J / ANNIVERSARY NUMBER. mm h I V T^ ^ -f-^— ^> opinion IF YOU HAVE Money to Invest And want carefully inspected securities and the advantage of our elZce in negotiating then, call on us. We haoe on hand seoera thousand dollars of choice first mortgages and will be pleased to show them to you. If It Is Not Convenient For you to call write us. We will be please to send you a full descrip- tion by return mail. We Also Write Fire, Lightning, Tornado, Cgelones, Wind Storms, Life, Accident Casualty, Fidelity and Plate Glass Insurance and issue more than one hundred different hinds of policies. We Also Sell Steamship Tickets And Foreign Exchange. We issue drafts on more than 1,000 banks in foreign countries. We Claim To Do The Largest business of any firm in our linein ^^*^*H country. We can show you why the business comes to us if you ea. i to investigate the matter. WIMIME* & WINNE, ! •' 'l 'iijtLcfrppt - Hutchinson, Kansas. Northwest Corner; Avenue* A and Main Street, The Hutchinson News Fourth of July, 1893, CON TENTS TWENTY-ONE YEARS OF AGE, - - - - - I HISTORY OF RENO COUNTY, - - - 7 SOME FACTS AND FIGURES, - ----- 17 OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS, - - - Chas. P. Dawson 25 A HEALTHY COMMUNITY, - A. W. McKinney, M. D. 28 KANSAS, - - ------ 29 AS A WHOLESALE POINT, - - - J. S. George - 30 •'HUTCHINSON SALT," - - - Sims Ely - - 32 THE PRAIRIE QUEEN, - - - David Eccles - 36 HORTICULTURE IN RENO COUNTY, - - L. Houk - - 37 THE CATTLE INDUSTRY, - - - H. R. Hilton 41 AGRICULTURE IN KANSAS, - - - M. Mohler - - 43 A SUCCESSFUL FRUIT GROWER,* - - - - - 44 FIRST SETTLER IN LINCOLN, - - - - 44 LETTERS TO THE GOVERNOR, - - Zeno Tharp - 46 3EOLOGY OF RENO COUNTY, - .... 51 MY FIRST VISIT TO RENO COUNTY, - W. H. Hornaday 52 THE CITY OF HUTCHINSON, -------- 53 Including Churches and Secret Societies. SOME OK OUR PROFESSIONAL MEN, ------- 82 SOME OF OUR OFFICERS, - - 92 A WESTERN KANSAS FARM, .... - - 95 THE HUTCHINSON PACKING COMPANY, ------ 97 FINANCIAL SUGGESTIONS, - Scott E. Winne - - 99 TROTTING HORSES IN KANSAS, - - - J. L. S. - - - 101 OUR BUSINESS MEN, - - - - - - - • - - - 103 THE SANTA FE RAILWAY, -------- 112 RESOURCES AND FINANCES OF KANSAS, - M.Levy - - - 114 THE COMMERCIAL CLUB, -------- 117 TWO ARKANSAS VALLEY PIONEERS, ------- 118 EDITORIAL COMMENT, --------- 119 THE NEWS PUBLISHING COMPANY, - - John L. Sponsler S. W. CAMPBELL, President. L. A. BIGGER, Vice-President. ADVERTISEMENTS. V/. H, EAGAN, Teller. E. L. MEYER, Cashier. W. C. BERRY, Ass't Cashier. Capital $100,000. Surplus $p,000- THE OLDEST THE LARGEST BANK IN THE VALLEY. * ESTABLISHED IN 1876. 34TH SEMI-ANNUAL STATEMENT. Report of the Condition of THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK HUTCHINSON, KANSAS. AT THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS, JUNE 30, 1893. RESOURCES. Cash and Sight Exchange, United States Bonds, Real Estate and Fixtures, Loans and Discounts, LIABILITIES. $130,105 99 Capital, 26,000 00 Surplus and Profits, 19,500 00 National Bank Notes, 276,572 68 Deposits, $452,178 67 $100,000 00 19,397 60 22,500 00 310,281 07 $452,178 67 E. L. MEYER, Cashier. L. A. BIGGER. S. W. CAMPB DIRECTORS. ELL. J.B.BROWN. E.L.MEYER. A.S.JOHNSON. ADVERTISEMENTS. DON'T BE SWINDLED. If you want a Buggy buy the Best, which is the Columbus Buggy Co.'s fy Columbus Buggy I am the only man in town handling the same. Call on me for the Famous ¥ Studebaker Wagon. All Kinds of FARM IMPLEMENTS, HARNESS, WHIPS, LAP ROBES, HARDWARE AND QRO= CERIES. J. B. TALBOTT, 327, 400, 404 and 406 North Main, Hutchinson, Kansas. HOTBT-. BRUNSWICK J*a (®> C/9 cni:PH«ye -PNd co B. L. EATON, Proprietor. ONLY FIRST-CLASS HOUSE IN HUTCHINSON. ADVERTISEMENTS. MB Wm. E. Hutchinson, Pres't. H. Whiteside, Vice-Pres't. C. B. Wilfley, Cashier. John J. Welch, Ass't Cashier. ORGANIZED SIX YEARS. The Valley State Bank, CAPITAL, $100,000. SURPLUS, $20,000. Net Earnings, $60,000. a Largest Bank in Hutchinson. Corner Main and Sherman Streets, Hutchinson, Kansas. mm Ol JiDraivn by DT H. LETTCS, ChrQ Engta^o- «md Land JLguft • fitftoEfcroa, Bectt CtoHWy, KaJwWk ad- ich irst in The above map was designed by C. C. Hutchinson in 1872, and with th " mson foretold the future may be seen by comparing this map with that to oth -it.V j io. itm t is IRlERdD C KANSAS ADVERTISEMENTS. WM. E Net Boole Hx mUeu to one irtnTu Haitroad* in Operation^ Propw&n' Jtailroede^ e exception of the Santa Fe line was entirely prophetic. How nearly Mr. Hutchin- be found on the opposite side of this sheet, which is correct at the present time. Banco X 3*8£ 6i ^i Publlihsd by C. C. HUTCHINSON.^ vm^^r^ vii ^~trrr^ vi - s jDnrwn by D. M. LETT 13, Ctvtl Engineer and Land A«wftt ETttTchfta»T>ri. Rerro Cminty, ffmtnf Soalc rim mile* to on« Intfu BailroaS* in Operation, Propond Railroads^* y C. C. Hutchinsoi How ncarl Mr Huti hli he future may be seen bj comparing this map with that tu be found on thi opi THE HUTCHINSON NEWS. understood that he was in reality the editor and moving spirit in the enterprise. To his care was entrusted the destiny of the infant, and to his care is due the vigorous growth it made in those early days. At the end of eight months Mr. Whiteside became sole pro- prietor and editor, and from that time con- tinued under his own name the work which he had so well done under the firm name. These considerations, together with the fur- ther fact that Mr. Whiteside is still a re- spected citizen of Hutchinson, are, we believe a sufficient" .justification,' for 'a. particular mention of hls.vvftrk, .without further notice of the other members of the firm, who prob- ably. -ao\*ei' .Mewed- the BJews in any light it the medium through which thousands of the poor, struggling people in the densely populated districts shall come to know of the wealth and comfort that awaits them as tillers of the rich soil of Reno county and the great Arkansas Valley. We are here, in short, to write up and help build up the country. It is a rich one, and its advan- tages need only to be understood by the people seeking new homes to produce the most rapid development of any section known in Kansas history." Starting with that commendable object, the News has steadfastly adhered to its pol- icy. For twenty-one years it has been writ- ing up and helping to build up the country. HOUSTON WHITESIDE, FIRST EDITOR. A. L. SPONSLER, PRESENT EDITOR. other than a venture to be disposed of at the first favorable opportunity. The News started right by championing the cause of Republicanism, and its first number contaiued the National Republican ticket of that year, headed by Ulysses S. Grant for president, and Henry Wilson for vice-presi- dent. Its immediate purpose, however, was to champion the interests of Hutchinson, Reno county, and the state of Kansas, and it did this rather than devote its columns to the discussion of partisan politics. In his ".salutatory" the editor said, among other things: "The News has higher and nobler aspirations than the mere accumula- tion of filthy lucre. Its publishers vvillraahe Some share, at least, of the prodigious growth of the city of Hutchinson, of Reno county and of the Arkansas Valley, are at- tributable to the humble efforts of this paper. The people of the densely populated districts of the east have heard of this rich soil, and have come here to prosper. In twenty-one years a city has been built, and the county raised in rank of wealth and population to sixth place in the list of Kan- sas counties. With the issue of May 1, 1873, eight months after its initial number, the News passed into the hands of Houston Whiteside, who, as stated before, was, in fact, its editor from the beginning. It continued in the TWENTY-ONE YEARS OF AGE. even tenor of its way, growing better and brighter with each issue, until February 5, 1875, on which day the paper passed into the control of Fletcher Meridith, who came from Frankfort, Indiana, where he had been engaged in the publication of the Frank- fort Banner. In his introductory remarks Mr. Meri- dith said: " I do not think it best to make any promises as to what the conduct of the paper will be, further than to say that in politics it will continue to be Republican, and that its main effort will be to advance the interests of Reno county. Coming here a stranger I shall have to ask your indulg- ence until I shall become acquainted. I do A special feature of the News during the winter and spring months of 1875 was the letters of General T. T. Taylor, written from Topeka, where he was in attendance upon the legislature as representative from Reno county. From a letter written by F. E. Gillet, we learn that General Taylor was largely instrumental in securing the passage of an appropriation for southwest Kansas. With the beginning of the ninth volume the form of the News was changed to six columns and eight pages, a "patent" side being used. The next important event in the history of the News occurred in February of 1881, as will be seen by the following announcement, J. L. SPONSLER, BUSINESS MANAGER. ED. M. MOORE, ADVERTISING MANAGER. not desire to make the News a medium of publishing my own theory of things, so much as to make it a true reflex of the sentiments of the people of this county." Mr. Meridith came to the helm at a most inauspicious time. It was during the win- ter following the grasshopper raid on Kan- sas. The fields had been swept by the plag-ue, and the people were forced to depend upon the charity of the eastern states. It was an unpromising field for a newspaper. Yet the editor took a hold with a will and did much to inspire hope and induce the discouraged settlers to stay with their claims a little longer. Those who followed that advice have had abundant reason to rejoice for so doing. which appeared in the issue of February 3rd, of that year: I have associated with me in the News Mr. R. M. Easley, of this city, who will have editorial charge of the paper and will also make contracts for advertising, job work and subscription. Mr. Eas- ley's well known reputation as a writer gives as- surance that the News will not suffer from the change. Thankful for former patronage, the 'leading paper" will still try to merit your pat- ronage. Fletcher Meridith. Thus began the connection with the News of one whose individuality marked its pages and whose energy shaped its destiny for ten years. By this time conditions bad so changed as to render nugatory the resolution of the News to keep out of local politics. Other THE HUTCHINSON NEWS. papers had been started (most of which now sleep the sleep that knows no waking) and these left no course for the News, as a Re- publican paper, otherwise than to partici- pate in local partisanship. With the adoption of the prohibitory law the News became a fearless defender of that advanced stand in temperance legisla- tion; and it is not out of place to state here that it has never wavered in support of the law. The seventeenth day of August, 1885, is an- other memorable date in the history of this paper, for on that day it began the publi- cation of a daily edition. It was an ad- venture, but a successful one. Though spring of 18S7 organized a jo' nt stock com pany and began, on April 9, 1887, the publi- cation of a morning edition with full Asso- ciated Press dispatches. The new daily News was a six column quarto (eight pages). Unprecedented as was such a pdper in a town the size of Hutchinson at that time, it was soon found too small to meet the re- quirements of advertisers without curtail- ing the space for news, and after three issues it was enlarged to seven columns and eight pages. On the morning of September 22, 1887, the News issued another handsome illus- trated edition, setting forth the resources and prospects of the city. Other special edi- * fiStt /< " ; ■ S. 1 V \ M. WATSON, MANAGING EDITOR. M. R. CAIN, CITY EDITOR. small at first it filled a "long-felt want," and from time to time enlarged and im- proved as the exigencies demanded. On the evening of November 12, 1886, the News issued a splendid edition, setting forth the resources of the city and county. This number of the paper was profusely il- lustrated with pictures of the buildings and streets of Hutchinson. It was in advance of anything ever before undertaken, and re- ceived an enthusiastic welcome at the hands of the citizens, who gave it a wide circula- iton. With the "boom" of '86 and '87 came the demand for a better daily paper, and that demand was met by Mr. Easley who in the tions have followed from time to time as occasion demanded. The energy, push, rush and bustle of the city of Hutchinson demanded another change and on the 31st of August, 1891, was begun the publication of an evening edition with a full quota of telegraphic news. It was found that the people demanded the very latest news, and wanted accounts of important occurrences on the day they happened. Twelve hours was too long to wait for news and market reports that could be giv- en the evening before. In SeDtember, 1891, R. M. Easley severed his connection with the News, and for the time the editorial management devolved up- TWENTY-ONE YEARS OF AGE. F. J. ALTSWAGER, PRESSMAN E,B. PAYNE. FOREMAN OF BINDERY. on M. Watson, who had been connected with the paper for about five years, three years of which connection had been as associate ed- itor. In November of the same year the pa- per passed into the control of Sponsler Brothers, the present proprietors, and A. L. Sponsler assumed the duties of editor-in- chief and John L. Sponsler took charge of the business department. Since they took charge a number of im- portant improvements have been made in the various departments, until it can be said without undue boasting that the News is now the most complete newspaper in the state of Kansas. The personnel of the working forces now engaged in making and distributing the News is as follows: H. H. TAYLOR, CITY CIRCULATOR. B. O. WIBLE, FOREMAN JOB ROOMS, THE IfCTCHINSON NEWS. Editor-in-Chief — A. L. Sponsler. Managing Editor — M. Watson. City Editor— -Morris Cain. business Manager— John L. Sponsler. Bookkeeper — M. D. Moore. Superintendent of Advertising — Ed. M. Moore. Superintendent City Circulation — Harry H. Taylor. Mailing clerks — H. G. Boyd and Lew Wible. Superintendent Press Rooms — F. J. Alt- s wager. Pressmen and Assistants — J. L. G. Bryan, L. P. Miller and H. G. Gordon. Composing Room Employes — W. B. Shaw- han, S. B. Scott, W. H. Quarterman, D. Ec- cles, Geo. T. Metzger, F. J. Mealey, H. E. Hanna, A. L. Gossage, Mrs. D. M. Patterson, C. B. McElroy and W. L. Hedrick. In connection with the newspaper there is one of the most complete job printing of- fices and book binderies in the west. The job department is under the super- vision of B. O. Wible, superintendent, and the regular employes are E. 'M. Broughton, T. G. Armour, J. Q. Hern, C. L. Colee, Bert Wright and C. L. Wible. E. B. Payne is superintendent of the book binding department, and is assisted by Da- vid Lawson, Chas. Draper, Gertie Chamber- lain, Josie Chamberlain and Gussie Rugg. The News is represented "on the road" by J. N. Barbee, C. R. Swan and C. G. Bridges as traveling solicitors. The papers are delivered to our city pa- trons by the following corps of carriers: Glenn Boyd, Walter Chapman, Willie Red- derson, Clinton Jewell, Andy Barclay, Frank Carey and Herbert Nokes. Thus the News in twenty-one years has grown from a little weekly printed on & Washington hand press, to the leading daily of the state, equipped with all the latest and most improved machinery for making a complete newspaper. Its growth has been constant, and each of the men through whose hands it has passed have just cause to feel proud of its success, a success to which each in turn contributed his efforts. Yet even the ability that has ever controlled its des- tiny since the day of its birth would have been inadequate had its environments not been those of push, energy and apprecia- tion. No man, no matter what his ability may be, can maintain a live paper in a dead town, and that the News has succeeded is evi- dence that Hutchinson deserves to be classed among the live cities of the west. PRESENT HOME OF THE -NEWS.' HISTORY OF RENO COUNTY. WAY RACK IN 1876, (YEARS in Kansas history count for decades in the annals of other states) Judge L. Houk wrote an extensive review of the early settlements of Reno county, and prefaced his rem- iniscences with the remark: "According to the notions of a large number, who seem to be more concerned about the dignity of history than its usefulness, it were a barren task to write the annals of a community who have had no conspicuous connection with battles and sieges, with the rise and decline of political parties, with wars of suc- cession or the overthrow of dynasties." Since that time, the people of Reno county, at least, have learned to appreciate that the victories of peace are greater than the vic- tories of war; the building of school houses and the enlightenment of the people is of more import than the rise and decline of political parties, while the overthrow of a dynasty were a small event when compared with the wresting of an empire from the do- minion of idleness and converting it into a realm of marvelous productiveness. Though the annals of the first settlement of Reno county may then have been considered com- monplace, time has wrought such startling changes that they are now fraught with in- terest. Judge Houk was possessed of the prophetic vision to see some of this coming interest, for in his article then he said: "If I do not mistake, our posterity will be greatly more curious to know ihow the great Arkansas Valley was settled, how it came about that the grazing grounds of the bison were con- verted into one of the world's great grana- ries, and the favorite hunting grounds of the wild savages of the plains became the hap- py abodes of civilized men in so short a space of time, than to learn of the mu- tations of political parties and of the suc- cessive transfers of administration from one to another set of the popular favorites." .But to wave further comment, we proceed at once to give briefly some of the more striking events in connection with the early history of Reno county. As early as March, 1868, the legislature of the state of Kansas created the county of Reno, conferring the name out of respect for the gallant General Reno, who fell at the battle of South Moun- tain. We say that the legislature created the connty of Reno; by that we mean it gave it name and defined its boundaries. That was all, for there was not an inhabit- ant in the new county at that time. The territorial boundaries were established as follows: "Commencing where the south line of township twenty-two south inter- sects the east range of five west, thence south with said range line to southwest corner of Sedgwick county, thence west to the east of range eleven west, thence north with said range line to the south line of township twenty-two, thence east to the place of beginning." For three years it remained unclaimed by its rightful owners. For three years after its creation by 'the legislature, no settler sought this the fairest domain visited by the sun in its daily travels, and, as Judge Houk then poetically expressed it, "the bright hued flowers that crept lovingly along the course of the silver and laughing Ninnescah nodded only to the stars, the bosom of the Arkansas was burdened only by the canoe of the savage, and rosy morn and dewy eve brought only the bison mother with her young to slake her thirst in the stream, to which she had given name by her love or its bright waters and green and pleasant banks." The first settlements in Reno county as it now exists were not located in Reno county as it was created. In 1872 the legislature made some changes in the territorial bound- aries, adding range four on the east and the tier of townships numbered twenty-two on the north, while three tiers of townships on the south were detached and given to the new county of Kingman. It was in this THE HUTCHINSON NEWS. added territory that the first settlements in Reno county as it now stands were made. THE FIRST SETTLER. There is some little dispute as to who was the first settler in Reno county, but Judge Houk's article having- been published in 18 7(5 and gone unchallenged, at the time, it must be accepted now as the most accur- ate data bearing upon that point. He con- cedes the honor of being the first settler to Lewis M. Thomas, who came to Kansas from Iowa in 1870. In November of that year Mr. Thomas selected as his future abiding place a part of section eight, township twenty- two south of range five west. Mr. Thomas shortly afterward visited Lawrence, where he purchased supplies, returning to his claim in December. Here he continued to reside for a number of years. On his return from Lawrence he was accompanied by Mr. John Hunt, an Englishman, who unfortunately for himself located ou a section reservea to the Santa Fe railroad by a Ian I grant of congress. The company's claims were sustained by the commissioners of the general land office, and in 1872 Mr. Hunt, in com- mon with others who had inadvertently se- lected claims in odd numbered sections, was ousted. In January, 1871, J. H. P. Rosan, while looking up a suitable cattle ranche, visited the section of country lying between Cow creek and the s-ind hills. Being struck with the unequaled advantages for both grazing and agricultural purposes, he at once made arrangements for a settlement for himself and friends, who were to follow. With him came James Burnett. The Messrs. Rosan "ranched,' in the parlance of the day, with Mr. Thomas at his place, known as Thomas' Grove, until February 1st, when they moved across the sand hills into Cow creek valley. They established a ranche known as Rosan's grove. In April these first settlers secured a surveyor from tialina and had their claims surveyed. On March 20, 1871, a band of settlers ar- rived at the mouth of Cow creek and at once decided to locate. A surveyor was secured FIRST HOUSE IN 'LINCOLN TOWNSHIP from Wichita, and claims located. This party consisted of William Bell, Robert Bell, Will- iam Caldwell, Havelin, John Butcher, P. Welch, William Lacy, John Foley, John Sha- han, Isaac Ijams and wife, Wesley Ijams, William Shupe and wife, James Frees, James Scaw, Hannah and Mary Frees. Some of these first settlers are still residents of Reno county and are well and favorably known. Mr. John Shahan, writing of the experience of this colony, in an article in the News, August 1, 1872, said: "At first we had a hard time of it, with no town, no railroad, no timber or coal; had no way to communicate with friends. But knowing that a splendid country soon has railroads, towns and cities, we 'toughed it out,' and worked like men." Their hopes have, indeed, been realized, and from those claims, now beautiful farms, may be heard the locomotive whistles of five railroads, or sefn the smoke from a score of great manufacturing es- tablishments, the spires of churches and the domes of public build- ings in a city of over ten thousand inhabit- ants. Judge Houk, in his article of 1876, mentions the Shahan settlement as follows: "In the meantime other settlers had arrived and estab- lished themselves in the eastern part of the county. Among them were A. S. Dim- ock. Luther Dodge, W. H. Caldwell, John N. Shahan, Wm. H. and Robert Bell, Isaac and Wesley Ijams, Wm. Casey, John Foley, Wm. Shupe, F. Walker, and John Swanson. Of these Mr. Dimock, coming on the 9th of Feb- ruary, 1871, was the earliest. He was, how- ever, at the time in the Sedgwick strip and not attached to Reno county until the fol- lowing year. Mr. Dodge was next in order, coming February 19th, and to him, as the boundaries then stood, must be allotted the honor of making the first settlement. Shahan and others followed soon after in a body, arriving March 20th. Mr. Watson also came some time in the spring and made his borne in Cow creek valley. Several Swedes and a brother of Lewis Thomas were among the comers during the season." T^e first crops were planted in the spring A RENO COUNTY FAKM HOUSE. (RESIDENCE OF GEO. C. Uu^Ji.J of 1871, and consisted chiefly of sod corn. The first harvest was not very bountiful, for the buffaloes looked upon the corn when it was green, and they trampled upon it, wal- lowed upon it and grazed vipon it. It may seem incredible that only twenty-one years ago crops in Reno county were destroyed by the bison, but we are assured such was a fact. "pro bono publico." One of the landmarks of the first year of set- tlement of Reno county was an inn built of prairie sods, near the mouth of Cow Creek, by W. H. Caldwell. A sign bearing the words, "Pro Bono Publico," bade the weary traveler tarry and enjoy the hospitality of "mine host." Here was established the first postoffice in Reno county, called Queen Valley. It was expected that the Santa Fe railway would strike the Arkansas river at that point, and convert Queen Valley into the metropolis of the west. But, alas for the fatuity of human schemes, the road ran farther north and Queen Valley now exists only in the annals of history. The historian of 1876 notes that among the arrivals of the summer of 1871 were Mr. Charles Collins, still a resident of Hutchin- son D. B. Miller, Amasa Smith and others. Mr. Collins located in the sand hills north of here, while Mr. Miller and family were so fortunate as to locate on section twelve, now constituting the northern portion of this city. Early in August of 1871, a number of valu- able citizens came into the new community, among them being L. S. Shields, wi h his sons-in law Holcomb and Taylor and his two sons Samuel and George. A few days later Peter Shafer, George Mills, E. Shafar and Mr. Swearin arrived and located. In the latter part of the month B. P. Evarts and George Laverty arrived. These parties were accompanied by their wives, mothers and sisters, and no small part of the great work of wresting the soil from the grasp of na- ture has been due to the abiding faith and encouragement of these women. AN INDIAN SCARE. During the summer of '71 two parties of Indians were encamped near the present site of Hutchinson, one on the north and the other on the south side of the river. They were peaceable, and gave the settlers no cause for alarm. But in the latter part of the summer a band of bloodthirsty Chey- ennes made their appearance, and threat- ened to attack the peaceable Kaws and THE HUTCHINSON NEWS. Sacs and Foxes for invading their hunting- grounds. The invaders proceeded upon the theory that discretion beat valor every day in the week, and precipitately abandoned the held. The settlers were alarmed lest the Indians attack them also for intruding on their reserves, but they were not mo- lested. THE FOUNDING OF A CITY. In September 1871, Mr. C. C. Hutchinson, accompanied by Mr. A. F. Horner and S. T. Kelsey visited the new county seeking a suitable site for a town. After looking over the ground and taking everything into consideration Mr. Hutchinson selected sec- tion thirteen, township thirty-three south of range six west. In October the capital of Reno county was laid out and received the name of its founder. On the 13th day of the succeeding November the first house was erected by A. F. Horner, of material brought from Florence. This building was occupied by Messrs. John A. Clapp and George B. Tucker, well and favorably known as the "Boston Boys," and served as postoffice, family grocery and boarding house. Mr. Clapp was the first postmaster in Hutchinson. The second buildiDg in the city of Hutch- inson was erected by Mr. Rapert, and was occupied by him in connection with Dr. Pugh, who offered his services as a physi- cian. Dr. Pugh's was the first venture of any kind in the new country which failed, and it does not appear that it was through any fault of his that he failed. The people in this healthy locality simply had little or no need of a doctor. In December of 1871 the third building in the new town was erected. It had been built at Newton, but was taken down and removed to Hutchinson by A. H. Williams. It was located on the southeast corner of Main street and First avenue, the others having been built on the west side of Main street, between First and Sherman. This latter building was occupied by Mr. Will- iams and wife. It is a matter worthy of note that Mrs. Williams was the first woman resi- dent of the town, a fact appropriately recog- nized by Mr. Hutchinson by the presenta- tion of a town lot. In this building were es- tablished a miscellaneous store, hotel, and the stage and express office, a stage line connec- tion with Newton having been established. -j BUSINESS BLOCK IN THE CITY OF HUTCHINSON. (MASONIC TEMPLE.) ■*W.Ht\*,ATT.Apimi A RENO COUNTY FARM HOUSE. (RESIDENCE OF A. M. SWITZER.) Thus ended the first year of settlement in the new county, and quite a community it comprised, all of sturdy yeomanry, deter- mined to reclaim the wilderness if hard work, pluck and determination rendered such a thing possible. THE COUNTY ORGANIZED. The year 1872 opened auspiciously for the new town and county. A census having been taken showing the requisite 600 in- habitants, a provisional organization of the county was effected and on January 1st, C. C. Bemis, W. H. Bell and Thomas Allen were appointed as -special county commis- sioners and A. C. Kies county clerk. A special election was held on January 6th, and C. C. Hutchinson was elected as mem- ber of the legislature. The election was irregular, but the legislature in a spirit of indulgence admitted Mr. Hutchinson to his seat. One hundred and twelve votes were cast at this election. On February 3d ^as held an election to determine the location of the county seat. The vote was unanimous in favor of Hutchinson. The first election for county officers was held on March 22nd and resulted in the choice of C. C. Bemis, W. H. Bell and W. J. Van Sickle as county commissioners; A. C. Kies, county clerk; Charles Collins, sheriff; Harry Hodgson, clerk of the district court; W. E. Hutchinson, superintendent of public instruction; S. H. Hammond, register of deeds; W. W. Updegraff, probate judge; Luther Dodge, county surveyor; L. Houk, county attorney, and C. S. Martin, coroner. The number of votes rast at this election was about one hundred and fifty. On April 16th occurred the first township election. One set of officers for the whole county was elected, under the name of Reno township. The officers chosen were: Peter Shafer, trustee; D. B. Miller, treasurer; S. N. Parker, clerk; J. Rhoades and D. D. Olm- stead, justices of the peace, and John Mc- Murry and J. Brown, constables. Mr. Shafer declined to serve as trustee, and J. Rhoades was appointed in his stead. During this time the town had been grow- ing rapidly. A number of business houses had been built, the work progressing throughout the winter months. Among those building were Mr. Pierce, Mr. Reid, Patrick Riley, A. H. Williams, T. F. Leidigh, Jordan & Bemis, C. C. Hutchinson and others. Mr. Bailey opened a stock of general mer- chandise in the Williams building in Janu- ary, and was followed shortly afterward by Mr. Leidigh with a grocery and provision store. Jordan & Bemis put in a stock of dry A WEEPING MULBERRY. (GROWN BY J. J. MEASER.) goods and groceries, arid E. Wilcox opened a hardware and implement store. The Eagle hotel was erected and opened to the public under the auspices of J. S. Fay. J. and C. Murry established a livery stable. In April the first bond election was held. Three propositions were submitted, one for $15,000 to build a court house, one for $35,000 to bridge the Arkansas river, Covy creek and Little river, and $10,000 for current ex- penses pending an assessment for the collec- tion of taxes. These propositions all carried. The vote at this election reached 252. Oue of the notable accessions of the spring of 1872 was that of E. L. Meyer, now of the First National bank, but then a drug-gist and dealer in farm and garden seeds. Asso- ciated with him was Eugene Hallowell, a skilled druggist of Philadelphia. G. W. Hardy opened a stock of hardware, imple- ments and furniture, while W. C. Edwards started a lumber yard. For some inexplicable reason the historian of 1876, so faithful in the detail of other events, apparently overlooked an occasion that must have been of great moment to the new county and town — the advent of the great Santa Fe railway, which must have reached Hutchinson in the spring or early summer of 1872. What changes this must have wrought may be appreciated when it is understood that previously all building material, and stocks of merchandise were hauled overland from Newton or Florence. On the fourth of July, 1872, appeared the first number of the Hutchinson News, of which mention is made in another part of this paper. In August the first term of the district court of Reno county was held at Hutchin- son in a temporary court house built by the coucty. Hon. W. R. Brown presided, and there were present L. Houk, county attor- ney; H. Hodgson, clerk; Charles Collins, sheriff, and John McMurry, under sheriff. Only two or three unimportant cases were tried. In the latter part of August the town hav- ing attained the requisite population, was organized as a city of the third class, and HISTORY OF RENO COUNTY. '3 the history of its rise from that time f jV- ward will he treated in a separate article, though its destiny is so closely linked with that of the county that casual mention may be at times necessary. In the fall of 1872 the first general elec- tion was held, and though the county was overwhelmingly Republican a non-partisan ticket was elected, politics not entering into the contest. The officers chosen were: F. S. Shields, probate judge; H. Whiteside, county attorney; D. M. Lewis, county surveyor, he having been previously appointed vice L. Dodge, who declined to serve; Taylor Flick, ccunty superintendent, and D. Updegraff, coroner. The county commissioners, clerk, clerk of the district court, register of deeds and sheriff were all re-elected. C. C. Hutch- inson was also re-elected representative to the legislature. The year 1873 was marked by rapid growth, among those coming to the county might be noted Winslow & Albright, druggists, and Brown & Bigger, real estate agents. Much building was done, both in the town and country. The first political squabble oc- curred in this year. At the fall election there was a difference of opinion as to what offices should be filled. One side presented candidates for but two offices, representa'ive and coroner. The other side offered a full ticket, claiming that all offices should be filled except district clerk, county attorney, probate judge and county superintendent. C. C. Hutchinson was elected representative, and A. Diffenbaugh coroner. The candi- dates for the other offices were Sayles, Houser and Astle for commissioners, H. W. Beatty, county clerk; G. W. Hardy, treasur- er; H. Hartford, sheriff; R. A. Soper, survey- or, and I. R. Dodds for register. Those re- ceiving a majority of the votes cast for thtir respective offices, though a minority of the votes cast, claimed a canvass of the votes. This was denied by the county commission- ers. The matter was carried to the su- preme court and they were granted their re- spective offices. The vote this year num- bered 562. The year 1874 was noted only for its dis- asters. Wind and drouth conspired to pro- duce a famine, and as if the infliction had not been sufficient in the late summer a plague of grasshoppers came to devastate even the parched and sun-dried vegetation that stood in the fields. It is useless to at- tempt to describe the grasshopper raid. Those who did not experience it, can never be made 10 fully realize its devastating pro- portions, while those who were here have no desire to have the unpleasant memories of that fateful summer and autumn revived. Notwithstanding the adverse climatic con- ditions the county continued to grow in population, as shown by the vote in the fall of November, which was 740, against 562 the year previous. At this election G. V. Ricksecker was chosen probate judge, J. P. Cassedy, superintendent of schools, H. White- side, county attorney, Harry Hodgson, clerk of the district court, and T. T. Taylor, rej resentative. The year of 1875 was a prosperous one, and the election of that fall showed 1,076 votes cast. The officers elected were: James Beam, G. W Cook and P. C. Branch commissioners, H. W. Beatty clerk, J. M. Hedrick sheriff, P. A. Atwood register of deeds, E. A. Smith surveyor, Geo. W. Hardy treasurer, and T. T. Taylor re-elected repre- sentative. From this time forward the growth of the county was very rapid. New settlers poured in, the prairie sod was broken, and soon wheat and cornfields dotted the hills and dales of every township. In 1880, according to the government census, the county had two cities and twenty-three organized town- ships, with an aggregate population of 12,- 826. In 1890, by the federal census, it had one city of the second class, five of the third class and twenty-nine townships, with an aggregate population of 27.079. THE TOWNS OF THE COUNTY. We deem it proper to digress somewhat from the regular order of events and make some mention of the thriving towns and villages of the county outside of Hutchinson. ABBEYVILLE. Abbeyville is situated in Westminster township, and is surrounded by a fine agri- cultural country. The town was laid out in the spring of 1886, and has a population of about three hundred. ARLINGTON. Arlington is situated eighteen miles south- west of Hutchinson, on the Rock Island rail- road. It is a thriving place of about five or six hundred inhabitants, and is surrounded by fertile farms all under cultivation. The towns was laid out in August, 1877, by Messrs. G. T. Empey and A. K. Burrell, who '4 THE HUTCHINSON NEWS. erected a water flouring - mill. Its growth was slow until 1886, when it caught the spirit of boom. BUHLER. Buhler is a small place in Little River township, on the Kansas Midland railway. BOOTH. Booth is a thriving station on the Hutch- inson and Southern railroad, six miles south of Hutchinson. It has made a record as a great grain shipping point. CASTLETON. Old Castleton was founded in 1872 and at that time gave promise of becoming a thriv- ing trading point, but that is all in the past. now a prosperous town of five to six hundred inhabitants. SOUTH HUTCHINSON. Just across the Arkansas river from Hutch- inson is South Hutchinson. It was laid out in 1886 and had a rapid growth. It is in fact a suburb of Hutchinson. LANGDON. Langdon is situated on the Rock Island railroad, in Langdon township. It is a flour- ishing trading point. LERADO. Near the center of Bell township, in the southwestern portion of the county, is the little town of Lerado. It was laid out in PUBLIC. SCHOOL BUILDING AT ARLINGTON. Castleton proper is in Castleton township, on the Hutchinson and Southern railway, and is quite a progressive little village. It is in a rich agricultural region. ELMER. Elmer is the first station on the Missouri Pacific railroad south of South Hutchinson, five miles from this city. It is in a thriving condition. nAVEN. The town of Haven was laid out in April of 1886, on the line of the Missouri Pacific railway, near the center of Haven township. It at once sprung into prominence, and is 1880, but has labored under the disadvantage of no railroad. MEDORA. Medora is a growing village at the cross- ing of the Rock Island and Kansas Midland railroads. It is in Medora township, a rich farming section, and has a bright future be- fore it. NICKERSON. The city of Nickerson, eleven miles north- west of Hutchinson, on the Santa Fe and Missouri Pacific railroads, was laid out in 1878. Its growth was slow until 1S70, when the machine shops of the Santa Fe road were HISTORY OF RENO COUNTY. 15 located there, and it became division head- quarters. Then its growth became rapid. In 1880 it had a population of 597, and in 1890 a population of 1,(562, the present population being 1 about 2,000. It has all the improve- ments of cities twice its size. It was incor- porated as a city of the third class in 1879, and will no doubt soon become a city of the second class. It is well provided with public schools, churches, mills, stores and salt works, in addition to the Santa Fe shops. OLCOTT. Olcott is in the southwest part of the county, on the D. M. and A. railroad. It is a thriving station. PARTRIDGE. Partridg'e lies eleven miles southwest of Hutchinson, on the Rock Island and the C. , K. and W. railroads. It was laid out early in 1886. Its location is in the midst of a rich farming country, and its tradesmen are doing a prosperous business. Its population is about three hundred. PLEVNA. Plevna is a small village, of perhaps one hundred inhabitants, on the C, K. and W. railroad, about twenty-two miles west of Hutchinson. It is in a good farming com- munity and is a good trading point. PRETTY PRAIRIE. Pretty Prairie is a new town in Albion township. It is about twenty miles south of Hutchinson, or the H. and S. railroad. It is growing rapidly and is destined to be a prominent place in the near future. SYLVIA. Sylvia is in the western part of the county, on the C, K. and W. railroad. It was laid out in April 1886, and organized as a city of the third class in 1887. T. J. Talbott was its first mayor. Sylvia is quite a flourishing place. Being in a rich farming community its merchants enjoy a good trade. It has a bank, newspaper, good school building, etc. Its population is about four hundred. TURON. Turon is in the extreme southwestern part of the county, at the crossing of the Rock Island and D., M. and A. railroads. It was laid out in August, 1886, and has enjjyed a healthy growth ever since. It has a bank, newspaper, schools, churches, and all the essentials of a first class village. Its popu- lation is five or six hundred. OTHER TOWNS. Other regularly platted towns in the coun- ty, which have not yet grown into promi- nence, are: Bath, Huntsville, Kent, River- ton, Salt Creek, Woodberry, Yoder and others. RENO'S RAILROADS. Reno county now has eight lines of rail- roads, with 191 miles of main lines and 38 miles of side tracks, with a total assessed val- uation of $1,081,004.16. i6 THE HUTCHINSON NEWS. The oldest road is the Santa Pe (A., T. & S. F.) with 26 08 miles of main line and 16.04 miles of side tracks. The Rock Island (C, R. I & P.) has 45.72 miles of main line and 11.52 of side tracks. The Missouri Pacific, IIu chinson division, has 33 95 miles of main line and 3.65 of side tracks. The Missouri Pacific, K. & S. division, 4.S8 miles of main line. The Chicago, Kansas and Western (C, K. & W.) has 31.70 miles of main line and 4.93 miles of side tracks. The Hutchinson and Southern (R. & S.) has 23.43 miles of main line and .56 miles of side tracks. The Kansas and Colorado Pacific has 10.17 miles of main line and 1.20 miles of side tracks. SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES. Thei'e is not a county in the state better provided with public schools than Reno county. There are 155 country school dis- tricts, outside of the larger towns all of which are well provided with primary, in- termediate and hi>>h schools. The church facilities are only second to the school facilities All the leading religious denominations are well represented, and have church buildings at various places throughout the county. FARMING LANDS. Although Reno county has a population of nearly thirty thousand there is still plenty of rich lands within its borders which may be had at low prices, when the market fa- cili'ies, the character of the soil, and the average yield of agricultural products are considered. Many of the features of the county not mentioned or barely touched upon in this article are treated extensively in other por- tions of this paper. It is sufficient in closing this brief review of the history of the county to say that the fondest dreams of those who first turned the virgin soil have been more than realized. Within twenty-two years this county, a vast domain within it- self, has been reclaimed and made to bear rich harvests of grain, fruits and all the things that go to make up the comforts of life. SOME FACTS AND FIGURES. INCREASE IN POPULATION. While other states in the great west have been making pronounced progress in the in- crease of their population, Kansas has not been idle. The following table will give a correct idea of the comparative growth of several of these states and the percentage of actual increase. While some of these states have boasted of the large number of foreign immigrants they have secured, Kansas can proudly boast of the fact that the great share of her increase in population has been from the native American element. Of course, foreign immigrants are very desir- able, but when it is possible to secure them, those with American ways and ideas more strongly developed are to be preferred. The following comparative statement is compiled from the government census, and is absolutely reliable. The columns showing the percentage of gains for the different states are an interesting study to any per- son desiring to investigate the question of growth: Comparative statement of population and per cent, of gain in ten years, of the following western states: STATES. Population. Per Cent. Gain. Populat 'n Percent. gain in 10 years. Populat'n Per cent. Per cent. Av'r'ge 1860. 1870. Ten Ave. in in 1880. in 1890. 10 years. 30 years. 1 year. years. 1 year. Kansas.... 107,206 364,399 239.90 23.99 996,096 173.3 1.427,006 43.2 1,331.0 43.03 Iowa 674,913 1,194,020 76.91 7.69 1,624,615 36.0 1,911,890 17.7 183.2 6.10 Min'esota. 172,023 439,706 155.61 15.56 780,773 77.5 1,301.826 66.7 657.4 21.91 Missouri.. 1,182,012 1,721,295 45.62 4.56 2,168.380 25.9 2,679,184 23.5 226 6 7.55 Illinois 1,711,951 2,539,891 48.36 4.84 3,077,871 21.1 3,826,351 24.3 223.5 7.45 California 379,994 560,247 47.44 4.74 864,694 •54.3 1,208,130 30.9 317.9 10.59 Ohio 2,339,511 2,665,260 13.92 1.39 3,198,062 19.9 3,672,316 14.8 156.9 5.23 Texas 604,215 818,579 35.48 3.55 1,591,749 94.4 2,235,523 40.4 368.3 12.27 Wisconsin 775,881 1,054,670 35.93 3.59 1,315,497 27.7 1,686,880 28.2 217.6 7.25 WHEAT, CORN AND OATS. There are states all over the Union which can show a good record through a series of years on some particular crop, and others are able to give a good showing on a number of crops for some particular year, but those states that are able to present an unbroken record of twenty-one years on the three principal crops of wheat, corn and oats, are indeed few and far between. Few are the states that cannot boast of some exception- ally good year on something, and some of them can show fair crops in more than one of these grains for a few successive years, but where outside of Kansas can be found the record presented below? This table is given in values, because the satisfactory thing about all farming is to be able to show re- sults in dollars, as that is the first thing to be looked after by all wide-awake farmers and investors; they would rather harvest fifteen bushels of dollar wheat than double the quantity on which they could realize but fifty cents. It will be noted that all of the twenty-one years of this showing Kansas has had but four light wheat harvests, and that the fourth year was most notable for the splen- did results of both corn and oats, being the best year for those two products. A careful study of the following table will show the remarkable fact that Kansas has not sus- tained a short crop in any of these grains without an adequate compensation in the re- sults of one or both of the other grains. The year 1887 will be found to have come the nearest to a failure, and yet the value of the oat crop was that year second to that of the best year out of the entire group of twenty- one on that grain. A careful examination of the table will show that while the group of seasons from 1S81 to 1884 makes an extra- iB THE HUTCHINSON NEWS. ordinary showing for aggregate results, and that 1891 was a most notable crop year, yet there was a steady and perceptible increase all through this long period of twenty-one years, with not a single year showing a disastrous record. Such a showing cannot be claimed for any other state in this union, and this record alone has placed Kansas far in advance of all other states for uniform re- sults in these three staple crops: Table showing value of principal grain crops of Kansas: tear. Wheat. 1872. 1873. 1874. 1875., 1876. 1877. 1S7S 1879.. 1880., 1881., 1882 1883., 1884.. 1885.. 1886.. 1887.. 1888., 1889., 1890.. 1891.. 1892., 53,060 4,330, 7,631, 11,350, 12,413, 12,240, 18.4 + 1, i 8,448. 20.980, 21,705. 24,003. 22.322, 20,5 1 6 6,829 8.482 5,759 12,097, 19,9 17, 23,410, 42,596, 40,691. ,100 000 671 375 780 128 066 711 668 "275 820 119 560 945 503 449 814 701 548 759 762 Corn. 86,518 14,570 12.064 19.071 19,217, 20,206. 17,018, 25.562, 24,926, 44,859, 51.838. 47.492. 39.512. 49,429. 37.966. 26,836. 52,395. 51,649. 21,491. 48,057. 42.089; 820 000 424 698 332 184 968 674 079 963 366 663 734 327 031 422 948 876 961 978 849 Oats. 81,338 2,152 4,064 2,396 2.707 2.050 2,937 3,397, 2,918 3,855, 5,766, 6; 135. 5,568. 6,558, 8,860. 12,232. 12,470! 7.654. 9,174! 10,594. 11,140; 480 800 424 257 736 001 900 416 689 749 579 778 332 303 603 242 908 812 400 457 224 Aggregates 8 10,917 20.952 23,760 32.818 34,338 34,946 38,397 48,408, 48,825, 70,450. 81,607, 76,550. 65,597. 53,887. 55,309. 54,825. 76,964. 79,222. 54,086. 101,249. 93.881 400 800 519 330 848 313 934 801 436 987 765 560 626 575 137 113 670 389 909 194 835 ASSESSED VALUATIONS OF KANSAS. . While the valuations which have been placed on the property of the state by the township assessors are well known to be less than half of the actual amount which the same is worth, yet a statement of the ag- gregates thus shown will serve at least as an indication of what has been the progress of the state in her material resources. The least increase shown is in the item of per- sonal property, where the value has more than doubled in the period shown, but in every other line the increase is very much larger, being at least 400 per cent, in the items of land and railroad property, while the grand aggregate shows an increase of nearly 300 per cent. Such a showing as is made in the following table cannot be found in the records of any other state in the Union: Table showing assessed valuation of the different classes of property in Kansas, as certified to by the county clerks : 1861 1870. 1875. 1S80. 1885. 1890. Lands and Lots. 65,044,411 89,843.774 108,102.822 161.291.640 241.100.1.72 Personal Property. 26,601,455 19,422,687 31,921,835 56,502,133 48,750.931 Railroad. 12,277,931 20.547.802 30,367,817 57.866,232 Total. 8 24,737.459 91,645,868 121,544.344 160,570.761 248,161.51)2 347,717.218 AVERAGE YIELD OF WHEAT, CORN AND OATS. The basis for the following showing was the township assessors' returns for the vari- ous years, as compiled by the county clerks, and certified to the state auditor. This is believed to be the most reliable source from which any such information can be had. The table is a very interesting study for the man who is seeking the correct result in the line of crop growing in Kansas. In this state- ment it will be observed that during the en- tire twenty-one years, there was not, a single year in which all these crops showed any- thing like a failure. There was some one or even two of them that showed a splendid yield when the season proved anything near a failure in any other crop. In this peculiar respect Kansas can compare most favorably with any of the western states, and actually head the great proces sion of these best crop growing states. This fact cannot be too ex- tensively dwelt on by all Kansans. But let the following table tell its own story: Table showing the average yield per acre of the following Kansas crops: YEAR. Wheat. Corn. Oats. 1872 11.6 14 13.8 17.8 14.3 13 5 18 7 10.7 10.3 94 22.3 19.3 21 5 9.5 13.6 6.8 14 9 22 2 \2A 15.7 18.1 38.5 39.1 10.2 48 8 43.7 40.4 37.1 36.3 28 5 19.4 35.4 39.1 42.0 33.7 24 5 11.6 24.2 40 2 8.8 26.8 24.7 32.5 1873 33.0 1874 24,2 1875.. . 33.9 1876 1877 31.7 41.2 1878 39.2 1880 23.2 24!5 1881 29.3 1882 1884 1885 1886 41.5 44.6 37.3 34.9 30.4 1887 29.6 1888 33.0 1889 28.4 1890 23. S 1891 1892 30.7 28.1 FARM PRODUCTS AND LIVE STOCK- There is no form of the live stock indus- try to which Kansas is not well adapted. During the earlier years the grades of ani- mals were such as could be readily and quickly secured and placed on the wild prairies of the state; but as the country be- came settled, pastures were fenced, build- ings and feed lots were provided, and more attention was paid to the quality of the stock, the farmers being by that time con vinced that it required no more feed nor care to produce a ''high grade" animal than a scrub. Thus it will be observed that the SOME FACTS AND FIGURES. 19 increase in value of the live stock for the first few years shown in the following- table was not so pronounced as in the years which followed. In this statement it will be seen that the three years beginning - with the extraordinary crop season of 1882, show very large returns for the stuff sold by the farmers. Also, that while the three years beginning with 1886 actually produced very light crops, yet they show very large values of live stock, and that the good results of the sales of 1887 and 1888 were due in a great measure to the sell- ing off of the surplus of live stock of those years, which began to show in the lowered valuation of animals on hand in 1889. Thus it will be seen that the Kansas farm- ers have enjoyed a peculiar equalizing influ- ence all through these twenty-one years, so that when one crop failed to produce good and satisfactory results some others would be making a wonderful record, and when there was in one or two years a threatened failure of several of the standard crops, it required but the reduction of the large sur- plus of the flocks and herds of the pastures, and the aggregate results in dollars would be very satisfactory. Statement of the value of all farm products and animals sold, also value of all live stock not sold, for the years shown below: TEARS. Value of Farm Products and Animals sold. Value of Live Stock not sold. 1872 1873 $ 27.284,491 27.746 898 1874 1875 28 610.627 1876 32,489,293 1877 1878 1879 $ 66,386.548 71.829.966 78.340,371 83.311,487 122,946,487 151,817.541 162,883,767 158,479,789 135,381,286 132,895,283 125.542,443 149,698,821 154,619.142 129.119,828 169,811.372 164,648,955 46.203,510 54,745 497 188;) 61,663,956 69,814,340 83.866,199 104,639.888 1881 1882 1883 1884., 1885 1886 1887 115.645,050 118.071.808 129,569.527 *126,558.042 1888.- *131,830 778 1889 116 194 455 1890 113.533.342 1891 117 674 951 1892 109.024,141 *These values are taken from the books of the township assessors, as there was no other basis of valuation available. POULTRY, EGCS AND CARDEN TRUCK. In many of the localities in New York and New Jersey, in near proximity to the large cities, a great number of men are mak- ing their fortunes in raising and marketing garden truck, and at the hen dairy business. There the prices of land and of every pound of food and supplies are simply enormous, almost beyond the comprehension of a west- ern farmer. But the great vantage point with them is their close proximity to a good market. And as soon as the farmers of the great Arkansas Valley began to discover and comprehend the splendid markets that were opening up in all the mountain towns, they began to pay more attention to the things which they had been wont to denominate "small business." The result up to date is shown in the following table, and therein may be found a sure and certain "way out" of many of the financial troubles and difficul- ties in which some of the careless farmers find themselves: Table showing the value of the garden and poultry products of Reno county for the years named: YEARS. Value of Garden Products. Value of Eggs and Poultry. 1872 1873 1874 1875. . 1876 1877 1878 1879 % 7,486 5.363 2,096 4,356 11,676 13,075 12.125 17.670 21,043 22,547 14.979 25.698 12.019 $ 5.246 1880 1881 9,098 14 531 1882 20.971 1883 24.748 1884 1885 1886 28.258 30.269 32.330 1887 1888 35.298 40.760 1889 1890 46.619 60.749 1891 43,442 1892 18,6241 51,024 YIELD IN SEVERAL STATES. There is nothing so convincing to the aver- age investigator as comparative statements. Kansas glories in comparisons. In the fol- lowing table are embraced the results of the great corn belt of Missouri: of the wide, fertile valleys of the numerous rivers of In- diana; and the corn growing prairies of Illi- nois. It should also be remembered that much of the wheat produced in the western counties of Kansas was grown from what is there known as volunteer seeding, without any preparation of the soil whatever. A half crop from such careless work will pay for the harvesting and the threshing and something more, but this kind of foolishness must be allowed to enter into the computa- tion of the average production per acre of the state. Kansas must also be credited with some- thing from the fact that a large acreage of 20 THE HUTCHINSON NEWS. the rye is sown solely for the fine winter and spring pasturage it affords, and much of it, after being pastured far into the sea- son, is allowed to mature, and the half crop which is harvested must also enter into the computation of the average yield of that crop in the state. But let the following comparative table speak for itself: Statement o? the average yield in bushels per acre in the states named for the years 1880 to 1889, on the following crops: Q 3 O W O p> ^ <~t c+ a n CO STATES. o" p> a" e tf pi 13.6 13.1 13.4 10.6 30.9 27.5 34.2 32.3 12. 28.9 26.7 30.9 11.4 15.5 12.9 27.4 11.7 26. 11.8 Nebraska 32.8 11.1 20.1 13.8 28.5 13.9 28. 15.2 AVERAGE VALUE OF LIVE STOCK- Notwithstanding the enormous disadvant- age which Kansas is supposed to labor un- der because of her distance from the great market centers of the country, and the consequent heavy expense of hauling her products to those markets, yet the following table, taken from the figures of the govern- ment reports, show that the average prices per head realized on the live stock of this state during the ten years beginning in 1880, shows that the farmers of Kansas have nothing to complain of in that line. In fact, without taking into consideration the great differences in the prices of land, they have actually outdistanced their more favor- ably situated neighbors on the sale of nearly every thing in that line. But the following table speaks for itself: Table showing average value per head of live stock in the following states for the years 1880 to 1889: STATES. Horses. Milch Cows. Other Cattle. Swine. Illinois Indiana $67.11 67.12 68.07 71.52 53.56 <;:! 82 $30.03 28.67 27-33 30 77 23.08 27.36 $24.78 23.28 22.18 26.66 19.32 22 94 $5.85 5.57 6.02 Ohio Missouri 5.79 3.99 5.98 TAME CRASSES IN KANSAS- In all the years past it has been the com- mon remark of the eastern visitor to Kansas, "You pay so little attention to tame grasses." If that same easterner could have our in- exhaustible soils, instead of his thin, worn clay lands, which must be replenished about every third year, he would not have to be so deeply interested in tame grasses. Nature has created such a vast storehouse in our Kansas soils for the plant food so needful to the growth of cereals, as to en- tirely remove that feature from the question of successful grain growing in Kansas. The natural grasses of Kansas are most notable for their luxuriant growth, as they also are for their sweet nutritious proper- ties. The pioneer farmers found that these wild grasses had for ages past furnished abundant support for innumerable herds of buffalo and antelope, and for many years they devoted their energies to other tasks than trying to supplant these grasses with the tame varieties. But the wild grasses like the wild redmen, must in time give way to civilizing influences, and as fast as the farmers succeeded in subduing the wild nature of the soil, they began sowing tame grasses. After a few years their pastures of prairie grass began to fail, and as they found opportunity from the multitude of other and more pressing duties, they began to experiment with a few acres of the vari- ous kinds, until to-day in the greater por- tion of the state may be found more and better fields of timothy and clover and al- falfa than are to be found in any other prairie state of the same age. The following table will show what pro- gress has been made in the line of tame grasses by the farmers of Kansas: Table showing numbers of acres of different tame grasses grown in Kansas in the years named: YEAR. Timothy Clover. Blue Grass. Other Tame Grasses. 1872 1874 34,617 26,302 26.470 29,414 48,941 71,698 63.346 72,117 82,344 92.844 152,841 286.846 418,176 464.491) 458,02:: 487,425 459,428 498,854 576.31: 17,760 7,851 5,573 11,241 19,190 21,776 22.723 24,724 38,259 53,403 81,337 113,003 129,235 129.377 100. 166 132,591 164.163 158,589 127,994 1875. .. 31.626 16,964 21. 20 9 27,876 36,166 38.259 63,132 69.583 81.628 73.874 94.586 84.616 101.869 114.014 1876 1877 1878 1879 1880 1881 1882 39.548 94.297 47 063 1884 1885. . 69.483 4:2 272 1886 73.332 1887..: 71,560 1888 1890 67,622 61.721 80,686 1891 103,787 1892 124.265 The work of supplanting the abundant and luxurious growth of wild grass in Reno county with the tame grasses, was slow both in its beginning and its prosecution. The SOME FACTS AND FIGURES. fact of the matter was that there existed no actual necessity for the change. The soil and the climate were such as to afford the most wonderful results with the wild grasses, and the farmers devoted their time to more profitable and pressing duties. But after many years of hard pasturing many of the fields of native grass began to fail, and then the experiments were undertaken to discover just what would be best to sow in the sandy loam soil of Reno county to take the place of the wild grasses. It was not the rotation of crops and tame grasses for the purpose of "replenishing the poor soil" that was needed, but they were after a grass crop that would develop that "staying" quality so nec- essary to furnish a permanent and plentiful pasturage. It was found that both timothy and red clover, while they would set well and thrive in a very satisfactory manner for several years, yet in the sandy loam of Reno they did not produce the permanent pasturage so much desired. But during the past few years all kinds of tame grasses, as an extensive crop, have been superseded by Alfalfa, or Lucerne. This has been found to be especially adapted to the soil and climate of the great Arkan- sas Valley, and it is producing very satis- factory results. This crop, in connection with the various forage crops so easily grown in Reno county, has greatly improved the condition of stock farming, and it is now safe to say that there is not another section of country anywhere on this continent which affords as many desirable conditions and as few drawbacks to stock farming as does Reno county. AVERAGE VALUE OF CROPS PER ACRE. The following table will show just what was realized in dollars by the farmers of the various states named, on each acre of the principal crops they raised in 1892: Table showing average value per acre of the principal crops in the states named for the year 1892: Q c * * O a *0 ts" i 7 o w STATES. V < - c n DO ■ $7 E* Indiana $10 84 $11 36 36 97 88 87 72 $31 00 9 38 11 32 8 86 9 95 7 65 31 00 Iowa 8 63 7 56 6 42 7 34 7 60 =52 51 Missouri 8 94 9 23 6 66 6 96 7 81 32 37 7 90 9 +1 6 12 6 84 8 72 40 07 PRICES OF CORN AND WHEAT. During nearly all the years embraced in this fourteen year statement, the average farmer of Kansas was not prepared to prop- erly house and protect his crop of wheat and corn. Thus it was that a great many of them were always forced to dispose of the grain as soon as it was threshed or husked. It is a fact well established by the records that the prices to be obtained for any new crop are very low. But every year it was a question with the farmer whether to take the low prices or run in debt for the nec- essary cribs and bins in which to store his crops. Generally he disposed of his crop as soon as possible. When the enormous crops of 1889 were raised, not only did this rule prevail, but the farmers became alarmed at the great crop of corn in the state, and by the time : .t was ready to be gathered there was an absolute panic among them to see how quickly they could get their corn off their hands. Farmers who were not pressed by debts, or who could borrow all the money they needed to tide them over, begged of buyers to take their corn at any price. The result was that every man who could get hold of a few hundred dollars bought and piled up the cheap corn, which many of them actually resold before it was all deliv- ered by the farmers, at prices giving them a profit of from 100 to 200 per cent. But the foolish sales made by those panic- stricken corn raisers must enter into the computation of the average price of corn in Kansas for that year. The same influences had a strong effect on the average price of wheat in the state, and yet the following table shows that Kan- sas realized very good prices for her wheat and corn in this series of years. Table showing the average price per bushel real- ized on corn during the years 1877 to 1890 inclu- sive, in the states named: Years. Ind. 111. la. Mo. Kan. Neb. 1877 .34 .27 .34 .40 .60 .48 .41 .34 .29 .32 .45 .31 27 .47 r<7.5 .29 .25 .31 .36 .58 .47 .40 .31 .28 .31 .41 .29 .24 .43 .35 .25 .16 .24 .26 .44 .38 .32 .33 .24 .30 .35 .24 .19 .41 28.5 .27 .26 .25 .36 .65 .39 .35 .26 .25 .31 .37 .30 .23 .44 32.5 .21 .19' .27 .29 .58 .37 .26 .22 .24 .27 .37 . .26 .18 .51 30.1 .18 1878 .16 1879 1880 .21 .25 1881 .39 1882 1883 .33 .24 1884 .18 1885 .19 1886 .20 1887 1888 .30 .22 1890 Average 1 4 vrs .19 .48 .25 THE HUTCHINSON NEWS. JUST A FEW CAR LOADS. Without taking any account of any of the manufactured products, such as those turned out by the packing houses, or the great salt factories, or of the great amount of orchard products, and the small fruits, the large shipments of eggs and poultry, or the garden truck, and numerous other et ceteras, Reno county might have last year shipped out several car loads of stuff, if it had been deemed best to do so. The potato crop was not nearly up to the standard, and the cattle were about 10,000 short of the previous year, as was also the hog crop; even the corn crop was nearly 100,000 bushels short of 1891. And yet it would have required 14,431 cars, or 721 trains of twenty cars each, to have moved it. This would send out two trains each day in the year and allow an extra one for each of the holidays. What will be the amount of Reno county products in another twenty-one years'? SOME RENO COUNTY PRODUCTS- The spring of 1872 found Reno county but an expanse of prairie covered with a heavy coat of wild grass. During the preceding summer there had been a few acres of sod turned by two or three pioneer claim hunters, but that was all. But that spring there were a few acres of spring wheat, some oats, a few patches of potatoes put in, and there was enough sod corn planted to produce about 20,000 bushels of very good corn, and that was the beginning of the building of a great county in what was but a few years ago known as the "Great American Desert." In those days the "home hunters" who were pushing out into Kansas always carried a spade or shovel with them, and no prospec- tor who ever turned a spadeful of Reno county soil, went to the trouble of looking any further. He quickly set about opening up a claim and starting what was soon to be a fine farm and comfortable home for him and his family. What this claim holder and his enterpris- ing neighbors have been doing since that small beginning in 1872, may be seen from the following tables. And in those state- ments may be seen that element of the equal- ization of the crops, for which Kansas is so peculiar. In the seasons when one of the crops showed a shortage, some of the others are found to have produced wonderful re- sults. This fact is plain to even the casual observer, and goes a long way toward ex- plaining why the Kansas farmer, with even ordinary attention to his business, and a due regard to the diversified feature of farming, is bound to see his efforts crowned with suc- cess. But these tables tell their own story: Table showing amounts of wheat, corn, rye and oats produced in Reno county in the years named: Year 1872 1873 1874 1 875 1876 1877 1878 1879 1880 1881 1882 1883.. ., 1884 1885 1886 1887 1888 1889.... 1890 1891.. . 1892 Wheat. 44 23.101 51,725 177,019 207,182 431,775 972.672 255,939 394,186 512.377 612.565 707.848 ..017.522 288,712 245,300 90.544 85.096 457,907 351.210 222,402 i!013l291 Corn. 20,164 306,698 148,530 878,340 706,560 1,116,390 1,103,940 1,181,800 1,079,466 1,006,400 1,445,576 2,539,285 2,292,.^60 3,366.615 2,573,750 1,630,280 2,627,640 5,793,235 989,720 4,205,698 3,164,562 Rye. 1,660 18,120 21,765 54,586 45.628 52,736 1,285 5,232 15,828 52,800 82,692 68,880 23,330 25,800 20,040 25,840 52,624 38,256 106,946 43,440 Oats. 380 11,640 47,500 159,208 204,260 345,496 507,720 212,540 213,473 166,950 333,765 574.992 676,792 919,272 893,750 1,166.175 1,008,642 1,255,320 568.330 1,077,292 843.575 Table showing the production of potatoes, sor- ghum and broomcorn in Reno county for the years named: Year. Potatoes. Sorghum. Broomcorn. 1872 1873 1874 1875 2,290 4,992 9,095 45,323 48,025 49.475 86.950 40,900 63,466 23.200 55i450 85,300 116,368 118,900 127,250 157,940 103,280 116,680 36,466 56.388 56,655 3,420 5,940 22,343 52,772 80,385 56,206 64.428 111,981 78,540 88,650 303,040 171,975 *2,094 710 599 1,470 3,507 1,113 902 680 7,050 101 423 1876 82,370 1877 .. 1878 96,000 131,000 1879 32 775 1880 289,250 1881 860 600 1882 1883 .. 1,085,500 9°5 000 1884 477,600 1,221,600 1,713,000 1885 1886 1887 3,393.600 2,039,000 1,437,600 694 200 1888 1890 1891 1892 1,694,300 1,861.000 *The reports were made on the basis of acreage after 1884. RENO COUNTY STOCK. Elsewhere can be found a table showing the comparative prices of farm animals in the various states, which will be found very much in favor of Kansas, especially if the relative distance from the great market centers is taken into consideration. In the following statement may be seen the results of the efforts of the farmers of Reno county, in the direction of stock raising. It is a splendid showing for a new county, and is but an indication of what may be expected SOME FACTS AND FIGURES. 23 of these industrious people in the years to come. Table showing the number of horses, mules, cattle and swine in Reno county for the years named: YEAR. Horses. Mules. Cattle. Swine. 1872 268 47 550 32 1873. 1874 1876 1877 1,833 1,410 1,865 2.235 3,241 4,063 4,272 3.719 3,754 5,196 6,363 6.952 7,565 8 871 9.454 10,870 11,653 12,164 14,170 357 320 376 515 904 1,334 1,304 1,181 991 1,165 1,441 1,716 1,880 2.116 1,914 2.078 2,202 1,938 1,899 14,939 3,729 4,515 6 277 6,911 7,596 8,794 13,738 21,493 30.867 36,208 40.405 40.255 41,020 42,963 44,580 41,233 58.991 48,702 2,986 263 3,153 6,505 1878 12.147 1879 1880 11,335 8,885 1881 7,126 1882 10,850 1883 1884 15,008 23.758 1885 38,672 1886 43,680 1887 38,828 1888 1889 1890 31.517 37,537 49,997 1891 1892 51,201 41,501 BUT! ER AND CHEESE MAKING. The fact must not be forgotten that in all western localities where large stock interests are found, and especially where there are kept good-sized herds of cattle, the rule has been not to pay any attention to the cheese industry whatever, and not to make a pound of butter more than was necessary for the use of the family. It has been the universal rule that the greater the number of cows on the ranch, the fewer of them were ever made to contribute either butter or milk to the table supply. The large stock farmer pre- tended to believe that it was a waste of time for bim or his men to "break" a milch cow. Such matters were among the "small" things, and thus it was that for several years many of these stock raisers actually bought every pound of their butter at the nearest grocery, and it was not an unusual occurrence for the said grocer to have to import his supply from a distance. But a change has been stealing over the dreams of these men, who in their earnest- ness to quickly become weal thy neglected the dairy industry. They have seen their less pretentious neighbor enjoying a regular and certain income on a very small investment of capital and labor. They soon discovered that in the cities and mining camps of the west and southwest was a steady and good paying market for every pound of good but- ter they could spare. The result has been that the farmers of Reno county, great and small, now make their regular trips to their nearest market, where they sell enough but- ter to pay for all their coffee, sugar and other groceries, and in many cases to nearly clothe the family. The cheese industry is rapidly growing, and it will be but a few years until Reno county will produce all the cheese she needs for home use and will be shipping tons of this product to the splendid mountain markets. When the mines are more largely developed, and when Colorado's infant manufacturing industries are better under way, the farmers of the Arkansas Valley will get as much for their products at their home market as their stuff would bring in either St. Louis or Chi- cago. Then will Reno county produce her millions of pounds where she now does thousands. The following table shows just what has been done in the production of butter and cheese in Reno county during the past twenty-one years: Table showing the butter and cheese produced in Reno county during the years named: YEARS. Cheese. Pounds. Butter. Pounds. 1872 1873 1874 2.125 11,150 40,405 74,276 1875 100 1*76 1877 104,705 1878 146,636 1879 200 4,174 9,150 22,220 225 3,675 3.171 4,520 6,955 4,100 17,130 4,115 6.841 25,292 163,960 1880 201,6*9 1881 314,612 1882 384,972 1884 18S6 529,032 518,280 490,698 466.760 1887 515 630 1888 1889 525,458 672,972 1890 590,091 1891 | 1892 594,547 KANSAS PUBLIC SCHOOLS. At the great centennial exposition at Phila- delphia in 1876 there was a large sectional map of Kansas, on which was shown the loca- tion of every school house in the state at that time. There were then over three thousand school houses, and the showing created a deep interest among the visitors at that fair. But the state has to-day about three times as many school houses as she then had, and they are valued at four times as much as those were. Up to that time Kansas had only been getting ready to make a little progress; she can now show some very satisfactory results for her efforts, and the following table is here given as a sug- 24 THE HUTCHINSON NEWS. gestion of what she really intends to do when she gets to work in good earnest: Statement of the progress of the public schools in Kansas for the years named: YEAR. No. of School Houses. Value of Houses & Fixtures. Amount Paid Teachers. 1S74 1875 3,133 3.543 3.715 3,962 4,157 4,520 4,992 5,315 5,328 6,188 6,354 6,568 6,791 7.841 8.196 8,819 8.811 9.041 9.088 $ 716,056 723.578 689,906 743,578 909.656 980,435 1.012,699 1.088,504 1,192,784 1.296,255 1,516,956 1,682,734 1,989,169 2,287,521 2.334,904 2,677,513 2,986,903 3,021,066 3,033,700 3,060,457 % 3.408,956 4,016,183 4,140,090 4,167,945 L877 3,869.653 1878 4,527,227 L879 1880 1881 3,893,571 4,049,212 1882 4,381,749 1884 5,344,006 5.468,170 1885 1886 6,592.757 1S87 8,007.793 8.607,202 ISSS 1889 9,794,428 10,617,149 10 228,067 1891 1892 10,703,708 COMPARATIVE FIGURES. The last Assessors' books have been re- turned to the County Clerk and we have pre- pared some facts and figures that will doubt- less be of interest. For the purpose of com- parison we have taken figures for .1878, 1883, 1892 and 1893 as returned by the several Assessors of the county for those years, mak- ing a record for the county that every resi- dent may well be proud of. In the earlier history of the county and state statistical records were not so complete as now and where the figures are omitted in the follow- ing statement it is because the records do not give them. Acres in cultivation: 1878 44,367 1883 143,067 Acres wheat sown: 1877 48,501 1882 32,222 Acres corn planted: 1878 36,798 1883 72,551 Bushels of corn on hand March 1st: 1883 267,005 1893 1892 1,029,827 Bushels of wheat on hand March 1st: 1892 192,900 1893 Number of horses on hand March 1st: 1878 3,279 1892 1883 5,196 1893 Number of mules on hand March 1st: 1878 904 1892 1883 1,165 1893 Number of cattle on hand March 1st: 1878 6,911 1892 1883 30,867 1893 Number of hogs on hand March 1st: 1878 12,147 1892 1883.. 16,008 1893.. . Value of animals fattened and slaughtered or sold for slaughter during the year ending March 1st: 1882 $162,027 1892 $673. 903 1893 885,270 Value of products of gardens sold during the year ending March 1st: 1893 315,561 1891 96,219 1892.... 118,626 1892 118,350 1893 131,864 .1,137,431 306,117 14,080 15,506 1,907 2.118 48,702 40,868 41,511 54.414 1882 $11,636 1891 $18,623 1892 17.964 Value of poultry and eggs sold during the year ending March 1st: 1882 $24,748 1891 $51,024 1892 56,976 Acres tame grass: 1883 223 1892 1,666 1893 2,149 Value of milk sold during: 1882 $2,465 1891 $7,909 1892 9.664 No. of apple trees bearing in 1893 7.034 No. of pear trees bearing in 1893 204 No. of peach trees bearing in 1893 145,725 No. of plum trees bearing in 1893 5,615 No. of cherry trees bearing in 1893 4.852 Acres of vineyard: 1883 8 1893 267 Acres of land in cultivation: 1878 44,367 1883 143,067 Acres of forest trees: Acres of small fruit: is,s:; 93 Number of dogs: 1883 1,432 1892 314,561 1893 6,587 1893 521 1893 (Hutchinson ex- cepted). .3,007 In 1892 there were thirty deaf, dumb and blind, and in 1893 there are but ten. Population: 1878 11,528 1883 13,117 1893 26,937 FLAX, COTTON AND BROOMCORN. Kansas does not claim to be a cotton grow- ing state; Kansas claims no crop as a spe- cialty; but she has the records to show that she can come near raising a good crop of almost anything grown in any other state as a special crop. Some of her citizens have for years been exclusively engaged in cotton growing, and they can show better results for their work and investment than can any of the extensive cotton planters of the great cotton growing states of the south. The following statement is of interest to those who are watching those industries: Table showing the amounts of flax, cotton and broomcorn produced in Kansas for the years named: YEARS Flax- Bushels. Cotton- Pounds. Broomcorn — Pounds. 1S72 10,900 6,000 1873 L874 3,120 447,864 501,981 291,309 424,770 622,256 1,245,279 1,184,445 1,657,462 1,159,995 1,036,415 819,949 879,040 1,400,700 1,340,222 1,200.305 2,173.800 2,049.055 1.245.555 89,655 325.825 159,794 101,595 86,581 33,588 142,517 388,670 317,645 107,550 142,240 193,760 204.000 409,750 645,00(1 511,900 589,200 445,500 145,300 2,677.550 1875 9,844.809 1876 11,234.151 1877 1878 1879 1880 16.917,712 16,065,566 8,095,145 17,279,664 1881 1882 32. 901. 17,0 56,716,884 1883 1884 1,101.875 31,775,617 1885 1886 1887 1888 17,095,200 38,633,500 44,066.600 27.385,800 1889 23,479,800 1890 1891 1892 24.605,400 28,261,400 34,016,950 OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS. BY CHAS. P. DAWSON. HERE IS NOTHING IN which Reno county people take greater pride, than in their excellent public schools. Through years of labor on the part of super- intendents, teachers and patrons. Reno county has become, in many respects, the leading county of Kansas. The same energy displayed by these leaders, is shown again in the general spirit of progres- siveness which characterizes every district. As the teaching force grows better, and the patrons take greater interest in the welfare of the schools, education becomes more valu- able and more necessary. This happy combination of efforts on the part of the teachers and the patrons has been prolific of good results, as such unity in a good cause is ever bound to be marked by. success. Whil; a full mfasure of praise is merited by the teachers of the county, their success has been made possible by the hearty co-operation of the parents of the children who make up our public schools, and for whose benefit they have been established and maintained. The most marvelous fact in connection with our schools is that they have been brought to their present state of perfection within twenty-two years. The first school was taught (in the winter of 1871,) in a small frame building, which stood near the southwest corner of Main and Sherman streets, in Hutchinson. The teacher was Miss Jennie Hodgson, who still lives five miles west of the city. The greatest growth in. district organization, was during Super- intendent Flick's administration, (1873-75,) when about fifty districts were organized. A number of the school houses built at that time are still standing, and are good for several years service yet. This is another indication that the early settlers of the'coun- ty were a substantial class of men and came for permanent homes. There are now one hundred and fifty-five districts, with an average valuation of about $35,000, not including the city of Hutchinson, whose valuation is over $1,500,000. An aver- age mill levy of 12.7 mills is required to sup- port the schools for an average length of term of about twenty-seven weeks. The value of school property is estimated at $217,- 000. The school population is now about 10,000. The expenditures for school pur- poses for the past year will be something in excess of $88,000. Two hundred and eight teachers are re- quired to teach the schools, there being 90 males and 118 females. The males receive au average salary of $42 and females $39.90 per month. The schools have been carefully and thor- oughly graded, and there is held, annually, a common school examination, and all who are successful are granted a common school diploma. This has proved to be a wonderful incentive to work, especially in the rural districts. Since this system was adopted, in 1887, there have graduated a total of three hundred and seven; the class of 1893 number- ing sixtyeight, the largest on record. The names of some of our brightest teachers, and several now in some other professional work, are found on the roll of graduates. With a county high school (now in contemplation) to complete the system, the good resulting from our course can not be measured. A number of the country districts have a nine month's term of school, and pay a salary of $50 per month. There was but one district in the county which paid less than $30 per month, and but eight which paid less than $35 per month. As a conse- quence the teachers are enterprising, en- thusiastic and progressive, which is a natural result of good salaries. We can only look forward to the time when salaries will be- come still better, for we know our schools will become better. The best teachers will 26 THE HUTCHINSON NEWS. remain in the profession, and all who enter the work will endeavor to attain the high standard established. The destiny of our nation is practically in the hands of the teaching profession. Should not each one then do all in his power to have the best talent to be found in the school room? It is a significant fact that nowhere in Kansas is there more enthusiasm displayed in the line of education than in Reno county. One of the main features of our school work is the Reno County Teachers's Associa- tion, which is composed of the county and city teachers, and all friends of education who are interested enough to attend the meetings. Annual meetings for re-organization are held during the session of the normal insti- tute. The association has regular meetings on the third Saturday of each month, from September to April, inclusive, when they discuss their work, devise ways and means for advancing the cause of education, and review the reading circle work. The teach- ers become acquainted with each other's methods at these meetings, and go again to their school rooms with new ideas, and a spirit of determination to make their schools better. For the benefit of members in the extreme southwestern part of the county, the south- west association has been organized, which meets the second Saturday of each month from October to March inclusive. It has proved a success and gives the members the advantage of attending two association meet- ings each month. Notwithstanding the fact that Reno county is larger than the state of Rhode Island, and some teachers have a great distance to come, the attendance at the county meetings has been very large. The Reading Circle is a state organization, with the county superintendents as mana- gers of their respective counties. In this county the superintendent appoints annually, an executive for each township, who organizes the Reading Circle for work in his locality. These township meetings are held weekly or bi-weekly, and the les- sons arc reviewed, preparatory to the county meeting, where each month's work is thor- oughly reviewed. The books selected for the present year are Compayre's applied psychology andjmaster- pieces of American literature. Owing to the fact that Reno county was a leader in this movemeut, having had an organized reading circle for several years before the matter was taken up by the state association, we feel justly proud of success of the enterprise, and, last year had the largest enrollment but one, of any county in the state, and this year will lead by probably fifteen or twenty. The Normal Institute was first organized SHERMAN STREET SCHOOL BUILDING. HUTCHINSON. CENTRAL SCHOOL, BUILDING, HUTCHINSON. 1875, and holds its nineteenth session this year, during the month of July. This is practically a four weeks teacher's training 1 school, and brings together annually over 200 teachers. The work is both academic and professional, and is of inestimable value to the teachers and schools. To the county superintendent belongs much of the credit for organizing and directing these enterprises. The following have occupied that important position: W. E. Hutchinson, Alex. Lynch, Taylor Flick, J. P. Cassedy, J. W. Kanaga, E. L. Jewell, Eli Payne, C. P. White, Sam. W. Hill and Chas. P. Dawson, the present incumbent. The work connected with this office in a county so large as this is enormous, and requires the full time and the most careful judgment on the part of the officer. An educational magazine, the School Visi- tor, was established in 1891, as a means of communication and information between the superintendent, the teachers and patrons. It is a three-column, eight-page paper and enjoys a circulation of 1,000 copies. On the whole Reno county leads the state. No reform of importance can be mentioned but has been a prominent feature of this county long before being a,dopted by other counties. Chas. P. Dawson. A HEALTHY COMMUNITY. BY A. W. McKINNEY, M. D. I have been engaged in the practice of medicine since the 9th of November, 1851; have traveled over and spent quite a time in seventeen different states of our Union, and have resided in the great Arkansas Valley since the 13th of June, 1872, and I am prepared to say that this locality en- joys the greatest freedom from diseases (especially those of a serious nature) of any of the localities that have come under my observation. On the afternoon of June 15th, 1872, I first saw the city of Hutchinson. I had trayeled overland, and when at Eureka, Kansas, I came into possession of some circu- lars showing forth in a vivid manner the bright prospects of the city of Hutchinson. Yovl can only imagine my disgust when I ar- rived. I counted the buildings, none of which were completed, and they amounted to thirty-five, all told, counting two livery barns and one private barn of small dimensions. A visit to the office of C. C. Hutchinson, however, soon changed my feelings from disgust to admiration. In the presence of that man one could have no other feeling than that of confidence. He took me before a large map (hand made) which was dis- played on the walls of his office, and pointed out the railroads, the vast expanse of coun- try (then utilized by the buffalo) that was tributary to the city. His map showed a railroad coming from the east and extending to the west; another from the northeast, ex- tending to the southwest, and another com- ing from the southeast and going to the northwest. The one from east to west I had seen, for the Santa Fe was laying track, the end of which was then where the water tank is now. After Mr. Hutchinson had stopped to breathe a spell I ventured to suggest that the railroads were mostly on paper. He seemed to be pained at my doubt, and ex- claimed: "They are bound to come, geo- graphically bound to come, and mark my prediction!" The prediction has been veri- fied; the roads are here, and every one from the direction he had claimed, and if the Missouri Pacific was on the north side of the river the map that hung in the office twenty- one years ago would be a correct outline of our railroad system. I am drifting. I will return to the matter of healthfulness. I am safe in saying we have a most healthful climate as shown by the experience of all who have resided here during the twenty-one years of the history of this county. We all know that we have had no serious epidemic; we all know that we do not have much typhoid fever, not much dysentery or flux, and no bilious fever or ague. And why? First, Our altitude is not too high to be op- pressive nor low enough to be damp. Second, The soil is very porous and drains easily. Water does not become stag- nant nor does the atmosphere, hence while our vegetable growth is large and our rain- fall ample, on the average, we have but little malaria. In this connection I will speak of the wind. Our eastern people have a dread of the wind, and Kansas has had the name of the cyclone state, until the good Lord had to show the people of the world that He has the power to get up a cyclone in Indiana as well as in Kansas. Our winds are a blessing; they do not allow our atmosphere to stagnate, and hence we are more healthy; and while the wind is at times inconvenient, we can stay in our houses every day the wind blows hard and not spend as much time as we would have to spend in Indiana and Illinois scrap- ing the mud from our shoes, and the absence of mud is one great cause for the compara- tive absence of pneumonia. We have some diptheria and some scarlet fever, but no such prevalence as has been in other localities. I have been county health officer of this county for three years and our A HEAL THY COMMUNITY. 2Q report on vital statistics makes a fine show- ing. During- the year 1892 there were 189 deaths from all causes in the entire county. Of that number we had as cause of death, consumption, 20; by accidents, 6; scarlet fever, 3; la grippe, 5; diptheria, 5. Of ages over 90, 1; between 80 and 90, 5; between 70 and 80, 13; between 1 and 5, 27; under 1 year, 32. Of the 20 deaths from consumption, 11 were residents of the county less than one year, three of whom were less than three months and one only twenty-four hours. I think it fair to say that Reno county had an average'population of 27,000 during the year 1892, which shows a death rate of only 7 per 1,000 during the year. I have no hesitation in saying that we have a healthy country and a country that has as few drawbacks as any that has come to my knowledge, and the industrious man and the provident man can more than make a living. A man cannot succeed without work, hence the country offers no premiums for lazy men. A. W. McKinney. KANSAS. I love thee, bonny Kansas, With thy skies of azure blue, Thy sun-kissed bosom bearing Sweet flowers of radiant hue ; Thy brooks and rivers babbling, With the flow of summer rain : Thy broad prairies teeming Hich stores of golden grain. IS A WHOLESALE POINT. BY J. S. GEORtxE. It has only been during 1 the last few years that any considerable attention has been at- tracted to Hutchinson as a distributing center. During that time, however, several wholesale houses have been established whose success warrants us in saying that as a distributing center Hutchinson has few equals and no superiors in the interior of Kansas. The object of this article is to de- monstrate to the outside public that the suc- cess of wholesale enterprises already estab- lished here is not due entirely to local causes or influence which might result in a rea- sonably large business being worked up by one firm in each line, and yet a division of which would prove unsuccessful to two or more; but that our railroad facilities for dis- tribution, the territory directly tributary to the city through them, the number of towns conveniently reached, the wonderful pro- ductiveness of this entire section, together with the resultant healthy condition of trade, safely insures a profitable business to many times the number of wholesale houses that are now located here. By taking a look at the map, we find railroads radiating from Hutchinson in eight different direc- tions: The Santa Fe, running directly from east to west, the Missouri Pacific from southeast to northwest, the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific from northeast to south- west, the Hutchinson and Southern extend- ing to the Indian Territory line on the south, and the Kinsley branch of the Santa Fe, cut- ting off the great bend of the Arkansas river from Hutchinson to Kinsley. Each of these main lines have their branches west and south of us that practically cover the entire western part of the state south of the Union Pacific railway and as our rates are favorable enough to permit our jobbers to go east thirty to fifty miles, and westward to the line of the state, the reader will see at &. glance that there lies directly tributary to HutchinsoD, and covered by the railroads above men- tioned, a vast territory within the state of Kansas 125 miles wide by 250 long, having an area of over 31,000 square miles. Located in this region are 198 towns and villages, rang- ing in size from the country trading point of one or two stores to the city of 6,000 or 8,000 people. In the great majority of these places, there exists a warm feeling toward our city, and the wholesale enterprises al- ready established are receiving from them a liberal patronage, and this same friendly feeling will prove a strong factor in the de- velopment of the trade of new houses that might locate here. We think it is safe to say that the aggregate amount of business done in this territory, entirely outside of the shipment of home products, is not less than thirty-one millions of dollars per annum. This business is now divided largely be- tween jobbers of more distant eastern cities, but with the advantage both in and out, in freight from Hutchinson, there is no rea- son why, by the establishment of strong firms in the different lines here, a large share of it might not be diverted to this point. It is especially well understood by the wholesale houses doing business in this sec- tion, that their salesmen can make their headquarters at Hutchinson to better ad- vantage than elsewhere in this part of the state. This, of itself, would tend to keep them in close personal touch with their houses if located here, and at no additional expense. As to the financial condition of trade throughout this portion of Kansas, we can do no better than refer to the reports of the various commercial agencies relative there- to, and to a careful comparison of them with those from the eastern part of Kansas, Missouri, Iowa and other states, and it will be found that according to population there has not been one half as many business fail- ures in this section as in the others named. This statement is also verified by our own AS A WHOLESALE POINT. 3* wholesale houses, who add to it the asser- tion that their losses from had accounts do not reach half the amount usually considered as a fair average annual loss from this source. The conservative business man when se- lecting a location for a jobbing business naturally desires some assurance of its per- manency. To all such we would say, come and investigate the condition of things yourselves. You will find that Hutchinson is the most westward of the railroad centers of the state, there being no possible chance of other towns within the area mentioned having equal railroad facilities without there being built long stretches of railroads, and through comparatively sparsely settled dis- tricts, where they would meet with the com- petition of old established lines. This possi- bility we deem to be so remote that it is practically eliminated as one of the dangers that might assail us. The greater part of the territory naturally tributary to Hutchinson is as yet but sparse- ly inhabited, compared with its great nat- ural resources. Every year sees a marked increase in population and in business. With each year, as the wholesale houses here be- come more firmly established, a larger pro- portion of trade is directed to them. In fact it is a continual growth; one cannot stand still if they want to, and this of itself insures both permanency and progress to any whole- sale enterprise that may see fit to locate with us, backed by sufficient capital and the requisite ability, that would insure its suc- cess elsewhere. The expense of doing business in interior towns of the character and size of Hutchin- son has long since been demonstrated to be very much less than at the great eastern commercial centers, hence the less volume of business or the same volume with a less profit will net better results. The influence of our great salt industry is not to be for- gotten as a means of directing the attention of outside merchants to our city as a supply point, and new firms will find in this great interest a powerful auxiliary in the estab- lishment of their business. Finally we say to all prospective jobbers, you would not be coming to a place of local importance only, but to one that that has for years been a household word in every state in the Union and noted for its push and enterprise in all directions, and for the hearty encouragement that their own people give to enterprises established in their midst. J. S. George. "HUTCHINSON SALT." BY SIMS ELY. "Mr. Stout, who wintered near the south line of the state, brought to our office a fine specimen of rock salt, obtained by him from the salt plains a few miles beyond the southwest corner of Barber county. When the Salina, Hutchinson & Southern railroad is completed, this salt will be furnished cheaply, and exported to all parts of the world." This paragraph appeared in the first copy of the News ever printed. It had a tinge of prophecy. But the prophet of that day had no conception of the position which salt was to take among the industries of Kansas. And in all his day-dreams of the future as to Hutchinson, the storehouse of inex- haustible wealth under his feet, had no place in the vision. Like many of the great discoveries that have inured to the benefit of mankind, the finding of our salt was an accident. The frenzied spirit of speculation that, in 1887, swept across the western states like a prairie fire, developed the very genius of optimism. No commercial project lacked substantial endorsement. The formation of a "syndi- cate" with thousands of dollars in hand was the work of but a few hours, no matter what the enterprise might be. It was undoubted- ly this disposition to tempt fortune to the utmost that prompted Ben Blanchard to sink a gas well in "South Hutchinson," a bustling suburb, which had, under the magic of his influence, sprung into existence almost with- in a night, like Jonah's gourd. For there was certainly no such data then in existence as would justify the expenditure of large sums of money in a search for natural gas in this locality. It was simply out of a dis- position to "take the chances" that the gas- well project took practical shape. As a matter of fact, a strong flow of natural gas was encountered in this now historical well. Paranthetically, it is not out of place here to remark that experts on the natural- gas fields of Pennsylvania have since explained to the writer that the developments in the Blanchard well warranted a belief in the existence of great quantities of gas at Hutch- inson. As they have it, if this well had been scientifically handled — that is to say, if the process known as "shooting the well" had been tried, and that under intelligent direction, there is every reason to believe that this well would have produced a valu- able and permanent flow of gas. But when the drill encountered salt, it created abso- lute amazement. The steady, monotonous pounding of the drill had been going on for weeks, when Mr. Blanchard came into the News office one night in the early fall of 1887, and announced that his drill had pene- trated a stratum of solid rock salt; and he anxiously looked through the office library for information as to the probable value and importance of the discovery. The drill was kept going until a depth of about 800 feet from the surface had been reached and more than 300 feet of salt had been de- veloped. The salt was shown to be in con- tiguous strata of 10 to 100 feet in thickness, interspersed with streaks of shale, slate and gypsum. For some reason the wonderful import- ance of this discovery was not compre- hended by the people of this city at the time, although due prominence was given to the matter by this paper repeatedly. The victims of so much "boom" were disposed to discount very materially the stories sent out about the salt discovery. That we had at our feet an instance of the generosity of Nature in one of her most lavish moods, did not occur to our people at that time. But the New York manufacturers of salt were quick to realize the importance of the discovery, and prompt to act in a practical way. They were soon on the ground, and shortly afterward had another " well " down to the salt, thus proving its existence, in virtually unlimited quantities, beyond all doubt. Early in the following spring they had a plant in operation, almost in the heart liiw&lSSten t!%* ■&yv! r *&w*?? HUTCHINSON SALT COMPANY, PLANT NO. 1, AND DAIRY SALT MILLS. THIS COMPANY NOW MANUFACTURES. IN ADDITION TO COMMON SALT. ALL THE FINER GRADES OF TABLE SALT, WHICH IS RAPIDLY DISPLACING ENGLISH IMPORTED SALT IN THE DAIRY DISTRICTS OF ALL THE CENTRAL STATES. of the city of Hutchinson, and were manu- facturing 500 barrels of superior salt, daily. Local capital then fell rapidly into line, and "salt-plants" dotted the outskirts of the city. Within a year thereafter, a dozen plants were in operation, employing more than 600 men, manufacturing more than a million barrels annually, and shipping the product to all the surrounding states. HutchiESon salt had immediately taken a front place in commerce. It required no "pushing." Its superior quality was de- monstrated wherever it came into compe- tition with the product of New York and Michigan, and it was at once a household article throughout the West. The most careful analyses by the best chemists in the country have proved Hutchinson salt to be the purest manufactured in the United States. The great packers in the west very quickly manifested their appreciation of its quality, and our product has been the uni- form favorite with them since its introduc- tion. According to the encomiums given it by the principal packers of Kansas City and Omaha, our salt has a subtle virtue in the curing of meats that is found in no other product. Following the extensive manufac- ture of the common "coarse" salt of com- merce as just noted, has come an attendant industry which has already grown to vast proportions, namely, the production of re- fined dairy and table salt. And here again Hutchinson has won a magnificent victory. The laurels have been wrested from the En- glish refiners, and our table salt is found on the hotel tables from New York to San Fran- cisco — a monument to the enterprise and skill of our local refiners, and a living, un- disputed proof that our salt "beats the world" for purity and general excellence. It should be explained, for the enlighten- ment of the eastern public, that there are no "salt mines" at Hutchinson. The process of manufacture is through the evaporation of brine. Shortly after the discovery by Blanch- ard, it was proved by prtspect holes at other points, that the Kansas salt deposit covers a wide area, comprising, in reality, the main central portion of the state. At Kinginan, Lyons, and Kanopolis, shafts have been sunk to the salt, and mining has been carried on at Lyons, particularly, to a quite consider- able extent. The product of these mines, however, does not come in competition with the finished article turned out by the Hutch- inson salt plants. A very thorough knowl- edge of the nature of the salt stratification here and elsewhere was obtained by our op- erators before it was decided that the mining process is not the most successful. It was demonstrated that while the finished product of our plants is absolutely pure, the rocksalt, in its native state, carries impuri- ties of different sorts — intermixed as it is with shale, gypsum, etc. The mining pro- 34- TH E HUTCHINSON NEWS. cess, requiring a great deal of blasting, re- turns an article that must go through ex- tensive manipulation to eliminate the foreign matter, after which it is ground to the requisite fineness. So far the mines have failed to produce a fine commercial salt, thereby confirming the judgment of the Hutchinson operators as formed in the first place. An attempt will be made to describe in a few words the process of manufacture as carried on at Hutchinson, and elsewhere in the state where the evaporation feature is used, so that anybody may understand it. The rock-salt, the upper stratum of which is more than 400 feet below the surface, is converted into brine while yet in its lair, and then brought to the surface for evapor- ation. The "salt well," through which the brine is brought to the surface, consists, when completed, of a straight hole in the greund, something like 800 feet in depth. This well, about eight inches in diameter, has an iron easing from top to bottom, ex- cept where it passes through an immense stratum of red sand-stone. Within this cas- ing stands an iron tube three inches in di- ameter. This tube is connected at the sur- face with a f oree-pump. The pump, drawing fresh water from a well adjoining, forces it through the tubing to the rock-salt below. There being no underground outlet for this water when it strikes the salt, it becomes brine and is forced to return to the surface in the "jacket" enclosing the tubing, and is thence forced into reservoir tanks, whence it is drawn off into the evaporating "pans" as needed, and it is found to have been trans- formed, during its trip below, from pure, sweet water to a brine of full saturation, owing to the constant dissolving of the salt. The evaporating pans are usually 80 feet long, 26 feet wide, and one foot deep. They are made of the best steel, and rest on great furnaces, whence they receive a direct heat of high degree. The brine is kept boiling from one year's end to another except when the plant is shutdown for repairs. At inter- vals of two hours workmen, armed with long- handled "hoes," draw the constantly-form- ing salt to the sides of he pan. There it is shoveled into carts and wheeled away to the ware-houses where it is barreled after having gone through a "curing" process of two to four weeks. Between the reservoir tanks and the evaporating pans, however, it should not be forgotten that the brine passes through "settling vats" which are heated to a moderate temperature. The impurities, such as gypsum and other foreign matter, that the brine may carry in solution, are precipitated in these "settling vats" and the brine thus reaches the evaporating point in a state of purity. A pan such as described will produce 125 barrels each twenty-four hours, and the furnaces of each pan will consume HUTCHINSON SALT COMPANY, PLANT NO. 2. "HUTCHINSON SALT." 35 about nine tons of coal in the same time. This method produces the ordinary barrel- salt. This product is carried through the usual cleaning 1 and grinding 1 processes for table-salt. A plant, complete, of a daily- capacity of 250 barrels common salt, will cost, approximately, twenty thousand dol- lars. Hutchinson salt has met with a vigorous competition, in the way of prices, from the eastern fields, especially those of Michigan. New York is rather too remote to be a com- petitor of consequence. Each foot of terri- tory acquired by our product has meant a substantial loss to the Michigan combina- this city will be the principal point for manu- facture and distribution for all time to come. Nowhere else are the general conditions so favorable. No other point in Kansas ap- proaches Hutchinson in the matter of rail- way facilities. And, most important, at no other point claiming "salt" is there such an abundant supply of fresh water — and it has been seen how essential to successful opera- tion it is to have a constant supply of pure, fresh water. Hutchinson is pre-eminent in that respect. Then, immense capital is al- ready concentrated in the business at this point. There can be no question as to Hutch- inson's absolute supremacy in the industry ■' ■ , '*&&$m$8£i£fem^ HUTCHINSON SALT COMPANY, PLANT NO. 3. tion, and our operators have not had a path of roses, financially. But thanks to their keen business sagacity, they are more than holding their own. Indeed, the Michigan manufacturers have lately become interested as owners in some of our local plants, and however fiercely the war of prices may rage, the commanding position of Hutchinson is thus acknowledged and established. As to the future, Hutchinson will ulti- mately occupy a most enviable position in the field of salt manufacture. As already stated it has been demonstrated that the Kansas salt deposits cover a wide territory. But so far as Kansas is concerned. And eventu- ally — within a very few years, in fact, Michi- gan will, by force of circumstances, cease to be an important factor in the salt trade of the western states. Changing conditions within her own domain will force her to retire from the Trans-Missouri territory. Heretofore, the lumber industries and salt making have been very closely associated in Michigan. The manufacturers of that state have thus been enabled to procure fuel at a nominal cost by utilizing the refuse from the saw mills. But that situation is chang- ing rapidly. The great pineries of Michigan ?6 THE HUTCHINSON NEWS. are "playing out" and the hum of her t>aws will he a thing of the past within a very short time. When that period arrives, and the salt manufacturers of that region are forced to have recourse to coal for fuel, a far different situation will arise. Increased cost of production will shut them out of the terri- tory that legitimately belongs to Hutchinson, or at any rate they will cease to be an im- portant factor in the trade. Whereas, with the cheap coal of southeast Kansas always at hand, Hutchinson is equipped for perpetual success, and is confronted by no dismal visions of the future. 0i» the whole, it requires no prophetic gift to perceive that the salt industry of Hutchinson is in its merest infancy. The di- mensions of its future growth and its attend- ant influences for the prosperity of the city, are practically unlimited. Sims Ely. THE PRAIRIE QUEEN. BY DAVID ECCLES. Like water-nymph, from olden seas — To mortal man unknown, unseen — Away in far back centuries, Arose the Kansas Prairie Queen. Her cradle was the billow's crest; Her lullaby, the tempest's roar, Across her torn and pain-racked breast, The elements in war did pour. Yet struggling upward then, as now, All-conquering and undaunted, she Had stamped "Ad astra" on her brow — Grand emblem of her destiny. But not in flower, or tree or stream Do thy attractions most abide, Nor yet in endless pastures green May all thy beauties be described. For man, through trials dark and drear, To thy advance hath kept apace, And, drinking freedom's atmosphere, Is moulded to a nobler race. Forgotten now the blood and woe — The fiery hells of hate withstood — And from this root in strength doth grow Enfranchised man and womanhood. 0, chastened child of pain and storm ! Thy beauty now but adumbrates The glories of that fairer form That still in time for thee awaits. And hopeless must that poet be Who would depict thy flower-decked sod, From Spring's first sweet anemone To Autumn's gorgeous golden-rod. The midnight owls may hoot and blink Against thy glories fate decrees, But these at last will be extinct A.s saurians in thy old seas. Then "Upward" be thy motto still, Thou matchless queen of all the west ! Unconquer'd and invincible, Naught can thy destiny arrest ! HORTICULTURE IN RENO COUNTY. BY L. HOUK. I ACCEPT with pleasure the part which has been assigned me as one of the con- tributors to the edition of the News which is to celebrate its twenty-first anniversary. My residence in Reno county ante-dates the birth of that enterprise more than six months, and I have witnessed with just pride and satisfaction its advancement in all the successive stages of its growth from earliest infancy to full majority. The News being practically coeval with Reno county and having contributed so largely to its de- velopment it is eminently proper that this anniversary edition should illustrate the growth of the county from the time, when in 1872 it organized, being then a small com- munity of less than one thousand persons, to the-present. It is asserting a great deal to say that in horticulture the development of the county has not been less than along other lines and yet it may be said that relatively it is even greater. The earliest settlers who established them- selves on these treeless plains were not greatly encouraged as to the future of po- mology in central Kansas. They had faith that its teeming soil and vitalizing air would reward their labors in ordinary agriculture, but fruit growing was another thing. Here was a region in the very heart of the continent, of much higher altitude than they were ac- customed to, with high winds and great vicissitudes of temperature, all forming a set of conditions much less favorable than those prevailing nearer the sea board. And to crown all, the few attempts made at fruit tree planting in 1872 were mostly dismal failures on account of the depredations of grasshoppers, which were not these spretus migratorius or Rocky Mountain lucust, but a native insect which so far as was then known we might expect to have always with us. The coming of the migratory locust in destructive quantities occurred in 1874 and added a further and greater discouragement to the fruit grower. On this same subject I venture to quote from an address which I delivered before the State Horticultural So- ciety in the city of Hutchinson in December, 1888, the following remarks: "In estimating the value of achievements, in or- der to form any just estimate, it is necessary to give full weight to all the difficulties of the environ- ment. The men of to-day can hardly comprehend the difficulties which confronted early Kansas pomologists. Most of the pioneer settlers, even of the favored places of the eastern division of the state, were reluctant to believe that Kansas could grow fruit. They apparently thought that even if fruit trees could be, with much persuading, in duced to make a straggling growth on the storm- swept prairies around them, where in the language of another, 'parching drouth and balmy zephyrs played summer one day, and rattling hail and sleet and barefaced blizzards played winter the next,' no respectable apple or pear could be able tcnnain- tain its position on such a tree until it could attain a tardy maturity. Thus it was that it became a part of your duty not only to battle against the fierce vicissitudes of the season, but on every hand to combat human prejudice. As to how well your labor has been performed the evidences are every- where present. Even at the risk of an imputation of a little pedantry I will say 'Si queris monumen- tum circumspice.' In one half of the state it was apparent everywhere in the past season in the broad orchards, loaded and bending with the glow- ing Janets, Winesaps, Jonathans, and the Bartlets and Seckels, and every other belonging to our latitude and climate, and in the other half, while the hot winds of July disappointed hopes, which earlier in the season had been fully justified, of crops equal to the most sanguine desires, there is yet much to which we can point with satisfaction and pride, much which gives full assurance of bet ter results in the future. "And at this point I desire to congratulate our brethren of the west upon what seems to me to be a manifest fact, viz: That if our horticulturists east of the Sixth Principal Meridian are likely to maintain their precedence over us in growing the apple and most small fruits it behooves them to look to it if they propose lo successfully rival us in the production of grapes and pears. It may seem a little like premature boasting, considering the tardiness in bearing of standard pears, to thus early predict our success in that direction, but I have felt warranted in employing the expressions which I have, because, thus far, in the numerous FRUIT FARM OF J. J. MEASER. young plantations which have come under my ob- servation, I have observed less fire blight than else- where, the trees have taken with wonderful kind- ness to our soil and climate and have seemed to bear early and generously. I am not referring particularly to hybrids like Keiffer and Leconte, But coming now to speak of grapes I cannot but think that our advantages are absolutely unri- valed. With the high temperature and a dry atmosphere during the last three growing months, yet with no deficiency in moisture during this time ordinarily, with no variation of temperature dur- ing this time sufficiently excessive to be hurtful to the growing fruit, with the soil fertile and in gen- eral naturally well drained, no condition seems to be wanting to the attainment of the highest suc- cess. And, indeed, so far as experiments have gone, the results have fully met the desires of the most enthusiastic." The above remarks were quoted in an article which the present writer contributed to The Santa Fe Trail in the spring of 1892, and the following- was added, which is not inappropriate here: "Three years have elapsed since the foregoing - opinions were expressed, and the results of these years have demonstrated that if the speaker was deficient in pre-vision, he failed to state the case strongly enough in favor of our locality. For these three years have been years of abounding fruit crops. In apples we have not been a whit infez-ior to our neighbors farther east, and the same may be said of small fruits, while in pears, grapes, pea -hes and other stone fruits, we have surpassed them and our fruits have been of the most surpassing quality. The pears grown here the past season were in abundant supply and while not quite so fair and so highly colored possibly, as specimens received from Cali- fornia, ours are undoubtedly superior in richness and flavor. No better peaches are grown in Alabama or Georgia than those of the Arkansas Valley. In grapes, while we do not profess to compete with California in the Vinifera sorts, it is equally true that in the hardy American kinds, which by many are preferred on account of their superior sprightliness, California cannot compete with us. Every year serves to make it more certain that the vine is perfectly at home here and that from it we may expect the very best results. In our pure, dry climate, mildew and rot, which are the great enemies of the vineyard, are not so prevalent nor so destructive as in other localities, and with the improved methods of treating vineyards by spraying, these diseases may be expected to disappear altogether. In all the progress we have made in Reno county it is hardly too much to say that more of this has been visible in the growth of orchards and vine- yards than in all other industries. Only a little over two decades back this rich domain was occupied by Indians, buffaloes and other wild denizens of the prairies, and yet in this comparative brief period, plantations equal in extent to good-sized farms in the east are devoted exclusively to orchard and vineyard growing, and with the most phenomenal HORTICULTURE IN RENO COUNTY. 39 success. A large number are now devoting themselves to fruit farms and fruit gardens, and the number is annually increasing. Few who have once embarked in these pursuits ever turn back, and very many additional acres of apple orchards are being planted this spring. The number of pear trees is also very great. Encouraged by the fine crops of this noble fruit which have been gathered these last two or three years a ad the good prices received, there seems to be a general disposition to share in a business so successful and profitable. In apple growing we have no single in- stances of success comparable in extent to what Judge Wellhouse has accomplished in Eastern Kansas with his 35,000 bearing trees and his crop of 70,000 bushels of apples in 1890 and 63,000 in 1891, but we have a large number of good enterprising cultivators, who have become satisfied that a well man- aged orchard of ten to forty acres can be more reliably looked to for a comfortable in- come than an extensive farm under ordinary conditions, and they have acted accordingly. While apples, pears and grapes have re- ceived most attention, the various stone fruits have not been lost sight of, and the last three or four years in succession our peach crop has been simply magnificent. While it must be admitted that the major part of the peaches grown are seedlings, it is true that many of these seedlings are of high quality under the favorable conditions of our soil and climate, but many of the best budded varieties are also grown. From the 4th of July when the Amsdens and Alex- anders come in, to the first week in Novem- ber, when the magnificent Henrietta Clings as large as medium sized oranges, are in perfection our markets have been supplied with a good succession of this luscious fruit. If last year can be depended upon as an in- dication of what the future will bring forth, the Russian or Siberian apricot will be thor- oughly at home here and an unqualified suc- cess. The trees bore enormous quantities of fruit and some specimens of seedlings were as large and high flavored as that old well known standard, the Moorpark. It was once supposed that only the Chica- saw family of plums and its descendants, the variety being indigenous here, could be suc- cesssully grown, but last year's results dis- pelled any doubts as to our capacity to pro- duce plums in profussion. Washington, Jeff- erson, Coe's Golden Drop and'the Shropshire Damson were plentifully grown and in per- fection where ever they had been planted. It is not intended to omit cherries from the list of fruits successfully grown, but our suc- cess has hitherto been confined to the Morel- lo varieties, the Hearts and Bigarreaus not being conspicuously reliable. In small fruits the successful list embraces all the berries. The blackberries, raspberries and strawber- ries are thoroughly at home in the Arkansas Valley, and numerous large plantations, to- gether with a well-supplied home market, attest the fact that in this branch of horti- culture the cultivators receive a satisfactory reward for their labors." I have drawn thus largely from a former article because I can not now better express what I wish to say as to the present condi- tion of horticulture in Reno county and the outlook for the future. All that was said in 1892 is applicable in 1893, but the results of another year have supplied added informa- tion. It would probably not be much exag- geration, if an exaggeration at all, to say that in Reno county not much less than 1,000 acres of land have been planted to apple trees the present year, to say nothing of the large number of other fruit trees planted. If any of the planters of these trees shall prove to be slothful or lacking in intelligence, to them the result may be a bitter disappoint- ment because diligence and intelligence are the price of successful fruit growing. I foi one feel fully persuaded that with reasonable care and diligence on the part of the fruit grower as sure promise of success is held out to him as to the toiler in any other walk of life. Drawbacks will come of course. Hot winds and droughts in July and August some times come to blast hopes which a little earlier had given assurance of rich fruitage and abundant harvests, but this should not cast us down. No land under the sun is so favored of heaven as to be exempt at all times from destructive vicissitudes of climate. Everywhere the tiller of the soil must ex- pect to encounter destructive agencies which he cannot control and which cut off the well earned fruits of his labors. We must take the good with the bad, thankful that for us the good so greatly predominates. But after all is the horticulturist as badly off as other people? Are the profits of the farmers who supply the grain and meat market of the world any greater or surer than hi*? Apg 40 THE HUTCHINSON NEWS. merchants as a rule able to display more favorable balance sheets than lie? Are the skilled laborers on the great thoroughfares of trade and in work shops and manufactor- ies any better paid than he who labors to produce the "flower of commodities?" Over production of fruit is dreaded by some. There is of course something in this objection where a local market only is de- pended upon, but markets are rapidly ex- tending. The world's demand for fruit rapidly increases by what it feeds upon. One of the most intelligent American visitors to the world's exposition at Paris was not in any respect so unfavorably impressed as by the absence of good apples. Both quantity and quality were deficient. The fact is Eu- rope cannot supply apples for its own con- sumption and every year is resorting more and more to make up the deficiency. For these reasons it is hardly to be apprehended that the increase of consumption will fail to keep pace with the increase of production. If any reader who does me the honor to look over what is here written should sug- gest that reference is only made to fruit growing and that "horticulture," the subject of the article, includes in its broad import a number of other important subjects I can only admit the justice of the criticism and plead in extenuation that I have already ex- ceeded my limits. It would be a pleasure to have something to say about our great ad- vancement in forest culture, in vegetable gardening and in floriculture and decorative planting, but this pleasure must be reserved for another occasion. L. Houk. RUSSIAN MULBERRY. THE CATTLE INDUSTRY. BY H. R. HILTON. THE general belief that the demand will exceed the supply of beef in sight for several years, we believe, is well founded. The recent report of the govern- ment agricultural bureau shows the reduc- ") >■& 1 y magic; to them it all came gradual, the^ watching with deep interest the growth oi each year. But it all goes to demonstiate what are the possibilities of the home builder whose capi tai is his energy and a faithful wife. Th< present valuable farms and beautiful homes in and out of the city are living evidences o1 the unequaled natural resources from which those determined pioneers developed presenl results. W. H. HoRNADAY. THE CITY OF HUTCHINSON. HE HISTORY OP THE i founding of the city of Hutchinson, by Mr. C. C. Hutchinson, in the fall of 1871, is given in another article on the earlier set- tlements of Reno county, nd need not be repeated here. In the latter art of August, 1872, the new town haviDg tie requisite population organized as a city f the third class. The first municipal elec- on was held Monday, August 26, 1872, and jsulted in the choice of le following city offi- srs: Mayor, Taylor lick; police judge, J* . Brown; councilmen, ohn McMurry, G. A. razee, E. Wilcox, R. C. ailey and D. M. Lewis. The issue was that of temperance and i m- rovement against whis- y and stagnation," and le former won. The rst city officers were ve and progressive, and jon brought order oat f the confusion that had ecessarily prevailed reviously. The first legislation as the passage of three rdinances, at a meeting eld September 25. The rst of these was an or- inance to regulate "the use of stove pipes assing through ceilings, roofing or wooden artitions." One feature was that all such ipes used as chimneys should extend at least vo feet above the comb of the roof of the uilding. The second ordinance was to reg- late and limit the use of the streets for razing purposes. The third prohibited promiscuous shooting of fire arms" within le city limits, and made unlawful the carry- lg of concealed weapons. C. C. HUTCHINSON, FOUNDER OF CITY OF HUTCHINSON. Shortly afterward another ordinance pro- vided for the licensing of peddlers. Not- withstanding Hutchinson was a strong tem- perance town there was evidently some in- toxication at that early day and on October 8, 1872, the council passed a law making it an offense punishable by fine for any person to be found on the streets "drunk or disor- derly." Laws were also enacted to prohibit gambling. The people of the new town took steps early to provide for church services and in June, 1872, a public meeting was called and it was decided to build a union church in which the various denomina- tions might hold divine services. It was deter- mined, however, that there should be some one responsible for the edifice, therefore it was decided that the Metho- dist Episcopal denomi- nation, being the strong- est numerically, should control the building un- der certain restrictions. This church was com- pleted during the au- tumn of that year. In the meantime church services were held oc- casionally at such places as could be secured, at such times as were convenient to the tran- sient ministers visiting the town. On the night of July 11, 1872, a meeting of Masons was held and steps taken to organize a lodge of that order. On the following night the Odd Fellows took preliminary steps toward organization. The Good Templars took similar action shortly afterward. The public schools of Hutchinson have al- ways been the pride of its citizens. Early in 1872 the first efforts were made in this di- THE MAIN STREET, HUTCHINSON. LOOKING SOUTH FROM SECOND AVENUE. rection. District No. 1 was organized and a select school opened, taught by Miss Hodg- son, in a small, frame building on Main street. A second term of select school was taught by Mrs. Malsbury. By this time pro- first public school in Hutchinson was taught by J. G. Lane, the enrollment reaching sev- enty pupils. Mr. Lane was followed by J. E. Lindsey, and the enrollment reached eighty. By this time the school had grown vision was made for a public school. The to such proportions that the services of more FIRST AVENUE, LOOKING EAST FROM MAIN STREET. I .■'ft ill' ' ' ■,:•-■■ ■ . { - - -■*■■■•■■•>.. ■:. > ! AUDITORIUM, RIVERSIDE PARK. teachers were made necessary. Miss Hattie Smith was employed with Miss Jennie Mills as assistant. The enrollment that year had reached 125. Up to this time such buildings had been used as were available, but on the 14th of April, 1874, school was opened in the first school building erected in the city, with Mr. De Burn as principal and Miss Fannie Frescoln as assistant. In September of the same year S. B. Zimmerman was ap- pointed principal, with Miss Jennie McKin- stry and Mrs. M. B. Smith as assistants. The enrollment by this time had reached 250. During the summer of 1894 a large and commodious school building was erected on Sherman street, which for the time furnished m STATE REFORMATORY BUILDING S6 THE HUTCHINSON NEWS. ample accommodations for the rapidly in- creasing number of pupils. Other buildings were provided from time to time of which mention is made elsewhere. The first bank in Hutchinson was estab- lished by C. C. Hutchinson in 1872. As the city grew in population and business in- creased other banks were established. Bank- ing has always been on such a sound basis that it is with commendable pride we point to a record of twenty-one years without a bank failure. Banking, however, is deserv- ing a special article outside this hasty histor- ical review. has more than kept pace, being without a parallel in western towns. The buildings are of the best quality, embracing some of the finest business blocks west of Kansas City. The city is provided with splendid systems of waterworks, gas works and electric lights. Street car lines traverse all the principal streets. Hutchinson is well provided with hotels, school houses and churches. Among other thriving institutions are to be found a large packing house, operated by Underwood & Co. of Hutchinson and Chicago, ample stockyards, sixteen salt plants, two flouring mills, foundry, boiler factories and all simi- RESIDENCE OF R. R. PRICE, FIRST AVENUE EAST. The various branches of commercial busi- ness have been well represented in Hutchin- son, since its start, and especially since the advent of competing railroad lines. The population of Hutchinson had sleadily grown until in 1880 it reached, according to the United States census, 1,540. From that time there was a steady growth, and in 1890 the census showed a population of 8,682. Since then the increase has been even more rapid until we now have probably 12,000 souls within the city limits. Rapid as has been the increase in popula- tion, the growth in wealth and improvements lar concerns usually found in larger cities. In the matter of railroad facilities Hutch- inson stands without a peer in the state. Railway lines converge in all directions. The first road built into Hutchinson was the Atch- ison, Topeka and Santa Fe, which reached here in the spring of 1872. This line extends from Chicago to the Pacific ocean, and is one of the most important railway enterprises in the world. Hutchinson is a prominent point on the main line, giving us the facilities of a large number of trains either east or west every day. The second road to extend its line into RESIDENCE OF J. S. GEORGE, SIXTH AVENUE EAST. Hutchinson was the Missouri Pacific, which Rock Island, which now extends from Chi- gives direct communication with St. Louis or cago to the extreme southwest corner of Kansas City on the east or Colorado points on the state, and will some day be extended to the west. El Paso, or possibly some California point. Following the Missouri Pacific came the The Chicago, Kansas and Western extends RESIDENCE OF J. F. GREENLEE, FOURTH AVENUE EAST, RESIDENCE OF W. L. WOODNUTT, FIRST AVENUE EAST. from this city to Kinsley, ninety miles west. It traverses a rich section of country and makes it tributary to Hutchinson. Another very important railway line is the Hutchinson and Southern, which now runs south from this city to the state line, and will soon be completed to the gulf. METHODISM IN HUTCHINSON. Methodism in Hutchinson dates back to the first sermon preached in Reno county, which was delivered by the Rev. Mr. T. C. Griffith, in a small house (afterwards occu- pied by Andrews & Decker as a meat market) during March, 1872. Sometime during the spring of that year the presiding elder of Wichita district sent the Rev. Woodruff to preach at this point until the ensuing session of the Kansas con- ference, but the gentleman resigned the charge in July without having organized a class. The presiding elder of Salina district then sent Rev. Mr. Griffith to supply the work, who organized the first society July 11th. 1872. The following persons composed the membership: Rev. T. S. Scorsby and wife, H. Chadeyene and wife, Jeremiah Rhoades and wife, Annie Rhoades, S. N. Parker and wife Martha J. Parker, Frederick Ames and his wife Mary D. Ames, Rosanna Stout and Elva Stout, in all twelve members. In August Mr. Griffith resigned the charge and the Rev. M. J. Morse was appointed for the remainder of the year. At the session of the Kansas conference held at Ottawa in April, 1873, Hutchinson was organized as a separate charge, and for the first time inserted in the minutes of said conference. Rev. S. B. Presby was appointed to the charge as pastor, and the membership increased to thirty-eight. A Sunday school was organized durmg this year, with Wm. H. Ingham superintendent. Lots were pro- cured and a parsonage commenced. All ser- vices were held in the court house. In April 1874, Rev. John W. Fox was sent to Hutchinson as pastor. He commenced active measures for the progress of Meth- odism in the little town. In August ground was broken for the erection of a church building, in the face of the fact that an army of grasshoppers had taken possession of the valley a few weeks previously. After a struggle of six months, the church was ded- CITY OF HUTCHIXSOX, 59 icated with rejoicing- on Februry 14th, 1S75, the Eev. Hiram Buck, D. D., officiating. This marked an era of more rapid progress in the history of the church. The pastorate of Mr. Fox continued for two years, of varied experiences at the close of which time one hundred and twenty-five members and nine probationers were, enrolled on the church records. From March, 1S76, to March, 1S77. Rev. B. C. Swarts was pastor. Rev. C. Martindale followed, serving the charge for two years. In 1879. Eev. Noah Asher was appointed to the work, and at the close of the first year's pastorate was made presiding elder. In March 1830. Rev. D. P. Mitchell was ap- pointed to this charge, owicg to the impov- erished condition of the societv. he never REV. J. W. SOMERYILLE. moved his family here, but for nine months of the year he often came from Topeka to preach on Sunday. He established a class of our country members northwest of town, out of which grew the present ••Mitchell" church. S. W. Richards was appointed for the fol- lowing year and again in 1S52, but was trans- ferred in June of that year to the Pacific coast. Rev. L. O. Mead of Forestville. X. Y.. came and filled out the remainder of the pastorate and was returned in 1883 and again in 1884. It was through his efforts that in the summer of 18S3 an addition was built to the church, nearly doubling its seating capacity, and increasing it to its present di- mensions. In March 1885, Rev. D. D. Akin was ap- pointed to the charge. The old parsonage having been disposed of some time before, the preacher was obliged to live in a rented hous-e. Mr. Akins took steps in the direc- tion of building, and October saw a commo- dious parsonage erected on the church lots and sheltering the pastor's family. Mr. Akin remained two years and was succeeded by Rev. Asher who returned after an interim of seven years for a second term. In 18S8, Rev. C. A. KiDg was appointed to this charge. It was during his pastorate that lots were secured, a buildiDg purchased and moved thereon, a new class organized, and this second offspring of the First M. E. church, is the Avenue F, M. E. church of to- day In January 1890, he was transferred to Lake Charles, Louisiana, and the vacancy was supplied until conference by Rev. C. K. Woodson of the avenue F church. March 1S90, Rev. J. W. Somerville of Troy conference, X. Y. , was transferred to the Southwest Kansas conference and stationed at Hutchinson. Rev. Woodson again sup- plied the pulpit until the arrival of the new pastor, June Sth. Each successive conference has returned Eev. SomerviUe, so that he is now serving the charge acceptably for his fourth year. It has been a period of prosperity and vic- tory on the part of the church spiritually, numerically, and financially. In the twenty-one years since its organi- zation, Methodism in Hutchinson has grown from the mere handful of 1872 to a member- ship of about 1,000 in 1893. Two pastors are kept busily engaged caring for this flock: four Sunday schools are striving to instruct the children and youth; two Ep worth and two Junior leagues endeavor to il lift up" some of the burdens from other shoulders; and a wide field remains yet to be tilled. Mary Little. AVENUE "F" M. E. CHURCH. In the spring of 1889 Rev. C. R. Thoburn, son of Bishop Thoburn, was sent from the M. E. Conference, in session at Larned, as supernumerary preacher, to Hutchinson. Under his labors the class at Avenue "F" was organized, May 12, 1889, consisting of thirty-one members. The various services were held in an empty store building, with a FIRST M. E. CHURCH, HUTCHINSON. large "Boot and Shoe" sign, and the organi- zation soon became known as the "Boot and Shoe" church. That this church had a mis- sion to perform soon became evident as the quarters grew too small to accommodate the ever increasing Sunday school and congrega- tion. About the 27th of July Rev. Thoburn resigned the charge, and August 1st of the same year Rev. C. K. Woodson took charge as pastor, and at once proceeded to secure larger and better accommodatians. Under his efficient leadership the present neat and comfortable church building was completed and dedicated to the service of Almighty God, January 12, 1890. The building is a frame, 2(3x50 feet, with a lecture room 16x24 feet; seating capacity, 250. At the confer- ence held in Hutchinson in March, 1890, Rev. Woodson was returned to the charge, but re- signed in August of the same year, when Rev. J. B. Pulliam was appointed to fill the vacancy. The session of the conference held at Newton in March, 1891, returned Rev. Pulliam to the charge, but he, too, like his predecessor, resigned in August of the same year, when Rev. C. E. West was appointed to supply the vacancy. The pastorate of Rev. Pulliam was eminently successful in that the membership of the class was more than doubled — there were thirty-three baptisms during the year, with a large number of ac- cessions by letter. An Epworth League was organized, which proved an effectual agency in pushing the work. At the session of the conference at Winfield in March, 1892, Rev. West was returned to the charge and bears the distinction of being the first minister to remain the appointed time on this charge. At the session of the conference at Great Bend, in March of the present year, Rev. Geo. W. Dalbey was appointed to the charge. Since its organization the charge has steadily grown both in numbers and spiritual power. At present the church is alive in all lines of usefulness, with large congregations, an Ep- worth League of forty members, a Junior League of fifty or more members, a model Sunday school with nearly one hundred and fifty members, a corps of teachers who be- lieve in punctuality and regularity and prac- tice them, and last, though not least, a mid- week prayer meeting which the writer has never seen equaled in attendance and spirit- ual power. All these agencies are working together under God to accomplish the mis- sion of this church, viz: The salvation of human souls. Geo. W. Dalbey. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. In the year 1872, soon after the organiza- tion of Reno county, and the location of the town of Hutchinson, the first step in relig- ious work was a Union Sunday school. About the same time different denominations be- gan their work. The Presbyterian church effected an organization through the agency of Rev. J. T. Whittimore, of Wamego, by the authority of the Presbytery. The following persons united in the organization: S. M. Bell, H. W. Beatty, Dr. T. B. DeWitt, Mrs. Taylor Flick, Martin Hoagland and his wife, Mrs. E. Wilcox, John Shults, James Bell, Mrs. Mary Lewis, Mrs. M. E. Lawson, John M. Brehm, W. A. Wible and wife and John Bell. S. M. Bell and Dr. T. B. Dewitt were chosen ruling elders. John M. Brehm and James Bell were elected deacons. In the poverty of the people no denomination felt able to build. A union meeting was called and held August 10th, 1872, to make arrange- ments to erect a church building for the use of all denominations. The union meeting agreed to erect a house of worship 30x50, to be located on Sherman street east, and a subscription was started with a donation of five lots and $100 in money by C. C. Hutchin- son. $1,500 was subscribed. Not obtaining sufficient funds, it was agreed to offer the unfinished church to any denomination that would complete the work. The M. E. church had the offer first, but they declined for want of money. The Presbyterian church ac- cepted the offer and soon completed the work by obtaining money in the east. The building cost about $3,000. This was the first church erected in Hutchinson and Reno county and was the only church for nearly two years. The church was incorporated under the laws of the state on the 9th day of January, 1873, and the building was dedicated, free of debt, the fourth Sabbath of June, 1873. At a meeting of the congregation held in Octo- ber it was resolved to seek a minister to take charge of the church. Rev, J. L. Potter, of Cincinnati, Ohio, was secured as a supply for the pulpit, but he remained only nine months, and returned to Cincinnati to ac- cept an appointment as a foreign missionary to Persia, where he labors at present. At a meeting of the congregation held early in December, 1873, an unanimous call was given to Rev. D. M. Moore, of Lawrence, Kansas, to become their pastor. The call was ac- cepted, and Mr. Moore came and took charge of the church the 1st of January, 1874. At the beginning of this pastorate there were twenty-seven members, and duriDg this period over one hundred and forty persons were received into membership, and many were dismissed to distant churches. Mr. Moore was the first installed pastor. 62 THE HUTCHINSON NEWS. REV. D. M. MOORE. FIRST PASTOR PRESBY- TERIAN CHURCH. and he continued to serve the church about seven years with marked success. In De- cember, 1880, Mr. Moore resigned to accept an invitation to another church; but as an evidence of strong attachment to this pas- torate, he has returned to make Hutchinson his home. After a vacancy of six months Rev. H. M. Schockley was chosen stated supply, which relation he sustained for three years. In September, 1884, Rev. D. H. Stew" art was chosen pastor. The call was ac- cepted and Mr. Stewart was installed and continued to serve the church until Decem- ber, 1888. The present pastor, Rev. 'A. F. Irwin was called December 12th, 1888, from Peoria, Illinois, and began his work Feb- ruary 1st, 18S9. He is a popular pastor and is doing a grand work. The church is well organized in every department. The following are the present ordained officers: Ruling Elders — W. R. Pennington, T. F. Leidigh, Wilson McCandless, F. P. Het- tinger, E. A. Taylor, M. D., S. D. Crosby, Joseph Baker, S. H. Brehm, M. D., and W. M. Lucas, M. D. Deacons— J. M. Brehm, W. D. Taylor, B. S. Hoagland, W. N. Baker, C. E. Hall, James Hettinger, Geo. P. Stitt, James Dukelow and J. F. Greenlee. The present membership is about three hundred and fifty-seven. The present elegant stone building has taken the place of the old frame house, and cost about $23,000. It is well carpeted, has good furniture and a large pipe organ. There is no better church building in the city. J. M. Brehm. THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH- The First Baptist church of the city of Hutchinson, was organized under that name by filing its charter on the 2d day of Decem- ber, 1872, with seven members. This action "1P2KR FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, HUTCHINSON. CITY OF HUTCHINSON. 63 was taken by a small number of persons un- der the leadership of Rev. Mr. Saxby, a Bap- tist minister who had removed to Hutchin- son from Butler county early in that year. When first organized the congregation, having no place of meeting of their own, held their services, with the consent of the authorities, in the old court house. The next year they procured a hall for meetings on the second floor of a building near the southeast corner of Main street and First avenue. This place they occupied until a meeting house could be completed at the southeast corner of Sherman and Walnut streets. This was the abiding place for sev- eral years; and, in fact, until the growth of property and exigencies of business de- manded the locality which they occupied; and the site was exchanged for one farther east on Sherman street. That site, in turn, was exchanged in 1888 for the northwest corner of First avenue and Maple street, where the congregation proceeded to erect their present elegant and commodious house of worship. Since its organization, this church has been in charge of several different pastors. Among these were: Rev. J. C. Post, an aged minister of wide reputation for his purity of life and his power as a preacher; Rev. J. H. Mize, who, at two different times, held the posi- tion of pastor with marked zeal and ability; Rev. E. B. Tucker, who came to the pastoral relation fresh from the State University at Lawrence, and proved himself to be zealous, scholarly and able; Rev. J. C. Woods, whose learning and consecration to his work prom- ised so much, and whose valuable labors were prematurely cut short by death; Joseph Waldrop, full of ardor and earnestly devoted to the ministry, and Ellis M. Jones, now the pastor of the First Baptist church at Wichita, but who had then iust entered the ministry, having shortly before taken his degree in divinity at Morgan Park Seminary, which is now merged in Chicago University. He brought to the discharge of his duties many high qualities and served the church faith- fully and well during his pastorate. The present pastor, Rev. H. G. Fraser, was a classmate of the preceding one. He as- sumed the pastorate less than a year ago, but in that short interval has done much to ad- vance the cause in which he is engaged. His congregation is stronger in number and more earnest and united in purpose than ever before. The church now has a member- ship of one hundred and forty, twenty-five having recently been added under the labors of Evangelist Tate. Its present officers are: Pastor — Rev. H. G. Fraser. Clerk— Mrs. A. B. Caldwell. Sunday School Superintendent — Dr. F. W. Cook. Deacons — W. N. Reid, E. Patterson. Treasurer — Mr. A. B. Caldwell. Finance Committee — Mr. A. B. Caldwell, Dr. F. W. Cook, Mr. Jno. Campbell, Mrs. Bar- rett, Mrs. L. Houk. Choir Leader — Dr. B. J. Wetherby. Ushers — W. Jordan, F. James. Ladies' Aid Society — President, Mrs. L. Houk; secretary, Mrs. McCammon; treasurer, Mrs. Jno. Campbell. Baptist Young People's Union — President, Dr. F. W. Cook; secretary, Mrs. Bruce Cox. A. B. Caldwell. ST. TERESA'S PARISH. One day in July, 1872, a prince by blood and a Jesuit priest by choice, moved by the spirit of the Divine Master, came upon the scene of the future city of the valley and finding no roof to cover his head, moved out J. F. KELLY, PASTOR-.:OF ST. TERESA PARISH. to one of the pioneer farmers, Thos T. Foley, and celebrated the holy sacrifice oi the mass in a granary. The name of this soldier of the cross was Rev. Paul Ponziglienee, whose 64 THE HUTCHINSON NEWS. headquarters were then at Osage Mission, Kansas. In the fall of 1872, Rev. F. P. Swim- bergh, then stationed at Newton, came to administer to the faithful of the valley and, more fortunate than his predecessor, met the track foreman, Mr. P. Holland, who kindly tendered the pioneer priest the free use of his humble dwelling, which he occupied for nearly six years, until steps were taken in 1887 to build the front part of the present church, which a few years ago was greatly enlarged and beautified by the present pas- tor, Rev. John F. Kelly. After Rev. Father Swimbergh left the parish he went to work in the yellow fever districts near Tampa, Florida, where, after giving the last sacra- Hartman's leaving and McNamee's coming, a saint in human garb appeared on the scene in the person of Rev. J. A. Shiridan, a Dom- inica priest of Louisville, Kentucky. He stayed a month and edified all who knew him by his great piety and holiness of life. On the 13th of May, 1887, the present pastor, Rev. J. F. Kelly, took charge of the parish and has faithfully and eloquently conducted the affairs of the parish for six years, having now in progress a Sisters' school, a large church and having by his grand and fearless course made an impression that will last for all time. Financially the parish is to-day in a flour- ishing condition. During the last six years ALTAR IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. ments to a brother priest, he himself laid down his mortal remains and was called to his reward in executing the command of his Divine Master. Then came Rev. Jos. Hart- man, who conducted the affairs of the parish for about three years and built the pastoral residence. He was a good, faithful and pious priest. In 1885 Father Hartman was called to other fields and was succeeded by the Rev, James McNamee, a young clergyman from All Hallows College, Dublin, Ireland, who conducted the parish for about one year, when he was succeeded by the Rev. G. M. Kelly, a very eloquent priest but who only re- mained about seven months. Pet ween Revs. $9,650.74 have been paid into the treasury. A 11 debts have been liquidated, the church building and parochial residence are insured and there are about $250. 00 in the bank to the credit of the congregation. As soon as the clouds of financial depression which are now hanging over the country pass away, steps will be taken to begin the erection of new buildings on North Main street. P. Holland. THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH- The Christian church of Hutchinson, was organized in Ausust, 1870, with seventeen charter members. This little band met in '.;f"Sir CHRISTIAN CHURCH, HUTCHINSON. different places — the court house, Union hall, the Baptist church — till the dedication of the house represented by the accompanying 1 cut, in May, 1884. Last year a gallery was added to the audience room in this building- giving a seating capacity of 700. The pastors in or- der have been A. Ellet, A.. H. Mulkey, J. B. Allen, J. M. Kersey and the present pastor, for nearly four years. H. W. Everest. During the present pastorate the accessions have been about 600, which is about the number of members at present. This church raised $4,70o last year, paying off its debt and con- tributing to the home and foreign mission- ary causes. The Sunday School, under the superintendency of Sheridan Ploughe, num- bers 250. The Endeavor Society has 80 mem- bers, and other auxiliary societies are pros- perous. The elders are W. F. Mulkey, W. H. Smith, J. B. Allen, J. J. Woodward, H. S. Justice and Samuel McFarland. These with the twelve deacons constitute the official board. The growth of this church is a good example of that of the whole denomination, which, for the last ten years, shows an in- crease of more than eighty per cent. — large 66 THE HUTCHINSON NEWS. than that of any other church; the increase in that time, according - to tbe census, was 290,000. H. W. Everest. CRACE (EPISCOPAL) CHURCH. A mission of the Episcopal church was started in 1879 by Rev. James Newman, now of Cairo, West Virginia. He was succeeded by the Rev. Chas. Henry Canfield, now of Kirkville, Mo.; the Rev. Samuel B. Moore, now of Trenton, Mass., and the Rev. Chas. H. Baggs, now of Naperville, 111. It was not until January, 1892, that a parish was established by Bight Rev. E. S. Thomas, bishop of Kansas, and the first rector, the stry, with W. B. Tewksbury as treasurer. The Sunday school organized a year ago has grown rapidly and has now seventy or eighty scholars on the roll. W. H. Gleason has been very active in making the Sunday school a success. The vested boy choir is under the care of Mesdames R. R. Price, W. B. Tewks- bury, H. Whiteside and P. J. Leimbach. The Ladies Guild is under the presidency of Mrs. Maguire, with Mrs. Allen as secretary. Mrs. R. R. Price is president of the Daughters of the King, Miss Frances Underwood secretary and Mrs. Leimbach treasurer. The Charity Sewing school has been successful in teach- ing and clothing many poor children during INTERIOR OF GRACE (EPISCOPAL) CHURCH. Rev. C. Rowland Hill, B. D., was called in February, and took formal charge the fol- lowing April. Under his management the church has flourished phenominally. The ladies took an active part in securing the chapel or Guild hall, and owing to the rec- tor's tact for management, the church has become as complete and as beautifully fur- nished as any in the west. The vestry is composed of some of the most prominent business and professional men in the city: Messrs. J. W. Wood, C. L. Christopher, R. R. Price, H. Whiteside, P. J. Leimbach, Dr. Klippel, W. L. Woodnutt and James MeKin- the past year. It is in charge of Miss Frances Underwood, who is assisted by the Misses Blanche Godley and Maude Buffington. Mr. Hill has been secured as rector for another year, and the outlook for Grace (Episcopal) church is very bright. Mrs. W. L. Moore. EVANCELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH. Several families of the Lutheran house- hold faith, moved from Newville, Pa., to this city, some from Illinois, St. Louis, and from Germany; during the eighties. Miltou H. Wagner of Pennsylvania, opened up a cor- respondence with representatives of two of THE CITY OF HUTCHINSON. 67 the church boards, in 1887, with a view to establish a congregation. In November of the same year, Rev. J. N. Lenker, special representative of the Board of Church Ex- FIRST CHURCH BUILDING ERECTED IN HUTCHINSON, NOW USED BY THE UNITED BRETHREN. tension, visited the city, and with the assist- ance of Mr. Wagner, secured church lots on First avenue west. During this first visit, Rev. Lenker held services; and again at a second visit during the following May. In the month of Au- gust, 1888, Rev. S. B. Barnitz, D. D., Western Secretary of the Board of Home Missions, visited the Lutheran families, conducted re- ligious services, and arranged for the send- ing of a missionary to this field. Rev. J. A. Lowe, then of Waterville, Kan., was invited to hold services for the people, and subse- quently was commissioned by the Board of Home Missions to take up the work on the 1st of October, of the same year. On the following January, an organization was effected, with twenty-three members, and a Sunday School was organized. Services were held, part of the time in the Y. M. C. A. hall, and for some time in the Universalist church. In December, 1889, the corner stone for a new edifice was laid, and on the 35th of May, 1890, a beautiful church, cc^ting $3,200 was dedicated, free from debt, except $1,000, which was loaned for five years by the Board of Church Extension. Rev. Lowe served the congregation until the close of the year. During the time of his pastoral labors, he received in all forty-four members. For four months the church was without a pastor, when the services of Rev. J. G. M. Hursh, of Wellington, Kansas, were secured. He has served the congregation since May, 1891. During his pastoral labors he in- creased the church by twenty-seven mem- RESIDENCE OF FRANK COLLADAY, SIXTH AVENUE EAST. REV. A. F. IRWIN. REV. C. ROWLAND HILL. bers. A large per cent, of the population is not permanent, and above figures do not show the real strength of the church. There is at present an encouraging and growing Sunday School. J. G. M. Hursh. SWEDISH EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH. J. P. Aelmore, an active lay-worker, au- thorized to do mission work, came to the city in 1881, began services in a school house in the country, then in the city. Rev. C. W. Dahlsten visited the field in November, 1886, and assisted in the organization of a congre- gation with thirty-five members. Lots were secured on "C" street east, in 1887, and in the following year a building was erected and dedicated. The church property is free from debt. The services of a local pastor were secured for a few years. During the remainder of the time the church has been supplied by non-resident pastors. Rev. C. P. Edlund, of McPherson, Kan., is the pres- ent pastor, holding regular services on three Sundays of each month. The present mem- bership of the congregation is forty-five. J. G. M. Hursh. SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH. The church is located six blocks east of Main street on Avenue F. Services every Sabbath at 11:00 a. m. Sabbath school at 10:00 a. m. The church is now under the care of Evangelist W. W. Stebbins, of Newton. There is no regular pastor as all the Seventh Day Adventist ministers are evangelists. The church was organized in 1886 with a membership of thirteen,. The present mem- bership is forty-two. TWO POPULAR PASTORS. Rev. A. F. Irwin, pastor of the Presbyte- rian church, has been with his present charge since December 12th, 1888. He has endeared himself to his congregation and won the es- teem of all our citizens. Rev. C. Rowland Hill has been rector of Grace (Episcopal) church in this city for little more than a year, but has in that time grown into great favor with the members of his church and our citizens generally. Pictures of these popular pastors are given above. MASONIC ORDERS. The Masons of Hutchinson and vicinity met October 4th, 1872, and agreed that it was for the interest of the craft that a Masonic lodge be instituted here and at that meeting signed a petition to John M. Price, Grand Master, for letters of dispensation, which dispensation was granted December 20th, 1872. Past Master Charles Columbia, of Council Grove, was appointed as Deputy Grand Master to institute the lodge and in- stall the first officers. He convened the brethren on January 3rd, 1873, instituting Reno Lodge V. D. with Jonathan McMurry, THE CITY OF HUTCHINSON. 69 W. M.; D. D. Olmstead, S. W.; Geo. W. Irvin, J. W.; T. W. Cochran, Treas.; S. A. Atwood, •Sec'y; L. A. Bigger. S. D.; A. J. Finch, J. D.; E. H. B. Soper, Tyler; who, with the follow- ng - , constituted the charter members: Tay- or Flick, John M. Jordan, I. W. Peck, M. Hoagland, G. W. Hardy, H. A. Jeffs, E. C. Fones, L. J. Perry, E. Wilcox, W. H. Cadwell, St. D. Woodrow, Wm. M. Ingham and Cham- oers McMurry. The first regular meeting }f the lodge was held January 16th, 1873, at which the petition of E. L. Meyer to be made 1 Mason was presented. It was the first petition presented and subsequently being favorably acted on, E. L. Meyer had the lonor of being the first person made a Mason n Reno Lodge. The work of the year hav- ing been approved by the Grand Lodge, at its next regular meeting, a charter was granted to Reno Lodge, taking the number L40. On November 13th, 1873, Past Master E. D. Hillyer instituted t h ,e lodge under the charter with the same officers as U. D. ex- cepting that E. Hallowell was treasurer and E. McMurry tyler. Jonathan McMurry con- tinued as W. M. until December 16th, 1875, when Wm. M. Ingham was elected W. M., ind on December 37th was installed. He served as W. M. during the years 1876 and 1877. John M. Jordan was elected W. M. December 20th, 1877, and served during the years 1878, 1879 and 1880. December 16th, 1880, A. M. Switzer was elected W. M., serv- ing during the year 1881. W. R. Underwood was elected W. M. December 15th, 1881, and served during the year 1882. G. V. Rick- secker was elected W. M. December 21st, 1882, serving during the year 1883. Decem- ber 20th, 1883, A. C. Walker was elected W. M., serving- during the year 1884. December 18lh, 1884, JohnM. Jordan was again elected W. M. and served during the years 1885 and 1886. The records from March 4th, 1886, to December 26th, 1891, having been burned December 24th, 1891, we cannot tell the dates of the election of those who followed John M. Jordan, but we know that R. A. Campbell followed him and T. B. Ross followed Camp- bell. December 26th, 1891, S. H. Sidlinger was installed W. M. and served during the year 1892. December 15th, 1892, F. T. St. John was elected W. M. and is now serving- as such. Starting with a charter member- ship of twenty-one, we have steadily in- creased until we now have a membership of two hundred and four, as shown by the Grand RESIDENCE OF C. B, WILFLEY, AVENUE A EAST. RESIDENCES OF GEO. TURBUSH AND R. J. GRAHAM, FOURTH AVENUE EAST. Lodge returns of January 1st, 1893. It has increased some since then. Of the charter members we know of the death of but two, H. A. Jeffs and S. A. Atwood. All the Past Masters are now living, which is somewhat remarkable. The first lodge room was over Hardy & Dunkin's hardware store, a few doors north of the Reno House. The lodge now occupies one of the best rooms in the state for lodge purposes, on the corner of Main and Sherman streets. In connection with it. Reno Chapter No. 34, R. A. M.; Reno Commandery No. 26, and Accacia Chapter No. 37, 0. E. S., occupy the same room. On December 24th, 1891, a fire destroyed the lodge room and all the furniture and be- longings, but being well insured the lodge was enabled to replace the same without very serious loss and is now in a prosperous condition. Reno Chapter No. 34, Royal, Arch Masons — Reno Chapter U. D. was instituted by Samuel Saylor, of Newton, as special Deputy Grand High Priest, February 14th, 1876, un- der a warrant of dispensation issued by T. J. Anderson, Grand High Priest, with E. A. Smith, M. E. H. P.; Charles Fisher, E. K., and G. F. Tucker, E. S. The petition of C. B. Winslow was the first presented and acted on, and C, B, Winslow, Manuel Allison and M. L. Reading were the first made Royal Arch Masons. On October 20th, 1876, Reno Chapter No. 34 was instituted under charter with officers as U. D. Following E. A. Smith as High Priests of the Chapter were Charles Fisher, N. T. P. Robertson, Charles Fisher, two terms, N. T. P. Robertson, John M. Jor- dan, N. T. P. Robertson, Wm. W. Ingham, S. H. Sidlinger, G. V. Ricksecker, Wm. M. Ing- ham, two terms, James K. Boyles, James S. May, G. F. Tucker and A. M. Switzer, who is now occupying that position. The number of charter members is not given in the rec- ords. The present membership, according to the Grand Chapter returns January 1st, 1893, was 134. Wm. M. Ingham. Hutchinson Council No. 13. — Hutchinson Council No. 13, of Royal and Select Masters, was chartered June 24, A. D. 1889, A. L. 5889 T. D. 2289, with J. S. May as Thrice Illus- trious Master, G. F. Hayden as Recorder and twenty-eight members. S. M. Arter and W. R. Underwood have each served as Thrice Illustrious Masters, while G. F. Hayden is still Recorder. They now number forty-five and are in a flourishing condition. They meet once a quarter for work. G. F. Hayden. Hutchinson Commandery No. 26 — When a pilgrim of whatever clime is weary and CITY OF HUTCHINSON. 7* in need of rest, how welcome must be the words: "Pilgrim, I greet thee, walk into my tent, rest and refresh thyself and accept my hospitality, for of such as I have give I unto thee." Such a salutation was ex- tended by the dozen true and courteous Sir Knights, August 24th, A. D. 1884, A. O. 766, when Nathaniel T. P. Robertson as Eminent Commander; B. A. Colville, Generalissimo; S. H. Sidlinger, Captain General; F. E. Chris- man, Prelate; C. IjJ. Winslow, Senior Warden; R. W. Collier, Junior Warden; L. A. Bigger, Treasurer; S. M. Arter, Recorder; J. N. Sha- han, Standard Bearer; B. F. Evans, Sword Bearer; A. K. Burrell, Warder, and J. A. Frease as Sentinel, met in the old Masonic hall in this city and swung to the admiring pilgrims their banner inscribed with the motto: "In Hoc Signo Vinces," their organ- ization dating from that date; their first work being on the evening of October 4th, 1884, when with the assistance of Newton Commandery No. 9 they conferred the orders of the temple on seven postulants. Their work presented so many evidences of skill and proficiency that at the next session of the Grand Commandery, May 12th, 1885, they were granded a charter under the name of Reno Cammandery No. 26. They have stead- ily kept pace with the other Masonic bodies of the city and state \xntil they now number 112 members. But one of the charter mem- bers has died, while two of the first class of seven upon whom the orders were conferred have passed away. The following have served as Eminent Commanders in the order named. N. T. P. Robertson, S. H. Sidlinger, C. A. Conkling, J. M. Jordan, C. B. Winslow, S. M. Arter, W. R. Underwood; S. C. Bennett is now serving as Eminent Commander and J. S. May as Recorder. J. S. May. INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS. Reno Lodge, No. 99, I. O. O. F., was organ- ized October S, 1872, with about twenty mem- bers. They built the hall they now occupy and the same is paid for, and they have over $1,700.00 in the treasury. From July 1, 1892, to July 1, 1893, they paid in sick and funeral benefits the sum of $545.15. They now num- ber nearly 200 members. The officers for the ensuing term are: E. Edwards, N. G.; Geo. Draper, V. G.; B. A. Hobson, R. S.; J. W. Brady, P. S.; D. W. Kent, T.; A. J. Hughes, W.; Wm. Moreland, C; S. King, I. G.; W. H. Coberly, O. G.; J. M. W. Kiies, R. S. to N. G.; J. Gardner, L. S. to N. G.; Wm. Thompson, R. S. to V. G.; W. T. Stout, L. S. to V. G.; Ed. Dawes, R. S. S.; Hiram Dan- ford, L. S. S.; Wm. Mangold, C. Myrtle Lodge, No. 28, Daughters of Re- bekah.— Myrtle Lodge, No. 28, Daughters of RESIDENCE OF J. W. ROBERTS, NORTH MAIN, WATER WORKS AND ELECTRIC LIGHT PLANT. Rebekah, was organized about five years ago and now has a membership of about two hundred, and is in a flourishing condition. The officers for the ensuing term are: Mrs. Emma Durnall, N. G.; Miss Lydia Wright, V. G.; Mrs. E. J. Ford, S. Reno Encampment, No. 32. — Reno Encamp- ment, No. 32, has about sixty members and is in a good financial condition. The officers for the ensuing term are: Geo. Draper, C. P.; John Gardner, S. W.; Wm. Mangold, S. Geo. Draper. C. A. R., JOE HOOKER POST, NO. 17. At a Fourth of July celebration in 1879, a conference was held between some old sol- diers, which led to the organization of Joe Hooker Post, No. 17, G. A. R., in the August following, with thirty charter members, of whom eleven are still members of the post. The first officers were: S. B. Zimmerman, Post Commander; General Henry Hartford, Senior Vice; J. H. Lehman, Junior Vice; John Rosa, Adjutant; S. A. Atwood, Qurtermaster; E. Bane, Officer of the Day; Ed. Handy, Ser- geant Major. Joe Hooker Post has had a varied experience since its inception, at one time having only three members, E. Bane, R. A. Campbell and Geo. Barclay, who were able to pay their dues, who met every week, and assessed themselves to pay the per capita tax on enough members to hold the charter. It now has a membership of 275, and is in good condition financially. The present officers are: H. C. Townsend, Post Com- mander; H. H. Carr, Senior Vice; J. M. Ar- thurs, Junior Vice, G. R. Jones, Quartei mas- ter; W. H. Quarterman, Adjutant; S. F. Keyes, Officer of the Day; W. L. Champion, Officer of the Guard; J. B. Wherful, Chap- lain; Dr. E. A. Taylor, Surgeon; S. F. Taft, Sergeant Major; E. Edwards, Quartermaster Sergeant, and E. Davis, Sentinel. The following are auxilliary societies of the G. A. R: Woman's Relief Corps — This corps was instituted January 26, 1886, with nineteen members. Ever since its organization it has had but one purpose and that was the relief of distress wherever found, and how well it has fulfilled that purpose is well-known to every citizen of our city. The charitable deeds of this band of noble women, now numbering about one hundred, are known in every corner of our city. The following are the first officers: Mrs. Houser, P.; Mrs. CITY OF HUTCHINSON. 73 Hodgson, S. V.; Mrs. R. A. Campbell, J. V.; Mrs. M. Shaffer, S.; Mrs. Carpenter, T.; Mrs. Shadduck, C; Mrs. Barclay, C, Mrs. Hodg- son, G. The present officers are; Mrs. Mar- garet A. Taylor, P.; Mrs. Mary Champion, S. V.; Mrs. Bell DePry, J. V.; Mrs. Mary E. M. Carr, S.; Mrs. Ollie L. May, T.; Mrs. Laura Tucker, C. ; Mrs. Fannie Williams, A. C. ; Mrs. Maria L. English, C. ; Mrs. Sarah Champion, G.; Miss Estela Carder, A. G. Phil Sheridan Circle Ladies of the G. A. R. — The charter of this organization shows the names of thirty- six charter members. It was instituted February 21, 1891, and has ever siLce been in good working order, and now has a membership of eighty full mem- bers and sixty associate or honorary mem- bers. In fact its growth has been phenome- nal. The following are its first officers: Mrs. Zennie Badger, P.; Miss Irene Bane, S. ; Mrs. E. J. Keys, T. Its present officers now are: Mrs. E. J. Keys, P.; Mrs. S. A. Myers, S.; Mrs. J. B. Wherfel, T. Sons of Veterans. — This order was insti- tuted in September, 1886. It is in good condi- tion with forty-nine members and twenty stand of arms. Drills are had weekly and the young men are becoming quite proficient in the manual and drill. Ladles' Aid Society. — This is a compara- tively new order, having been instituted in this city March 24, 1893. The requirement for membership is that the applicant must be a daughter of a veteran. W. H. QUARTERMAN. ANCIENT ORDER UNITED WORKMEN. Hutchinson Lodge, No. 77, was instituted August 9, 1881, by Wm. R. Sheen, D. G. W. M. The charter members thirteen in number were J. L. Penny, A. J. Higley, Frank Leach, G. W. Carpenter, F. L. Mintie, A. P. Maltby, J. W. Ballinger, J. P. Wilcox, Sam M. Dor- man, James Ryther, D. W. Stimmell, A. W. McKinney and S. H. Sidlinger. The first officers we're: Frank Leach, P. M. W.; J. L. Penny, M. W.; A. J. Higley, F.; J. W. Ballinger, 0.; A. W. McKinney, R., D. W. Stimmel, F.; F. L. Mintie, R.; A. P. Maltby, G.; J. P. Wilcox, I. W.; S. M. Dor- man, 0. W. All are still living; J. W. Ballinger and J. P. Wilcox allowed themselves to be sus- pended; Frank Leach holds his membership at Kingman, and the others are still mem- bers of No. 77. Members on the roll July 1, 1893, 321. Forrest C. Rogers, A. P. Jordan, J. H. Young, I. N. Goodin, Chas. W. Templar, J. F. Bergloff, A. T. AtwoodandO. H. Harpote, died in good standing, and their mentioned beneficiaries received $2,000 each, in a few days after proof of death had been furnished. The officers elect for the second term 1893, IRON BRIDGE ACROSS THE ARKANSAS RIVER AT HUTCHINSON. 74 T1JE HU1C1JINS0N NEWS. and who will be installed the first meeting in July are: M. Watson, M. W.; J. W. Hart- man, F.; B. F. Wampler, O.; J. D. Wiener, R.; W. N. Johnson, F.; C. H. Menke, R.; Jas. A. Milne, G.; S. V. Davis, I. W.; G. W. Shan- non, O. W Owing to the fact that A. W. McKinney was the first Recorder and had held the position since institution, it was de- cided that out of deference to the continued service the Recorder elect should not be in- stalled until the evening of August 10, thus allowing Dr. McKinney twelve years of actual and consecutive service as Recorder. • A. W. McKinney. Select Knights, A. O. U. W. — Reno Legion, No. 14, Select Knights, Ancient Order United Workmen, was organized May 4, 1882, by W. R. Sheen. The charter members were: H. W. Dice, J. A. Rea, A. W. McKinney, J. T. Dade, Frank Vincent, J. Ryther, A. J. Hig- ley, I. M. Carter, A. P. Maltby, D. W. Stim- mell. The first officers were: H. W. Dice, Commander: J. A. Rea, Vice Commander; J. T. Dade, Lieutenant Commander; A. W. Mc- Kinney, Recorder; A. J. Higley, Standard Bearer; I. M. Carter, Treasurer; Frank Vin- cent, Armorer; A. P. Maltby, Officer of the Guard; D. W. Stimmell, Chaplain; A. W. McKinney, Medical Examiner. This order did not thrive as well as it might for several years, by reason of several drawbacks, but in May, 1S92, C. C. Green came out and did some work for the Legion, enthusing new life into it. Reno Legion has now between eighty and ninety members on the roll, and is steadily improving. The present officers are: E. L. Carr, Commander; J. A. Rea, Vice Com- mander; D. C. Wiley, Lieutenant Commander; W. F. Blackburn, Recorder; J. W. Dodson, Standard Bearer; W. B. Shawhan, Treasurer; A. L. Townsend, Armorer: C. H. Hedrick, Officer of the Guard; R. V. Heryer, Guard: C. Lundall, Sentinel. Crystal Lodge No. 41, D. of H.— Crystal Lodge No. 41, Degree of Honor, was insti- tuted March 14th, 1891, by Brother Lincoln, of McPherson, with sixty-eight charter mem- bers. The first officers were: Mrs. R. B. Wilson, P. C. of H; Maria Bradford, C. of H; Anna Goodin, L. of H.; Mattie Huffman, C. of O; Emma Hyde, R.; Mattie Thompson, F.; Alice Rawson, R ; Clara Holliday, U.; Mrs. M. V. Wampler, I. W., and John Huffman, O. W. The lodge now has 157 members in good standing, is in a flourishing and pros- perous condition and steadily increasing numerically. The present corps of officers is as follows: Nellie McCammon, P. C. of H.; Lavanche Snyder, C. of H; Mary Beal, L. of H; Mrs. W. Raynor, C. of O; Ada Stallman R. ; Clara Cooter, F.; Clara Holliday, R. ; Lena Jordan, U.; Mrs. Jas. Ryther, I. W., and H. E. Hanna, O. W. KNICHTSOF PYTHIAS-BYRON LODCE NO. 20. Byron Lodge, No. 20, Knights of Pythias, was instituted on the 14th day of May, 1884, with fifteen charter members, by Deputy Grand Chancellor R. M. Spivey, assisted by brothers of Lodge No. 69, of Newton, and John Campbell was installed it« first Chan- cellor Commander. The Chancellor Com- manders since date of institution have been as follows: May 14, 18S4, John Campbell; July 1, 1884, N. T. P. Robinson; January 1, 18S5, Geo. D. Barclay; July 1, 1885, J. L. Smith; January 1; 1886, T. J. Wolfersberger; July 1, 1886, C. Klippel, January 1, 1887, R. J. Graham; July 1, 1887, J. W. Kanaga; Jan- uary 1, 1888, A. H. Foeltzer; July 1, 1888, F. F. Prigg; January 1, 1889, Carr W. Taylor; July 1, 1889, J. A. Martin; January 1, 1890, O. R. Wilcox; July 1, 1S90, S. S. Williamson; January 1, 1891, W. H. Wilkerson; July 1. 1891, W. H. Mead; January 1, 1893, J. B. Fowler; July 1, 1892, R. A. Campbell. The present officers are W. L. Johnson, Chancellor Commander, and John Campbell, Keeper of Records and Seal. The member- ship July 1, 1893, was seventy-two. John Campbell. HUTCHINSON LODGE NO. 197, K. P. Hutchinson Lodge No. 197, K. P., was or- ganized April 11th, 1890, with seventy eight charter members and the following corps of officers. L. Ardery, P. O; Dr. W. M. Lucas, C. O; J. W. Tedford, V. O; Rev. A. F. Irwin, P.; A. W. McCandless, M. E.; S. J. Barry, M. F.; Geo. P. Stitt, K. R. and S.; E. R. Loring, M. A.; S. L. Maxwell, I. G.; W. H. Hedges, O. G. Success and prosperity have attended this lodge ever since its organization, and it is now in splendid condition financially and otherwise. It now has a membership of 107. The organization has paid for sick and funeral benefits $630.00, has purchased and paid for paraphernalia, carpets and furniture to the amountof SI, 085. 00, and has a handsome cash balance. The officers for the ensuing year are: Gus Thoma, P. O; J. D. Wiener, C. C; CITY OF HUTCHINSON. 75 W. H. Crawford, V. G.; J. D. McGee, P.; Harry Phelps, K. of R. and S. and M. F. ; W. H. Hedges, M. E.; Guy Marshall, M. A., and Gus Thoma, M. W. IMPROVED ORDER OF RED MEN. Winnebago Tribe No. 11, I. O. R. M., was instituted June 7th, 1892, only a little over a year ago, by I. T. Q. Dixon and a staff from Wichita and started with about thirty char- ter members. It is a fraternal and bene- ficial organization, having for its purpose the assistance of its members in the trials and vicissitudes incident to human life and the burial of the dead. There are now con- nected with this institution about one hun- dred and fifty members, and as it grows older will no doubt largely increase, as the principles which it strives to teach are as old as the world itself. At present the tribe is too young to have a history, but it is one of the best in the state. It also has a fraternal life insurance feature. The first Sachem was Frank Snyder, who was succeeded by Frank A. Thompson. The present elective officers are: George Thomas, Sachem; Sol. Schamp, Senior Sagamore; W. H. Glanville, Junior Sagamore; W. H. Quarterman, Chief of Records; W. L. Johnson, Keeper of Wam- pum; Frank A. Thompson, Prophet; Frank Snyder, Past Prophet. Board of Trustees — Frank A. Thompson, Frank Snyder and Geo. T. Metzger. W. H. Quarterman. HUTCHINSON TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION. When the News began its career as a morning daily it created a demand for prac- tical, competent printers in the city of Hutchinson, and when the necessary number had gathered in the city they made applica- tion to the International Typographical Union of North America for a charter to or- ganize a local union. On the 16th day of March, 1S88, the charter was granted. The charter members were: M. Watson, John L. Sponsler, John B. Haight, W. H. Thompson, Geo. S. Sloan, James M. Gaston, Ed. M. Moore, Theodore Easton, John C. Story, J. H. Roberts, E. L. Brewer, L. Van Osdell and E. C. Fory. Under this charter, what was then and is now known as Hutchinson Typo- graphical Union No. 243, held its first meet- ing on the 5th day of April, 1888, and per- manently organized by the election of the following officers: John C. Story, president; M. Watson, vice-president; L. Van Osdell, corresponding secretary; J. H. Roberts, finan- cial secretary; E. L. Brewer, treasurer; Board of Trustees— J. L. Sponsler, Ed. M. Moore and James M. Gaston; J. B. Haight, ser- geant-at-arms. At a called meeting on April 8th the following applications for member- ship were received: B. O. Wible, F. J. Ryther, W. G. Van Eman, R. G. Arthur and, A. M. Carr, who subsequently became members. It now has a membership of twenty-six, with the following officers: W. H. Qurterman, presi- dent; T. G. Armour, vice-president; Geo. T. Metzger, secretary; E. M. Broughton, treas- urer; B. O. Wible, president, and W. L. Hed- rick, secretary, of the executive board; C. L. Colee, sergeant-at-arms. The aim and ob- ject of the union is to protect its members in their rights and make the "interest of one the concern of all." It elevates the standard of the craft and directly and in- directly benefits the employer by enabling him to get help that will return him honest and workmanlike services for the money paid out. All the permanently established newspaper and job offices in the city are affiliated with the union. Geo. T. Metzger. SECOND RECIMENT BAND. During the month of April, 1885, there was organized in Hutchinson a military band that has taken first rank among the musical organizations of the state and be- come an object of pride to our citizens. This band was organized by M. Watson, and was called the Ringgold band. On the 17th day of September, 1890, the members of the band enlisted in the Second regiment, Kansas Na- tional Guards, and took the name of the regiment, being now known as the Second regiment band. But three of the original members are still identified with the organi- zation, and much of the success attained has been due to the untiring efforts of at least one of them — Mr. Elmer May, who for six years has acted as business manager, Mr. Chas. Steinberger, who has been musical director for four years, is deserving of great credit for the high degree of proficiency ac- quired. This band has taken prizes in a number of contests, and filled a number of important engagements both inside and out- side the state. It furnished music for the G. A. R. reunion at Kansas City in Septem- ber, 1891, at the reunions in Arkansas City, in 1891 and 1892, and is engaged for 1893. At 76 THE HUTCHINSON NEWS. the great Knights Templar Con- clave in Denver, last August, this band accompanied Commandery No 1 of Washington, D. C, and in addition to liberal enumera- tion received a testimonial for the excellence of the music fur- nished and the gentlemanly bear- ing of its members. The band is now well equipped with handsome uniforms, and instruments of the best manu- facture. Its musical library con- tains most of the compositions of such masters as Rossini, Weber, Wagner, Auber, Meyerbeer, Bee- thoven, Verdi and others, while the concert programmes rendered are of a high order, often being exact duplicates of programmes given by such bands as Gilmore's, Sousa's and Cappa's. It has a number of prominent soloists, among them being Senor Pedro Romero, late clarinet soloist of Captain Payen's famous Mexican band, 0. A. Peterson, cornetist of the Cowboy band of Pueblo, Chas. Steinberger, euphonium soloist, formerly of Chicago, Geo. H. Thomas, trombone soloist of Finn's band, Victoria, B, C, J. A. Greenlee, cornet soloist, who has grown up with the band, and other very promising young musicians. The band at present is composed of thirty members, as follows: H. C. Taylor, Presi- dent; J. A. Greenlee, Treasurer; Elmer May, Sergeant and Business Manager; M. Watson, Musical Director; P. J. Weggen, Drum Major, and J. A. King, C. M. Vaughan, L. H. Law- son, Chas. Steinberger, L. Houk, Jr., Geo, H. Thomas, Eugene DeLarimaud, W. H. John- son, 0. C. Furman, Clate Bloom, Hardy Dun- kin, 0. A. Peterson, F. R. Condon, Lew. Hoagland, Pedro Romero, Grant Chamber- lain, T. Dunnaway, Nat. Keyes, Geo. Taylor, Robt. A. Rhea, Clyde McCord, W. J. Keyes, E. M. VanAiken, M. Holaday and Sam. Un- derwood. THE LADIES' COLUMBIAN CLUB. In April, 1892, the Ladies' Columbian Club was organized at Hutchinson. It started its career with no funds, not so much as a post- ELMER MAY, MANAGER SECOND REGIMENT BAND. age stamp. At the close of "The Gates," an entertainment given by the club, to raise money, a snug sum of about $600 was de- posited in the bank. It was decided to use this money in the purchase of a fountain to be sent to the world's fair. After the fair the fountain will be 4 returned to Hutchinson and placed at the junction of First avenue and Main street, where it will prove a boon to the thirsty. It is the plan to park the center of First avenue at that place, making a delightful spot for rest or recreation. There has been some talk of contimiing the Columbian Club as a city improvement club, for the purpose of beautifying public places. Should this be done the club will no doubt meet with encouragement from the appre- ciative citizens of Hutchinson. The Colum- bian Club is non-sectarian and has a large membership from all circles and societies. The officers are: Mrs. E. M. Hauser, Presi- dent; Mrs. W. L. Moore, Secretary, and Mrs. R. R. Price, Treasurer. Mrs. W. L. Moore. MILL OF HUTCHINSON WATER POWER COMPANY. HUTCHINSON WATER POWER COMPANY. The Water Power Company of Hutchinson is a corporation organized under the laws of the state of Kansas, and was organized in the year 1876 by C. C. Hutchinson, the founder of this eity. It had for its purposes, among other things, the cutting of a mill race from the Arkansas river to the city of Hutch- inson, emptying into Cow creek above the city, thus swelling the waters of said stream for mill and other purposes. The capital stock was $50,000, full paid. Under the auspices of Mr. Hutchinson the said race was constructed about four miles, and put in suc- cessful operation, and at a point on West Sherman street another cut from the creek to Avenue C and then east on Avenue C into the creek again, and a large four-story flour- ing mill was erected on said race at the in- tersection of Avenue C and Main street. Subsequently the mill was purchased by West, Allison & Co., and operated until the year 1888, when the owners of the mill be- came owners of the stock of the Water Power Company, and the mill has since that time been conducted by the corporation. The president of the mill is H. Whiteside, the vice-president, R. R. Price; secretary and treasurer, J. E. Conklin, who is also superintendent. The mill has always done a large flouring business. It is a full roller mill, fully equipped with all the latest, mod- ern improvements in mills. Its capacity is 300 barrels per day, making a great deal of high grade patent flour, and shipping largely to all points west of the Mississippi river, and south to the Gulf. Much of its flour is handled as far west as Arizona. The stock is owned by the officers above named, and it constitutes one of the most valuable plants in the city. Some years ago the race from the Arkan- sas river was discontinued, also that from Sherman street, on account of the great value of the land covered by the race, which in the city covered not less than two hun- dred valuable lots. The company found that it would be better to abolish the race from Sherman street rather than have lying idle and useless so much valuable land in the heart of the city, and the mill is now and has been for some years past run by steam power. The race from the river could yet be utilized for irrigating purposes were it not for the fact that the topography of the country, the character of the soil, and the rain fall makes it unnecessary to irri- gate in this fertile region, a region unsur- passed in the west for gardening and fruit growing. 78 THE HUTCHINSON NEWS. A FRUIT GROWER'S ESTIMATE. Among - the practical fruit growers and nursery men of this county Mr. J. J. Measer stands among the most successful and pro- gressive. He has a splendid farm of 240 acres lying in the Cow Creek valley, four miles northwest of Hutchinson. Forty acres are planted to apple orchard and a number of acres to smaller fruits, pears, apricots, peaches, plums and cherries. Being an ex- perienced nursery man he raises each year a large number of choice fruit trees for mar- ket in connection with the fruit growing business. Ten years ago he settled on this farm, then raw prairie land. He at once begun to plant fruit trees and soon had a fine orchard of twenty acres and four years later planted twenty acres more. Last year from trees six years old he gathered from eight to nine bushels of apples, of the Genet variety, which he sold for $1.00 per bushel wholesale. In all he sold about 1,000 bushels last year, the year previous being a much better apple year in this region. He has eighty trees to the acre, but says fifty would be better after they have grown for a few years and will thin them out until that number remains. "Fruit trees," says Mr. Measer, "are easy to grow in this county and vicinity, and they grow more rapidly than in Tioga county, New York, or Kendall county, Illinois, where I formerly lived. The fruit ripens well and has a flavor superior to like fruits grown on the Pacific slope, where I have been on a tour of investigation. The trees are easy to cultivate and bear young although they are nearly always very large for their age. They suffer little or none from blight or other parasitic attacks. I speak particularly of apples, pears, cherries and plums — my spe- cialties. "My experience and observation is that the more fruit a community produces the better the market, because where there there is little fruit the market is easily glutted, but where there is a surplus the market cannot be glutted for it at once finds plenty of buy- ers for distant places; and in these days of cold storage, as we have right here, and re- frigerator fruit cars it is only a matter of a little freight to lay it down in the great cen- ters of consumption where the highest prices are paid. This is true of the productions of the vineyard and berry bushes and vines as well as of the orchard. "I have studied this fruit question, as to its production, quantity, quality and markets for twenty-five years from the standpoint of a producer and unqualifiedly say that this is one of the most profitable and favorable fruit sections of the United States. A good market is afforded Central Kansas fruit growers in either the north, south, east or west." RESIDENCE OF J. J. MEASER, FRUIT GROWER. CITY OF HUTCHINSON. 79 A SUCCESSFUL CATTLE BREEDER. Mr. M. H. Cogswell, of Pretty Prairie, is a breeder of pure Hereford cattle. He has a beautiful farm in Albion township with im- provements suitable for a farmer in the al- most exclusive business of breeding fine M. H. COGSWELL, OF PRETTY PRAIRIE. stock — large barns, fine sheds, pens and groves, a handsome residence and large or- chards. In a recent letter he said: "I commenced farming and improving in Reno county in 1882, and in connection therewith raised beef cattle by crossing common cows with pure bred Hereford bulls. The offspring were so much superior to others, and fed and sold so far ahead of them, I was induced to start a pure bred banking herd, with a determina- tion to hold all the females as a reserve fund. I bought one pure bred cow and two heifer calves for $450, and from them in seven years have seventeen cows and heifers, three bulls and seven calves, with five cows to come in. Have sold nine pure bred bulls and lost two by accident. All stock except this year's calves recorded in American Hereford rec- ord." Spartan, No: 45,741, stands at the head of the herd, assisted by Honest Dollar, No. 50,926. Among the noted cows are Esther, No. 40,797, and Ruth, No. 36,132. He also raises pure bred Poland China hogs. Began with a few choice ones and added thereto by purchasing a registered male each year. He now has a large number of hogs and has no trouble in disposing of them at fair prices. He has never attempted to get rich by selling a hog or two or a calf, but be- lieves in fair prices and adequate values. He don't register the pigs, raising them for local sale his word as to their breeding being suffi- cient to make them sell well in the county. From one sow since last August he has sold $135.00 worth of pigs. He is an enthusiast for good stock and believes therein lies the farmers' prosperity. HOUSTON WHITESIDE. The Hutchinson News was first published in July 4, 1872. The beginning of this paper was such that perhaps a little resume as to its origin would not be inappropriate. In the fall of 1871 Mr. C. C. Hutchinson as- certained that the Santa Fe road would build through Kansas along the Arkansas river from Reno county, west. Reno county was then unorganized, and the city of Hutchinson not in existence. He ascer- tained that the railroad would strike the above river at this point and concluded to start a town nominated after himself. He FIRST BUILDING OF STONE OR BRICK WEST OF EMPORIA, KANSAS. $0 T!fl-] IfVTCItlMSON NEWS. secured section 13, township 23, range 7, west, which constitutes the old or first plat of the city of Hutchinson. In the winter of '71 or about the beginning of '72 the county was organized. Mr. Hutch- inson and his associates determined to have a newspaper, for then already persons were building- in their new town and opening out various lines of business. He offered as a bonus for a newspaper lot 21 North Main street, and a little building situated on the same 14 by 20 feet, and fifty other residence lots not designated. Mr. L. J. Perry, now of Washington City, was postmaster of the city of Paola and proprietor of the Western Spirit published at that place. He conceived the idea of starting a newspaper in this city. In the month of May, 1872, he took a trip to Hutchinson to look over the ground. Mr. H. Whiteside of this city had just read law, and started west for the purpose of hunting a location. He left his home on a farm in middle Tennessee and struck out for California. When he got to Kansas City he found that his funds would not hold out, and turned southwest intending to stop with some friends in Sumner county until he could make enough money to go on. He read a circular on the train published by Mr. Hutchinson about his new town, and happened to hear Mr. Perry ask the con- ductor of the train if C. C. Hutchinson had passed down the road. This inquiry taken in connection with the circular, as well as lonesomeness, induced him afterwards to approach Perry and ask him if he knew any- thing about the town of Hutchinson, show- ing him the circular. Mr. Perry informed him he did not but was going thei'e for the purpose of starting a newspaper, that he was postmaster at Paola, and owned a news- paper already there, and all he lacked in the enterprise was some young man to edit the paper, that the town of Hutchinson was not then reached by a railroad but soon would be and would probably grow rapidly. A general conversation ensued and wound up by Mr. Perry asking Mr. Whiteside what he expected to do and where he was going. He was informed by Mr. Whiteside that he had read law and that he was going temporarily to southern Kansas, and from there to Cali- fornia, whereupon Mr. Perry made the proposition that he turn off with him to Hutchinson, take charge of the newspaper, and take an interest in it, that even if he i,a»MM 1 ^ a> |u FARM RESIDENCE OP W. J. SPJNSLER. CITY OF HUTCHINSON. 8/ it to California, being- a young- man, in- erienced in the world, the sojourn in isas would not be disadvantageous, r. Whiteside accepted his offer, it being jed that he should take a one-half in- st in the paper and edit it provided he, iteside, could borrow $400 among his nds in Tennessee. The Santa Fe road finished only to Newton, where the two tlemen took the stage but were turned k by high waters, then set out on foot, ised the Little Arkansas river on tem- iry timbers of the railroad bridge then lg constructed, walked seventeen miles b evening in company with Judge C. W. s of Barber county, then a young man. s' feet gave out, they hired a two-horse |-on from a homesteader who lived in a -out. One of the horses was lame and 7 did not reach this city until 2 o'clock he morning. They could find no place to p and tried to sleep in the bottom of the fon at a point opposite the lot on main :et now occupied by the three-story iteside building. second-hand press was ordered from the :ern part of the state, which came into on the 27th of June, and on the Fourth uly, the first issue of the News, 5,000 ies in number, was issued. It was one of best written up of any initial issue ever lished in the state and at once attracted e attention to Hutchinson and the Ar- sas Valley. Mr. Perry was present at > issue of the paper. He returned to the tern part of the state and Mr. Whiteside tinued editor of the paper for nine months, q he bought out Mr. Perry and his brother. ■. Perry had in the meantime associated h his interest in the newspaper a younger ther.) Mr. Whiteside continued ©wner . editor of the paper until 1875, when he ermined that he must elect between law . journalism. He decided in favor of the fession in which he has been engaged, and 1 the paper. Among other things it may be noted that lot 21, North Main street, given as a bonus, so increased in value that Mr. Whiteside sold it for $2,200, and it subsequently sold several times for $8,000. Among the residence lots which h i got as a bonus are the premises occupied by W. F. Mulkey, W. H. Lewis, A. L. Forsha, J. D. Weiner and C. L. Easley. It might be further remarked that Mr. White- side traded the two lots occupied by A. L. Forsha for a gold watch valued in the trade at the sum of $125. The lots subsequently became worth $1,500.00 apiece. Mr. Whiteside took a claim when he came, to-wit: The northwest quarter of 14-23-6, along two sides of which the city is now platted. This tract of land he owns yet, and there is but one entry in. the chain of title, namely, a patent signed by U. S. Grant. Probably there is no man who can look upon more associations in connection with its his- tory and growth than the first editor of the News. As already stated he owns a block of buildings opposite the place where he spent the first night in the bottom of a two-horse wagon. He still owns the tract of land on which he lived as a pre-emptor for six six months, less than a mile from Main street. He is president of the first milling company organized in the city, a stockholder in the first bank, and also president of the first newspaper started in the city. In his capac- ity as an attorney there is scarcely a piece of property of any importance in the city, there is not a single enterprise of any conse- quence with which he has not been con- nected, and with which he is not familiar by some association or other. He owns the first brick residence erected in the city, that is occupied by his mother, Mrs. M. A. Button, on Sherman street east. He has witnessed all the transformations that have occurred in this city, and Reno county, from the shooting of buffalo on the town site and the trading with Indians at the river, to the con- ditions nowexistiDg, and is still a young man. SOME OF OUR PROFESSIONAL MEN. PHYSICIANS. Dr. A. W. McKinney. — Dr. A. W. McKinney was born in Washington county, Ind., in 1831. He attended his first course of medi- cal lectures at Indianapolis, Ind., in '50 and '51, and practiced from then till 1860. He graduated from the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery in February of '61. Dr. S. H. Sidlinger.— Dr. S. H. Sidlinj is a native of Massillon, Ohio. He receb his medical education at the University Michigan, graduating in the full medi course. Since locating in Hutchinson April of '75, he has continuously practi his profession of medicine and surgery, five office rooms are located in the handsc A. W. MCKINNEY, M. D. S. H. SIDLINGER, M. D. The war breaking out at this time he en- listed in the Thirty-First Indiana Volun- teers, and was mustered out as surgeon of the regiment, January 12, 1866. He then left Indiana for Kansas, and arrived in Hutchinson June 15, 1872, and has been a resident of the county ever since. He has served the county for years as coroner, and county health officer, and is serving a second term as member of the city Board of Educa- tion. He has served twelve consecutive years as recorder of Hutchinson Lodge No. 77, A. O. U. W., and is now medical director of the Grand Lodge of Kansas, A. G. U. W. structure, which he owns, known as the t linger Block, and are fully equipped wit large library, electrical instruments, 1 microscope, and all the modern appliar for his practice. Dr. Sidlinger served in Fourteenth and One Hundred and Twei fifth Ohio Volunteers, till the close of war, being detailed to assist in the hosp: department. He has served one term as st medical director for the G. A. R., twice mayor of the city and several times as ale man. He is a member of Isis Temple Shriners and of the A. O. U. VV. He is £ geon of the Missouri Pacific railroad s SOME OF OUR PROFESSIONAL MEN. *3 medical examiner for several insurance com- panies. Db. E. A. Taylor. — Dr. E. A. Taylor Was born in Hunterdon county, N. J., August 13th, 1834. When 7 years of age his parents moved to Lafayette county, Mo. In 1861 he entered the Federal army in which he served to the close of the war. His early education seven years in Marshalltown, Iowa. In 1887 she was married to Mr. 0. E. Comstock and removed to Hutchinson, Kansas. She took a special course in electro-therapeutics in Phil- adelphia, in 1891. Dr. Comstock has been very successful as a specialist in the diseases of women and children. For the treatment of chronic diseases Dr. Comstock is excel- E. A. TAYLOR, M. D. DR. HARRIET COMSTOCK. was obtained in the common schools of the county, under the tutorship of his father. In 1866 he entered the New York University as a medical student, remaining there dur- ing one term. He afterwards entered the St. Louis Medical College, from which he graduated in 1872. He practiced his pro- fession in Henry, Benton and Lafayette counties in Missouri until 1886, when he moved to Hutchinson, where he has followed his profession till the present time. Db. Harriet Comstock. —Harriet Conniff was born on the Is]e of Macanac, where her father was stationed in garrison of the United States army. The family afterward removed to Wisconsin, thence to Minnesota. Harriet Conniff graduated from the State Normal school at Winona, and taught school to defray the expenses of a medical educa- tion, which she had determined to have. She graduated from the medical department of the University of Iowa, in 1880, having studied under both Allopathic and Homoeo- pathic schools. She practiced medicine for lently equipped, having all the modern elec- trical appliances, including electric baths. Her electrical arrangements are probably the most complete in the state. Those who are interested in woman's progress may be glad to know that Dr. Comstock's practice has reached the sum of $5,000 a year. In addition to her busy life in her profession Dr. Comstock has been an earnest worker in the Presbyterian church, and has found time for membership in the O. E. S., the W. R. C, the Pythian Sisters, the W. C. T. U., the E. S C. and the Social Science Club of Kansas and Missouri. Dr. S. H. Brehm. — Dr. S. H. Brchm was born in the Cumberland Valley, Pa. His academic education was secured in the Latin school of Newville, Pa., under the tutorship of Professor J. B. Davidson, A. M. In the summer of '62, he enlisted and served in the ranks of the One Hundred and Thirtieth Pa. Volunteers. He graduated from the Jeffer- son Medical College in the spring of '66, and opened an office at his home in Newville, 84 THE HUTCHINSON NEWS. where he practiced his profession until the spring of '88, when following' the course of empire westward, he located in the Salt City of the Sunflower State. In '79 he was com- missioned assistant surgeon, and in '85, sur- in Kansas City. At this time he came to Hutchinson and is now enjoying an excellent practice. He is assistant surgeon of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe, and medical examiner for the order of Red Men and the S. H. BREHM, M. D. B. J. WETHERBY, M. D. geon with the rank of major, for service in the Eighth Regiment, N. G. P., which posi- tion he held till he departed from his native state. Since the spring of '88 he has con- tinuously resided in Hutchinson, giving his undivided care to the general practice of medicine and surgery. Dr. B. J. Wethekby. — The subject of this sketch is another example of a self-made man. He was born in Luzerne county, Pa., August, 2nd, 1859. At the age of 19 years he went to Homer, 111., and began the study of medicine with his uncle, Dr. M. H. Ever- ett, teaching and studying by turns. During the winter of 1880 he took a medical course in the University of New York. In the fall of 1883 he entered Rush Medical College in Chicago, graduating in the regular course in February, 1881. In 1S86 he was married to Miss Delia Patterson, of Orangeville, Pa., and came to Dickinson county, Kan., where he practiced medicine for a year and then took a special course in surgery and the dis- eases of women in the Chicago Post Graduate School. Removing to Arlington, in this county, he practiced till the spring of 1892, when he took a second course in his specialty Union Life Insurance company. Since her marriage with the doctor his charming wife has taken up the study of medicine in order to assist him in his specialty of the diseases of women, and is attaining great proficiency in the knowledge of medicine. Drs. Stewart. — The native place of these brothers is Bedford county, Va. The elder, Dr. J. E. Stewart, graduated in the regular medical course from the Hospital Medical College of Louisville, Ky., in '83, and the younger from the same institution in '90. After graduation the elder, Dr. J. E., located in Alden, Kan., and engaged in the general practice of medicine and surgery, until he decided to make a specialty of surgery and the diseases of women. Following out this plan he went to Philadelphia and took a thorough course under Dr. Joe Price, who is considered by many as the leading abdomi- nal surgeon in the world. In the summer of '91 he took a second special course under the same surgeon. The younger brother, Dr. R. A. Stewart, fitted himself for expert work in the treatment of the eye and ear, by taking three private courses under Dr. Dudley S. Reynolds, of Louisville, Ky. All who are SOME OF OUR PROFESSIONAL MEN. Sj acquainted with the reputation of the men under whom these gentlemen received their training- will be able to judge as to their surgical education. Their large, airy and comfortable office rooms are located in the Santa Fe block at the corner of Fourth and Main, and are among the best equipped in the state, with all the modern appliances for the treatment of the cases which come in their special lines. They have also a private hospital here in the city for the ac- commodation of their patients who come from a distance. Since locating here these skilled surgeons have operated on cases all over this section of the country. Dr. R. B. Wilson.— Dr. R. B. Wilson was born February 5th, 1862, on a farm in the suburbs of Phillipi, Va. , now in West Vir- ginia. The early part of his life was spent on the farm, while not attending school. He began the study of medicine in 1881, and graduated from the medical department of the University of Maryland in March, 1884. After receiving the degree of Doctor of Medicine he returned to his native town and began the practice of his profession, which he continued till March, 1887. He then moved to Hutchinson, where he has remained R. B. WILSON, M. D. since, and enjoyed a practice very satisfac- tory to himself and patrons. The winter of '92 and '93 was spent at the New York Post Graduate Medical school and hospital. Dr. Wilson is medical examiner for the Work- men and Woodmen. The Pioneek Dentist. — When Dr. G. F. Tucker, the venerable subject of this sketch, DR. G. F. TUCKER. first settled in Hutchinson in November of '72, he was the only dentist from Emporia west on the main line of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe railroad. Up to that time he had rather a checkered career. His birthplace was in the far east, at Brimfield, Mass. On reaching his majority he had ac- quired a practical knowledge of dentistry, and started west. He attended medical lec- tures at the University of Michigan during the sessions of '53 and '54, and has followed his profession ever since. From '54 to '72 he practiced his profession in a dozen different states. Since settling in Hutchinson he has done dental work for patrons all over the southwest, and now his sixty odd years have left him with his youthful vigor unimpaired. He is one of the busiest men in the city. ATTORNEYS-AT-LAW. A. B. Caldwell & Co. — A. B. Caldwell came to the state, from New York, while it was yet a part of the Louisiana purchase, and was here during the Free State war. He has ever been an active citizen and has taken an hon- orable part in many of the public affairs of the state, he was a member of the lower house from the Ninety-eighth district, dur- 86 THE HUTCHINSON NEWS. A. B. CALDWELL. connection with the real estate business, making litigation connected with real es- tate a specialty. The above named gentle- men are associated together in business under the firm name of "A. B. Caldwell & Co." with office in the Masonic Temple, in the city of Hutchinson. They take charge of, and rent farms and city property, collect rents, pay taxes, examine titles, bring fore- closure suits, and sell properties placed in their charge by non-resident owners. All inquiries addressed to them will receive prompt and careful attention, and their re- ports can be relied on, as they never report on a piece of property without first making personal inspection. Their large experience and honorable dealing, merits the confi- dence of the public. T. A. Decker. — T. A. Decker is a native of Ohio. He passed through the public schools of his native city of Zanesyille and then en- tered Mount Union College, finishing the ing the sessions of 1885 and 1886, has been a resident of Reno county for twenty years, and engaged in the real estate business. G. V. Ricksecker came to the state, from Ohio, in the fall of 1886, and to Reno county in the spring of 1873, was elected probate judge of the county in the fall of 1874, and served three terms in that office. He is a member of the Reno county bar, and in the active practice of his profession, in G. V. RICKSECKER. T. A. DECKER. scientific course. When his college days were over he entered journalism and read law at the same time. In three years he was ad- mitted to the bar. He secured a state repu- tation as a versatile writer. He came to Hutchinson in '78, and took editorial charge of the Hutchinson Herald, a Democratic pa- per edited by Hon. A. R. Schebel. The politics of the paper were changed aud the paper edited for two years by Mr. Decker as SOME OF OUR PROFESSIONAL MEN. 87 an independent sheet. All the old citizens remember the "vim and vinegar" that char- acterized his editorials. He has been iden- tified with every move for the advancement of the city, never losing faith in its future, and in every issue of his paper singing its praises. He is best known as a lawyer, hav- ing been a member of the Hutchinson bar for fifteen years. He is regarded as a care- ful, painstaking and successful lawyer, free from ostentation, and with a kind word for everyone, white or black. L. F. Cain. — L. F. Cain was born at Cald- well, 0., on the 21st of July, 1856. He was raised upon a farm and received a common school education. At the age of 16 he began L. P. CAIN. teaching school. He afterwards graduated from the State University of Indiana, also from the DePauw Theological School, and from the Kentucky School of Medicine. He came to this city in 1889, and was connected with this paper first in the business depart- ment, and afterwards with the editorial staff, where his productions earned for him the reputation of being among the best writers of the west. In 1892 he entered the practice of law in this city, and by reason of his ability and well known energy was soon doing a successful business. Mr. Cain bears the enviable reputation of being one of the most brilliant orators in this part of the state. B. O. DAVIDSON. B. 0. Davidson. — B. 0. Davidfon was born at Steubenville, Ohio, April 20, 1854. He was educated at Newmarket College, and after leaving that institution began the study of law in the office of Judge John M. Watson. He was admitted to the bar in 1879, in Ohio, and at once came to Kansas and soon after located in Kansas City, Kansas. He came to this city in 1885, and entered into a partner- ship with Mr. C. M. Williams, with the firm C, M. WILLIAMS, THE HUTCHINSON NEWS. name of Davidson & Williams. This is now one of the strongest firms in the west and needs no newspaper introduction to the pro- fession or laity of Kansas. ChabI/ES M. Williams. — Chas. M. Williams was born at Harrisonville, Cass county, Mo., on the 7th day of July, 1852. He lived con- tinuously in the county of his birth, until the spring of 1887, when he moved to the city of Hutchinson with his family, where he has resided ever since. He was educated at the Kentucky University, and was admitted to .the bar in 1872. On coming to this city Mr. Williams entered the law firm of Mc- Kinstry & Wisler. At the close of the first year with this firm he formed a partnership with Mr. B. O. Davidson, with the firm name of Davidson & Williams. This is now one of the strongest law firms, not only in the city of Hutchinson, but in the state of Kansas. Lucius M. Fall. — Mr. Fall is a native of Preble county, Ohio. His youth was spent in farming, attending school, teaching and preparing for college. At the age of 19 he entered the Otterbein University. He was a LUCIUS M. FALL. close student, an excellent debater and took a high rank as an orator. He successfully superintended public schools in Ohio for two years after graduation. He graduated from the law department of the University of Michigan, and in the fall of 1887 came to Hutchinson and began the practice of law. Single handed and alone he has built up a good practice, ranks with the leaders of the Reno county bar, is recognized as an able advocate, and has participated in a number of important lawsuits. He is attentive to business, is conscientious and careful, and commands the respect of all. He is active in politics and takes a leading part in every campaign. J. W. Rose. — J. W. Rose, who was ad- mitted to the bar fourteen years ago and has practiced law for the past nine years in our J. W. ROSE. neighboring county seat of St. John, is now a member of the Reno county bar, having recently removed to this city because of its being more centrally located in the district which his practice includes. Although Mr. Rose does a general law business and prac- tices successfully in any department of law in both state and federal courts, he makes a specialty of banking and commercial law. His elegantly fitted library is one of the largest and best in the state, and among its 1,300 volumes includes every work extant on banking law. He has fitted up elegant office rooms in the Valley State Bank building op- posite the court house. Sheridan Ploughe. — This young attorney was born in Howard county, Ind., June 1st, 1868. He removed to Hutchinson with his parents in February of 1876, where he lived on a farm adjoining the city and attended SOME OF OUR PROFESSIONAL MEN. 89 the city schools. He graduated from the High School in the class of 1884, and en- tered the Kansas State University in the fall of 1886 and finished the Freshman year. He attended Garfield University at Wich- ita during the rest of his college course, graduating with the degree of A. B. in June, 1890. He then entered the law office of L. M. Fall, and was admitted to the Reno county bar in October of 1892, when he entered on the practice of his chosen profession. Mr. Ploughe long ago identified himself with the Christian church, and is now superintendent of the Sunday school. He is the president of the Christian Endeavor Society, and was mainly instrumental in securing' the great state convention of that society at this place recently, and one of the most efficient of the committee, which secured entertainment for that large assembly. John W. Roberts. — John W. Roberts was born in West Virginia, came to Kansas when eleven years of age. He graduated from the Kansas Normal College in 1883, as vale- dictorian of his class. Immediately after- wards he was awarded a prize in El Dorado, Kan., for having passed the best competitive teacher's examination in the county. The same year he was employed as superintend- ent of schools at Centralia, Kan., which po- sition he held for three years, and resigned to enter the law school at the State Univer- sity. At the end of his first year in the law school he was chosen to represent his class on commencement day. He took the full course in law and was graduated at the head of the class, and received the degree of L. L. B. in June, 1888. In July, 1888, he opened an office in Hutchinson, and in a very short time became noted for his energy and activity in business. By hard work and • strict attention to the law his practice has steadily increased until he is now one of the acknowledged leaders of the Hutchinson bar. He has gained the well earned reputa- tion of being prompt and diligent, always on hand when his cases are called and al- ways alert to his clients' best interests. He is attorney for several leading firms, both in and out of the city. He is attorney for five mortgage companies and does the lead- ing foreclosure business in the county. He occupies three office rooms at No. 3 South Main street, well located and furnished. He owns one of the best houses in the city. Is a member of Sigma Chi, one of the Greek Letter College fraternities of the Dnited States. He is also an active member of the Hutchinson Commercial Club, and chairman of the Republican County Central committee. F. F. Prigg. — Among the self made young men of our city is our present city attorney, Hon. F. F. Prigg. He was born June 5th, 1853, in Madison county, Indiana, and fin- ished his academic education by graduating in the scientific course from the Central F. F. PRIGG. Normal College of Danville, after which he taught in the public schools of the Hoosier State until the fall of 1883, when he came to Kansas. He was selected to superintend our city schools, which position he filled with credit to himself and satisfaction to all concerned till he began the practice of law in the spring of 1885, having been ad- mitted to the bar two years before. Strict attention to business is the secret of his rapid rise in his chosen profession, and now he is one of the foremost men at the Reno county bar. He was nominated for judge of the Ninth district in November, 1891, and not being present and having no knowledge of his name having been used until after the convention adjourned, he declined, and says now that he is glad of it. He was appointed city attorney of Hutchinson in May, 1892, and reappointed May, 1893. Johns, Winne & Fairchild. — Among the law firms of this section of the state the firm go THE HUTCHINSON NE WS. of Johns, Winne & Faircbild are rapidly taking their place in the first rank and are doing more than their share of the legal business of the great Arkansas Valley. The firm is composed of H. C. Johns, Scott E. Winne and Wm. G. Fairchild, and it may not be out of place to give our readers a brief history of them at this time. H. C. Johns, A. M., L. L. B. is a Pennsylvanian by birth and was educated at Alfred Academy, Union College and University of Albany, New York. At the age of twenty he was principal of Troy Academy, Pennsylvania, and later county superintendent of public schools of Tioga county, Pennsylvania, dur- ing which time he established the State Normal School at Mansfield, Pennsylvania. He read law with General Diven, at Elmira, New York, and has since been admitted to the several grades of cou.-ts, including the supreme court of the United States, and has had a wide and diversified practice in the east and west in both state and federal courts. Mr. Johns is a ripe scholar and when the Century Company got out their cele- brated Dictionary a few years ago he was associated with Austin Abbott, of New York, and spent something over a year in the preparation of the legal definitions of that famous work. As a legal authority he is fast being recognized as one the best in the state. Scott E. Winne was born in Steuben county, N. Y.j came to Kansas with his parents in 1S67 and was raised on a Kansas farm. He was educated at the State Normal School in Emporia, Kan., and commenced teaching at the age of 17. After teaching three years he went into the insurance business in 1883 as a solicitor for the German Insurance company of Freeport, 111. He was given a district agency in 1884. In 1885 he was appointed special collector for Kansas and Nebraska and took charge of their note business for those states. In 1886 he took charge of their entire business in this section, including agencies and adjustment of losses, a position which he still continues to fill. He studied THE KANSAS SALT COMPANY'S G.-H. PLANT, THE LARGEST SALT PLANT IN THE WORLD, CAPACITY 1,800 BARRELS PER DAY. THIS COMPANY ALSO OWNS THE RIVERSIDE AND NEW YORK SALT PLANTS, WHICH ARE DE- VOTED TO THE MANUFACTURE OF THE CELEBRATED R. S. V. P. TABLE AND RIVERSIDE DAIRY SALT. SOME OF OUR PROFESSIONAL MEN. 91 law at intervals and was admitted to the bar in 1887, and the supreme court in 1889. He is recognized as an authority on insurance law and often tries cases in other states for his numerous clients. He is a fair sample of what a poor Kansas hoy with plenty of push and brains can accomplish. He is already too well known to a majority of our readers to need any further introduction; and in ad- dition to his other duties he finds time to actively superintend a loan business that is growing very rapidly. He is a very busy man and probably puts in more hours than any other man in the city. Wm. G. Fairchild, the junior member of ties during the past few months. He is bright, active, energetic and enjoys a legal fight in a way that indicates his fitness for his profession. Altogether the firm of Johns, Winne & Fairchild is a very strong one and those having business in our courts, will find cause to congratulate themselves if they are able to secure their services. THE FOUNTAIN. The drinking fountain sent by the Ladies' Columbian Club, to the world's fair, is some- what over twelve feet high, representing an ear of corn, carved in stone. The corn husks, combined with the petals of the sun- flower, the Kansas flower, form the basin. COLUMBIAN FOUNTAIN, NOW AT THE WORLD'S FAIR IN CHICAGO. the firm, is a native of New Jersey, but his early life was spent in New Orleans, La. He studied civil engineering and graduated at the Military Academy of Connecticut in 1878, and afterwards had considerable experience in railroad construction work. In 1885 he came to Kansas from New York City and has been in active practice at the bar of the various courts of the state for the past five years. When the National Bank of Com- merce decided to retire, Mr. Fairchild was elected president, and has had eharge of their business in addition to his regular du- A second basin will be added, after the foun- tain is returned to Hutchinson. The base is inscribed, "Ladies' Columbian Club, Hutch- inson, Kansas." The fountain stands in front of the Kansas Building, on the world's fair grounds. After the fair, it will be re- turned to Hutchinson and placed at the cor- ner of First avenue and Main street, where the ladies hope to have a small park granted them. The design of the fountain was orig- inal with the Ladies' Columbiam Club. Drawings were made by Seymour Davis, architect, of Topeka. SOME OF OUR OFFICERS. J. F. GREENLEE, REP. 76TH DISTRICT. County Surveyor.— Fred. H. Carpenter, our present county surveyor and city en- gineer, has been a resident of Eeno county since boyhood. A native of the Empire State, he came to Kansas in April, 1872, with his father, who took a homestead about three miles northeast of the city. He is thus familiar with the hardships, privations and incidents of frontier life. He was one of the pupils of the first school organized in Reno county and finished at the State Uni- versity with first class graduating in civil engineering. Shortly after leaving school he was associated with the Santa Fe Rail- road company, beginning at the bottom of the ladder and within a year was promoted to the position of locating engineer, in which capacity he made surveys in New Mexico, Arizona and Old Mexieo for about two thou- sand miles of railroad. In 1882, at there- quest of a Scotch syndicate which 'purchased the copper mines at Clifton, Arizona, he was sent by the Santa Fe company to survey and report upon the advisability of building a FRANK VINCENT, MAYOR HUTCHINSON. narrow guage road to Clifton. At the con- clusion of the syndicate to build he remained with them until the work costing about $2,000,000 was completed. In August, 1884, he returned home and within ten days was appointed city engineer, which position he has held ever since — and all public improve- ments that the city now has were made under his direction. In the fall of 1885 he was elected to the office of county surveyor, which office he still holds. He has probably settled more disputes over boundary lines, with fewer law suits, than any other sur- veyor in the state. County Commissioners. — The board of county commissioners of Reno county are W. P. D. Fleming, W. K. Noland and J. H. Fountain. Each commissioner is elected for three years and one elected every year. Mr. Fountain was elected two years ago on the Populist ticket, Mr. Noland last year on the Populist ticket. Mr. Fleming, Republican, time expires this year and he will probably be a candidate for re-election, and as he has SOME OF OUR OFFICERS. 03 been a model officer for two terms he will probably be re-elected. In another place will be found an illustration of the Arkansas river bridge which has recently been re- modeled by the present board, under the direction of Mr. Noland. It is the longest and best built wagon bridge in the state of Kansas. County Clerk. — Our present county clerk, Mr. J. E. Eaton, is one of the earliest settlers of the county, having taken a claim in Troy township and "batching it" in a sod house for some time and going through all the hardships and privations of the average "oldest inhabitant." Later Mr. Eaton lo- cated in the thriving and progressive little city of Arlington, where in 1885 he estab- lished the Enterprise, which has done much to advance the interests of that locality, and when that city was incorporated was its first and third mayor. Mr. Eaton is a living ex- ample of the "office seeking the man" never having thought of being a candidate until an hour before he was nominated, and was elected by a full vote of the ticket. The of- fice of county clerk is one of the most tedious, laborious and exacting in the county, dealing as it does with every branch of the county's business, yet, though serving his first term, Mr. Eaton has reduced the whole business to a complete system and the office is one of "neatness and dispatch." Clerk op the District Court. — Mr. Z. W. Whinery, clerk of the district court of Reno county, resided on his beautiful farm, four miles southwest of this city, since 1877, until he was elected to the above office last No- vember. He braved the hardships incident to the early settlement and stuck to his farm with a view to making it a success. That he did succeed the reader could demonstrate to his satisfaction by visiting his splendidly cultivated fields and his orchards of plums, apples, pears and other fruits. He never flagged in his work, but continued right on whether seasons were favorable or other- wise. All these years he has been a stalwart Republican, even occupying the responsible position of chairman of the county central committee, and under his management steered the ticket through by majorities running over a thousand. He was nomi- nated for clerk of the district court on the first ballot last year and came through a most heated campaign with a safe majority. He is making an efficient and accommodat- ing officer, winning the esteem of his polit- ical enemies, and the complete satisfaction of his party. He now lives in this city in a pleasant home on First avenue. Probate Judge.— Hon. J. A. Fontron, pro- bate judge of Reno county, came from Stark county, Illinois, to this city in 1875 and opened a merchants clothing house, which he conducted until the spring of 1877, when he moved on a timber claim which he bought. He combined intelligence and good judg- ment with energy and honest labor and as a result was successful from a financial stand- point. He was always popular wherever he might be or in whatever occupation. He was elected for three successive years to the office of trustee of Grant township, the first time to fill a vacancy; his popularity being tested from the fact that he was opposed by an independent Republican. He has never been defeated and has never been an office- seeker. The first time he was nominated for probate judge it was entirely without his knowledge and late in the campaign to fill an unexpected vacancy occasioned by the resignation of the Populist holding the office. He entered the campaign with a vim and was elected by a handsome majority and helped redeem the county from the hands of the Populists and Democrats. Last fall he was renominated and again elected by 416. He is a good man and a good judge. He will soon complete a beautiful residence in the north part of the city, which he will make his permanent abode. County Treasurer. — George W. Cooter came to Reno county twenty years ago and took a soldiers' homestead. He served three years in Company C, First Regiment of En- gineers, Missouri Volunteers. He has a proud war record, having been in places of the greatest danger and responsibilty and his comrades say "he stood as immovable as a rock." While in Reno county he has fol- lowed the trade of blacksmithing and also conducted a farm. In this business he suc- ceeded well and gained a competence. He has always been a careful, shrewd financier and maintained a stainless credit which he has guarded with a most jealous eye. Through all these two decades of time he worked away with untiring energy, as the loyal Kansan does, ever apparently with the motto of his state before him to in- spire him to labor, hope and conquer. His sterling attributes of character won the 94 THE HUTCHINSON NEWS. respect and confidence of the people of his county. At a time when the general public thought there was so little hope of the Republicans carrying the county that none even dared to announce themselves as candidates for office in that party, George W. Cooter, was named as the candidate for the responsible office of treasurer of his county, the delegates in convention believ- ing that he had the mettle in him to win if success was possible with anyone. He made the canvass in his own manly way, open and above-board, putting in his characteristic energy and grit and on November 3d, 1891, the people of Reno county chose him to the office over his opponent by a majority of 289. He has so conducted himself as to win the confidence and esteem of even his political enemies, and to the complete satisfaction of his party and the public in general. He will probably ask for a re-election to the office this fall. County Attorney. — Hon. James McKinstry was born in Putnam county, Ind., November 10th, 1845. Removed to Coles county, 111., when 9 years of age, and was educated in the common schools and normals. When but 16 years of age he enlisted in the union army and served for one year. He was ad- mitted to the bar in 1873 at Mt. Vernon, be- fore the supreme court of Illinois. He prac- ticed three years at Bellville and East St. Louis, moving to this city in 1876. He has been in the active practice ever since and is one of the best read and most successful lawyers of the Kansas bar. He has always been an active politician in the ranks of the Democracy, having been delegate to national conventions, and never ran for office until last year, when he was elected county attorney on the fusion ticket. Register of Deeds. — H. C. Barrett, register of deeds of Reno county, is a native of Posey county, Ind., where he was born in 1841. At the age of 20 years he became a union soldier in the war of the rebellion, having been a private in company C, Sixtieth Indi- ana Volunteer Infantry. He returned home in 1866, but being desirious of bettering his condition and enlarging his opportunities, he came to Kansas, settling in Wilson county, in 1874. After an extended sojourn in Colorado, he returned to Kansas in 1879, and located in Nickerson. He entered into the employ of the Santa Fe railroad com- pany in their shops at Nickerson, and re- mained in that employ for seven years. He then engaged in the mercantile business in the same city until 1891, when elected to the office he now so creditably holds. He was a gallant soldier and served his country well; is a man of strong character and has the cardinal principles of the Republican party imbedded in his very soul. He has always been active in the affairs of his party and his counsel is valued from the fact that he bases it upon long experience and sound judgment. His well known Republicanism, energy and patriotism was most needed in the campaign of 1891, and he was nominated for the office of register of deeds. No officer is more affable and genial and he will prob- ably experience no difficulty in being named by his party this fall for a second term, and will be as successful to say the least as he was two years ago. Sheriff. — J. W. Jones, who is now serving his fourth year in the responsible and lucra- tive office of sheriff, came to Reno county in 1876. He took a homestead and a timber claim in Grove township, both of which are highly improved, and the title remains un- incumbered in his name. To this body of land he has added a couple more choice quar- ters within the last few years. His financial solidity and moral firmness surrounded him with many warm and valuable friends. He held the office of trustee and treasurer of his township and proved a careful and painstak- ing officer among his neighbors. When he was nominated for sheriff in 1889 on the Re- publican ticket he found as his opponent Dan E. Miller, who was ashing for a re- election, having been the first Democrat at that time who had ever been elected to an important office in Reno county. Mr. Jones carried the county by a majority of 500 and was congratulated upon his shrewd and manly campaign. Two years later he asked for a re-election, this time having to face the calamity people as well as the Democracy. His whole ticket was successful in securing pluralities, but he led and gained a majority over all and was the only one who enjoyed that distinction. As an officer he is willing, accommodating and strict; as a man he is genial, honest and polite. After serving two terms as sheriff, should he embark in private business in this, city he will enjoy the es- teem, confidence and good will of the people and continue to succeed, as success breeds success. A WESTERN KANSAS FARM. At a recent meeting of the Kansas State Agricultural Society, held in Topeka in Jan- uary, a paper was read on "Building- a Farm Home in Western Kansas," by B. C. Rich, of Trego county, where the rainfall has been less than twenty inches during the past twelve years. After describing how he se- lected a few acres, soil and slope suited to his purpose, he planted trees on three sides, put in a main ditch on the fourth; secured a good supply of water from a forty-two-foot well, with windmill, tank, etc., such as may be found on any good farm; how he arranged his trees, fruits, large and small, laid off his plats for vegetables, shrubs, flowers, etc., and then he furnishes the following descrip- tion of the results: "I have been asked as to the acreage ca- pacity, profit and expense of such an irriga- tion plant. I will say, in answer, that these elements depend on annual rainfall, the depth of the well, volume of water and nature of soil to be watered. A light, sandy soil will require much more water than a black loam underlaid with clay. "My well, as stated before, is forty -five feet deep, volume of water abundant, and soil is bottom black loam, underlaid with clay, and the capacity which I have devel- oped is equal to six acres of forest, orchard and garden combined. The forest and or- chard take less water in proportion to acre- age than the garden. The plant is no more expensive than most every farmer now has for stock-watering purposes. A pipe leading from the tank to my corral, five hundred feet distant, waters all my stock. The profit is great, in proportion to the capital and labor expended. It supplies my family with all the fruits, vegetables and roots needed for the table during every month of the year, and the surplus can always be marketed each week to a good advantage. "During December, January, February, and March, we have, for use and sale, on- ions, potatoes, beets, carrots, parsnips, horse- IN THE PACKING ROOMS OF THE BARTON SALT WJHK6. 00 THE HUTCHINSON NEWS. radish, and salsify. In April and May, we have rhubarb and asparagus: then come, in turn, lettuce, radishes, peas, beans, toma- toes, cabbage, and even celery: also pump- kins, squashes, melons, and cucumbers. Of small fruits, we have strawberries, currants, raspberries, blackberries, grapes and goose- berries. Of large fruits, we have apples, peaches, pears, plums, quinces, and cherries. The timely waterings give an abundance of each in its season, and the surplus beyond the family wants is marketed at a fair price. "The ideal farm home, in addition to the appurtenances already mentioned, should have a smoke-house and an ice-house. My smoke-house is 5x5, and6% feet high, inside measure: built of stone, and with a sod roof. It represents labor only, as the lumber in it is worth less than $1. In it we can keep, in good condition, all smoked pork and beef products through the warmest summer months, and thus save the paying out of large sums of money for cured meats through the year. My ice house is dug into a side- hill, north slope; is 8 feet deep by 10 feet wide, and 13 feet long, inside measure; with rock walls on the inside, and a board and sod roof. It cost less than $6 in money. For the keeping of family supplies of meats, fruits, and vegetables, and the making and marketing of dairy products, it is an invalu- able auxiliary, and greatly adds to the com- fort, pleasure and profit of the family. I often wonder why any farmer will do with- out the smoke-house and ice-house. Being inexpensive, they many times over pay for their cost each year." These remarks may be very properly ap- plied to any farm in the great Arkansas Valley, where similar management will make one acre produce as much as ten do under the present indifferent and easy-going man- ner of farming. The extra capital consists almost entirely of labor and a little timely and closer attention. He shows how, away out in Western Kansas, a "Farm Home" may be established, which will furnish wheat for bread; beef and pork, fresh during eight months of the year, and properly cured through the hot weather; poultry and eggs, fruits and vegetables, from orchard and garden; flowers, shrubs and evergreens for adornment; fish from an artificial pond; and with it all, secure comfort, profit and happi- ness, making farm life attractive for both old and young. THE HUTCHINSON PACKING COMPANY. In May, 1889, the Hutchinson Packing Com- iany began operating its plant in this city. lembers of this company also have packing ouses in Omaha and Chicago. This plant as been under the management of B. W. Inderwood and the success attained in build- og up the business and finding natural and emunerative markets is due to his enthusi- sm, vigor and enterprise. It is located in he heart of a great hog and cattle feeding nd producing region and the products find heir markets in Kansas points, the territory rest and south, shipments having been ladealso to the Carolinas, Pacific Coast and >ld Mexico. This plant has a capacity of 00 hogs and 50 cattle per day during the ummer, and double that in the winter, and 3 operated with as good averages as pack- ag houses located elsewhere in comparison o the capacity. Within the last year the ompany has added about $30,000 to the value f the plant, and has also purchased the 'airbanks Lard Refinery, located adjacent o the packing houses, and will refine lard, aanufacture soap, etc.. on an extensive cale, a fact which of itself indicates the suc- cess and satisfaction attained by the com- pany in its operations at Hutchinson. In addition to these works, the company owns and operates its own salt-plant, also located near the packing houses, Enough salt is produced for its own use and a considerable quantity for sale. 'Slack coal is used mostly for fuel and costs about $2.00 per ton, which might be regarded as quite reasonable at any point. In a recent interview upon the raising and marketing of swine, Mr. Underwood stated some very interesting facts, and substan- tially as follows: "I can safely say this is a good and profitable hog country. The farmer makes more clear money, however, on one hog than we do on one hundred. have taken great pains to ascertain the cost per hundred pounds to raise ho^s in this vicinity and am convinced it does not average to ex- ceed $2.50 per hundred. The average price paid for hogs the past six months is about $6.50 per hundred pounds — we have paid as high as $7.75. The lowest price in four years was in August and September 1890, when corn looked like a failure all over the country L~ PACKING HOUSE OF THE HUTCHINSON PACKING COMPANY. LARD REFINERY OP THE HUTCHINSON PACKING COMPANY. and farmers very imprudently rushed their hogs to marked from every state, resulting in prices falling to $3.00 per hundred pounds here, but they quickly reacted to $5.75. The average price for four years has been fully $4. 50. We pay a price that is close to Kansas City, and expect the time will come, when the business is so thoroughly e?tablished as to pay Kansas City prices. For beef cattle, we pay Kansas City prices less freight. This business, however, is of slower growth than that of hogs, but we hope to extend it.'' SOME FINANCIAL SUGGESTIONS. BY SCOTT E. WINNE. .HERE ARE A GREAT many persons at the pres- ent time who are turning their attention to financial prohlems, and, as is gen- erally the case, each man has his own infallible re- ceipt, that he firmly be- lieves would prove a panacea to all the ills of the body politic. As a rule the less abil- ity one displays in managing his own affairs, the more certain he is that the whole coun- try is going straight to the devil financially, unless his particular theory is adopted, and the more absurd and impractical his theory is the more strenuously he advocates it. For the past two or three years we have had a surfeit of all sorts of theories but the most of them are too vague, indefinite and imprac- tical ever to crystalize into public opinion, for notwithstanding the patience with which these theories are tolerated and listened to, the great mass of the people are too intelli- gent to go off on a wild goose chase after a phantom, and while they may read Bellamy's "Looking Backward" and listen sometimes to the lank, cadaverous looking individual who spends his time upon the street corners quarreling with his neighbors over the advi- sability of a land tax, in the end the con- sensus of public opinion will be somewhere near right, and financial theories that bear the impress of having oiiginated in the addled brain of some resident of that part of town lying just outside of the asylum grounds is promptly discarded. Just now there is much discussion over the advisability of repealing the Sherman law and stopping the purchases of silver by the government, and we read in the papers that President Cleveland has declared his inten- tion of calling 1 congress together at an early date for the purpose of securing its repeal. While I am at heart a silver man and would like to see silver adopted on a parity with gold by the nations of the world, yet I am heartily in favor of the repeal of the present law. The United States is not large enough to back silver against the balance of the world, and any attempt to do so must in the nature of things result disastrously. If con- gress would repeal the Sherman law, pass the necessary appropriation bills, and then go home, I am inclined to think it would be the best thing that could happen us. This constant agitation destroys public confi- dence, and works far more injury to the people at large than the defects in the laws themselves. The keynote of good times and of individual success financially is "confi- dence" and it must be founded upon sure foundations. Whatever tends to destroy confidence weakens us. Whatever tends to induce confidence strengthens us. This is as true of nations as of individuals and if we would maintain the confidence of the world we must be like Cassar's wife, above suspicion. There must be no ground for even a suspicion that we will ever attempt to profit by returning the money of foreign investors or of paying our debts with a de- based currency. I have been asked to write an article on the subject of Kansas Mortgages, and to explain why we are offering some of the best secu- rities the sun ever shone on with no one to take them, and why capital no longer seeks investment in Kansas securities. The sub- ject is too large to treat in the short space allowed me in this article as the causes are many and somewhat complex. I shall con- tent myself with merely throwing out a few practical suggestions. All laws which restrict and hamper the use of money in the various forms in which it seeks investment, to the exact degree that it restricts, prevents competition, and in- creases rates. The price of money, like every other commodity, is largely based upon the law of supply and demand. In addition to L.cfC. 100 TI/E HUTCHINSON NEWS. this, the price of money is also influenced by the security given for its safe return and the man who has money to loan bases the rate of interest which he demands on its value in the market, taking into consideration the security given for its safe return. If the security is absolutely safe he is willing to let his money go at a low rate of interest. If he runs some risk of loss he must charge enough more to cover that loss or refuse to let his money go. Capital is proverbially timid and is more liable to over-estimate than to under-estimate the risk; hence we often find good securities offered without a taker at a good rate of interest simply because the lender lacks confidence in the security offered. This is the trouble with Kansas securities to-day. There are millions of dollars lying idle, locked up in safety deposit vaults or drawing three per cent, or four per cent, per annum that would gladly seek investment if its owners could have assurance that the security offered is absolutely safe. For the past three or four years it has been a popular delusion that all capitalists were bloated and that the money power was a growing thing of evil which ought to be sat down on and crushed to atoms. I suppose it would be practically impossible to convince some of our howling ignoramuses that the widow in New England who has a couple of thousand dollars at interest on which she depends for her support, who has been per- suaded to send it west for investment, was not a bloated bondholder, a plutocrat and utterly unworthy of being either decently or honestly treated by our people. Espe- cially would it be impossible to convince these demagogues if they were after a one- horse office and thought there was a vote in sight. I am glad these fellows are getting out of popular favor and out of power. I believe they are daily growing fewer in number. We have no use for them. They are ex- crescences upon the body politic and the quicker we get rid of them the better we shall be off. I do not believe in covering up cussedness in the name of reform no matter what you call it. To-day the state of Kansas as a whole is paying a penalty of at least one per cent, for their past foolishness crystalized into unwise laws and the bad reputation we have on account of thr past cussedness of some of our precious rascals and bad judgment of some of our financiers. Most of our rascals have left us for localities where they can ply their vocations better and for pastures new. Many of those who failed in judgment have learned much by experience and will not again repeat their errors. Have I any receipt that will prove a panacea? Well hardly, but I might throw out a few suggestions that would improve the situation. First — The repeal of all laws tending to delay the collection of debts and enacting in place thereof, laws that would enable the creditor to take the security offered by simple process and without expense. A twelve months redemption law would not be objectionable on mortgage foreclosures if a receiver could be appointed to turn over the rents and profits to the creditor in case the debtor failed to redeem. Second — The assessment of all property both real and personal at its true value. This would lower the rate of taxation and distribute the burden as equally as our present law, and the assessment rolls would be of great practical benefit to lenders in de- termining the value of securities. Another thing that should be set down on by all fair minded men is the appraisel of property for more than its value. Many good men are careless about these matters and will appraise a piece of property for double its value merely to accommodate some friend. We should never lose sight of the fact that such an instrument in the hands of a designing man is often used for purposes of fraud, and that the man who guesses at values or puts bis name to an over valuation is at least morally responsible if an innocent person should be defrauded thereby. Every citizen is interested in the good name of our commonwealth and should guard the honor of our state as jealously as he would his own. Our credit is built up of confidence, confidence in our resources, our people and our laws. Nature has dealt with us lavishly and there is probably no place in the union where well directed effort accomplishes so much as in Kansas. Our resources are ample to beget the confidence of the world and all we need is to have capital become acquainted with them. I think that on an average our people are as intelligent and as honorable as any people SOME FINANCIAL SUGGESTIONS. 10 1 on earth. Like all new communities we have had our share of adventurers and we are at present suffering for their misdeeds, but these are moving- westward and the past four or five years have cleared the state of a large number of fellows that it is a Godsend to get rid of. The people of Kansas who have staid by the state through adversity can be depended upon to have the right kind of metal. They are living examples of success. It is surprising how few fore- closures of farm property have occured in cases where the mortgagor lived on the farm given as security. After you have de- ducted the speculators and boomers you will find very few pieces of land that have ever been sold under the sheriff's hammer. As to our laws it is largely a question of expedience. If the commonwealth believes it necessary to maintain a species of guard ianship over the people, and want the present laws to stand, they can rest assured that business will finally adjust itself to prevailing laws and work under them, but capital will demand increased pay for in- creased burdens, and the farmer will pay higher rates of interest than he would have to pay if they were removed from the statue books altogether. I for one have enough confidence in the intelligence of our people to believe that they are capable of taking care of themselves, and that they do not need any kind of statutory guardianship over their methods of doing business. The fewer restrictions we have on business gen- erally the better it will be for everybody concerned. Scott E. Winne. THE TROTTING HORSE IN KANSAS. BY J. L. S. N TREATING UPON THE SUBJECT of horses I have confined myself di- rectly to the trotting horse, inasmuch as it is a generally accepted fact that the draft breeds may be successfully produced in nearly any part of the United States. However, I may say that the draft horse in Kansas needs improvement, and en- terprising breeders of that variety will find Kansas a good field in which to locate and establish breeding farms of pure-bred Per- cherons, Normans, etc. But in the production of the best type of trotting horses, there are many conditions, such as climate, soil and good roads, which give some localities great advantages over other places. Heretofore Kentucky has been the great field for the production of this class of horses, so much so that even now when we want to brag on our horse we say that he is a Ken- tucky horse, and Kentucky has reaped and is yet reaping a great reward for their at- tention to this class of horse-raising; but the Kentucky horse is now found ail over the United States, many places raising as good Kentucky horses as» they do in Kentucky. California boasts of the largest horse ranch in the United States, the Palo Alto Ranch, owned by the late Senator Stanford, and Kansas the next largest, owned by Henry C. Jewett, of Buffalo, New York, and called the "Jewett Farm," situated in Sedgwick county and consisting of 5,100 acres. This Kansas farm is stocked with such sires as "Patchen Wilkes," the best bred son of the great Geo. Wilkes; Jerome Eddy, Erie Wilkes, Sherman, Kansas Wilkes, Damo, Bonny Boy, etc., and mares are shipped by the car load from the east to breed to these noted sires. In the same county is found the successful Toler farm, headed by Ashland Wilkes, one of the greatest race horses and speed producers of this country; and at Great Bend we find the Heizer farm, headed by Kankakee and with many of the greatest brood mares known, and most every county is now taking an in- terest in this class of horses, and soon the returns from the sale of horses will equal the returns of any class of stock or grain produced in the state. This being one of the most central states, mild climate and cheap THE HUTCHINSON NEWS. feed gives advantages that are being recog- nized. A party from Kentucky, appreciating this, has recently bought eight hundred acres of good land in an adjoining county and comes with the great "Ellersly Wilkes," and others; and when our advantages are made known, more will come, and of all the local- ities of the state none are better and few as well adapted to this industry as Hutchinson and Reno county. Here Ave have just enough sand in our soil to prevent muddy roads, a mild climate and cheap feed, etc. We need no covered track. There is scarcely a day in the year that the horse cannot be trained on our roads or track, and we have a central location, a railroad center, a city the bright- est and most prosperous in the state, and, beyond question, the best place to winter stock of this kind in the country. We need, it is true, better track facilities, but soon that want will be supplied and within twelve months we will have a good mile track in- stead of the present half mile. We have in our county some of the best bred horses of the state; among them is Judge Prince, a standard-bred grandson of Nutwood, owned by W. A. Low; the great Don Pedro, record 2:24%, owned by Dr. Delano; High Lemmon, a grandson of Dictator, owned by Smith Bros., and a well bred son of the great Patchen Wilkes. Dr. Cook has a number that are highly bred, John Foley has a fine standard-bred descendant of Almont and various others are engaging in this class of stock raising. It takes no longer to raise this breed of horses and the sales show they bring at pub- lic auction on an average more than five times the price realized on the common stock, and while the price of other stock is on the decrease there is an increase in the price of the standard-bred trotter, and we miss our guess if Kansas will not be the great rival of Kentucky in the future for the rais- ing of fine horses, and if so Reno county ought to take her place where she belongs — at the head of the procession. And while this great industry is coming and soon every buggy will be drawn by a high bred animal, it is not coming as fast as it would if it was known generally what our advantages are. Kansas raises the best boned, best lung power and best muscled colts of any state in the Union, and we can raise them cheaper and work them more months in the year, and it will not be long before other states will come to Kansas for their fine bred horses, and to say your horse is from Kansas will be as much bragadocio as to now say he is from Kentucky. J. L. S. OUR BUSINESS MEN. WHAT ENTERPRISING MEN CAN DO. A year and a half ago, the name of Du- pier's grocery, in this city was not known. To-day any resident of Reno county can tell where Duplers' grocery is located. L. G. Dupler moved here in December, 1891, from Shawneetown, 111., and bought the stock of groceries belonging to W. W. Waterfield & Son. Mr. Waterfield had for a period of several months before selling allowed his stock to run down and in fact was conduct- ing a closing out sale when Mr. Dupler pur- chased. Considering this fact Mr. Dupler found himself in possession of a stock of goods in bad shape and many of the former customers of the establishment had changed their place of trading. He immediately set to work to build up a trade. He purchased fresh goods, gave strict attention to his busi- ness and was liberal with the use of printer's Mr. C. E. Dupler, a brother, moved to Hutch- inson from Shawneetown and purchased a half interest in his brother's store. Since that time the trade of Dupler Bro's. has L. G. DUPLER. ink. In six months time he had regained the volume of trade that Waterfield & Son had in their best days. In November, 1893, C. E. DUPLER. gradually grown until to-day they can claim without dispute the largest city trade of any grocery in the city. Both L. G. and C. E. Dupler were successful merchants in Shaw- neetown for a term of twenty-one years be- fore moving to Hutchinson. ONE OF THE FIRST. In looking over the files of the News we find the following advertisement occupying a space of four inches, single column, in Vol. 1, No. 1: "For pure drugs and medicines go to Dickey's Drug Store, Hutchinson and Newton, Kansas." For many years after this advertisement was placed before the readers of the News regularly every week. In January, 1873, A. B. Dickey moved to Hutchinson from Newton, and opened a drug store in the building recently burned and of jate years occupied by Marshall & Co, In 104 THE HUTCHINSON NE WS. this building- A. B. Dickey sold drugs and medicines until 1882. Pie then moved across the street and the familiar sign of "Dickey's Drug Store" was placed over the building oc- cupied now by J. M. Jones and Mr. Furman. At this time Mrs. Dickey was admitted to the firm and advertisements from that date read "Dickey & Co." In 1888 the store was moved to 117 South Main, and a stock of groceries was added to to the drugs. Since 1SS8 Mrs. H. M. Dickey has assumed control of the business, owing to Mr. Dickey's health. Mr. Dickey died in January, 1890, eighteen years after first locating in the city. Mrs. Dickey has proved to be an exceptionally good busi- ness woman and has built up one of the best trades in the city, and what could be said twenty-one years ago can be said to-day, on\y we must add the word groceries: "For pure drugs, medicines and groceries go to Dickey's." THE ONLY ONE STILL IN BUSINESS. "Mr. S. F. Eaff, a prominent citizen of Mc- Pherson, has been in the city several days. Mr.' Raff is very much pleased with our peo- ple and prospects, so much so, that it is to be hoped that he will conclude to stay." — Hutchinson News, September 19, 1872. Mr. Raff did stay and in October 24, 1872, the News has a long article describing a dance given in the new store room of Brown & Raff, a frame on the lot now occupied by Young Bro's., and shortly afterwards every issse of the paper spoke of the bargains Brown & Raff were giving in dry goods, etc. In 1874 Hiram Raff moved to Hutchinson, and purchased the stock of Brown & Raff. A short time after this Mr. S. F. Raff bought the stock of Dickinson & Son, and in course of six months the two stocks were consolidated and the firm was known as Raff Bro's. In the spring of 1876, Raff Bro's. moved their stock into the building now occupied by S. F. Raff, No. 24, North Main, of course the building was not as large as at present, as Mr. Raff has had sev- eral additions built on, until now the store room of S. F. Raff extends from Main street to the alley in the rear. In 1888 Hiram Raff was called away from business by death, and Mr. S. F. Raff, one of the founders of the house, still conducts the business. Mr. Raff is the only man in Hutchinson to-day conducting a mercantile business, who was , engaged in the same vocation twenty-one years ago. Mr. Raff in spite of new firms moving to the city, making big displays and offering extra inducements, still holds his share of the dry goods trade, as his name is a household word in the families of the citi- zens of Reno county, owing to his continu- ous and uninterrupted business career. He can join the News in celebrating a twenty- first anniversary. % J. D. WIENER. Prominent among those who are largely responsible for the commercial supremacy which our city enjoys, is J. D. Wiener. A Prussian by birth, he left the Fatherland and came to this country arriving at Mil- J. D. WEINER. waukee, Wisconsin, in July, 1870, where he at once entered as apprentice in one of the largest wholesale hat and cap establish- ments there. By diligent study, close at- tention and economic tendencies he soon worked his way up, and in January, 1880, entered into a partnership in a like business in Chicago, which city he left in 1886, coming to Kansas in-the month of June and locating in Larned, later in Ureat Bend and finally coming to Hutchinson in January, 1889, and establishing "The Grand," the largest estab- lishment in the textile fabric line in the state. This business was totally destroyed by fire in December, 1891. It was after this catastrophe that the great commercial and OUR BUSINESS MEN. jos executive ability of the man was brought to prominence, for in the incredible short time of just about sixty days after its destruction he had the establishment again rebuilt, re- fitted, restocked and reopened for business, larger and handsomer than ever before. In December, 1892, an opportunity offering fav- orable considerations induced him to sell out the business and reopen in the spring of this year one of the largest clothing and furnish- ing goods business in the city, which estab- lishment he now operates. As a deep thinker and a student of modern and progressive ideas he is closely allied with every move- ment that tends to advance every desirable interest of not only our own city and county but of all Western Kansas. He is a promi- nent and enthusiastic worker in most of our fraternal and secret organizations and holds prominent offices in some of them. He is pres- ent Master Workman and Recorder-elect of Hutchinson Lodge, No. 77, A. O. U. W., and Chancellor Commander of Hutchinson Lodge, No. 197, K. of P. Politically he is allied with and recognized as an influential leader of the People's party here, although in the main he is generally recognized as an ardent and conscientious tariff reformer and a supporter of such municipal and legislative measures as are broadly practical and justly appli- cable to all interests alike. He is 38 years of age, married and occupies one of the handsome and modern homes of our city. THE DOCHERTY DRY GOODS COMPANY. There is in all probability no dry goods store in the entire west that has built up a trade to equal the Docherty Dry Goods Com- pany in as short a space of time as they have, a little over six months. This company was organized the 1st of January, 1893. The members of the company are W. T. Docherty, J. A. Milne and M. Walker, and a more en- terprising trio of business men would be hard to find. The Docherty Dry Goods Company pur- chased the stock of The Grand, and at the time of the purchase their predecessor had only ten clerks to wait upon the trade, the present owners employ thirty-four people who are constantly at work, which fact alone shows their business an enormous one. The mail order department of the Doch- erty Dry Goods department is their special pride. They sell goods not only all over Kansas but also into our neighboring states, in fact, they sell dry goods in the territory that should geographically belong to the large houses of Kansas City and St. Louis. If this notice reaches the eye of any lady who has been sending to any eastern city, like Chicago, Philadelphia, New York, etc., the Docherty Dry Goods Company request that she write them for prices and samples and they will take pleasure in showing her that an enterprising dry goods store in in- terior Kansas can and will compete with the largest establishments of our great cities. The floor room occupied by this company is 50 by 150 feet, and vacant room is an un- heard of quantity in the establishment. HE PLEASES THE PUBLIC. E. O. Richmond, merchent tailor and cloth- ing renovator, came to Reno county from Adams, Mass., in 1887, and located at Arling- ton, Kan., where he resided for three years. E. O. RICHMOND. Mr. Richmond, seeing that Arlington was not a large enough city for his business, moved to Hutchinson and opened a tailor and repair shop at 5% South Main street, up- stairs. His trade grew so rapidly that he had to soon move to larger quarters and moved across the street on the ground floor, in a portion of room 16, South Main. In a year's time he found that it was necessary for him to again seek larger quarters and moved to No. 7 East Sherman, where he can be found to-day, ever trying to please the public. READ THE STATEMENT. As an evidence of our prosperity read the financial statement of the First National bank of this city in this issue. to6 1 HE H V TCH1NS0N NE 1 1 'S. THE HUB CLOTHIERS. Chas. Youngheim and Samuel Tannebaum are the proprietors of "The Hub," one of the leading clothing firms in Central Kansas. Mr. Youngheim came here from McPherson in 1885, and entered into the clothing busi- ness in one of the rooms now occupied by P. Martin & Co. In March, 1890, he was joined by Mr. Tannebaum and together they moved to the large room now occupied by them in the Opera House block, and formed what has ever since been known as "The Hub." Both are gentlemen of good reputation and enjoy the respect and confidence of a large trade. One of their leading business prin- ciples is to give customers full value for their money, and this is the secret of their great success since they have been doing business in Hutchinson. J. W. KANACA. J. W. Kanaga is one of our most popular grocerymen and highly respected citizens. In the early history of the city he was iden- tified with many of the leading enterprises, and entered the grocery business in 1883 in the building now occupied by Dunn's jewelry store. In 1884 he moved to his present loca- tion, where he has a good trade, and is noted for being in line with all the delicacies of the season, and for selling as closely as good business principles will permit. BUILDING UP A TRADE. Mr. Wilbur F. Dean, proprietor of the fancy grocery house on the corner of Sherman and Main, has every reason to be proud of his record since starting in business in Hutchin- son. When Mr. Dean first came to Hutch- inson he worked for nine months for the Hutchinson Produce company. He then went "on the road" six months for the Kan- sas City Produce house and resigned to ac- cept the position of bookkeeper for the Keith and Perry Coal company. He launched out into the grocery business about six months ago and has already doubled the trade that his predecessors carried. He is also doing considerable commission business in fruits, eggs, etc., and has been very suc- cessful in this line. THE BON TON BAKERY. Poehler & Householder came to this city a few months since and purchased the Bon Ton Bakery from J. W. Brehm, establishing in connection therewith an ice cream parlor, one of the finest in the state, and which is the favorite retreat for ladies. Tasty car- pets, handsome furniture and first class service is what you find, and the output from their bakery is the delight of almost every family in the city. A bright and successful future lies before these young gentlemen. If you have not visited their ice cream parlor you should do so. It is a delightful retreat. A. MclNTURFF. OUR-LEADING PHOTOGRAPHER. The picture of the gentleman shown above is Hutchinson's leading photograper, located at No. 7 North Main. It was over twenty- one years ago since he first settled in Reno county, and most of the time since has con- ducted a gallery in this city. The majority of the half-tone illustrations in this maga- zine, were made from photographs taken by Mclnturff. A WORD OF ADVICE. A word of advice to parents which they will do well to heed. Every good man and every good woman lives again in their chil- dren. If they have suffered from disad- vantages in early life and have lost much pleasure and profit from lack of early edu- cation or culture, can they not in a measure recompense themselves by seeing that their children enjoy the same advantages they have missed? If not sufficiently well-to-do OUR BUSINESS MEN. 107 to give their son or daughter a college course, they can see to it that he or she ob- tains an equally good education at home. The hour when the parent succeeds in in- teresting the child in useful home study — so rich in after results — is the hour when the child has reached the fateful turning point in its life. Proper direction, then, is sure to bring a rich harvest in future happiness and success. The wise parent therefore will study care- fully the advantages and safe guards thrown around their children by teaching them the value of placing their money in a well estab- lished Savings Bank, which pays four per cent, interest on deposits, to encourage the youth to save their money. The readers' attention is called to the ad- vertisement of the First National Bank in front part of this magazine. A FLOURISHING PLANT. The cut that appears on this page is a view of part of the interior of the bottling plant of Bennett & Son, located on Avenue A west, on the south bank of Cow creek. This business was first established in 1888, and carried on in rented rooms on North Mam. In 1889 the substantial brick build- ing which they now occupy was erected. Mr. Bennett has been in the bottling busi- ness since 1866, and the result of his twenty- eight years experience has been seen in the necessity for increasing the capacity of the plant every year since it was built, in order to meet the demands of the constantly grow- ing trade. This year $1,500 worth of new machinery has been added, among which is a new Carse carbonating machine of the latest patent, using the "continuous pro- cess," and the only one of the kind in the state. The plant is run by electricity, and is supplied with pure water from the water works directly across the creek by a private pipe line passing under the creek. The quality of the goods turned out by this firm, consisting of wild cherry phosphate, pop, ginger ale, and all the non-intoxicating summer drinks, has established a flourishing trade all over the west and southwest parts of the state, and this trade is increasing all the time. At present the plant is turning out from 250 to 300 cases per day. WHOLESALE FLOUR HOUSE. One of the industries recently started in this city, and of which we all feel proud, is the wholesale flour house of A. D. Butler, who within the past year has secured the Nickerson Roller Mills and has fitted them up second to none, so far as excellency of work is concerned, in the west. The products of the mills are placed in their wholesale establishment at No. 314 North Main street, with G. W. Stone in charge, and as city salesman, and the busi- ness already being done by Mr. Butler, both in furnishing flour to the local trade, as well as to surrounding towns and cities, has caused him to move his main office to this INTERIOR VIEW OF BENNETT & SON'S BOTTLING WORKS. ioS THE HUTCHINSON NEWS. city, where all the business, except the actual making of flour, will be transacted. Mr. Butler is in every sense a business man; sociable, pleasant and honest, he has the confidence and respect of all, and with the able assistance of G. W. Stone, several years with the Hutchinson Milling 1 Company, this new enterprise is bound to be one of Hutchinson's extensive and successful whole- sale enterprises. Give us a few more such wholesalers and jobbers as Mr. Butler, and this point, as a wholesaling- city will soon come to the front. THE HUTCHINSON CICAR COMPANY. Among the industries represented in our city, none have made a more rapid progress than that carried on by the Hutchinson Cigar Company, manufacturers and jobbers of the highest grades of cigars and cigar- O. E. COMSTOCK. ettes. The business is carried on by a stock company organized a year and a half ago, with a capital stock of $10,000, at whose head are the following officers: O. E. Comstock, president, a photo gravure of whom appears in connection with this sketch; E. B. Payne, vice-president; W. R. - Bennett, secretary; W. H. Hedges, treasurer, and A. H. Foeltzer, superintendent. Mr. Ed. Ardery, a member of the firm, has supervision of sales outside of the city. The offices and factory of this company are located in the Woodard block, on First avenue east, where thirty people are now employed in the manufacture of their goods. When the company was first organized it was determined that high qual- ity should be the distinguishing character- istic of their goods, and pursuing this policy, nothing has ever been used in their factory but the highest grade tobacco. Nine-tenths of the cigars they make are hand-made goods, requiring the most skilled labor, and their cigar makers are the best workmen from the east, who are paid from $11 to $25 each per week. There is not a more thor- oughly posted man on qualities of tobacco than the superintendent, A. H. Foeltzer, who was associated with the president, Mr. Comstock, in the projection of the enter- prise. These facts disclose the secret of the rapid growth in the business of this estab- lishment, and the cause for the constantly increasing volume of their trade. During the past year this company manufactured and sold 1,560,000 cigars. They make the celebrated K. P. cigar, My Own, Manzanilla, Bob's Favorite, College Boy, and many oth- ers equally well known. All who are curious as to how cigars are made should visit this manufactory, and we will guarantee that their call will be made pleasant by the man- agement. YOUNGEST IN THE STATE. The youngest and probably most success- ful restaurant man in the state is Mr. J. W. Miller of this city. He came here last fall from McPherson, bought the restaurant be- longing to Carroll Briscoe and immediately went to work in fixing the same in metro- politan style. His success in this city can be judged by the help he now employs, seven persons, as compared with Mr. Briscoe, who only employed two. Mr. Miller's restaurant is located in the Masonic Temple block, first door north of the Valley State bank. A FINE ARTIST. Hutchinson has in its midst a gentleman, whose career it would be well we all make careful note of, as he to-day stands in his profession near the head, and promises to be, if his work counts for ought, one of the renowned artists of America. The gentle- man we have in mind is W. A. Ford, artist, whose work can be seen any time by calling at room "D," Higley block. Mr. Ford has just returned home from the east and al- O UK B USINESS MEN. )OQ though already a fine artist, he took lessons from an artist of Dresden, Germany, while away. The picture belonging to Mrs. H. B. Wall, now on exhibition at the world's fair, which is receiving so much attention from the press, is of his production. This picture alone would stamp him as- an artist of rare ability. To all parties wishing work done in Mr. Ford's pr©f ession we can say they might visit larger cities and employ much poorer artists, who would charge exorbitant prices and then not receive by half as fine work as Mr. Ford is able to execute. READ THE STATEMENT. As an evidence of our prosperity, read the financial statement of the First National bank of this city in this issue. NOTHING BUT THE BEST. The American Clothing House of Hutchin- son has been in business here but about a year, but during that time has demonstrated the fact that its manager, C. W. Dunaway, thoroughly understands the clothing busi- ness. When the house was opened it was announced to the public that they would carry none but the best of clothing. This was carried out to the letter. The Amer- ican's stock is recognized as first-class from top to bottom and no shoddy, shelf-worn goods are to be found in this establishment. They handle none but the best and ask only one price to one and all of their many cus- tomers. This has been a telling point in Mr. Dunaway's method of doing business and has won for him many friends and pa- trons. The American Clothing House is lo- cated in the large brick store room at No. 7 North Main. WRIGHT & TODD. In the year 1887, the grocery firm of Wrigt & Todd was established in this city. In a short time Mr. Todd died, and Mr. Wm. Wright continued the business under the firm name. He has catered to the city trade, handling staple and fancy groceries; one of his aims being to sell the cheapest until now he has a trade of which any man or firm should feel proud, and goes on the principle that "when you get a customer, hold him by gentility, honesty and fair dealing." "Wright & Todd" is one of the substantial business concerns of the city. THE STAR CLOTHIERS- On November 5th, 1887, the Star Clothiers opened a small store in the Midland block in a room 70 feet deep by 25 wide. From the very day they opened their doors business with them has been in every way a marvel- ous success, for they showed the public from the start that they were the "leaders of low prices," and gave them better goods for less money than they could buy elsewhere. To- day the reputation of the Star Clothiers is known all over Kansas. Their mail order department is of great magnitude and demon- strates the confidence the people have in the firm. The city and county trade of the Star demands a small army of salesmen to wait upon them. The Star now occupies the Stallman block, having recently began im- provements, which, when finished, will give them a floor room of 250 feet. The Star carries the largest stock of clothing in the state and are always up to the times in sup- plying their trade with the latest novelties that can be obtained in the large eastern cities. A stranger coming to Hutchinson should not fail to visit the Star Clothiers, take a walk through this mammoth clothing house, look at the stock and examine the prices; they are so low that you will be tempted to buy, whether you really need the goods or not. A department has been set aside in this establishment for children's clothing, which is neatly furnished with handsome carpets, chairs, etc., and will be a convenient and comfortable place for ladies to rest while on a shopping tour, and the management of the Star will always greet you with a cordial welcome. The hat and furnishing goods department are always filled with the very latest styles. The Star can well lay claim to being the largest cloth- ing house in the state of Kansas and they undoubtedly do the clothing business of Hutchinson. OUR PROTECTION FROM FIRE. One of the most important parts of the machinery of any city is its facilities for pro- tection against fire. Hutchinson has always been fortunate in avoiding conflagrations, and at the present time has the most com- plete apparatus and the most efficient fire force in its history. It has been the aim of Mr. Miskimen, the chairman of the city council committee of the fire department, to bring about this condition and he has sue- HOSE WAGON NO 1, OF THE HUTCHINSON FIRE DEPARTMENT. ceeded most happily. Everything works by electricity and at a moment's warning the "fire laddies" are up and away with light- ning speed behind a beautiful team of well trained horses. It is an experienced force, and hence effective. The fire committee representing the city council is comprised of the following councilmen: H. Miskimen, chairman; I). Dolliday and M. Watson. The force that responds to the calls and extin- guishes the fires is composed of J. A. Stout, chief; E. W. Mclnturff, hydrantman; M. G. Rich, pipeman, and F. E. Lewis, Driver. Hutchinson residents and property holders never felt more secure than at present from the fire fiend, and place implicit trust in the management of this important branch of the administration of the affairs of the city. WHAT WORK AND ENERGY CAN DO. In every growing town there is in its his- tory a story of the downfall and rise of a steam laundry. It is seldom a steam laundry is put upon a paying basis in a city of the the size of Hutchinson. Failures are numer- ous and successes in the business few. The competition of the washwoman and the ever ready John Chinaman drives the laundry business to the larger cities. The first steam laundry to open its doors in Hutchinson was started by I. N. Wooddell in the summer of 1886, on Avenue A east. Mr. Wooddell soon sold out to other parties and his successors' career was one marked by briefness. A. L. Willis NO. 3 NORTH MAIN, Hardware and Implement Dealers. ADVERTISEMENTS. ESTABLISHED 1872. INCORPORATED 1883. Hutchinson Hardware ■* Implement Co DEALERS IN StifcTF an d H^sVy Ha^Wai-a ® ® ® ® FARM MACHINERY. SEWING MACHINES AND SALT SUPPLIES. ® ® ® ® 114 North Main, Hutchinson, Kansas. SNSUsq Zt S-, W. T. A. ENGLISH. J. M. GREEN. PKOPKIETORS 'Hutchinson Carriage Shop Sal t Car ts. All Kinds of Tools for Salt Works. One block south of Rock Island depot. Repairing - in all branches done with neatness and dispatch. The only complete carriage shop in Reno county. Hutchinson, Kansas. an c Good Rigs Handsome Horses © Always to be found at the livery barn of Smith, Miller & Carpenter, Located on First Avenue West. BALLARD, SEVERANCE & CO. Wholesale Notions and Furnishings. ® Jeans and Cottonade Shirts, Pants, Etc. ® No. 10 Second Ave. East. HUTCHINSON, KAN. H. S. ROGERS, ATTORNEY-AT LAW. Second floor, opposite court HUTC kInsas' house, corner Main and A, ADVERTISEMENTS. JAHES ST. JOHN. A. W. McCANDLESS. uAMES ST, JOHN & CO. CORRESPONDENTS: Hanover Nat'l Bank, N. Y. - Midland Nat'l Bank, K. C. "1. HUTCHINSON, UrVW, KANSAS. Do a General Banking Business. COLIN CAMPBELL, The Popular Dealer in Groceries, ® Flour © and © Feed. THE LARGEST GROCERY HOUSE IN THE CITY. A. COOK, Manager. 4 1 9, 42 1 , 423, 425 North Main. FII^ST-CLASS Gl^OCE^IES, NICE DISHES A SPECIALTY. Having had twenty-one years experience selling groceries in your midst, it will not be necesssary to enumerate what I keep for sale, suffice it to say that I will continue to keep the best grades of all kinds of Canned and Dried Fruits, Fancy Bottled and Bulk Goods, anything and everything kept in a first-class grocery. NICE DISHES. Will also close out at remarkably cheap prices, a fine lot of Nice Dishes, Glassware, Lamps, etc., to make room for new goods. Yours in haste, J. M. BREHM. ADVERTISEMENTS. TAYLOR, CAMPBELL TAYLOR, ATTORNEYS AT LAW. MASONIC TEMPLE. Will practice in State and United States Courts. R. H. UPDEGRAFF, D. D. S., DENTIST. Office corner Main and Sherman streets, front rooms second floor, Hutchinson, Kansas. W. R. MORRISON, Proprietor of THE QUEEN CITY HEAT MARKET, Northwest Corner Main and Fourth Avenue, Hutchinson, Kansas. JOHNSON & SON, UNDERTAKERS AND EMBALMERS. Prompt attention given to telegraphic orders. No. 14 West Sherman, Hutchinson. CHAS. E. HALL, ABSTRACTER AND CONVEYANCER, Valley State Bank Building, No. 10 Sherman Street East, Hutchinson, Kansas. WRITE A. M. JEWELL, Hutchinson. Kansas, If you want a Reno County Farm or Hutchin- son Real Estate. $ MOORE & CHR1SMAN, | I I I Rentals, Loans and Insurance, 1 h OVER HUTCHINSON NATIONAL BANK, HUTCHINSON, KANSAS. 1 i / / ' References: Hutchinson National Bank and / 5 : . First National Bank. v $ I PLUMBERS. Estimates furnished on Steam and Hot Wat«r Heating. Sewer Pipe and Fittings always in stock. WRITE FOR PRICES. Sherman Street West, - Hutchinson, Kas. i| LEIQH & ROBERTS, BOOK AND JOB J printers,, 20 NORTH MdlN. Visiting Cards and Wedding Stationery Printed or Engraved. LEGAL BLANKS AND SCALE BOOKS. Get our figures before placing your order. MISKIMEN & CO., Do a general Real Estate, Loan and Insurance Business. Fifteen years experience. Cheap farms on easy terms. Correspondence solicited. H. Miskimen Notary Public. Office No. 21 South Main St. Hutchinson, - Kansas. HANDY BROTHERS, Carry a full and complete line of GROCERIES AND HARDWARE, No. 5 South Main, - - Hutchinson, Kansas. HARBERSON & MAYBERGER, Wholesale and retail dealers in FRESH AND SALT MEATS. They are always ready to buy good fat stock. No. 7 South Main Street. J. P. FARLEY, Keeps a general stock of GROCERIES AND FEED. No. ii South Main. - - Telephone 41. ADVERTISEMENTS. ©(§> @® 5,000 ACRES ®@ @® ®@ @® @® ®® ®@ @® @® ®® @® ®@ @® ®@ ®@ @® Of improved and unimproved lands for sale, all within 4 miles of stations on the Santa Fe railroad. Read the list: HARVEY COUNTY. Sec. T. R. Acres. Price Sec. T. R. Acres. Price All of 29 22 3 640 $11.25 S W V 4 3g 23 3 160 12.50 npw a 21 2 i 3 80 15.00 S W 34 2 23 3 160 6.25 STAFFORD COUNTY. All of 1 24 11 640 18.75 All of 13 24 11 640 18.75 Ey,SW!i 3 N W 34 24 24 11 160 22.50 34 S E 34 12 24 11 160 10.00 RENO COi NTY. All of 3 24 10 640 12.50 S.EM 31 22 4 160 5.00 NH S W 34 5 24 10 480 6.25 NE 34 32 22 4 160 7.50 All of 7 24 10 640 7.50 All of 35 22 4 640 12.50 All of 11 24 10 640 25.00 S 34 31 22 4 320 12.50 S % N W hi 13 2 + 10 580 16.66 W 34 27 22 4 311 15.00 SE 34 16 24 10 160 25.00 All of 9 22 o 640 10.00 All of 17 24 10 640 11.25 S W 34 10 oo o 160 25.00 nw a 28 24 6 160 27.50 N 34 S E 34 15 22 o 480 33.33 SE34 29 24 6 160 22.50 This land is owned by R. S. Thompson, Sr. and Jr., and is clear of incumbrance, consequently can give perfect warranty deed. Adddress, ••••••••••• R. S. THOMPSON, Hutchinson, Kansas. ADVERTISEMENTS. OFFICERS. J. P. GREENLEE, President. PRANK VINCENT. Vice President. J. S. GEORGE Secretary. J. P. HARSHA, Treasurer. DIRECTORS. J. P. GREENLEE, FRANK VINCENT, J. S. GEORGE. THOS. S. RIDGWAY. JOHN VINCENT. J. P. HARsHA. The Hutchinson Wholesale Grocer Co. STAPLE and FANCY GROCERIES. WOODENWARE. MEATS. LARD. HUTCHINSON, KANSAS. warn f# NEWSPAPERS, PUBLISHERS, MERCHANTS, MANUFACTURERS, and Advertisers General]y, FOR 2 CENTS, The product of this Concern goes to All Parts of the United States, Canada and South America. Use Our Cuts spent on a letter, we will quote LOWEST PRICES. TteCrvcaSo Photo CnS^VrnSS- Chicago, Til. 185 Madison Street, ADVERTISEMENTS. A. J. Lusk, President. John Chapman, Vice-Pres. C. H. Menke, Cashier. HUTCH'NSON ATTONAU ? Capital, $100,000.00. Sukplus, $10,000.00. ADVERTISEMENTS. PRANK COUADAY, Wholesale and Retail Dealer In Heavy and Shelf Hardware. STOVES, TINWARE, FARM MACHINERY, CARRIAGES, BUGGIES and WAGONS. No. 16 North Main Street. Agents for Hodges' Steel Headers, Champion Binders and Mowers, Perlin & Orendorf Co.'s Plows, Cultivators, Etc., Etc. Hutchinson. Kansas. JAMES DUKE LOW, President. T. F. LEIDIGH, Vice President. J. B. MACK AY, Cashier. CTTTZENS BANK. HUTCHINSON, KANSAS. Correspondents: National Park Bank, New York; Metropolitan National, Kansas City, Mo. HKALER IX W H S BENEDICT Coal. Flour, Feed and Seeds. 402 North Main Street, Hutchinson. The oldest boot and' shoe store in the city and the largest in the state. YOUNG BROS. Wholesale and Retail Dealers in loots and Shoes. 12 North Main Street. ® \ \ \ \ - wjow They occupy both floors of the building- ./ lJ t J , X . J J JJJl > u ,^ A > S here represented, buy direct from the manu- facturers and sell at the lowest pricee. ADVERTISEMENTS.' WALL & WALL, Wholesale and Retail Dealers In nV CARPETS, DRAPERIES, SHADES, ETC. tU fejnly lSxcIusiw vfWppef ±®us*^ « - __ Plenty of it, on Farm Lands>*^ At 7 Per Cent Interest. When borrowing money of me, remember these facts: JF i. No delay in waiting for inspectors. 2. Honey paid when papers are signed. 3. I loan my own funds, and you avoid delay. 4. Interest and principal paid at my office. Rooms 4 and 6, First National Bank Building. I have a few choice fruit and stock farms for sale on easv terms. L. i. bigger, Huicnjnsoo, Kansas. MOttEN TO U0M4. The undersigned has private funds in boundless quantity to loan on Hutchinson property and farm lands in the Arkansas Valley. Principal and interest pay- ments at my office. Especial low rates with rea- sonable options for desirable se- curity. Intending borrowers should call on or write me for terms. L. A. BUNKER, 21 N. Main Street, HUTCHINSON, - KANSAS. You will always find the largest stock and lowest prices on Books, Stationery, Wall Paper, Toys, DOLLS, FANCY ROODS, ETC. Most Complete News Depot in Kansas. Copies or mis magazine oq sale. Leave Your Orders With Me. H. D. \tf\NS\iO\N. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 016 088 393 5 m mi IP Hi mh '■'■'•".■'■■ SfBI ill " ■''''"■'' '•■■' ' IllH km mmSSM MINI 131B1 Hi SI V "