When the third session of the Kansas and Nebraska Annual Conference was held in
Topeka in April 1858, some new faces, eager to join the ranks of the Methodist
brethren, joined the old familiar members. One of these new arrivals was Rev.
James Shaw who came from the upper peninsula of Michigan. In his book, Reminiscences
of Pioneer Life in Kansas, Rev. Shaw colorfully described the members of
the Conference then in attendance:
There were present, L. B. Dennis, with his white head, as active and sprightly
as a boy; there was W. H. Goode, from Nebraska, with his sage countenance and
venerable address; John M. Chivington, big enough and strong enough, in
appearance, to grapple with a bear; Father Still, the oldest member of the
Conference, yet full of zeal and fire. Ira Blackford figured considerably in the
doings of the Conference. He has since located, joined the Congregationalists,
and the last we heard of him he had left the country for parts unknown.
Brother J. Dennison, modest,
grave, and dignified, was there to counsel and direct. Lovejoy, with his snap
and bite, was there, but he had his hands full with a Brother Campbell, who had
preferred charges against him. He has since transferred east, moved back to
Kansas, located and finally joined the Free Methodists, where he has plenty of
elbowroom. At this Conference seven new members were added by transfer, viz: N.
Taylor, H. H. Moore, G. W. Paddock, C. Graham and James Shaw.
At the Conference much important
business was transacted. The plan for Baldwin City and Baker University was
adopted, and Brother Butt was made its first agent; N. Taylor was appointed to
the Ottumwa charge, and L. B. Dennis to the Lawrence District; H. Still to the
Manhattan District; James Shaw to the Leavenworth District. H. D. Fisher was
transferred from the Pittsburg Conference and stationed at Leavenworth. J. F.
Collins was appointed to Atchison and Doniphan, and B. F. Bowman to Oskaloosa.
Brother Munhall went to Columbus; C. Graham to White Cloud; H. L. Downey to
Grasshopper Falls; Lovejoy to Sumner, and J. S. Griffin[g] to Indianola.
Rev. James
Shaw
from Reminiscences of Pioneer Life in Kansas
In describing the Indianola circuit, which was part of the territory over which
he served as the Presiding Elder in 1858, Rev. Shaw wrote the following account.
In this, his first quarterly meeting since his arrival in Kansas Territory, it
is clear to see that the formality and civility of the event was far less than
he was accustomed to. In contrast, James Griffing seems to have taken it all in
stride.
Indianola was a new work, embracing all of the country between Topeka and
Grasshopper Falls. It was named after a little town on Soldier Creek, about four
miles north of Topeka. Here Brother Fairchild had been selling goods. With him
we had formed a short acquaintance at Conference, and it was he who took care of
our horses, as we could not take them across the [Kansas] river [to Topeka] at
that time. He was one of the first, and remains one of the firmest, Methodists
in Kansas. He said to me he esteemed it a great favor even to keep a Methodist
preacher’s horse. His heart and purse have ever been open, not only to the
calls of charity in general, but to the support of the church in particular; and
the church in return has shown its confidence in his judgment and ability, by
electing him one of their lay delegates to the General Conference.
Brother J.
Griffin[g], who came
to this Territory with W. H. Goode, as one of the first preachers, was appointed
to this work. He lived on his farm near Topeka. To reach this quarterly meeting
I had to travel over fifty miles. I reached the place the second day, about
noon. I inquired for Brother Fairchild, and they told me he had moved to
Leavenworth. I then inquired for the Methodist preacher. They said they guessed
he was not in town. I inquired if he was expected, and if there was to be
meeting that day and the next. They said they believed so. I inquired where the
preacher stopped when he came. A woman replied, “Sometimes here, and sometimes
over yonder,” pointing to another house. I then thought I would try what good
office would do a man while in straits. I told them I was the Presiding Elder;
had come to hold their quarterly meeting, but being a stranger, I did not know
where to stop. They replied, “Perhaps the preacher is at the other house.”
I drove over to that house, and
made similar inquiries, with similar results; but said one, “The preacher
stops sometimes at Mr. _______’s, about half a mile out of town.”
I concluded to drive to Mr.
________’s. I hitched my horse at the gate, and walked up to the house, and
inquired of the woman if they ever entertained preachers there. She seemed a
little embarrassed, but said, “Sometimes; we expect Brother Griffin here
to-day.”
I informed her I had come to
hold their quarterly meeting, but did not know where to stop. She replied, “I
guess you can stay here; Mr. _________ will be home soon and take care of your
horse.”
The man soon came, and by the
time the horse was taken care of, Brother Griffin[g] came. It was then near two
o’clock, the time for meeting to commence, and I had had no dinner, nor had
any one asked me to have any; and being a little discouraged, and considerably
fatigued, I felt more like resting than eating; and then the time having
arrived, we started for the school house. I said to Brother Griffin[g], on the
way, “if it were not for the honor of the church, I would hitch up my horse,
shake the dust off my feet and leave the place immediately.”
On reaching the house, we found
a few assembled, and I occupied a short time in inquiring, “What is your
life?” by noticing the brevity of human life, the feeble tenure by which it is
held, and the important results of its improvement either of happiness or
misery; and I think a good impression was made.
We returned to the house, and
soon had some refreshments. The man [who served as our host] seemed sour,
sullen, and unsociable. I endeavored to act the agreeable as best I could, and
talked of his farm and farming interests. He brightened up a little, and seemed
more friendly.
Next morning, in the
lovefeast,
the Spirit of God was present to melt all hearts, so that at its close, our
host, with some other hard cases, came forward with tears, to unite with the
church as seekers of religion. But a few months after, this man died, a
different man from what he had been the most of his life.
