STOCKTON — Angela Bates, President of the Nicodemus Historical Society, will be bringing four of her re-enactors to Stockton on Sunday, Feb. 21, to give their interpretations of four different African-American politicians from Nicodemus. These re-enactors will give their individual presentations of four different men at the Rooks County Historical Museum, 921 So. Cedar, Stockton, KS, at 2:00 p.m. in the Museum’s Meeting Room. This event is open to the general public and there is plenty of free parking available.
Of special interest to Rooks County residents is the portrayal of John Niles who had an encounter with Charles C. Woods, Stockton Banker who promised the village of Woodston $500 for a new school building if they named the town after him. Apparently, Mr. Niles borrowed money from Mr. Woods’ bank when Mr. Woods himself was out of town. When Charles Woods came back to town, he was furious and took Mr. Niles to court.
Mr. Woods had all the advantages in this particular lawsuit: he hired the best attorneys available, and not just one, but six total attorneys for the plaintiff. Mr. Niles had only himself. After a serious presentation by the plaintiff, Mr. Niles stood up and spoke on his own behalf for approximately three hours. After a lengthy deliberation, the jury delivered a verdict of “not guilty”. This verdict cuts across almost every assumption one would have in learning of a case taking place during the 1880s. This makes both Mr. Woods and Mr. Niles very interesting and intriguing characters, and Angela is going to give us an opportunity to at least get a glimpse of what Mr. Niles must have been like.
In keeping with the spirit of “Black History Month”, it should be noted that Edward P. McCabe from Nicodemus was Graham County’s first Clerk and Kansas State Auditor.
The museum also has on display a “Permanent Maker” (this one came from Plainville) and is producing a brochure outlining the history of this particular design of creating what we now know as “permanents” (making permanent waves in hair for those who don’t know what a “permanent” is) in the history of hair dressing. It turns out this particular model was designed by a woman a lot of credible historians say holds the first patent to ever be given to an African-American woman. Come see us and pick up a brochure on this particular contribution to the development of technology in the history of hairdressing!
Refreshments will be provided.