PREFACE This volume as indicated by the title, "Kansas City, Missouri: its history and its people," is an attempt to give the characteristics of the people who made Kansas City and further to record the more important events that have made for the development of the city. The History of Kansas City will give the people a better appreciation of the motto of the Commercial Club, viz.: "Make Kansas City a Good Place to Live In," which originated with Mr. Frank A. Faxon. As the record of events in the growth of the city unfolds year by year, it may be interesting to note the hand that gave the master strokes here and there, toward the accomplishment of the spirit of this motto. The finality of Western history still lies in the distance. The many documents on the explorations, settlements and developments of the Western states simply attest future possibilities of the West. The Western element knows no note of decadence. The glowing ambition of youth always will predominate in this Western atmosphere. By the generous encouragement of the people of Kansas City, my work has been greatly facilitated. For chapters on special subjects I am indebted to those better fitted from their various positions to do the subjects justice. Referring to chapters on special subjects, may be noted the complete data on the Latter Day Saints, which was recorded by Mr. Frederick M. Smith of Independence, president of the Latter Day Saints. The chapter on railroads in Kansas City was given by Mr. E. S. Jewett. Mr. Jewett was the first ticket agent to open an office in Kansas City, coming here in 1867. Mr. E. R. Crutcher, president of the real estate exchange, contributed the excellent material on realty. Two valuable papers, one on Public Utilities and another on The City Charters, place the author under great obligations to Mr. Dante Barton. In the chapter on Civic Associations, the data relating to the Manufacturers' and Merchants' club was received from the secretary, Mr. Justin A. Runyan; the Business Men's league from Mr. D. M. Bone, secretary; the Civic league from Mr. A. O. Harrison; and the Commercial club from the 9 secretary, Mr. E. M. Clendening. Credit is here given to Mr. Edmond D. Bigelow, secretary of the Board of Trade, for information on the Board of Trade. The sketch of Convention Hall is used by permission of Miss S. M. Willis. The complete history of education in Kansas City no one could better write than our worthy superintendent, Dr. J. M. Greenwood. For the compilation on church history, I have drawn fully from articles previously written. Credit is due to Rev. Father Dalton for the article on the Catholic church; to Bishop Hendrix for that on the Methodist Episcopal church (South); to the late Rev. J. O'B. Lowry for the Baptist denomination; to the late Dr. Henry Hopkins for the Congregational; for the Presbyterian denomination to Rev. John B. Hill; and for the Universalist church to Rev. Mary E. Andrews. Mr. George F. Damon in his position as superintendent of the Associated Charities, made every effort to gather together the historical sketches of the many charitable organizations and due credit is hereby given him; also to Mr. Jacob Billikopf for the data on Jewish charities. No one in our city is more competent to tell of the fine park system and of the beautiful boulevards and parks of Kansas City, than the president of the Park Board, Mr. Franklin Hudson. The history of the art movements of Kansas City was written by Mrs. E. R. Weeks, one of our public spirted women who has always been associated with the art movements in Kansas City. The article on the Museum was written by Miss Mabel Green. Miss Anna C. Gilday's forte in "doing things thoroughly," is shown in her excellent work on Women's Clubs. Miss Elizabeth Butler Gentry collected the notes on Social Life from the descendants of the early families of the towns of Independence, Westport and Kansas City, and I am indebted to her for an exceedingly interesting chapter. Relative to authorities consulted, I do not present a complete bibliographical list, but only mention those of the greatest importance. The list of the most important works consulted is appended. I have not scrupled to quote at length from "Commerce of the Prairie" by Josiah Gregg, as the author was far more capable, in his graphic style, of describing the Western country in the early days. The valuable set of the Encyclopædia of the history of Missouri and the admirable volumes of the Kansas Historical Society publications are in themselves a mine of information. |