| The Origin of the Andrew Drumm Institute |
By Mr. George C. Berkemeier Andrew Drumm was born in 1828 in a farming community of the State of Ohio. He was a “forty finer” during the gold rush days to California. Later became a rancher in the Tulare Valley of that state, and operated slaughter houses and sold meat on the streets of San Francisco. About 1870 Drumm began collecting cattle in Texas and drove the cattle up the trails to railheads in Kansas. On one of these drives he found an area in northeast Oklahoma Territory where three rivers joined and provided excellent areas for grazing cattle. This became the location of his famous “U-Ranch”. Land was leased from the Cherokee Indian Nation and the Ranch marketed as many as 4,500 head of “grass fat” cattle at one time. Then in the 1880’s as the government claimed the land and opened it for one of five “Oklahoma runs” the adventurer closed Out his operations and came to Kansas City and began operating a livestock commission company on the Kansas City Livestock Yards. Also, while operating the U-Ranch Drumm helped organize two towns and several banks in the area. When Drumm was 58 years old and got married, he confessed to friends-- “I’ve slept out under the stars more nights than a bed”. Having a keen mind, always one to take a chance on a new adventure, and willing to work hard Drumm accumulated an estate valued at 1.8 million dollars (1920 dollar value). He never had children of his own, but was always interesed in those less fortunate than himself. He had helped young men get a start in ranching and provided job opportunities for them in ranching, banking and land ownerships. During his later years in Kansas City he helped the Street urchins living in alleys. Upon his death in 1919 his will provided for the establishment of the Andrew Drumm Institute- “a home, school and farm for orphaned or indigent boys.” He had drawn up the will in 1912 outlining his wishes. A codicil was added a short time later saying that a farm of 372 acres had been purchased on the Lee’s Summit Road, south and east of Independence, Missouri. This location was to be the site of the Institute. Soon after the Civil War the farm had been owned by Shannon Knox who was interested in raising livestock, breeding and training fine saddle and harness horses. In the early 1880’s the farm was sold to the Milton Welsh family. Two huge barns with lofts for hay, four wood silos, and ice house, smoke house, carriage barn, water tower and a residence for hired help were built. Also a stately three story brick home, with 11 rooms, nine fireplaces (with a room for the driver and caretaker of the harness horses on the third floor) was constructed during this period of ownership. The will outlined the purpose of the Andrew Drumm Institute- “A home, school and farm for orphaned and indegent boys”. The will named seven men and his wife to serve as a Board of Directors to open and manage the institute. These seven men were to serve as long as they were able and when there was a vacancy the remaining men presented a name to the Circuit Court of Jackson County and the Attorney General of Missouri for approval of the successor. Upon the death of Mrs. Drumm, the number of members would be seven. Andrew Drumm died in April 1919 but the opening was delayed for some nine years. Some of the relatives contested the will. Mr. Drumm in his will left his widow their home on Armour and $150,000. However, the widow could also demand one half of the value of the estate according to law. Mrs. Drumm had two nieces that Drumm had been giving money to for years (even sending them to Europe to buy their wardrobes). These nieces demanded more and kept settlement of the estate in court. However when it was ruled “no contest” the will was settled in 1928 and plans were put in operation for the opening. Upon Mrs. Drumm’s death in 1937 she left her money and assets to the home and the legacy remained in tact. On March 1st, 1928 Mr. Harry R. Nelson, of Walker, Missouri, a successful dairy farmer and manager of the Springfield, Missouri Fair, was chosen as Superintendent. A two story home to house 24 boys, was built. A Poultry house, dairy barn and fences had to be built. The former carriage house was converted to a shop for teaching vocational courses. The former residence of the owners was converted into class rooms on the first floor, bed rooms for help on the second floor and laundry area in the basement. The Board of Directors also made arrangements with the Kansas City schools for the High School age boys to attend classes at Northeast High School in the mornings and then return to the Institute grounds for agriculture classes in the afternoons. Grade School boys stayed on the grounds of the Institute for class work. The Kansas City School System paid half of the salary of the teachers and the Institute paid the other half. This arrangement was made because so many of the boys came from the Kansas City Schools they felt responsible for their education. A bus was purchased and one of the older, more responsible boys became the bus driver. (This policy was in practice until the 1950’s when Kansas City passed an ordinance stating all bus drivers had to be over 21 years old to have a license). Drumm’s wishes stated, “training shall be given for the raising of fruit, vegetables, flowers, dry cereals, poultry, cattle, swine and such other products that can be cultivated, manufactured, or raised for profit and the education of the youth”. The will also stated that after the fifty thousand dollars was spent to ready the home for opening-only the interest money from the endowment could be used for operation. The principle was to remain in tact, thus assuring continued operation. In 1929 as boys were enrolled Mr. John Wilson was employed to teach the Vocational classes. The first two boys came on May 5th, 1929 and by Sept. 1st some twenty boys lived in the Dormatory when schools opened on Labor Day. The residence for Mr. Nelson his wife and three daughters was complete. The former huge residence was converted to class rooms, the laundry machinery was in place, and help had housing on the second floor. The wishes of the adventurer was a reality and for more than fifty years helped raise more than 400 boys. More than half stayed and completed high school. Some remained living on the grounds and received their college education. These boys contributed by helping take care of younger boys, taking boys to the Doctor, running errands and supervising work activities. It seems time brings change and today the “New Drumm” is in operation. Many of us are proud to have been a part of the legacy of the founder and to have been a part of helping boys grow into men. (Written in April 1997) |