Our Past Is Present February 14, 2018

February 14, 2018

            This is “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society.

            Today is Valentine’s Day.  We hope each of you have done or will do something special today for that person who means so much to you. Today’s story comes from an article written by Gaylynn Childs, our former Executive Director, in 2008.  The article was published in our local newspaper.  She wrote: “G.F. Gordon was a banker and a judge in the Eighth Judicial District, but when he first arrived in Kansas in the summer of 1855, he was a 28 year old Quaker school teacher from Pennsylvania.  He loved hunting and fishing and came to the new Kansas Territory to experience more of those opportunities. 

            He traveled with a group, who had received information that the settlement of Pawnee, near Fort Riley would be selected as the capital of the territory by the newly appointed governor.  Ruth Berry, a 16 year old girl, was also leaving Pennsylvania for Kansas by way of Illinois headed for Pawnee.

Shortly after Ruth’s arrival there was preparation for the legislative session, which was soon to take place.  Ruth being an accomplished cook, made over 70 apple pies for the legislators.  She was given the honor of serving one of her pies to the governor’s table, which included G.F. Gordon.  We can only imagine that it may have been love at first sight. However, the two began a courtship.”  As the say, one thing led to another and they married “during a harsh and terrible winter of 1856. They were actually married in the old stone capitol building in Pawnee with Reverend Clarkson, the Chaplain at Fort Riley, officiating.”

That’s today’s story.  Happy Valentine’s Day from the Geary County Historical Society.