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ing greater accomplishments in technique and intelligent application than are usually found in the best of modern original works. The student is afforded not only opportunity of tracing the development of the various schools of art, and the singularities of their masters, but he constantly receives side lights of information in history and literature. In making this magnificent collection Mr. Nelson has displayed the spirit of a public benefactor as well as that of an accomplished art-lover. In addition to the Nelson collection, the Gallery of Art contains a copy of Raphael's "Transfiguration," and a marble replica of Randolph Roger's "Nydia," presented to the board of education by Mrs. Frank J. Baird in memory of her husband; and another of Roger's pieces of sculpture, the "Lost Pleiad," loaned by the daughters of Mrs. Baird in her memory.

Western Retail Implement and Vehicle Dealers' Association.-This association was organized at Junction City, Kansas, in February, 1889, under the name of Kansas Retail Implement Dealers' Association, but in January, 1891, at a meeting held in Kansas City, the present name was taken, and dealers in all territory tributary to Kansas City were admitted. The first officers were P. W. Griggs, of Topeka, president; J. J. Blattner, of Junction City; M. Callar, Dodge City; L. A. Bartlett, Concordia; E. F. Davison, Peabody; S. H. Myton, Winfield; M. Crossthwait, Norton, and H. Hayter, Oswego, vice presidents, and H. J. Hodge, Abilene, secretary and treasurer; all the officers being citizens of Kansas. In 1899 the officers were: President, A. L. L. Scoville, Seneca, Kansas; vice president, F. K. Allen, Craig, Missouri; secretary and treasurer, H. J. Hodge, Abilene, Kansas; directors, J. N. Cunningham, Norbonne, Missouri; J. W. Paulen, Fredonia, Kansas; Ed. Heeney, Severance, Kansas; A. D. Acers, Norman, Oklahoma; N. D. Robnett, Columbia, Missouri; D. M. Blaine, Pratt, Kansas. The object of the association is to "promote the interests and secure the friendly co-operation of implement, vehicle and hardware dealers." It has 625 members in Kansas, 250 in Missouri, 65 in Oklahoma, 20 in Indian Territory, and 15 in Illinois, Colorado, Arkansas, Texas and South Dakota.

Western Rowing Club. This club was organized December 12, 1870, at the foot of Dorcas Street, St. Louis, Leo Rassieur taking the leading part in the enterprise, its object being recreation and cultivation of the art of rowing, with social enjoyment. The club has 434 members on its rolls, and possesses seventeen shells and skiffs. It is famed for its success in rowing contests. It won the four-oared shell contest at Philadelphia in 1898 against many competitors, capturing the Intermediate cup; it won the Faust cup in different races for the championship of St. Louis for barge races; and in October, 1898, in the race at Cairo for the championship of barges, it won the cup.

Western Sanitary Commission.-A commission formed in St. Louis in the summer of 1861, the purpose of which was to carry out, under the properly constituted military authorities, and in compliance with their orders, such sanitary regulations and reforms as the wellbeing of the soldiers demanded.

It had authority, under the direction of the medical director, to select, fit up and furnish suitable buildings for army and brigade hospitals in such places and in such manner as circumstances require; to attend to the selection and appointment of women nurses, under the authority and by the direction of Miss D. L. Dix, general superintendent of the nurses of military hospitals in the United States; and to co-operate with the surgeons of the several hospitals in providing male nurses, and in whatever manner practicable, and by their consent. It had authority to visit the different camps to consult with the commanding officers and the colonels and other officers of the several regiments with regard to the sanitary and general condition of the troops and aid them in providing proper means for the preservation of health and prevention of sickness by supply of wholesome and well cooked food, by good system of drainage and other practicable methods.

The first members of the commission, who were appointed by General Fremont, were James E. Yeatman, Carlos S. Greeley, Dr. J. B. Johnson, George Partridge and Rev. Dr. William Eliot. These gentlemen at once began their labors in connection with the medi

cal department of the Federal Army, first fitting up a new hospital with accommodations for 500 patients, in a five-story building at the corner of Fifth and Chestnut Streets. In this building the commission received the sanitary stores contributed by Northern, Eastern and Western States and forwarded them to hospitals in the neighborhood of St. Louis and in the interior of the State. As the number of sick and wounded soldiers to be cared for increased, the number of hospitals was multiplied and the work of the commission was extended. In March of 1862 the commission established in St. Louis a Soldiers' Home for discharged and furloughed soldiers passing through the city. The commission also gave constant attention to the military prisons of St. Louis and sanitary stores were issued to them, in all cases of urgent need, upon the requisitions of the surgeons in charge. The Union refugees, who flocked to the city in great numbers, were cared for and their wants relieved by the Sanitary Commission also. Its resources were made up of voluntary contributions from the people of the loyal States; an appropriation of $50,000 by the Convention of Missouri; an appropriation of $25,000 by the Missouri Legislature, and appropriations by the county court of St. Louis County. Over $550,000 was turned into the treasury of the commission also as proceeds of the Mississippi Valley Sanitary Fair. The Soldiers' Orphans' Home, which was opened near Webster Station, ten miles west of the city, in 1865, came into existence as a result of the labors of the Western Sanitary Commission, and a Freedmen's Orphans' Home was also established under its auspices. During the war the commission received for sanitary purposes $770,998.55 in money, and stores valued at $3,500,000, making a total of $4,270,998.55.

Western Surgical and Gynecological Association.-This is an association devoted to surgery and gynecology, and embracing the States of Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado and Indiana. It was organized at Topeka, Kansas, on the 29th of December, 1891, its first officers being Milo B. Ward, of Kansas City, Missouri, president; T. J. Shreves, of Des Moines, Iowa, first vice president; S. S. Todd, of Kansas

City, second vice president; M. R. Mitchell, of Topeka, Kansas, and T. J. Beattie of Kansas City, Missouri, treasurers, and the first executive board being composed of L. J. Lyman, of Manhattan, Kansas; J. W. Hiddens, of St. Joseph, Missouri; C. W. Adams, of Kansas City, Missouri; Thomas H. Hawkins, of Denver, Colorado, and J. E. Summers, Jr., of Omaha, Nebraska. Its objects are "to promote the interests of the surgeons and gynecologists of the West, and afford them. an organization similar in scope to the one in the East and South." In 1899 it had 175 members, among them a number of eminent surgeons of Missouri, and it gives promise of great usefulness. The annual meetings of the association are held in December.

West Line.-A town in Cass County, on the Missouri Pacific Railway, sixteen miles west of Harrisonville, the county seat, and one and one-half miles east of the Kansas State line. It has a public school, a Baptist Church, a Christian Church, a mill and an elevator. In 1899 the population was 275. The town was platted in 1870 by James T. Beard, John Beard, Robert Catlin and W. T. Crenshaw under the name of State Line, which was changed two years later. It was incorporated in 1878.

Westminster College. An educational institution located at Fulton, and under the care and control of the Presbyterian Synod of Missouri. It had its origin in action taken by the Synod of Missouri in 1849, but it was not until 1852 that Fulton was selected as the site, and steps were taken to secure the necessary buildings. A charter was obtained in 1853. The corner stone of the present building was laid July 4, 1853, and the edifice was finished in 1854 at a cost of $15,000. It contains recitation rooms, society halls, laboratory and reading rooms, and is surrounded with ample grounds. In addition to the original edifice a new chapel building has been recently erected at a cost of $8,000. The college had scarcely been. established on a firm basis and a partial endowment secured when the Civil War scattered its professors and students and swept away most of its endowment, but the prompt action of the board of trustees filled most of the chairs, and Westminster steadily pursued its work during the war. In 1868 not

more than $30,000 of the original endowment remained, and this was burdened by eighty scholarships upon which as many students could attend free of cost for tuition. These scholarships were gradually canceled. The endowment of the college now amounts to more than $70,000, most of which is held by the board of trustees, organized in June, 1871. In January, 1892, Mr. William Sausser, of Hannibal, Missouri, died, leaving the bulk of his estate, valued at $125,000, to the board of trustees of the college. The income was to be expended, first, in paying an annuity to Mrs. Sausser; second, in giving Biblical instruction; third, in providing scholarships for the benefit of candidates for the Presbyterian ministry. This was at the time the largest bequest ever made by any citizen of Missouri to the cause of education. In addition to the general endowment the college has a fund amounting to over $10,000, the interest of which is devoted to the aid of students who are candidates for the ministry in the Presbyterian Church. The college buildings are beautifully located on elevated land in the southern part of the city of Fulton. There are several libraries connected with the college, in all containing more than 6,000 volumes. There are four societies for the students of the college; two literary, one religious and one athletic. The departments of the college are academic, commercial, collegiate and natural science. The degrees conferred by the college are bachelor of letters, bachelor of science, bachelor of arts, master of arts, master of science and doctor of philosophy. In 1899 the officers of the board. were: John A. Hockaday, president; E. C. Gordon, vice president; E. W. Grant, treasurer; John T. Brown, secretary, and E. H. Marquess, assistant secretary. The executive committee consisted of John A. Hockaday, John J. Rice, John T. Brown and Edward Curd. The president of the faculty, distinguished as the youngest college president in the United States, is John H. McCracken, who is assisted by twelve teachers.

Weston.-A city in Weston Township, Platte County, seven miles northwest of Platte City, the county seat. It is on the Missouri River, and on the Kansas City, St. Joseph & Council Bluffs Railway. Joseph Joseph Moore took up the claim on which the city is situated in 1837 and laid off a few streets and

sold some lots, and this was the beginning of the place. In 1838 Bela M. Hughes, then a young man twenty-one years of age, purchased a half interest in the town and laid it off on a more extended scale and had a sale of lots. There were only two families in the town at the time. The first store was opened by Thornburg & Lucas. After the first sale of lots under the direction of Mr. Hughes, residents flocked into the place, and in 1839 it had 300 inhabitants. January 11, 1842, it was incorporated by the county court, with George Beeler, Abel Gilbert, John Thornburg, T. F. Warren and Jerry Woods for trustees. In February of the following year it was incorporated by the Legislature, and the title to the site and deeds to the lots sold were confirmed. In 1852 it was granted a new charter, and in 1892 became a city of the fourth class, and J. F. Kenney was elected mayor. It contains eight churches, Methodist, South, German Methodist, Christian, United Baptist, Presbyterian, Episcopal, African Methodist and Colored Baptist; a Masonic hall with a commandery and Royal Arch chapter. The Bank of Weston has a capital and surplus of $7,150 and deposits of $36,300. A graded public school is maintained. tained. Newspapers are the "Chronicle" and the "Western World." Its business interests include a mill, a brewery, a distillery and carriage and wagon shops. Population 1,200.

Weston, May, dentist, was born May 20, 1867, in Kewanee, Illinois. Her parents were George and Helen Elizabeth (Stark) Weston. Her ancestors were New England people. Three of them served in the Revolutionary War, Abiathar Stephenson and Solomon Beebe, who enlisted as privates with the Massachusetts troops and served throughout the war, and Augustine Anderson, who was commissioned second lieutenant of the New Jersey troops, and who saw service of six years. The other branches of the family were also residing in America at that time, the old Weston homestead in New Hampshire still being in the possession of the family. Miss Weston's early years were spent in attending the district schools, the high school of Kewanee, Illinois, and the University of Michigan. She devoted most of her time to the scientific course, and her liking for this branch of learning resulted in a decision to adopt a professional career. She

took thorough courses in medicine and dentistry, and was well prepared for the career which has thus far been marked by success far above the average. She entered upon the practice of her profession in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1892, and is ranked among those who have honored the calling. She is a member of the Congregational Church, and is deservedly popular in the lines of work in which she engages outside of professional life and in social circles. As one of the few women who have ventured to disregard an early prejudice and seek to honor and elevate the professions formerly reserved for men, Dr. Weston occupies her position with dignity and an admirable degree of reserve and modesty.

Westphalia.-A village on the Osage River, in Osage County, twelve miles from Linn and twelve miles from Osage City, the nearest railroad point. It was founded in 1836 by a colony of Westphalian Catholics. In 1837 a Catholic Church was built and a town laid out. The first store was opened by

Dr. Bruns and Herr Bartmen, and within a few years a gristmill, tannery and handle factory and a small number of miscellaneous shops were started. In 1865 a brewery was built by Henry Perth. The village has a magnificent Catholic Church with which is connected a fine school under the direction of the Sisters of Notre Dame, conducted in a fine four-story brick convent, which was erected in 1868. Besides there is an excellent public school. The only paper in the village is the "Volksblatt," published by John H. Boos. The business of the village is represented by a large roller mill, six general

stores and a few class stores, two hotels and a number of shops. Population, 1899 (estimated), 370.

West Plains.-A city of the fourth class and the seat of justice of Howell County, located in the center of Howell Valley, on the Kansas City, Fort Scott & Memphis Railroad, 115 miles southeast of Springfield, Missouri, and 172 miles northwest of Memphis, Tennessee. It is one of the oldest settled towns in the county. It is delightfully situated, has well graded streets, electric lights, a fine courthouse, three public schools, a college, seven churches, operahouse, three banks, two flouring mills, a brickyard, planing mill, foundry and machine shops, canning factory, laundry, four laundry, four newspapers, the

Vol. VI-29

"Champion Gazette," "Journal," "News" and "Mail." The town has two hotels. The population in 1900 was 2,902.

West Plains College.-A non-sectarian private school established at West Plains, Howell County, about 1870. Its buildings are valued at $6,000, and it has a library of 250 volumes.

Westport.-A town in Jackson County, platted by John C. McCoy in 1833, incorporated as a city in 1857 and consolidated with Kansas City in 1899. About the time Jackson County was organized, the project of removing the Indians from east of the Mississippi to reservations west of Missouri was agitated. The trade of the Indians was valuable, for they were receiving large annuities which they spent for supplies, and their removal would curtail local trade. They were dissuaded from going to what they were told was a desert. Accordingly they sent delegations to examine the lands, among

whom was Rev. Isaac McCoy, a Presbyterian minister, whose son was a surveyor. The delegation crossed at Younger's Ferry in 1828. The Shawnee Mission was established eight miles south of the river, under the charge of Dr. Johnston Lykins. There was a road leading south from the river, crossing the bluff near what is now Forest Avenue, and intersecting the road leading from Independence to Santa Fe. At this point John C. miles to the Independence landing at Blue McCoy established a store. As it was many Mills, and but four miles north to a good

landing at the foot of Grand Avenue, Mr. McCoy had his goods landed there. In 1833 he platted Westport, and the place where he landed his goods was called Westport Landing. Mr. McCoy was a surveyor, and his knowledge of woodcraft enabled him to see clearly that this was the gate of the West, and hence the name. Soon other merchants came, among whom were Lucas & Cavanaugh, John A. Sutter, A. G. Boon, Street & Baker and Alfonda Van Biber. Mr. McCoy sold his business to W. M. Chick and entered the government service as a surveyor. The town grew rapidly and other merchants arrived, such as the Ewings, who had an immense store. The Indians came in person to Westport to trade. They brought furs and peltries to exchange for supplies, and had $300,000 in money annually to spend besides.

The goods they bought came by river from St. Louis, and many warehouses were needed to store the winter's supplies landed at Westport Landing and wagoned over the bluffs to the stores at Westport. Thus the trade began to shift from Independence to Westport, and finally when Blue Mills Landing was destroyed by a flood, it all naturally went to Kansas City. The Mexicans used the same kind of merchandise as the Indians, and in 1848 the Santa Fe trade centered at Westport when F. X. Aubrey established a fast winter express between the two places. Mr. Aubrey had made a trip in five days and twenty-two hours, and this trip demonstrated the possibility of more rapid transit. The express consisted of twenty wagons with eight mules to a wagon. Boone & Bernard engaged in this Santa Fe trade at Westport. Among their first consignments was a large stock of goods belonging to Mesoway & Webb, of Santa Fe. It consisted of sixtythree wagon loads of 6,000 pounds each. Each wagon was drawn by six yoke of oxen, and it took six months to make the round trip. In 1849 the outfitting business began at Westport. Jose Chaves brought two wagon loads of silver containing 103,000 Mexican dollars encased in skins. This Boone & Bernard received, and gave him New York exchange for it. He bought his outfit from them. At this time the California immigration began, and 40,000 immigrants outfitted at Westport in 1849 and 1850. This stimulated the manufacture of wagons, harness and ox yokes and also plows. Other traders came from Mexico, increasing the Santa Fe trade. Charles E. Kearney bought out Mr. Boone in 1853, and Kearney & Bernard enlarged their business. In 1856 J. & W. R. Bernard bought the business of Kearney & Bernard, and from 1853 to 1861 these firms outfitted 11,823 wagons for the mountain and Mexican trade, mostly of goods of their own manufacture. The trade fell off one-half in 1861 and then ceased entirely. Westport was a flourishing town when the Civil War broke out, having five churches, several good schools, a gristmill, etc., and a population nearly as large as Independence or Kansas City. The war drove the trade to Leavenworth and St. Joseph, and when peace came nearly all of it was concentrated at Kansas City. Soon a street railway connected the two cities and the process of absorption be

gan. This culminated in consolidation in 1899, and henceforth the history of Westport will be that of Kansas City.

Westport, Battle of.-The battle of Westport, on the 23d of October, 1864, was the crisis of disaster to the Confederate raid into Missouri of that year. From the moment it entered the State in the southeast, on the 6th of October, 10,000 strong, with General Sterling Price in chief command, it had encountered misfortune, repulsed in its attack on Pilot Knob, driven off from Jefferson City, driven out of Boonville, and pursued and harassed all the way from Boonville to Independence, until nearly onethird its number was lost. The expedition had gathered a large quantity of supplies greatly needed by the Confederates in Arkansas-500 loaded wagons, several thousand head of cattle and 3,000 recruits-and the Confederate authorities said it was the slow movement of this train and General Price's refusal to abandon it, even when pressed by a Federal Army in the rear and another in front, that brought on the succession of defeats that wrecked the expedition in the end. After passing Independence, General Price was forced to abandon his purpose to march south through Kansas, and to begin his retreat south through Missouri as fast as possible to escape being crushed between the two Federal Armies under Pleasonton and Curtis in his rear and front. On the 23d of October, therefore, General Shelby commanding in front, was ordered to attack Westport, strongly held by the Federals, and open the road to the south. The fighting in front of Westport was of the most desperate character, and cost Shelby's brigade alone 800 men, and while it was going on there was another battle only a little less desperate in the rear, where Marmaduke was striving unsuccessfully to resist the Federals in that quarter. The Confederate attack on Westport was successful only to the extent of holding the road open until the train passed the point of danger, after which the entire Confederate Army, broken and crippled, leaving its dead and wounded on the field, followed, marching all night to escape attack next morning. Even then it escaped only for a time, for on the 23d it was attacked and routed at Turkey Creek, and Marmaduke and Cabell taken prisoners.

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