November 12, 2018
This is “Our Past Is Present” from
the Geary County Historical Society.
Today’s
story is about Junction City’s first residents.
They were a newly married pair of Irish immigrants who arrived here in
May of 1858. Robert and Elizabeth Henderson
moved from Fort Riley to Junction City.
In 1909, to mark the 50th
anniversary of the founding of Junction City, Elizabeth Henderson wrote about
their early days in Junction City and the experience of living in two houses in
a short period of time. She stated: “In May of 1858, my husband pitched a tent
on the corner of Washington and Sixth Streets.
There was not a building of any description on the town site. Workmen were coming on daily and the
construction of the town was soon started.” After having lived in the completed
house a short time, the Henderson’s sold it.
Elizabeth went on to state that: “My husband built a small board house
on the corner beside our tent and for a few months we lived in the tent (again).
We moved into the (second) house in the Fall. The house was on the northeast corner of 5th
and Washington Streets (which in 1909 was occupied by O’Reilley’s livery
barn). Ours was the first residence in
Junction City.
All the lumber in the house was cut
on the Logan Grove Farm and hauled to a saw mill at Kansas Falls. I held a candle many a night while my husband
worked on the interior of our home.
The Indians were almost daily
visitors at our tent and took great delight looking at themselves in the mirror
on our bureau. I had the distinction of
having the first carriage in town and the oxen to haul it.”
Well, that was some of Lizzie
Henderson’s story. She was involved in
an incident with some Fort Riley authorities concerning a melodeon (or small
organ) used at St. Mary’s Chapel, which will be shared with you on another
program of “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society.
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