Prologue

PROLOGUE

This project was prepared in connection with the "125th CELEBRATION" of Seneca's becoming a third class town. Third class was based on population as we all know Seneca has and will continue to be "first class" in our minds. This project was not an attempt to be a comprehensive documentation of Seneca's history. Seneca was founded in the mid 1850's, but the focus of this souvenir collection of documents and history was the year 1870. It was in 1870 that Seneca may or may not have become an incorporated town. The included probate court record was dated May 17, 1870. As you can see for yourself, action by the trustees ordaining this action did not occur until City Ordinance '18' dated in February of 1871. Also included are some of the first ordinances which seem to show our Seneca forefathers had societal concerns very similar to present day concerns.

Unfortunately, a good source of historical information for this time period would have been the local newspaper, but back issues of 1870 were destroyed in a fire in the 1890's. Still an attempt has been made to reconstruct some of the happenings in Seneca from the variety of resources and historical documents that do exist at the present date. A biography of the lives of the trustees, not just their 1870 life, was attempted to see what roles these individuals played in Seneca's development before and after they helped Seneca become an incorporated town of the third class in the great state of Kansas. Three of the five trustees left a fairly easy paper trail to follow, but the other two presented difficulties as you will be able to tell by their biographies.

Although the copy of the lithograph was done nine years after incorporation, one must let their mind drift back in time nine years and visually erase the development of our town. A major erasure would definitely be the St. Joseph & Denver City Railroad that was constructed during 1870. Letting our minds wander should come easily as all of us are trying to gain a sense of the time 125 years ago. One real fact is none of us was living at that time.

Before closing, I would like to acknowledge the many persons who have fulfilled my never ending requests to view or borrow historic records, to answer questions, and to encourage me to complete this project. I would like to say thank you to Anna Marie Gruetze, Father Richard Wempe, the staff at Seneca City Hall, the staffs of the Nemaha County District Court, County Clerk, and Register of Deeds, the staff of the Seneca Public Library, the Nemaha County Genealogical Society, the Nemaha County Historical Society, Nemaha Valley Schools, CR Industries of Seneca, Lauer Funeral Home, Sally Lauer, and Mary Jane Markley. I would also like to personally recognize the financial supporters: the Seneca Chamber of Commerce and the Seneca City Council. Finally, I would like to give a "special" thanks to my wife, Marcia, for allowing me to spend a majority of my summer working on this project.

To end, I hope you view this booklet for what it was designed to be: a collection of Seneca's 1870 history plus a few other historical pieces from Seneca' past. Enjoy.