Published in The Herald on April 7, 1887 It having been the intention from the first in writing this arrival to give Towanda a more extended notice than is given the other towns in the county, it is hoped no "bad blood" will be engendered by such notice being appended. This place is situated on the Whitewater in the center of the best agricultural region in Butler County, and second to none in the State. The valleys of the main river and its chief tributary the West Branch converge to a point two miles north of town, and combined constitute a large area of the richest and best improved farmland in the southwestern part of the State, and one in which a total failure of crop has never been known: a statement that cannot be made in connection with other portions in the county. It must in justice also be said that this statement applies to the entire "Whitewater Country" (and it may truthfully be added that the part referred to, is by all odds and in every particular the very best part of county). The first settlement at this point appears to have ben made in 1858 on what is now the farm of Harrison Stearns. ![]() During that and the following year a company from the eastern part of the state laid out the town of Towanda on the west side of the river, and began building a large hotel, the cellar of which may yet be seen. The supposed discovery of pearls in the shellfish of the Whitewater caused the parties in charge to suspend work for the more congenial business of pearl-fishing of which they aquaired quite a number. Ascertaining however that they were not genuine and of but little value, they abandoned the town and the country considerably disgusted. Subsequently, a trading post was established on the east side of the Whitewater by J.R. Mead who in the winter of 1868 had the town replatted, when, having transformed his interests, the purchaser I. Mooney, changed the site to the hill adjoining, and on which the town is now built. The building of the Ft. Scott and Wichita rail-road in 1883 gave new life to the town during which it more than doubled in size and population, and causing the development of a number of its natural resources of the country immediately surrounding. ![]() Aside from the agricultural interest, which as I said before are large, the quarrying and shipping of stone, has for the past year been constantly on the increase until that industry now exceeds all others here. The discovery of immense beds of almost pure lime just east of town has caused considerable excitement, and capitalists from the east are building large works for the purpose of manufacturing lime, the rail-road Co. putting in a switch to facilitate the shipping. This is a good point for the manufacture of brick, the best lay in the State for that purpose existing here in large quantities. There is also an opening for a large grist mill, the river adjoining affording ample power for driving the machinery. No better point in the State can be found for the investment of capital in the enterprises mentioned. None of them as yet have been fully developed and the demand for their productions has always exceeded the supply. A future market is assured: the settlement of the western part of the stat requiring yearly more of the building materials found here in such large quantities, and which are lacking there to a remarkable extent. No stone of any value being found west of the Whitewater. The location is healthy, the citizens intelligent enterprising and social; The business part of the town consists of two dry-goods and grocery stores, two drug-stores, one hard-ware and one agriculture store, one harness, one carriage and wagon, two blacksmiths and one butchers shop, and last but not least a newspaper office. Towanda is doing more business at this time than any place of or near its size in the country, owing to two facts, the first being its location commanding the trade, and the second being the liberality of its business men. Of the men who have stood by the town from the first with an abiding faith in its future combined with that of the State and the county, it is not out of place to mention its foirst founder, Hon. I. Mooney; H. Stearns, D.H. Cupp, D. Mosier, the Ralson boys, R. Jones, Josh Shriver, R.B. McClure, Davis and the Kapus boys. These men belong to the old pioneer stock, they endured off the privations incident to the settlement of a now country, and their pluck and perseverance has been rewarded by the possession of good homes with a competence for declining years.
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![]() The first mention of a local library in Towanda, KS was found in the Towanda Herald in the late 1800's. - November 18, 1886: The Library Association has ordered 50 more books for the library - Towanda Herald. - November 25, 1886: The Towanda Library is now kept at the P.O. in a book case with a glass front, and the books are safe from exposure to dust ect. Members using the Library will be able to see the books in the case, and pick out the ones they wish to borrow and will be expected to return them in as good condition as they get them, - Towanda Herald. - December 2, 1886: The Library now has 100 books, and the trustees have sent for a lot more. Now is the time to become a member of the Library Association. -Towanda Herald. - December 23, 1886: The Towanda Library Association has been favored through congress-man Ryan by the receipt per mail of a very fine map of the United States, measuring about 6ft by 5ft, if the latest date. Also a promise of several books. - Towanda Herald. - February 3, 1887: TIME TO WAKE UP! One member of the Library Assn has already read 40 books, since its formation. That is right, so lay in a good store of knowledge, and make use of all of your privileges. - Towanda Herald. ![]() Printed notice in the Towanda Herald on June 9, 1887 speaks of a meeting regarding the Towanda Library Association. - June 16, 1887: ON WEDNESDAY EVENING NEXT, JUNE 22nd there will be an ICE CREAM FESTIVAL and Social Entertainment, given by the Literary Association in the vacant post office building, on Main Street. The Committee, (consisting of nearly all the ladies in town) will spare no pains to make this a splendid affair. All are invited to attend. Such members as reside beyond the soliciting limits, will please do their share of "coming to eat" and enjoy themselves. The proceeds are to replenish the Library with some of the best books to be had. - Towanda Herald. - July 7, 1887: Another order for about 30 new books has been sent by the Trustees of the Library Association, Towanda. - Towanda Herald. - July 21, 1887: The books for the library arrived Tuesday evening; there are 41 of them, and Towanda can, thanks to her enterprising lady citizens, boast a magnificent library of select works. - Towanda Herald. - August 11, 1887: Towanda Library Association. The annual meeting of the subscribers to the above association will be held on Friday evening August 26, 1887 at 8 P.M. when new officers will be elected and subscriptions received. - Towanda Herald. ![]() This is the first mention of the library association with a name, "The Chenoweth Library Association of Towanda" as printed in the Towanda Herald on September 15, 1887. - January 19, 1888: What is going to be done about the library association? There is a large and splendid selection of books, and we want the institution kept up. Let us call a meeting at once. - Towanda Herald - August 23, 1888: NOTICE: The regular annual meeting of the Chenoweth Library Association of Towanda will meet at the Herald office next Friday, August 24th at 8O'Clock PM. SB Foster, President and E. David Jr, Secretary. - Towanda Herald. - August 30, 1888: TOWANDA LIBRARY. The Chenoweth Library Association of Towanda held their annual meeting last Friday evening and elected the following officers: S.B. Foster, president, A. Loncer, Vice President, Chas Vandenberg, treasurer, and E. Davis, Jr. Secretary. E. Davis Snr, A. Swiggett, and J. Blake, Mrs. Vandenberg, and Ms. Ida Fulton were elected trustees. It was resolved that the annual dues be reduced to one dollar for the first year, seventy five cents for the second, and fifty for the third and every year afterwards. ![]() This article was published in the Towanda Herald on October 11, 1888 to help push membership of the local library. - December 6, 1888: NOTICE: The Chenoweth Library Association Towanda will on Friday evening December 14, 1888 hold a box festival in Towanda. Each lady is requested to bring a box of lunch sufficient for two, which box will be sold to the highest bidder. The proceeds to be appropriated to the purchase of new books for the library. - Everybody invited. D. JD Godfrey Auctioneer, by order of the committee. - Towanda Herald. - December 13, 1888: FOOD FOR THE BODY AND FOOD FOR THE MIND. The Chenoweth Library Festival will be held in the church at Towanda, tomorrow evening, Friday the 14th. Come every body and have a good time. We want new books for the library and new members to join in. - Towanda Herald. - December 20, 1888: The library box festival which had been adjourned from the Friday previous on account of the weather, came off on Tuesday evening with all the success we could expect under the circumstance. Such an arrangement for an evening entertainment could not help but being the source of much merriment and fun; and the sale of the boxes and the consequent pairing of different people increased the hilarity. All who were not there missed a fine time, we hope to see many box socials in the future. - Towanda Herald. - January 3, 1889: The Chenoweth Library Association are arranging for a festival shortly, to raise funds for a new bookcase, as the one they have is full to overflowing; they ought to get a big one and a good one while they are about it. - Towanda Herald. - January 31, 1889: SPECIAL MEETING. Of the Chenoweth Library Association, Towanda, will be held a the church next Saturday, Feb 2 at 7:30PM, for the purpose of electing a treasurer and transacting other necessary business. The attendance of all is respectfully requested. - Towanda Herald. - March 14, 1889: The Chenoweth Library Association met last Saturday evening and elected J.L. Mosier for treasurer, and to fill the two vacant places in the Trustees Mrs. Wm Green and W.W. Angelton. They have concluded to take a more commodious book-case and a few other improvements. This association has withstood the pressure of adverse times and is now in a healthy financial condition. All are invited to join the Association. Entrance fee $1. - Towanda Herald. - March 21, 1889: S.B. Foster is making the bookcase for the Towanda Library Association. It is to have four glass doors, and will be a commodious and handsome case. - Towanda Herald. Rules and regulations of the Chenoweth Library Association as published in the Towanda Herald on April 4th, and again on July 4 and July 11, 1889. On July 18, 1889, it was printed: We reprint the rules and regulations of the Chenoweth Library Association of this town. Join at once to contribute your mite towards purchasing a new lot of books. When the rules were printed on August 1st and 8th, it stated: We are pleased to note the growing interest in the Chenoweth Library Association of this town, and glad to see the board once more taking a vigorous hold of business. A large attendance at the Lawn Social announced in another column, means an additional set of select works to the library itself. This institution is now several years old, and affords an immense amount of reading for pleasure time of an instructive and entertaining character, for those whose cluttered tastes find no interest in frequenting of low resorts. All are invited to join. Membership fee $1.00. Note rules of association printed below. We again found the rules and regulations printed in a sublimest issue of the Towanda Herald on August 7, 1890. Click images to enlarge: - May 30, 1889 and June 6, 1889: The library here positively needs and deserves more support and attention than it gets; members will please take notice that it is to the interest of the association to work for it. - Towanda Herald - June 27, 1889: Everybody in this and the adjoining townships ought to take a membership in the Library Association of this town. The fee is only $1 and a due after the first of the year of 75 cents, afterwards, only 50 cents per year. This is a good chance to get fresh and choice reading, and the rate for full membership, as low as they can be made. Bring your $s and join at once. - Towanda Herald. - August 1, 1889: ---A LAWN SOCIAL--- An ice cream festival will be held at Holt's Grove Saturday evening August 10th, 1889. Proceeds to be applied for purchasing new books for the Chenoweth Library, of this town. All are invited to come and have a good time. - Towanda Herald. - January 9, 1890: We would like to see the members of the Chenoweth Library association get together and see if they can not devise some scheme to procure a fresh supply of books. Now with the long evenings people want something to read, and what can be better of cheaper than the membership of this Library: There are now over 160 vols. of choice works to choose from and the membership fee is only $1.00 for the first year, 75 cents for the second year and 50 cents per year after. - Towanda Herald. - July 17, 1890: Members of the Chenoweth Library Association will please take notice that you are all requested to be present at the next annual meeting on evening of the fourth Friday in August - by order of Secretary. - Towanda Herald. - August 7, 1890: Remember the Chenoweth Library Association hold their annual meeting on Friday evening the 29th of August at this office; all interested both ladies and gentlemen are respectfully and earnestly requested to attend as the association will then be either continued or suspended indefinitely, according to the decision which must be made that evening. 7:30P.M. sharp - by order, Secretary. - Towanda Herald. - September 18, 1890: How about our library? Are the citizens of this town going to do anything with it? it is here, and yours if you want it. Just think of it $100 worth of property in books in town begging to be owned. Any one who feels interested in the subject are requested to apply at this office. - Towanda Herald - October 23, 1890: More mammoth Cyclopedias, and sets of Dickens works. Come along and get your books - a whole library for next to nothing. - Towanda Herald. The following was compiled in |