874, J. W. Green; 1876, J. P. Henderman, 1878, J. T. Burris; 1880, J. A. Rankin; 1882-84, J. T. Little; 1886-88, J. W. Parker; 1890-92, S. D. Scott; 1894, F. R. Ogg; 1896-98, F. N. Hamilton; 1900, E. C. Owens; 1904, C. C. Hoge; 1906, J. R. Thorne; 1908-10, C. B. Little; 1912, R. C. Fay; 1914, C. L. Randall. County Surveyors. -- 1861, R. Morgan; 1863, I. C. Stuck; 1865, M. J. Burke; 1867, Frank L. Weaver; 1869-71, I. C. Stuck; 1873, D. Hubbard; 1875, J. P. Hindman; 1877, A. G. Carpenter; 1879-81, T. A. Parker; 1883, David Hubbard; 1885-87, E. C. Owens; 1889-91, Jesse Pearson; 1897, Lewis Terrill; 1901, Ole Hibner; 1908, E. C. Owens; 1893-95, Fred Pickering; 1899-1901, A. G. Carpenter; 1906, Fred S. Pickering; 1910-12, T. W. Nowland; 1914, George Pike. Superintendents of Public Instruction. -- 1861, L. F. Bladgett; 1862, O. S. Laws ; 1863, W. H. Smith ; 1864, 0. S. Laws ; 1866-88, C. E. Lewis; 1870, J. B. Pollock; 1872, B. S McFarland; 1874, A. Rennick; 1876-78, Frank Murdock; 1880, W. J. Hull; 1882-84, F. H. Taylor; 1886-88, J. L. Howard; 1890, Sadie J. Kelly; 1892-94, Nannie L. Anderson; 1896- 98, Edith Barnett; 1900-02, Maud Clavins; 1904-06, Margaret McFarland; 1908-10, Emma Skinner; 1912-11, May Cain. Register of Deeds. -- 1861, S. B. Myrick; 1862-63, J. E. Clark; 1865- 67-69-71, I. S. Farris; 1873, A. H. Lott; 1875-77-79, E. L. Caress; 1881- 83-85, R. E. Stevenson; 1887, J. H. Stevenson ; 1889-91, J. O. Egleston; 1893-95, Charles Sprague; 1897-99, P. C. Donnelly; 1902, T. D. Hedrick; 1904-06, W. J. Shinn; 1908-10, E. A. Garrett; 1912-14, Frank D. Hedrick. County Assessors. -- 1861, T. T. Cadwallader; 1863, W. B. Thorn; 1865, J. T. Taylor; 1867, William Williams; after which the office was discontinued until 1908, when W. A. Mahaffie was appointed and elected to the office in 1910. Ed. Ripley was elected in 1912. The office was abolished by the legislature of 1913. The duties of the assessor now devolve on the county clerk. Coroner. -- 1885-87, Thomas Hamill; 1889, Dr. W. P. Furguson; 1891, Thomas Hamill; 1893-95, J. H. Hulen; 1897-1900, H. E. Williamson; 1899-1902, Dr. S. C. Parler; 1904-1906, E. P. Mills; 1910, D. E. Bronson ; 1912-1914, Dr. P. L. Lathrop. Johnson County Attorneys. -- Hon. J. O. Rankin, of Paola, is district judge of the Tenth Judicial District, composed of Johnson and Miami counties and the following are Johnson county attorneys: Halliday, C. B., Overland Park; Eaton, E. L., Gardner; Burris, John T., |
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75 Burgess, H. Z., Fay, R. Cecil, Gorsuch, C. W. Hayes, A. L., Hoge, C. C., Johnston, J. D., Little, C. B., Little, John T., Morrison, W. D., Pickering, Fred S., Pickering, I. O., Orr, James R., Ogg., F. R., Owen, E. C., Parker, J. W., Parker, M. V., Randall, C. L., Scott, S. D., Seaton, S. T., Shuey, Ray L., St. John, J. P. and Thorne, John R. At the election of March 30, 1855, for members of the First Territorial legislature, Rev. Thomas Johnson was elected from Johnson county, to the Territorial council, now, called the senate, and his son, Alexander S. Johnson, to the Territorial legislature. The legislature was convened at Pawnee near Ft. Riley, in Davis county, and organized by electing Rev. Thomas Johnson, president of the council, and Dr. J. H. Stringfellow, speaker of the house. Almost immediately after the organization, an act was passed, locating the capital at Shawnee Mission. The legislature adjourned to this, the first capital on July 16. One of its first acts was the organization of the settled portions of the territory into counties. Johnson county was named for the Rev. Thomas Johnson, president of the council. The county was thus organized and officered two years, before any of the land came into market, and before any white people, except those connected with the Indians, were allowed to reside in it. At this session of the legislature, the road leading from Kansas City, Mo., to Santa Fe., N. M., passing through the center of the county, was declared a territorial road. A road was located through the northern part of the county to Lawrence, Lecompton and Ft. Riley, and another along the eastern line of the county from Westport to Ft. Scott. On the twenty-third day of October, 1855, the Free State Constitutional Convention assembled at Topeka. Johnson county was not represented, its people being too pro-slavery. A constitution was adopted by the convention, the most important features of which was a clause prohibiting slavery in the State. On the fifteenth day of December, the Topeka constitution was submitted to the people and received a large, popular vote, outside of Johnson county. Almost the only anti-slavery people in the county at the time were the Hadleys, Jeremiah and his three sons, Samuel, T. J. and J. Milton Hadley, a family belonging to the society of "Friends." Jeremiah Hadley came out in August to assume the duties of superintendent of the Shawnee Quaker Mission. The Hadley families were fearless advocates of the Free State cause. A young man by the name of John Lockhart, of some ability and good education, residing at the misson with the Hadleys, was elected to represent Johnson county in the legislature, under the Topeka constitution. The legislature was summoned to meet at Topeka, July 4, 1856. The members assembled in accordance with the summons, but were not permitted to organize, being dispersed by Col. (Major-General) Edwin |
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76 V. Sumner, acting under orders from President Pierce. There were troublous times in eastern Kansas, generally, but Johnson county escaped in a remarkable manner, as the settlers at this early date were practically of one political belief, but where there were men of prominence in the county of Free State belief, they were made to feel that their absence was preferable to their presence. In August, of this year, a party of border ruffians went to the Quaker Mission, and after threatening to kill Jeremiah Hadley, stole six horses and a mule belonging to the mission, and a carriage owned by Levi Woodard. Then John Lockhart, who had been elected to the Free State legislature, was overtaken on his way to Chillicothe, about three miles west of the mission, by some armed men from Missouri, and threatened with arrest, as being in sympathy with Jim Lane. Calvin Cornatzer and Dr. Barton being with him, and Barton at the time, living at Chillicothe, persuaded the crowd that they were mistaken and none of them were harmed. A few weeks later, a squad of Missourians sought Lockhart at the mission and searched the building for him. He saved himself by dextrously slipping from one room to another that had been searched. The same summer Cornatzer was arrested at the instance of two of his pro-slavery neighbors, who accused him of being a Jim Lane man. He was taken to Tecumseh, lodged in jail and released the next day, the charge not being sustained. Perk Randall was elected a member of the legislature, Rev. Thomas Johnson holding over as a member of the council. In April, 1859, a proposition to hold a constitutional convention was submitted to the people of the territory. The proposition was sustained and the convention assembled at Wyandotte, on the first Tuesday of March, 1859. Johnson county was represented by J. T. Barton, Democrat, and J. T. Burris, Republican. Colonel Burris has the honor of being the first outspoken Republican in this, the then Democratic stronghold, and the first Republican elected at a general election. On the first Tuesday in the following October, the constitution framed by the Wyandotte convention was adopted by the people of Kansas by a majority of nearly 4,000, 10,341 for, and 5,530 against it. During the summer, for the first time in the history of the county, the Republicans organized and put in nomination candidates for the various county offices, and two candidates for the representatives in the legislature. J. F. Hayes, of Olathe, and Dr. Scott, of Shawnee, for representatives. The Democrats nominated L. S. Cornwall, of Olathe, and Charles Simms, of Spring Hill. They were elected over the Republican competitors for majorities of 88 and 120 respectively. |
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78
THE FOLLOWING STATISTICS SHOWING POPULATION AND VALUATION OF
CITIES AND TOWNSHIPS ARE GIVEN:
Townships
and cities Population Land City lots Personal Railroads Total
The county ... 19,705 $22,826,810 $4,883,445 $4,517,770 $8,090,820 $40,318,845
Aubury twp..... 1,060 1,871,955 50,680 245,805 590,328 2,758,768
Gardner ....... 585 222,025 262,930 36,477 521,432
Gardner twp.... 1,374 2,110,980 274,275 553,481 2,938,736
De Soto........ 390 140,905 97,265 50,779 2,889,309
Lexington twp.. 1,760 2,187,435 6,555 353,005 562,974 3,109,989
Edgerton ...... 420 87,685 98,730 34,360 220,775
McCamish twp... 747 1,840,740 39,740 268,005 569,003 2,717,488
Mission twp.... 1,877 3,474,085 939,280 392,985 434,332 5,240,682
Monticello twp. 1,088 1,612,065 38,845 228,020 1,331,776 3,210,706
Olathe......... 3,626 2,173,535 798,995 223,909 3,196,439
Olathe twp..... 1,288 2,929,885 68,975 323,385 1,522,551 4,844,796
Oxford twp..... 1,437 3,034,925 78,985 405,730 799,149 4,318,789
Lenexa......... 435 218,370 57,155 67,974 343,499
Shawnee twp.... 2,444 2,370,885 547,945 241,260 984,235 4,144,325
Spring Hill.... 556 264,355 271,150 43,363 578,868
Spring Hill twp. 618 1,393,855 5,565 199,085 286,129 1,884,634
FARM AND CROP STATISTICS FOR 1914, JOHNSON COUNTY.
Crops Acres Products Value
Winter wheat ...................... 51,659 1,136,498 $977,388.28
Corn .............................. 54,766 1,095,320 722,911.20
Oats .............................. 24,597 883,332 326,832.84
Rye ............................... 513 10,260 7,695.00
Barley . . ........................ 35 735,000 367.50
Irish potatoes .................... 2,030 150,220 90,132.00
Sweet potatoes .................... 16 1,760 1,232.00
Castor beans ...................... 2 20 22.00
Flax .............................. 25 175 197.75
Millet, tons ...................... 102 204 1,020.00
Sugar beets, tons ................. 2 18 90.00
Sorghum for syrup ................. 25 (gallons 2,000) 960.00
Sorghum for forage or grain, tons.. 187 1,496.00
Milo, tons ........................ 149 596 2,384.00
Kafir, tons ....................... 560 2,240 8,960.00
Jerusalem corn, tons .............. 40 160 640.00
Fetterita, tons ................... 12 42 168.00
Timothy, tons ..................... 7,833
Clover, tons . .................... 5,251
Blue grass, tons .................. 20,158
Alfalfa, tons ..................... 4,139
Orchard grass, tons ............... 573
Other tame grasses, tons .......... 6,411 16,549 165,290.00
Prairie grass (fenced) ............ 29,477 536 4,824.00
_______ _______ ____________
Total .................. .......... 208,500 $2,312,610.57
SUMMARY OF ASSESSMENT OF PERSONAL PROPERTY IN
JOHNSON COUNTY FOR 1915.
No. Av.Val. Tot.Ac.Val.
Horses six months old and under one year..................... 1,085 $35.06 $38,050.00
Horses one year old and under two ........................... 1,036 50.56 52,385.00
Horses two years old and under three......................... 888 75.32 66,890.00
Horses three years old and older............................. 435 89.86 39,090.00
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79 Work horses ................................................. 5,003 94.25 471,555.00 Ponies, cripples and plugs................................... 1,476 43.29 63,900.00 Stallions ................................................... 65 257.15 16,715.00 Cattle six months old and under one year .................... 4,395 17.43 76,625.00 Cattle one year old and under two ........................... 3,083 28.35 87,425.00 Steers two years old and under three ........................ 896 43.75 39,200.00 Steers three years old and over, rough fed .................. 149 39.19 5,840.00 Steers three years old and over, half fed ................... 83 45.78 3,800.00 Steers three years old and over, full fed ................... 95 64.74 6,1.50.00 Cows and heifers two years old and over not kept for milk.... 2,708 36.12 97,830.00 Cows two years old and over kept for milk.................... 6,677 44.28 295,720.00 Bulls one year old and over ................................. 351 42.59 14,950.00 Mules six months old and under one year ..................... 451 39.29 17,720.00 Mules one year old and under two ............................ 399 58.69 53,420.00 Mules two years old and under three. ........................ 470 89.70 42,180.00 Mules three years old and over .............................. 153 105.95 16,210.00 Work mules .................................................. 1,313 113.07 148,460.00 Asses and burros six months old and over .................... 42 81.30 3,415.00 Jacks ....................................................... 36 219.86 7,915.00 Sheep six months old and over ............................... 1,461 3.65 5,345.00 Hogs six months old and over ................................10,982 8.68 95,425.00 Goats six months old and over................................ 52 2.88 150.00 Farm implements.............................................. 97,275.00 Wagons....................................................... 2,083 20.00 41,660.00 Carriages and buggies ....................................... 1,550 18.86 29,235.00 Automobiles.................................................. 460 298.43 137,280.00 Motorcycles.................................................. 11 85.45 940.00 Bicycles..................................................... 26 10.87 285.00 Gold watches ................................................ 906 10.81 9,795.00 Silver watches............................................... 414 5.32 2,205.00 Plate and jewelry............................................ 10,300.00 Pianofortes ................................................. 899 77.28 69,475.00 Other musical instruments ................................... 172 22.91 3,940.00 All bonds not exempt from taxation .......................... 13,950.00 Shares of stock in any company or corporation................ 15,585.00 Moneys on hand and on deposit, including moneys invested in government bonds........................................ 461,905.00 Credits taxable.............................................. 172,320.00 Average amount of merchant's stock for preceding year........ 442,545.00 Average amount of merchant's moneys for preceding year....... 28,370.00 Average amount of manufacturer's stock for preceding year.... 5,140.00 Value of manufacturer's products on hand March 1st........... 200.00 Wheat, 86,695, bushels, value per bushel .................... 1.22 105,965.00 Oats, 152,035 bushels, value per bushel ..................... .40 60,820.00 Corn, 279,060 bushels, value per bushel ..................... .50 139,495.00 Seeds, 842 bushels, value per bushel ........................· 2.14 1,805.00 Hay, 2,253 tons, value per ton ..............................· 6.87 15,480.00 Real estate sale contracts................................... 20,900.00 Judgments, amount owned...................................... 3,600.00 Mortgages, amount owned...................................... 726,850.00 All moneys invested in certificates of purchase at sheriff's sales....................................................... 20.00 Value of manufacturing tools, implements and machinery, other than engines and boilers, which shall be listed as such.................................................... 18,345.00 Engines and boilers, including gas engines................... 205 141.80 29.070.00 Value of household furniture................................. 198,435.00 Family libraries, net taxable value.......................... 2,390.00 Value of mechanical tools, law and medical books, surgical instruments and medicines ........................ 8,940.00 Value of poultry............................................. 39,585.00 |
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80 Value of nursery stock ...................................... 200.00 Typewriting machines ........................................ 59 23.22 1,370.00 Adding machines ............................................. 4 57.50 230.00 Cash registers .............................................. 6 17.50 105.00 Billiard and pool tables .................................... 5 67.00 335.00 Scales ...................................................... 33 21.36 705.00 Threshing machines .......................................... 33 393.18 12.975.00 Electric and water motors ................................... 9 875.00 Individual interests in mutual or co-operative telephone companies not operated for profit ......................... 202 2,025.00 Value of all other species of personal property not herein listed, including particularly tax-sale certificntes, office and store furniture and fixtures, cameras, kodaks, and picture-taking machines, incubators and brooders, fire arms, etc. ................................................ 90,460.00 Dogs, three months old and over, March 1st: Male....................................................... 1,540.00 Female, spayed ............................................ 30 10.00 Female, unspayed .......................................... 105 230.00 Corporation capital-stock assessments........................ 87,650.00 Assessments of shares of bank stock, after deducting as- sessed real estate......................................... 364,560.00 Pipe line and telephone property assessed by county assessor................................................... 48,920.00 Total value of persohal property ............................ 5,270,935.00 Total Constitutional exemptions allowed ..................... 555,200.00 Balance taxable personal property ......................... $4,715,735.00 |
