News Items from The Kansas City Journal ~ Old News That's New to You from Vintage Kansas City.com

January 1, 1910

BIRTHDAY CAKE FOR JUDGE.

Seventy-Five Colored Candles, One

for Each Year of John F. Philips'

Life, Presented at Dinner Party.

The seventy-fifth birthday of John F. Philips, federal judge, was celebrated by a dinner party, at which there were many prominent guests, in the Mid-day Club rooms, yesterday evening. One of the features of the evening was the presentation to the judge of a mammoth birthday cake containing a colored candle for each year.

The coincidence of the judge's birthday with New Years eve afforded an opportunity to those present to stay the old year out at the club. The time was well taken up with speeches and was enjoyed thoroughly by all, not excluding the host, who is yet the better of his years.

Judge Philips was born on December 31, 1824, and has been a judge of the United States district court since June 25, 1888.

Labels: birthdays, federal court, holidays, Judge Philips, New Years

December 24, 1909

GAVE THE MAYOR A CAKE.

City Hall Employes Remember His

Forty-Sixth Birthday.

Mayor Crittenden admits that he was 46 years old yesterday. His official family and close personal friends took advantage of the occasion to present him with an ornamented cake weighing twenty-five pounds. It was pyramidal and decorated with cupids, bon bons, and images of flying doves. The pyramid was shaped as a bouquet holder, and this was filled with American Beauty roses, ferns and delicate plants. At the base of the cake forty-six miniature candles were set in the open petals of lillies of the valley.

While the mayor was absent in another part of city hall the cake was smuggled into his private office, and when he returned he was greeted by a host of friends, and Frank Lowe made a facetious speech of presentation, and the mayor responded as well as his embarrassment would permit.

Labels: birthdays, city hall, food, holidays, Mayor Crittenden

March 21, 1909

BLACKSMITH 91 YEARS OLD.

McCurdy Spends Birthday Working

at the Anvil.

John G. McCurdy, the pioneer blacksmith of Independence, celebrated his 91st birthday yesterday hard at work with his hammer and anvil. Mr. McCurdy spent his early manhood making wagons and doing blacksmith work for the outfitting trade of the Southwest. He has followed his trade ever since and every day finds him at the forge. When the court house was built in Independence in the early days Mr. McCurdy made the nails. His wife died in 1874 and since that time he has been making his home with his daughter, Mrs. Lizzie Powell, 315 North Liberty street, Independence.

Labels: birthdays, blacksmiths, Independence, pioneers, Seniors

February 23, 1909

CHILDREN'S PARTY AT ELKS.

Washington's Birthday Celebration a

Success, as Usual.

Senior Elks took back seats in favor of their little Elklets at the club house yesterday afternoon, when the annual children's party, in celebration of Washington's birthday, was given. Hundreds of the youngsters came, and some of the mothers were there, too.

The programme opened with the singing of "The Star Spangled Banner." Dr. C. J. Morrow made an address on the life of Washington, and entertainment was added with a Punch and Judy show. Dancing and refreshments ended the party.

Miss Glendora Runyan and Chauncey Bowlus were attired as the grown-up Martha and George Washington, while the junior pair were Miss Fleeta Jagodnigg and Master Charles Sweetman were senior and junior Uncle Sams, respectively.

Dr. C. J. Morrow, Oscar Sachs and Thomas P. Watts made up the committee in charge.

Labels: birthdays, children, dancing, holidays, lodges

November 7, 1908

Y. M. C. A. TO CELEBRATE

ITS 48TH BIRTHDAY.

WILL HOLD EXERCISES IN MANY

CHURCHES SUNDAY.

Organization Began as a Prayer Meet-

ing in London 54 Years Ago

Local Branch One of

First in the West.

The local organization of the Young Men's Christian Association will be 48 years old Sunday, and in commemoration of this even plans have been completed for meetings to be held in thirty-seven churches in Kansas City. Prominent workers in the association from various cities will make the addresses at the night services and a meeting for men will be held at the Willis Wood theater at 3:30 o'clock in the afternoon. At this meeting Henry M. Beardsley, president of the local association, will preside, and L. Wilbur Messer, general secretary of the Y. M. C. A., will make the principal address. A special male quartet will furnish music.

The Young Men's Christian Association was organized fifty-four years ago in London, England, and the movement spread into the United States the next years. Although started as a young men's prayer meeting, with the first meeting held in a small room, it has grown until a building is located in every city of any size in the world and work is being carried on even in heathen countries. Millions of men are banded together under one banner, and a member of the association in Kansas City is welcomed at any association in the world.

The Kansas City organization was one of the first to be started west of the Mississippi river. The local organization now has 1,500 members and has a campaign in progress whereby at least 400 more are to be secured.

Labels: birthdays, churches, England, Mayor Beardsley, music, organizations, YMCA

May 19, 1908

IN MEMORY OF JEFF DAVIS.

Confederate President's Birthday

Will Be Kept -- It Is June 3.

With music, speeches and story rehearsing many now familiar incidents connected with the four years' strife between the North and the South, the Daughters of the Confederacy of Kansas City, and the Stonewall Jackson chapter of Independence will on June 3 celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Jefferson Davis.

The Kansas City chapter met yesterday at the Hotel Sexton and perfected plans for the celebration. Budd park was selected as a suitable place, and an extensive programme, including music and speeches, has been prepared. The speakers selected were Mrs. George Gray, Mrs. B. L. Woodson, Mrs. J. M. Philips and Mrs. Hugh Miller.

Members of the Stonewall Jackson chapter met at the home of Mrs. W. D. Johnson, 3621 Belleview avenue. They decided to hold the celebration at the home of Mrs. Logan Swope, in Independence. Memorial day, May 30, will be observed jointly by the two chapters, by the placing of floral offerings on the graves of the Confederates and the unveiling of seven markers at Forest Hill cemetery. The Kansas City chapter will also place an offering on the grave of Orestes P. Chaffee, of Confederate fame, who died in this city a short time ago. He was a brother of Adna R. Chaffee, the retired head of the United States army.

Labels: Belleview avenue, birthdays, Budd park, cemetery, Civil War, flowers, hotels, Independence, women

May 1, 1908

HE'S 70 YEARS YOUNG.

Friends of Colonel Jewett Help Him

Celebrate an Anniversary.

COL. E. S. JEWETT

A number of friends of Colonel E. S. Jewett assembled last Wednesday night at the residence of A. E. Holmes, son-in-law of the colonel, to pay their respects to Colonel Jewett on his 70th aniversary. A number of speeches eulogistic of the life and action of Colonel Jewett were made. A most enjoyable evening was passed by the participants. Among those present, including the honored guest, were Rev. Dr. William H. Black of Marshall, Mo., Dr. J. D. Griffith, Dr. Samuel Ayres, E. I. Farnsworth, George H. Foote, George W. Hagenbuch, B. H. Payne, general agent Missouri Pacific Railway Company, St. Louis, Mo.; H. N. Garland, Samuel G. Warner, George W. Jones, Charles A. Young and Albert Holmes.

The house was beautiful decorated with flowers and ferns, and the table with it floral decorations was a work of art. George H. Foote acted as toastmaster, and all of the participants made speeches during the evening, which were received by the guest of honor and others with great enthusiasm, the general sentiment being expressed that all of those present might be able to be present upon the anniversary of the 100th birthday of Col. Jewett.

Labels: birthdays, flowers, Seniors, veterans

March 1, 1908

BIRTHDAYS ARE FAR BETWEEN.

Egbert Hunter, Sixteen Years of Age,

Celebrates His Third.

Although 16 years old, Egbert Hunter of 820 East Eighth street, celebrated his third birthday yesterday. Egbert had the fortune or misfortune to be born on the twenty-ninth day of February, 1892, a leap year, and, as a child, birthday parties were unknown to him. His second birthday occurred February 29, 1904, and he was given a big birthday party then that more than made up for those lost in previous years. He had grown four years older since his last birthday and now, at the age of 16, a birthday party would have been unseemly, so Roy A. Michael, his manual training teacher at the Lathrop school, and his class mates, gave him a theater party last night at the Auditorium.

Labels: birthdays, children, Eighth street, schools, theater

February 28, 1908

JUDGE WALLACE'S BIRTHDAY.

For Further Particulars Ask Anybody

at the City Hall.

A brand new "sell" has been going the rounds of the city hall and police headquarters and if there is a man down there who has not been caught his name has been supressed. It has to do with a new holiday and for that reason those hard woring city employes took the bait quickly. Here is the way Captain Snow worked the new gag on Police Judge Harry G. Kyle yesterday.

"I see we will have no court Saturday," suggested the captian.

"Is that so?" inquired his judgeship, trying to think what for.

"Yes," was the reply. "It's a new holiday."

"You don't say?" said the court, as he went clear under with the bait. "What's the occasion?"

"Judge Wallace's birthday," answered the captian gravely.

Just a dozen persons were present when the judge bit and just a dozen "good" cigars were purchased by his honor. Cigar dealers near the hall have profited on account of the "new holiday."

Labels: birthdays, cigars, city hall, Judge Kyle, Judge Wallace, police headquarters

February 9, 1908

HE SERENELY

DRINKS EGGNOGG.

With Friends to Help Him, Captain

Gregg Celebrates Birthday.

Captain W. H. Gregg, a deputy sheriff, who was met leaving the courthouse yesterday with a market basket full of eggs, on his way to his home at 1307 Michigan avenue, where last night he celebrated his 70th birthday, was asked how best a man might celebrate such an occasion.

"I have celebrated over fifty of them," he replied, "and it has been fifty years since I did anything which you might call having a good time. I haven't varied the programme in the past twenty years. It is this:

"I invite a dozen or so of my friends to the house and we play games, tell boyhood stories and drink eggnogg. We will play high five tonight. Those eggs I bought today for the eggnogg."

Labels: birthdays, courthouse, Michigan avenue

May 15, 1907

J. C. HORTON DEAD

OPERATION PERFORMED LAST

SATURDAY IS FATAL.

HAS LIVED HERE SINCE 1878.

PROMINENT IN BUSINESS, SOCIAL

AND POLITICAL AFFAIRS.

Was Born in New York State and

Settled in Lawrence, Kas., in

1857 -- Would Have Been

70 Years Old

Today.

On the eve of his 70th birthday, James C. Horton, a resident of Kansas City since 1878, and actively identified with its commercial, civic, social and religious upbuilding, died last night shortly after 10 o'clock at the South Side hospital. His death was the result of an operation performed Saturday for a stomach derangement. But very few of the thousands of friends of the deceased knew of his illness and the announcement of his death came as a shock and a surprise.

At Mr. Horton's bedside were a niece, Mrs. William R. Jacques, and her husband, who live at 1432 West Prospect, the Horton homestead; Mr. and Mrs. Frank F. Faxon of 2615 Troost avenue, and others.

Until fifteen minutes before Mr. Horton's death, he was conscious. The last words he spoke were: "I'm very tired."

He spoke this with an effort, seeming suddenly to grow weaker. Immediately he fell into a stupor from which he never aroused.

No man was better or more favorably known, and no one man was more highly esteemed, beloved, trusted and appreciated than was James C. Horton. In business pursuites he was teh acme of honesty; in private life a man of the highest type of morality and noble and edifying things and thought. In church affairs he was active and sincere, and as senior warden for years of Grace Episcopal Church he contributed largely to its support and prosperity; in politics he was an unflinching Republican, and while standing for its principals he never permitted himself to be led about by venal politicians or to waver from what he considered to be right and to be to the best interests of the people; he was a fast and consistent friend, lovable in disposition and character; liberal and unselfish, he devoted the better part of his life and savings to lighten the burden of the poor, unfortunate and oppressed, and thousands there are who can lend testimony to his goodness of heart and liberality of purse.

James C. Horton died a widower, his wife having passed away in 1901, and her body laid tenderly away in the cemetery at Lawrence, Kas. Although born in the East at Ballston Spa, New York state, Mr. Horton might be properly referred to as a Western man, born and bred, for he had been a resident of the West since 1857, and was a prominent and active figure in its growth and development. Int that year he located in Lawrence, Kas., as the agent of an express company. Young, vigorous and ambitious, he took a prominent part in many of the affairs of Kansas that have now become history. He filled county offices of trust with credit to himself and the satisfaction of his constituency, and was a state senator for one or two terms.

While a resident of Lawrence he married Mrs. Robinson, a widow, and in 1878, Mr. Horton came to Kansas City and became associated with the drug firm of Woodwward, Faxon & Co. In 1897 the firm name was changed to Faxon, Horton & Gallagher. February 3, 1906, Mr. Horton retired from business pursuits to pass his declining years in rest, free from mercantile burdens. He lived with his neice, Mrs. Jacques, wife of W. R. Jacques, at the Horton homestead, 1432 West Prospect, from where the funeral will be conducted.

No children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Horton. The body will be temporarily held at Stine's undertaking rooms awaiting funeral arrangements.

During his residence in Kansas City Mr. Horton was always active in Republican politics, and his last notable fight was the one he put up in advocacy of the nomination of J. J. Davenport for mayor at the last municipal election. Mr. Horton was the unrelenting foe of ballot box stuffers and crooks, and in 1894 when a number of Kansas City men were prosecuting ballot box stuffers and he was short on funds he contributed out of his own pocket $786.50. Later his admiring friends got up a popular subscription, and insisted upon him being reimbursed against his own expressed wishes that it not be done. Although continually solicited by party leaders here to accept political office, he steadfastly declined, and a year ago when an attempt was made to elect him to a seat in the upper house of the council his remonstrance was so pronounced and determined that his name was withdrawn.

Labels: birthdays, cemetery, churches, death, Frank Faxon, Lawrence, politics, Prospect avenue, Troost avenue, undertakers

February 22, 1907

ENDS LIFE BEFORE MIRROR.

Girl Cashier Shoots Herself With

Her Father's Pistol.

Ada Veive Sieglar, with her 20th birthday this week, stood before her dresser mirror last night at her home, 4809 East Sixth street, with a revolver pressed to her temple, when her sister called upstairs to ask:

"Ada, are you getting ready?"

"Yes, getting ready," she replied, and then, the sister having closed a door, there followed the report of a pistol.

Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Holiday, boarders and long time friends of the family, were sitting in the living room just beneath the girls' chamber, Mrs. Holiday said:

"The gas globe has burst and must have struck Ada on the head," for they had heard the sound of her body falling.

In a moment Mr. Holiday had reached the girl's side. She was unconscious. A 32-caliber bullet had traversed her brain. She was lifted to the bed and died fifteen minutes later.

MISS ADA VEIVE SEIGLAR

No member of the household had the remotest idea when Ada left the dinner table a few minutes before, that she was even feeling despondent. On the contrary, she was cheerful and had joked pleasantly with Mr. Holiday about a long run which, in his business as an express messenger, had kept him from home for four days. Then she asked if the Coopers, friends of the family, were coming to spend the evening, and went upstairs, presumably to dress for the company.

That she left any message or note was denied by every member of the family present. At the Jones Dry Goods Company, where she was employed as cashier in the pattern department, she was known as a rather quiet girl who did not mingle much with other young people, though several months she has kept company with Robert E. Hamilton, a newspaper pressman. The death of the young woman's mother, which occurred last June, was suggested as having preyed upon her mind, but the family do not incline to the idea. Her father, J. T. Seiglar, had gone to call on a friend a few minutes before the tragedy. Two unmarried sisters, Ora and Grace, were in the kitchen at the time. The only other member of the family is Gus E. Seiglar, a brother, employed by an express company at the Union depot.

It was 10:45 o'clock and three hours after the shooting when the father came home to hear the first news of the tragedy. He is prominent in Masonic circles and the Eastern Star will assist in the funeral arrangements.

Coroner Thompson deputized D. W. Newcomer to view the body and remove it to his undertaking room.

Miss Seiglar had worked at the Jones dry goods store for about three months. The revolver that she shot herself with was her father's. She had taken it from a trunk in another room where the brother had kept it and another revolver of her own.

Labels: birthdays, Coroner Thompson, Jones Dry Goods, Sixth street, Suicide