Chantilly, Kansas – Lost in Kearny County

Kearny County, Kansas Map by L.H. Everts & Co., 1887.

Kearny County, Kansas Map by L.H. Everts & Co., 1887.

When settlers in the northern part of Kearny County decided that the county seat should be located in the north and near the center of the county, it was suggested that Carolina Virginia Pierce, a prominent pioneer and landowner, lay out a town that they agreed to support as the county seat. She and her sister, Mrs. George Garrettson, had established the successful Double PL Bar Cattle Company.

Mrs. Pierce entered the contest with enthusiasm and determination, and by December 1886, the townsite of Myton was laid out about ten miles north and three miles west of Lakin. In March of 1887, she had 40 acres laid out in town lots, and the following month, a committee accepted Mrs. Pierce’s offer of 80 acres as the place to locate the proposed county seat of Kearney County. Myton was then renamed Chantilly, chosen in honor of the Civil War battlefield where General Philip Kearny, for whom the county was named, was killed.

Mrs. Pierce built a hotel, the only two-story building in the new town. Soon, many businesses and dwellings were constructed. A.H. Barnard took charge of the hotel. The Schmiezer Brothers and W. F. Hazard opened general stores. J.W. Palmer and his son, Charles Palmer, operated a blacksmith shop and a livery stable. Lon Whorton established the Kearny County Coyote, which represented the interests of the settlers of the northern part of the county. James A. Wilson was an able attorney, and I.A. Knight engaged in land and insurance business.

A school was opened in the winter of 1886-1887. Mrs. Wilson, wife of James A. Wilson, county attorney, was the first teacher. Cyrus Russell, who later became county superintendent of schools, was a teacher in 1887-1888, and Miss Nina Sykes, a sixteen-year-old girl from the Jimmy Kemper neighborhood northeast of Lakin, taught in 1888-1889.

A post office was established on May 27, 1887, with Lon Whorton appointed as postmaster.

Church services were held, the Reverend Adam List preaching. Sunday school was organized and well attended.

Various social events brought the community together. An active literary society provided entertainment, while the debating section tackled many important questions. Spelling matches were also included in the program. Dances were frequently held at the hotel, attracting attendees from far and wide. Perhaps the most significant community gathering in the town was the Fourth of July celebration in 1887. Settlers arrived from afar the day before and camped out together for the celebration. Representatives came from nearly every corner of the flats, with many driving in from Lakin and Hartland. Mrs. F.L. Pierce and Mrs. Major Hall created the large flag that was used for the occasion.

The town well was an important feature. Securing an adequate water supply was one of the most significant challenges for the early settlers. It was necessary to sink wells from 100 to 200 feet, and few could afford to do so. So hauling water occupied much time, and one of the familiar sights on the prairie was a wagon or sled with several barrels covered with burlap sacks, which kept the water from splashing.

Colonel Prouty, finally, after many stirring events, completed the census of the county in July 1887. He identified the required population of 2,500, but the report was challenged and brought to court. At this time, Chantilly, with a larger surrounding population, led in the preference for the county seat. At that time, the sand hills were largely devoid of vegetation and unoccupied, and Lakin and Hartland divided the vote along the river and railroad.

The years 1887 and 1888 were arid, and, with generally unfavorable economic conditions, many settlers left. The sod houses and dugouts that had dotted the prairie fell into decay, and the more substantial buildings were moved away. A few of those who left the county ever returned.

Kearny County was finally organized on March 27, 1888, with a temporary county seat at Lakin. Due to its distance from the railroad, Chantilly dropped out of the contest, leaving Lakin and Hartland to fight it out.

At an election held on February 19, 1889, Hartland became the county seat for five years. Chantilly was a candidate for the county seat, but it was too far from the railroad and was abandoned.

Another election for the permanent location was held on June 26, 1894, and Lakin was the successful candidate. Chantilly disappeared from the map, and Hartland’s fate has been little better.

Chantilly’s post office closed on August 15, 1895. There are no remains of the townsite.