Spanish American War
(Narrative account written by ChatGPT using article from 3 May 1917 Courier Democrat)
During the Spanish-American War in 1898, Seneca, Kansas, and Nemaha County played an integral role in supporting the nation’s call to arms. The fervor and patriotism exhibited by the town were unparalleled, as its citizens rallied to honor the brave volunteers enlisting to defend their country.
The town erupted into activity when the news of war broke. On a Thursday afternoon, the city came alive with the clamor of fire bells, church bells, steam whistles, and even cannon fire, marking the nation’s declaration of war. The fire company, initially mistaking the uproar for a city fire, soon realized the commotion reflected the community’s enthusiastic response to the war effort. Residents, filled with patriotic fervor, marched to the tune of martial music while the town adorned itself with flags and bunting. Speeches stirred the crowd, and many young men were eager to enlist.
On May 5, Seneca formally organized its volunteer company. City Marshal W. D. Sherman was unanimously elected captain. In a heartfelt speech, he expressed his gratitude and commitment to the company and the flag. Due to an incomplete roster, other officers were to be selected later in Topeka. The evening concluded with a grand supper at the G.A.R. Hall, hosted by the women of Seneca. Songs and camaraderie filled the night as the soldiers prepared for their departure.
The following morning, the young men, numbering 63 from Nemaha and Brown Counties, marched to the train depot. There, amidst emotional goodbyes, cheers, and cannon fire, they boarded their train for St. Joseph. This poignant scene captured the community’s deep pride and solemn recognition of the sacrifices ahead.
The Seneca Company joined the 3rd Regiment Kansas Volunteer Infantry, later known as Co. K. Patriotic demonstrations greeted their journey to Washington, D.C., and later to Camp Alger in Virginia. However, the war’s harsh realities soon struck. Captain Sherman, who had led the volunteers with honor, succumbed to typhoid fever at Camp Alger in August. His funeral, held in Seneca, drew nearly 3,000 mourners who paid their respects to their fallen leader.
As the war unfolded, Commodore Dewey’s naval victory in Manila inspired renewed national pride. The Seneca volunteers’ dedication and the community’s unwavering support embodied the spirit of unity and patriotism that defined this chapter of American history. The legacy of their courage and sacrifice remains a testament to the town’s enduring commitment to freedom and democracy.
From the Courier Democrat published 3 May 1917
ECHOES OF OUR LAST WAR
A COMPANY HERE THEN.
THE PART SENECA AND NEMAHA COUNTY PLAYED DURING THE SPANISH-AMERICAN CONFLICT.
Never before in the history of the
city has there been witnessed such an
excitement and dash of the populace
as on Thursday afternoon of last
week, when the news flashed over the
wire that the tocsin of war had been
sounded. The fire bell clamored,
church and school bells jingled, steam
whistles bellowed and cannon boomed,
and grand, defiant pandemonium
reigned supreme. The fire company
was quick to respond to the alarm,
not knowing that the signal signified
that the American heart had been
fired instead of the city. The firemen
looked pale and excited because they
imagined the whole town ablaze and
they could feel the parching heat.
It soon became known, however, that
this tremendous applause was but
the echo of Amens and hosannahs go-
ing up all over the country in ap-
proval of the nation’s final demand
and the calm but inflexible purpose
of the people. Men and boys with
measured tread, marched about to
martial music that kindled the pas-
sions of a patriotic people. Speeches
were made and the entire city was
gorgeously decorated with flags and
bunting. Everybody, it seemed,
wanted to enlist that very minute.
Had Gen. Weyler and his regiment
of butchers appeared in this city just
then, they would have been eaten
alive.—The Courier-Democrat, issue
of April 29, 1898.
From The Courier-Democrat of May,
5, 1898: About five o’clock Wednes-
day evening, the company was mus-
tered in and they at once proceeded to
the completion of the organization of
the company by electing our city mar-
shal W. D. Sherman captain. Captain
Sherman stepped forward and in
a few well selected remarks,
thanked the company for the honor
conferred upon him and declared his
loyalty and devotion to the company
and flag. As the full quota of men
had not been secured to make the
company complete lieutenants could
not be selected. The company will
be completed at Topeka, and then the
balance of the officers will be selected.
After electing their Captain, the
company fell in line and marched to
the G. A. R. Hall, where the ladies
of Seneca had prepared an excellent
supper for the company. No com-
pany of welcome guests ever sat
down to a more bountiful repast of
delicious viands, and the boys showed
their appreciation in such a practical
way that evinced the fact they were
good eaters as well as good fighters.
Addresses, loaded to the guard with
true American patriotism were made
by Maj. H. C. Lindsay, Dr. W. H.
Wharton, and local ministers of the
city.
The G. A. R. Hall was kept open all
night for the accommodation of the
young soldiers, who enjoyed them-
selves with songs and musical selec-
tions until train time. The ladies of
the Seneca W. R. C. remained all
night, and shortly before the com-
pany left for the depot (Thursday
morning) served the company with a
nice lunch and hot coffee. The com-
pany then marched to the depot
where two coaches awaited them and
at 3:30 a. m. left for St. Joseph. Their
departure was an affecting scene.
Tender goodbyes and regretful fare-
wells, mother’s tears and sister’s
kisses, mingled with deafening cheers
and good wishes, amid the cannon’s
boom, was a scene in life’s terrible
drama that could not help but inter-
pret the awful meaning of war.
Issue of May 6: 63 Seneca Re-
cruits Go to the Front. Last Wednes-
day, May 4th in this city, 63 of the
local sons of Nemaha and Brown
counties were mustered into Uncle
Sam’s army. Major H. C. Lindsay
of Topeka, of the First Kansas Regi-
ment and Drs. W. H. Wharton of
Yates Center and N. Hayes of this
city, composed the recruiting board.
The recruiting was slow, only six ap-
plicants from Brown county appeared
before the Board. Those who were
accepted include: Fred Murray, W.
R. Jacobs, G. W. Swaney, C. E. Ryan
of Perry, Oklahoma; C. E. Spickel;
ECHOES OF OUR LAST WAR
(Continued from 1st Page)
meir of Manhattan, Fred M. Fischer,
Roy Martin, afterward a lieutenant;
H. H. Hurlburt, Joseph Moss, W. J.
Dalton, Geo. Toler, Louis Miller, afterward
captain, Albert Nusbaum, J. T.
Nusbaum, John F. Garber, George
Jones, J. W. Richards of Bern, Clar-
ence C. Locke, Fred H. Bauernfeind,
L. H. Houseman, Arthur E. Ashton,
G. T. Pierce, W. D. Huff of Bern,
Frank Lee of Kelly, J. H. Assenmacher,
John F. Herold, Bern; John
W. Schlereth, Fred W. Cragg, E. P.
Kohn, J. A. Blair, S. E. Hobbs, F. G.
Reiberg, Willis J. Campbell, Frank
Melcher, Bert Minor, John Pugh, W.
F. Catheram.
It is reported from Madrid that the
destination of the Spanish fleet which
is said to have been at sea for some
days, is unknown to anyone but the
minister of marine. But it is added
that news is expected before long at
the Spanish capital of the bombard-
ment of the American coast. — Issue
April 29th.
The war Department at Washing-
ton is overlooking an important card.
They should order enough Seneca
whiskey to fill the canteen of every
soldier before leaving for Cuba. Sen-
eca whiskey has more fight per swal-
low than any internal lubricator ever
placed before the public. We have
this authority from a gentleman who
has been playing star engagements
at nearly all the bars in the country.
— Issue May 6th
No less than 100 people were at
the depot last Monday night when
the eleven o’clock passenger train
came in to get a paper and learn later
particulars about Commodore Dewey’s
glorious victory at Manila in the
Phillipine Islands. It was the first
modern naval contest and the signi-
ficant victory will cause America to
sing Dewey’s praises throughout all
time.
The Seneca Company of volunteers
leave Topeka today with their regi-
ment for Washington D. C. where
they have been called by the War De-
partment. The Seneca Company will
hereafter be known as Co. K, 3rd
Regiment Kansas Volunteer Infan-
try. — May 20th.
Camp Leedy to Camp Alger. The
22nd Kansas Regiment is moved from
Topeka to Falls Church, Virginia,
amid patriotic demonstrations all
along the line. The boys were almost
buried with flags and flowers. — May
20th.
The saddest news that has reached
this city in many a day was the tele-
gram that announced that Capt. W.
D. Sherman died at five o’clock Tues-
day morning, August 9th. Capt.
Sherman took sick at Camp Alger on
Sunday, July 24 and on the Wednes-
day following he was removed to the
general hospital at Fort Myer near
Washington. The doctor having pro-
nounced it a case of typhoid fever.
The funeral of Capt Sherman was
held at the county court house yard
in Seneca, August 14th, under the
auspices of Nemaha Lodge 99 Knights
of Pythias of this place. Nearly
three-thousand people showed the last
tribute of respect to the departed at
the bier. The service was conducted
by Rev. F. W. Emerson of the Chris-
tian church, assisted by the Rev. E.
Combie Smith, Leon T. Jones and
C. H. Bente.