Situated at the confluence of the Marais des Cygnes and Pottawatomie rivers is the picturesque and historic city of Osawatomie. Few cities of its size in America, perhaps, are richer in story and historical association than Osawatomie, and none are more intimately associated with the Great Civl War, that tremendous conflict that shook the world with its consequences. Osawatomie is one of the oldest towns in eastern Kansas and was the scene of many a border foray in ante-bellum days. Founded by the free state men and pledged to the cause of human freedom, it was often forced to defend itself with sword in hand against the ruffian bands from across the border. The fact that Osawatomie was the home of John Brown and that he commanded the free state forces at the battle of Osawatomie has forever linked the name of this illustrious man with that of the town. The John Brown monument and park of the same name within the city limits represent not only a memorial to him but to the cause for which the city was founded. Not only has Osawatomie and the Marais des Cygnes valley found permanent place in the history of our country but they have furnished themes for some of our best poets. The bloody massacre on the Marais des Cygnes a few miles southeast of Osawatomie inspired Whittier to write one of the strongest poems on freedom and our own Ironquill has immortalized the name of John Brown, the man "who lost, but losing, won." Turning to the material resources of Osawatomie, we find that it is located in the heart of one of the richest agricultural sections of the state. The thousands of acres of rich valley land surrounding the city are not only well adapted to agriculture but also to dairying and stock raising. The city is a division point on the main line of the Missouri Pacific railroad. The offices of division superintendent, chief dispatcher, the roundhouse, and machine shops are located here. On the hills northeast of town are the beautiful buildings and grounds of the State Hospital for the insane and on the northwest limits of the town is the John Brown Memorial Park. Osawatomie has within its corporate limits over a hundred places of business, more than fifty of which are stores of various kinds. Among other institutions, it has two banks, two printing offices, one newspaper, four hotels, eight restaurants, two laundries, three bakeries, one ice plant, one library, two school houses and eight churches. It has thirty blocks of paving, eight miles of cement sidewalk and owns its own water and electric light plants. As an evidence of the progressive nature of the city it passed under the commission form of government some two years ago. As a result of this the city finances have been steadily improving. Plans are completed for paving another street this summer and for making extensive improvements in the municipal plants. There has not been a business failure in the town within the past year. Osawatomie has a population of over four thousand and is the largest town in the county. Notwithstanding the material resources and general welfare of the city of Osawatomie, it is lacking in one respect; it needs a new high school building. The enrollment of the high school has far outgrown the accommodations of the building. The time has arrived when Osawatomie must erect a new high school building or suffer her school interests to deteriorate. Many of the departments are cramped for quarters. The Domestic Science and Manual Training departments would not be nearly so expensive if there were room for more equipment so larger classes could be conducted in each. There are many reasons why the matter should be acted on now and not delayed. In the first place money spent on education is the wisest possible economy. Again, an up-to-date high school building with modern equipment that would care for the needs of the town for thirty or forty years hence would be a valuable economic asset to the town as well as a social and cultural center. Such a building would attract students from the surrounding country and the trade this would naturally bring to the town would be worth all the building cost and more. Again. there would be no economy in delay for the tuition of the non-resident students would pay, if not more than pay, the interest on the bonds. There is not a modern high school building in the county and this would be an excellent opportunity for Osawatomie to show the same leadership in an educational way that she has formerly shown in the great struggle for freedom and in her civic affairs. There is good reason to believe that Osawatomie will not let this opportunity pass but will act upon it with her characteristic push and progressiveness. OSAWATOMIE City of the blended streams Born of travail, child of dreams . . Though half a century hath tolled, Thou art not old! Thou art not old! "Twas not in vain thy heroes died; With thee their dreams and hopes abide, For lo, the future loometh large . . . Gird on the sword and sound the charge, Of good or ill, 'tis thine to choose, They only win who dare to lose, The clock strikes twelve! Throw wide the gates! And smiling fortune on you waits. - - C. L. Williams

 

 

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