Muscotah is also a city of churches and schools. The Congregational church was established in 1866. The pastor of this church in 1916 is Rev. Fred Gray, who preaches to a congregation of about 150. When this church was organized its members worshiped in the home of Robert Russell, which was at that time in the depot, and the church edifice which is now occupied was built in 1914.
The Methodist Episcopal church was established about 1876; it now has a membership of 120, and its pastor is Rev. Rollo J. Fisher.
The Advent Christian church was organized in 1889, and its first pastor was Rev. Marshall McCollough.
Mission Hall is maintained by unattached and unorganized Christians. It holds meeting several times a week, including two services on Sunday.
The public school system of Muscotah includes an accredited high school, in which two four-year courses are offered, together with a general and college preparatory course. R. E. Devor is superintendent of schools, and the officers of the school board are: J. F. Thompson, president; W. D. Roach, treasurer; R. A. Allison, secretary. The first school house within the present limits of the town was built in 1870, but was subsequently destroyed by fire when another school was built in 1885. A six room school was erected, and it was also destroyed by fire in January, 1916. A movement is now under way to build a new, handsome, modern school building, to accommodate twelve grades, together with manual training, domestic science and a gymnasium.
Muscotah is supplied with electricity by high tension line from Atchison, and in 1916 it has forty-two street lamps and fifty-five private consumers.
In addition to being a town of churches and schools, Muscotah also has several active lodges. The Masonic lodge was organized December 20, 1871, by E. D. Hillyer, of Grasshopper Falls, on a dispensation issued by the grand lodge; the charter was issued October 17, 1872, and the officers installed November 16, 1872. The first officers were: Ben F. Freeland, William N. Kline, Thomas H. Phillips, B. G. Merrill, D. M. Stillman, W. Bullock and I. C. Archer.
Purity Council No. 293, Knights and Ladies of Security, was chartered July 6, 1895, with John Edward Lewis, president. It had ten charter members and in 1916 there was a membership of seventy, with George W. Rork, president, and Mrs. Carl Rork, secretary.
Modern Woodmen was chartered in August, 1898. The present officers are W. F. Murray, V. H. Little and G. W. Harris. There are also active lodges of the Mystic Workers, Eastern Star and Royal Neighbors.
Muscotah’s new combination grade and high school, which will take the place of the one destroyed by fire, will cost approximately $20,000, and will be a fire-proof structure of brick and concrete. When completed it will be one of the best school buildings of its kind in any town the size of Muscotah in the State. The present city officials of Muscotah are: William Buckles, mayor; R. A. Hillyer, J. G. Burbank, W. D. Roach, R. H. Trial and R. A. Allison, councilmen; H. M. Turner, city clerk; E. M. Hicks, police judge, and S. B. Liggatt, marshal.