History of Lake Wabaunsee

Part 2:

1934 - 1937

 

Construction Started - 1934

The year 1934 began with some workers on the job and construction was under way. G.F.Price, Topeka, came as director of the transient camp and had things ready for occupancy by January 15. P.N.Rees was purchasing agent for the camp and R.R.Roby was resident engineer. Dr.C.W.Walker was camp doctor. Fay Marvin was supervisor of unemployment relief in Kansas. Captain Fred Nelson was camp director until August 1. 1934 when he left to teach school in Nebraska and was replaces by B.E George of Wichita.

John G. Stutz was head of the unemployment bureau for the state which became the Kansas Emergency Relief Corporation. Dr. Pratt and Dr. Humphrey were camp dentists; Preston Dunn was in charge of the commissary store; Edward Paskal was in charge of maintenance and equipment; Albert Langworth was chief clerk and works director and Frank Brown was head chef.

One of the first projects was to drill for water, but in doing so, Homer Orcutt, the driller, brought in a small natural gas well on Tuesday, January 9 which is understood to have been somewhere just east of the present "lodge" building. A shoe shop and a barber shop was set up for the benefit of the workers and run by the transients themselves.

 

In February, 1934, the State Fish and Game Commission was empowered to borrow $200,000 from the Federal Public Works Administration for lake projects, to be repaid with the 20% portion of its fees now being turned over to the state general fund.

In February, the state authorized Camp Director G.F.Price to build a home for the caretaker and George Rinner was awarded the contract. This house was to be occupied by B.E.George, Commandant, until the lake was completed and turned over to the state.

Wilson Engineering Co., of Salina surveyed the lake to determine cabin sites and completed the map in March 1934, showing 604 lots of various sizes, most of them approximately 50 x 100 feet. All land in the lake bed and a strip 100 feet back from the lake at the high water mark was to be deeded to the state. The 100 foot strip to be used as a public road. Adjoining the public road, cabin sites were laid out to be sold to finance the purchase of the land.

E.H.Regnier, of Spearville, joined the project as case worker and recreational director, assisted by Eddie Halpin.

In order to speed up work an effort was made through John G. Stutz, executive director of the Kansas Emergency Relief Commission, to make the project a federal water conservation reservoir, with the City of Eskridge or the county joining with the transient service in making it a direct work relief project. R.R.Roby was replaces by J.M.Brink as resident engineer in December, 1934.

 

 

CONSTRUCTION PROGRESSING - 1935

A dinner celebrating the first anniversary of the Lake Association and toasting to the progress that had been made during the first year of construction was held Friday evening, February 7, 1935. An invitational affair for stockholders and others who had been active in the administration of the work, gathered with Governor Alf M. Landon as the honored guest. The officers reported that 156 cabin sites had been paid for with Eskridge residents possessing 58, Topeka 60; Alma 24; Harveyville 5 and all others 9.

Fay Marvin, state supervisor of relief, announced at the dinner that heavy machinery and equipment suitable for building the dam would be sent here shortly. The camp would then employ 250 men. Twenty-five portable bunkhouses were to be brought in, each accommodating six men and construction to be started on an additional dining hall.

A nine hole golf course was being built, part on state property and part on property owned by the Lake Wabaunsee corporation, to be operated by the corporation. Dr. H.G.Pratt was to manage the club, assisted by Bill Robertson, local manager of the Standard Oil station. The course was to be officially opened April 25.

The heavy machinery arrived in March, with R.R.Roby returning as general supervisor; George Marsh, engineer for KERC and George Rinner in charge of woodwork. Work on the dam began in April.

The Lake Corporation stockholders met July 15 and elected officers as follows: Frank Frost, president, and Jack Waugh, secretary-treasurer. Board of Directors" Crow Shumate, R.C.Day, and Dr. C.W.Walker, all of Eskridge; Judge C.E.Carroll, Albert Stuewe and O.W.Little, all of Alma; C.H.Houseworth and Sr. L.M.Tomlinson, of Harveyville; Charles Sessions and G.L.Jordan, of Topeka.

The first golf tournament was held at the lake Sunday, July 28 with Parker Warren winning the championship of the men’s group and Mrs. Lora Core, Women’s champion.

In August, work was halted with KREC being dissolved and efforts being made to continue with WPA sponsorship. All the houses from projects at Howard and Sedan, Kansas, were moved here, making about 60 houses capable of housing 300 men. Col. Charles Fisher and family were living in the caretaker’s house and Fred Mills continued to be commandant of the camp. George Bunger had resigned to operate a sales pavilion in North Topeka.

Administration Changes -- 1936

In January, 1936, a complete project report was made showing that the lake was 14.7% completed and had cost the government $163,725.19 to date. KERC had turned the project over to the Work’s Progress Administration.

John Brink, engineer for WPA was placed in direct charge of lake negotiations and reported that there would be no purpose in starting work under WPA at this time with bad weather at hand and with funds to operate only until March 1. He recommended that the project close down and wait for a CCC camp to take over which was favored by the Fish and Game Commission also.

By administrative ruling from Washington, KERC was taken out of the picture and bills were paid by WPA administrator for Kansas lakes, making it possible for work to proceed a Lake Wabaunsee. No assurance was given that WPA would be able to complete the project, but Griffith issued instructions that any work done must be such that it contributes to the completed structure.

There were 160 transients employed at the camp at this time, but Mr. Brink stated "Uncertainties concerning the transient program probably will necessitate the use of other agencies such as CCC to complete the project and you may be assured of this agency giving you every possible assistance toward that end."

J.J.Marshall, works superintendent for WPA, announced that transients would be paid WPA wages of $32.00 a month for unskilled; $37.00 for semi-skilled and $42.00 for skilled. Under the transient program they were paid $1 to $3 a week.

In March, 1936, orders were received by engineers for "full speed ahead". Flood lights were installed at the dam site to permit work around the clock. More men were called for, possibly up to the 400 capacity of the accommodations. John Brink, deputy administrator for WPA in Kansas, predicted that the dam would be completed by July 1 and the gates closed for water impoundment.

On May 7, announcement was made that the Fourth District Editorial Association would hold its fall meeting here at the lake in September. Over 100 editors and families would be entertained by the officers of the Lake Wabaunsee Association and officers of WPA, with golf in the morning, lunch at noon and a dinner and program in the evening, featuring Senator Arthur Capper, Evan Griffith and John Brink of WPA. However, the meeting was rained out and moved to another location.

In June 1936, the dam was reported one-third finished and the spillway almost completed. On July 29, George S.Knapp, state engineer was called in by the Fish and Game Commission to inspect the dam and park. He found that a large part of the dam must be rebuilt because the clay used was not sufficiently packed.

Knapp wrote, "On July 23 it was decided between our office and WPA engineers that a strip 130 feet wide, 70 feet on the upstream side and 60 feet on the down-stream side of the center line, should be removed down to the original ground line and replaced with suitable material sufficiently sprinkled and rolled to produce the required degree of compaction and imperviousness.

"The building of embankment on this project has, therefore, ceased temporarily but work is actively under way in the cutoff trench and the puddle core and without doubt the work noted above will be undertaken at once and the construction pushed diligently to completion."

By September, Jess Marshall, work superintendent on the dam, had three shifts of 185 men at work. Part of the dam had been torn out and rebuild and rock facing had started on the front and back of the embankment.

A.B.Nuss, chief engineer of WPA projects, inspected the dam in November as it neared completion. It was decided that the dam should be built five feet higher than original plans called for and the change was ordered. The change called for the purchase of about $2,000 more land, but the Lake Association said they had no funds for the additional purchase. It is not clear how this financing was accomplished, but it was apparently worked out between the State Fish and Game Commission and WPA.

By raising the dam, it could be built up to a point where the natural rock formation would serve as the bottom of the spillway, thus saving $10,000 to $15,000 in other construction costs. Earthwork on the dam was completed December 31, 1936.

Upon completing of the dam and spillway it was planned that the men now employed would be retained to work on roads, landscaping, building shelter houses, beautifying public grounds and otherwise making the state a handsome park. The camp would be kept intact until this entire plan was completed.

On the night of December 5, 1936, the stone caretaker’s house, which was occupied by Col. And Mrs. C.F.Fisher and daughter Annabell, whet up in flames. The family lost all household furnishings, clothing and personal belongings. Their little dog "Skippy" perished in the fire. The Eskridge fire department was called and helped the men at the camp fight the flames but the house and contents were a total loss.

Although the dam was practically completed the control valve remained open, letting out the overflow from spring water.

Works superintendent Jess Marshall advised that he wanted to quarry considerable more rock from the lake bed before letting water impound. The rock was needed to finish up the main roads, face the dam and build auxiliary roads thought out the park. The stockholders were becoming anxious to see water in the lake so that the state hatchery could begin stocking fish. It was understood that fishing would not be permitted until two years after stocking had been accomplished.

Officers of the Lake Wabaunsee corporation went to Topeka, December 18 to ask Governor Landon to have the state take over the debt yet remaining on the property in the park area, amounting to $11,000. Landon approved and called Giles Atherton, chairman of the Fish and Game Commission, recommending that they take over this property and also clean up debts against two other state lakes.

It was agreed that if the state would do this, all lot selling would cease immediately and deeds would be given those who had paid for their cabin sites. All others, not paid in full would forfeit their rights. They reported that 140 cabin sites had been paid in full, with nearly $4,000 unpaid or partly paid.

The $11,000 was the amount needed to clear all property in the tract. The Lake Corporation had sold sites for a total of $14,000 and had expended the amount toward the purchase of the property in the park.

Lee Larrabee, of Liberal and Lakin Meade, of Topeka, were newly appointed members of the Fish and Game Department. Fred Hans was state game warden and secretary of the commission. Lynn Broderick was democratic national chairman and I.M.Ormsby was the resident engineer at the lake.

City Acquires Lake -- 1937

On March 1, 1937, officers of the Lake Wabaunsee Corporation, despairing of financial help from either state of county in paying off $11,000 remaining debt so that clear titles could be given the state on land, appeared before the City Commissioners and offered to turn over to the city all rights and holdings in the park, except cabin sites sold, if the city would take over the remaining debt. This would make the city of Eskridge sole owner of the property except for the 15 acres of cabin sites.

With nearly 500 acres in the project, the lake would approximate 200 acres of water and with 15 acres of cabin sites already encumbered, the city would own 275 acres of land aside from the water area. It was pointed out that this purchase would give the city a permanent water supply for a waterworks system should the town ever need to build one.

I.M.Ormsby, resident engineer, stated the project would be completed as planned if the city took over the obligation. N.M.Mullendore, of Howard, attorney for the State Fish and Game Commission said his organization would agree to relinquish all claims against the lake and park and that the sum of $3500 or more which had been spent by the Commission would be donated. He also said the Commission would keep the lake stocked provided it was kept open to the public for fishing.

The Council ordered a bond election held to issue $12,000 in 12 year bonds, on March 26. It found later that it needed only $11,000 and issued that amount at 2 1/2% interest. The bond issue carried 236 to 126.

The stockholders who had paid their money for cabin sites were to receive deeds. The city was to get all money remaining in the treasury of the Lake Wabaunsee corporation retaining no rights or interest whatever.

Ivan Conrad was elected mayor at the city election April 5 and appointed Dr. C.W.Walker in charge of the committee on parks, with Lon Peoples and Beverly Young on the committee. He appointed a Lights committee of Leland Lucky, chairman; Parker Warren and Lon Peoples. Finance, Lon Peoples, chairman; Dr. Walker and Beverly Young. Fred Mills, commandant of the Lake Wabaunsee camp was appointed new city clerk to succeed Carl R.Moore. George C.Cook was renamed city treasurer.

Since the City of Eskridge was incorporated on July 8, 1887, it was decided to hold a 50th year anniversary celebration and a lake dedication jointly on July 8, 1937.

The deed transferring the lake property to the city was executed on June 1, 1937. LaRue Moreland, city attorney was instructed to make plans for a drawing of lake lots as per the agreement on June 8, but the drawing was postponed because WPA wanted to complete its job before the dedication was held.

Since the drawing had been postponed, it was decided to make a new survey and plat. The original plat kept lots back 100 feet from the lake, but the new plat placed them only 25 feet back from the water. The survey was completed in August.

In the meantime Fred Mills had resigned as commandant at the lake effective September 1, and went to Proberto, California where he purchased a general store and filling station. John Chesbro, who for two years was commandant at the Gardner lake, was appointed as commandant here, effective September 1.

On October 1, 32,000 fish were placed in the lake by L.C.Webb, state game warden. 15,000 were crappie; 8,000 channel cat; 4,500 black bass; 2,000 blue gill; 2,000 yellow perch and 500 bullheads. Plans were made to open the lake for fishing in the spring of 1938.

Drawing for cabin sites was set for Sunday, November 7 in the main dining hall of the camp. One hundred twenty-five lots were drawn by stockholders and 25 drawn by the city, which they put up for sale. The selection of the 150 choice lots was made by a committee of Lon Peoples and Park Warren, for the city and Dr. C.W.Walker and Frank Frost, representing the Lake Wabaunsee corporation.

At the drawing, three Topeka stockholders drew the first and last lots. C.B.Crosby, President of Crosby Bros., drew the first and the last was drawn by Elmer Strain, grand secretary of the Masonic Lodge of Kansas and W.C.Noller, Topeka city Commissioner. The names of stockholders were put in druggists capsules and placed in a receptacle. The first name drew Lot 1, Block 1, etc.

Preston Dunn, City Clerk, was authorized to make a map of the lake site and platted lots, bearing the names of the lot owners.

In December, 1937, the City stated that it hoped to acquire the buildings on the lake site owned by the state to be used for recreational purposes for various civic and social organizations. The City then had 40 such applications on file. Buildings would be "spotted" at various locations around the lake.