A Little History
Captain Jesse Leavenworth Chapter was organized 23 October 1906. Miss Ruth Johns, of the National Military Home, was elected regent. The name was selected both for the relationship to our local area (Fort Leavenworth) and the Revolutionary service of Captain Jesse Leavenworth.
Among early members was a "Real Daughter" -- Frances Bush Loveland -- whose Revolutionary Ancestor was her father, Ziba Bush of Massachusetts. Ziba Bush served under General George Washington at the Battle of Monmouth.
In 1903, a historic stone wall at Fort Leavenworth was threatened. The wall was located at the site where Colonel Leavenworth's command built a similar wall of rough stones and logs to guard against possible attacks by the Indians. An effort was made in 1903 to have the wall removed, and this brought about its restoration by the Captain Jesse Leavenworth Chapter. The wall is quite thick, with apertures at frequent intervals. A marker was placed there by the Captain Jesse Leavenworth chapter in 1917.
During World War I, members of our chapter were active in war work. Several members joined the American Red Cross first aid unit, and others aided in operating a recreation center for soldiers stationed at Fort Leavenworth.
In 1924, after the passing of the chapter's Real Daughter, Frances Bush Loveland, a DAR bronze tablet on a marble shaft was placed over her grave in Soldier Cemetery, Soldier, Kansas.
World War II found members of our chapter active making surgical dressing and raising money for the blood plasma fund to aid our soldiers.
A bronze tablet was placed upon the gates to the military post:
"This tablet is placed by the Captain Jesse Leavenworth Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution to commemorate the Santa Fe Trail, Oregon Trail, Military Road to Fort Scott and the Freemont Expedition, Doniphan Expedition. All of which, between the dates 1827-1898, used the Reservation of Fort Leavenworth and were protected or employed by regular troops of the United States Army."