“We have organized a Neosho County Historical Society that is digging up a lot of data that was about to be lost. Neosho County is much richer in early history than even our own people realize” — W. W, Graves, 1931
William Whites Graves
There's a Lot of History...
The quote is from an August 31, 1931 letter from local historian William Whites Graves to Loretto historian Sister Lilliana Owens. It was one of five letters that Graves sent to Sister Owens; and all seem to answer questions about him, his family, his Kentucky birth home and opinions about the early history of the Catholic Osage Mission. During that time Sister Owens was working on her PhD at St. Louis University. She was also finishing one of several books she would write about the history of the Loretto Order. In 1947 her paper about the work of the Lorettines in Southeast Kansas was published in the Kansas Historical Quarterly, and it is available here.
Graves had already published the first three of a series of books about the earliest history of Kansas, much of which revolved around the Catholic Mission and its people. Sister Owens was born and raised in St. Paul. The Loretto Motherhouse in Nerinx, Kentucky, was a few short miles from Graves’ birthplace near Manton, KY. Two of Graves’ great aunts were early members of the Loretto order. Sister Owens and W.W. Graves had a lot in common besides a hunger for history.
When you begin to realize what Graves and Sister Owens were discussing, it was not just the history of Neosho County. It was the effect our county, and a small Catholic Mission, had on the story of Kansas and surrounding states. The influence our small community had, during the past, was remarkable.
During the early 20th century historians like Graves, Sister Lilliana, Wallace Duncan, Sister Mary Paul Fitzgerald and many others were piecing together facts, names and dates that do, indeed, describe the earliest and richest history of Kansas—the birth of our state well before it even existed as a state. If you live in Neosho County, Kansas, or the surrounding counties, much of the story unfolded beneath your feet.
But our local story is unique. Our story begins with the introduction of civilization and commerce in the region—and it happened at the dawn of the 19th century. From there we can lay out a 120 year continuum of Kansas frontier and post-frontier development like no one else. The story is fascinating and it is not just local—it is regional and the scope of the region is large. Moreover, our story has broad-based historical relevance. Two of these terms warrant discussion:
The quote is from an August 31, 1931 letter from local historian William Whites Graves to Loretto historian Sister Lilliana Owens. It was one of five letters that Graves sent to Sister Owens; and all seem to answer questions about him, his family, his Kentucky birth home and opinions about the early history of the Catholic Osage Mission. During that time Sister Owens was working on her PhD at St. Louis University. She was also finishing one of several books she would write about the history of the Loretto Order. In 1947 her paper about the work of the Lorettines in Southeast Kansas was published in the Kansas Historical Quarterly, and it is available here.
Graves had already published the first three of a series of books about the earliest history of Kansas, much of which revolved around the Catholic Mission and its people. Sister Owens was born and raised in St. Paul. The Loretto Motherhouse in Nerinx, Kentucky, was a few short miles from Graves’ birthplace near Manton, KY. Two of Graves’ great aunts were early members of the Loretto order. Sister Owens and W.W. Graves had a lot in common besides a hunger for history.
When you begin to realize what Graves and Sister Owens were discussing, it was not just the history of Neosho County. It was the effect our county, and a small Catholic Mission, had on the story of Kansas and surrounding states. The influence our small community had, during the past, was remarkable.
During the early 20th century historians like Graves, Sister Lilliana, Wallace Duncan, Sister Mary Paul Fitzgerald and many others were piecing together facts, names and dates that do, indeed, describe the earliest and richest history of Kansas—the birth of our state well before it even existed as a state. If you live in Neosho County, Kansas, or the surrounding counties, much of the story unfolded beneath your feet.
But our local story is unique. Our story begins with the introduction of civilization and commerce in the region—and it happened at the dawn of the 19th century. From there we can lay out a 120 year continuum of Kansas frontier and post-frontier development like no one else. The story is fascinating and it is not just local—it is regional and the scope of the region is large. Moreover, our story has broad-based historical relevance. Two of these terms warrant discussion:
- Historical Relevance – Try to categorize early frontier history. You might list subjects like: Native American history, introduction of civilization, commerce, religion, education, settling a region, civil war, reconstruction, transportation routes, technology and law enforcement.
- Regional Frontier Development – Any community can claim a region of influence or importance. It might be county-wide, four-state, state-wide, etc.
Take a Look Around.
The story of the events surrounding the Catholic Osage Mission, and the town that grew from it, is a community treasure that has cultural and economic value. When you consider that we, as a community, were built on a strong foundation of religion and education, it is also a political asset that can be used to protect our rural church and schools — if we understand it and use it.
But the story has faded. The strong community historical awareness and pride that preceded us is no longer apparent and those who still understand it will not be here forever. This site is intended to inform, educate and hopefully stimulate. Take a look at the “About” link or go straight to the “Story” link and move on from there at your leisure.
The story of the events surrounding the Catholic Osage Mission, and the town that grew from it, is a community treasure that has cultural and economic value. When you consider that we, as a community, were built on a strong foundation of religion and education, it is also a political asset that can be used to protect our rural church and schools — if we understand it and use it.
But the story has faded. The strong community historical awareness and pride that preceded us is no longer apparent and those who still understand it will not be here forever. This site is intended to inform, educate and hopefully stimulate. Take a look at the “About” link or go straight to the “Story” link and move on from there at your leisure.
Follow this link and "Like" our Facebook page for website updates and other information. Facebook @CatholicOsageMission.
Illustrations:
- The illustration at the top of the page is photo edited from several sources. It depicts three of the ten Catholic Mission buildings in their approximate positions, relative to the church and rectory, from 1847 until the early 1870's. The Osage Manual Labor School for Girls, at the right, is out of perspective. Refer to "The Mission Complex" for more information. Historical photos were scanned from the files of the Osage Mission - Neosho County Historical Society. Base photo of the existing church and rectory and photo editing was done by R. Brogan. Take a look at "The Catholic Osage Mission" and its three sub-links for more information about the founding of the Mission.
- The photo of W.W. Graves is part of the Graves-Hopkins Archive of the Osage Mission - Neosho County Historical Society. Scanned and lightly edited for clean-up by R. Brogan.
The Osage Manual Labor School for Girls, visible above the rectory roof, is out of perspective. It sat on an east-to-west orientation in alignment with the boy's school at left. But the image does represent the approximate location of three of the main Mission buildings relative to the rectory and church.
