Mollie Patterson  - Manipulator of Hash

Larned Pioneer

 

Seth McFarland

February 3, 2023 

 

In 1873, settlers began to slowly stream in to Pawnee County. They were not numerous, and only 132 families arrived that year. One person of distinction was Mollie Patterson, the first African American settler to settle after the formation of Pawnee County. Ms. Patterson was a cook in the different hotels for many years. 

 

Mrs. Isabelle Worrell Ball wrote of history of the settlers during the years between 1873 and 1893. She stated that Ms. Patterson remained in Larned working as the head cook for the hotels before moving on to Colorado where she passed away "a few years ago." Mrs. Isabelle Worrell was hired as the first school teacher in Larned. To celebrate July 4th of that year, the people of Larned wanted a flag to celebrate. The ladies of Larned donated a red flannel skirt, a white skirt and Ms. Patterson was noted as donating a blue apron to be sewn together as a flag. 

 

Not much is known about Ms. Patterson other than she was known as a manipulator of hash. Hash is typically a culinary dish consisting of chopped meat, potatoes and fried onions.