Parsons
The site of Parsons is a plateau, slightly elevated above the valley of Labette Creek on the west and south. The Katy RR runs through the middle of town connecting to Fort Scott via the Sedalia Division (March 1871) and to Humboldt via the Neosho Division. Sits between the Labette and Little Labette Creeks – one must cross the Labette to get into town. Rail lines extend northeast toward Osage Mission, and north (into Neosho County: Ladore, Galesburg, Humboldt) and south (to Labette City, Oswego, Chetopah, and Indian Territory). This place was created to thwart land speculators (mostly in Ladore). The town wears a thin veneer of civility.
E. B. Stevens was elected Mayor in the fall of 1871.
A.F. “Fogg” Edwards – Chief of Police – has his own missing doctor: J.H. Lane – they aren’t sure where he went, but he did have his horse and medical bag with him. He knows both brothers York: Good people. One of his constables recalls seeing Dr. York’s horse on Central Avenue.
W. Brumley of the Moustache - Police Constable
The Katy RR runs through the middle of town connecting to Fort Scott via the Sedalia Division (March 1871) and to Humboldt via the Neosho Division.
Most of the buildings in Parsons were moved from Ladore. The first standing hotel, saloon, and livery stable in Parsons were reconstructed buildings that had been moved from Ladore. Some of Parsons' earliest and quite prominent citizens, such as Thomas C. Cory, attorney; Dr. George Gabriel, elected mayor of Parsons multiple times; M.M. and A.F. Neely, who ran various stores and drug stores in Parsons; Doctors Lamb and Kennedy, and several others were all former citizens of Ladore. In many ways, the early formation of Parsons was flavored by buildings, businesses, and people who came from Ladore.
St. James Hotel on Central & Forest Avenues – 3 story brick building – R.D. Karr
U.S. Hotel – corner of Johnson & Riggs
The Star – Jacob McLaughlin & Wash Berkaw - kind of a drafty affair – with shacks out back for the whores – but it does have promise: gambling, whores, and opium are available.
The Sunrise - saloon operated by Charles Hazard (2 story building) next to Smith’s Hotel
Smith’s City Hotel – first floor is brick; some shacks out back for rent
LaBelle Hotel - nothing more than a long row of tents and temporary board houses
The Lucky Star - John Austin – a tent in a frame, straw on the floor prevents patrons from sinking into the freezing mud
Parsons House – Knapp, Noyes, & Chamberlain – this is just a whore house
Hardware - Perkins', Gibbert & Cary, and B.A. Aldrich Groceries - Sipple Brothers and E. K. Currant, who also sold dry goods Stationary - Hays & Pearson General Merchandise - John W. Rhodus, M. Johnson, M. K. Brown, and Ed. Foley Churches: Methodist Episcopal (Rev. H.W. Chaffee), Presbyterian (Rev. Chambern), Baptist (Rev. H.M. Carr), Catholic Church (Fr. P.J. Roos) The Parson's Sun (weekly) was founded in 1871 by Milton W. Reynolds and Leslie J. Perry. First National Bank of Parsons - A. D. Jaynes, president, Angell Matthewson, cashier, and R. S. Stevens, A. D. Jaynes, O. B. Greene, Samuel Fry, W. G. Melville, E. B. Stevens, and M. N. Reynolds, are directors. Osage Coal and Mining Company – R.S. Stevens MK&T RR Shops - Of these there is a semi-circular round-house (under construction), containing stalls for fourteen engines, and the machine shop proper, which measures 100x300 feet, with an engine house 40x50 feet. These buildings are massive stone structures, costing more than a quarter of a million dollars, and contain machinery valued at $60,000.
U.S. Hotel – corner of Johnson & Riggs
The Star – Jacob McLaughlin & Wash Berkaw - kind of a drafty affair – with shacks out back for the whores – but it does have promise: gambling, whores, and opium are available.
The Sunrise - saloon operated by Charles Hazard (2 story building) next to Smith’s Hotel
Smith’s City Hotel – first floor is brick; some shacks out back for rent
LaBelle Hotel - nothing more than a long row of tents and temporary board houses
The Lucky Star - John Austin – a tent in a frame, straw on the floor prevents patrons from sinking into the freezing mud
Parsons House – Knapp, Noyes, & Chamberlain – this is just a whore house
Hardware - Perkins', Gibbert & Cary, and B.A. Aldrich Groceries - Sipple Brothers and E. K. Currant, who also sold dry goods Stationary - Hays & Pearson General Merchandise - John W. Rhodus, M. Johnson, M. K. Brown, and Ed. Foley Churches: Methodist Episcopal (Rev. H.W. Chaffee), Presbyterian (Rev. Chambern), Baptist (Rev. H.M. Carr), Catholic Church (Fr. P.J. Roos) The Parson's Sun (weekly) was founded in 1871 by Milton W. Reynolds and Leslie J. Perry. First National Bank of Parsons - A. D. Jaynes, president, Angell Matthewson, cashier, and R. S. Stevens, A. D. Jaynes, O. B. Greene, Samuel Fry, W. G. Melville, E. B. Stevens, and M. N. Reynolds, are directors. Osage Coal and Mining Company – R.S. Stevens MK&T RR Shops - Of these there is a semi-circular round-house (under construction), containing stalls for fourteen engines, and the machine shop proper, which measures 100x300 feet, with an engine house 40x50 feet. These buildings are massive stone structures, costing more than a quarter of a million dollars, and contain machinery valued at $60,000.
History
Parsons was named after Judge Levi Parsons, president of the Missouri–Kansas–Texas Railroad. The town was founded in 1870 and incorporated the following year. It soon became a major hub for several railroads including the Missouri Kansas & Texas Railroad, Parsons & Pacific Railroad, Kansas City & Pacific Railroad, and the Memphis, Kansas & Colorado Railroad. Most of the town's early buildings were moved from Ladore, 5 miles to the north in Neosho county.
Geography
The site of Parsons is a plateau, slightly elevated above the valley of Labette Creek on the west and south.
Type
Town
Population
2546
Location under
Labette County
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