2021 Fall Newsletter

In 1879 a Normal School and Business Institute in Paola by the state. It occupied all of the 3rd. floor and part of the second with Prof. John Wherrel as president. There were two large dormitories built on lots now owned by Mrs. Carrie McLaughlin.

The tribes located within a radius of thirty miles were Peo rias, Piankishaws, Kaskaskias, Weas, Miamis, , Shawnees, Ottawas, Chippewas, Osages, and Pottawatomies. In 1857 the town company was incorporated with Baptiste, presi dent and A.J. Shannon as agent and secretary. Not counting the local Indians, there were thirty inhabi tants. After receiving the charter, the company was autho rized to purchase not more than 600 acres. After securing 400 acres, the name Paola was selected in honor of Baptiste Peoria and is derived from the Indian pronunciation of Peo ria. When the streets were laid out, those running east and west were named after the various tribes having reserva tions in this part of the country as Kaskaskia, Piankishaw, Peoria, Wea, Miami, Shawnee, Ottawa, Chippewa. The streets running north and south were named after miner als and precious stones as Pearl, Diamond, Gold, and Silver. Baptiste donated the square as a place of entertainment and one-half block of land for a cemetery. This is where the south school was located. The cemetery filled up rapidly so in 1861 the city bought the north 5 acres of the present cemetery. The women organized a Cemetery Society and gave Literaries and Socials to raise funds to fence it. The charter granted in 1855 expired by limitation in 1865 and a city of the third class was organized. Paola became a city of the second class in 1867. Paola was always the coun ty seat, but one election was held to change it. Osawatomie was the principal competitor, but lost. The first school was taught by Miss May Williams in a building located where the Investors Loan Office was. The school was of short duration as the teacher married Cy Shaw. He was the secretary for Baptiste Peoria with a great deal of prestige. Through the efforts of Mrs. Crider, an Epis copalian, a Sunday School was held in the same room. I think it was in 1867 a private school was taught by a Mrs. Smith. She afterwards became the wife of a Congregational minister, Mr. Jordan. This school was held on the first floor of the brick M.E. Church building. Soon a brick school was erected where the courthouse now stands. It was two long rooms on the first floor and on the second floor which was used for entertainments until Paola Hall was built on the west side. My teacher there was Miss Lottie Buck, sister of Walter buck. The first milliner I can remember was Miss Vi Buck. Davy Ferguson was the first principal. The North school was built in 1872. A.C. Farnham was the first superintendent. It was about this time our beloved Henrietta Stoddard appeared upon the scene.

Among the many graduated were Senator Lon and his wife and Henry McLain , congressman from one of the western states, Deck Anderson and Maggie Shannon. The Methodist Church was organized in the summer of 1858 by a missionary named Rev. Pugh. The congregation first met in homes. The brick building now known as Baehr Bros. building was erected in 1865 at a cost of $11,000. A larger place was needed as a church and it was erected on the present spot in 1882. An Indian chapel existed in Peoria Village in 1846. Its location was near the spring and our present Catholic orga nization may be considered a continuation of the labors of the Jesuits who established missions among the Confeder ated tribes in 1845. In 1855, Baptiste Peoria donated five lots for a church and five acres east of town for a cemetery. In 1859, the Catholics began to build a stone church. It was

all completed but for windows, doors, and floors when the war interfered with all religious affairs and it was not completed until 1863. A brick church was erected in 1881, costing $7000. It burned in 1896 and was replaced imme diately by the present one.

The Presbyterian church was organized in 1867 with 16 members. Mr. and Mrs. Stephenson, Mr. and Mrs. Light and Mrs. Roberts were among the charter members. Rev. J.M. Rankin was the first pastor. Services were first held in the north room of the second story of a building located where Peoples National Bank is. Later services were held in Paola Hall on the west side. A church was built on the present in 1870, costing $4000. The present church was erected in 1905. The First Christian Church was organized in 1885. L.S. Vickers, Dr. Willhoit, Mr. Riley, L.S. Wells, Miss Anna Chil dress were charter members. Mrs. Hobson was the leading spirit. Continued on page 21

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