Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1886-05-15

18th, 18th and 14th OF
May. 1886.
Springfield Ohio Globe Republic:
An enterprise of very large proper
tons has recently been organized in
Ohio, and largely in this city, the OBJ
ject Of the projectors being to build a
new city in the heart of Kansas, on a
tract Of virgin soil. and to give to it
such proportions, at an early day, as
shall give it a formidable claim to be
recognized as the central metropolis of
the state, and in due time to be made
its capital city. There is now no town
at all on the site of the proposed city,
only the government buildings Of Fort
Harker and a railway station on the X.
Z. division of the Union Pacific rail.
~way-but there is a large place for a
city in the locality alluded to, and the
projectors Of this decidedly ambitious
enterprise propose to put the city upon
it. These projectors have formed what
they call the kanopolis Lard company,
with Offices and headquarters at their
new city, Kanopolis, Kansas, and at
Springfield, Ohio; they have 5000 acres
OF land for their town s~ite-enOugh
territory, in fact, for a city of 10000
people. Very naturally and properly,
the public will wish to know who the
men are who propose to accomplish
such a large undertaking, and the
Globe Republic does not hesitate 70
state at the outset that they are per-
sons known throughout the country as
those who have already done large
things and who are capable. from ex-
perience, ability and unlimited capital,
Of doing still larger things. That they
are, of themselves, able to build a city
large enough to contain 1900 inhabi-
tants, is IA fact that no one who knows
them will care to dispute. The Globe
Republic will be excused from going
into detail. Ross Mitchell, of this city,
is president Of the company. He is
not only a millionaire but he is a man
who has acquired his fortune by hard
work and judicious Investments. He
has never been a Spectator and he is
regarded as a most prudent and care
full man, and the very fact that Mr..
Mitchell has consented to stand as the
nominal head Of this enterprise is
enough in itself to convince all who
know him that good judgment has
been exercised in selecting the locality
and the site, and that the affairs OF the
concern and all its transactions will be
wisely and honorably handled; that all
propositions and promises made will be
fulfilled. Francis NJ. Bookwalter, for
many years manager OF the Leffel
Works in this city, is vice-president of
the kanOpOlls company, and Is not only
a first. class business man, but a man Of
acknowledged high character and
ability. The treasurer of the company
is John II. Thomas, of j. III. Thomas 4
Sons, the extensive manufacturers OF
horse hay rakes aud tedders, and n
of our pioneer and most extensive man
uldttulCiS. ~ kAilliD St VI tIC liltiVIiSC
works of Mr.. Thomas in this city will
at once convince a person OF his capaci-
ty to construct, build up and manage
in Il mastery way mammoth business
enterprises. Mr.. Thomas has never
terprise he has touched has pros
pered and grown into grand pro-
portions. The Globe Republic does
49, -,AAl % aYnnly ~ IAtn;. &c Itnn
Warren keifer, the attorney of the
company, who served two years as
speaker Of the national house of repre-
sentatives, and who has a national rep
utation for ability, energy, pluck and
perseverance. The general is giving
his personal attention to the affairs of
the company. and it hardly needs to he
said that he is managing them well.
Another Springfield man is secretary OF
the company. J. ). Crowell. or the
publishing firm of Mast, Crowell ~
Kirkpatrick. is the gentleman alluded
20, and as an organizer and promotero or
great undertakings he has shown, in
this city, to the per9onal knowledge Of
the readers of this paper. extraordinary
capacity. Not only is this true, but
Mr.. Crowell is a man who is held in the
very highest esteem by all who know
him. Such another business combina-
tion as this it would be hard to find.
Here is presented a management en-
bracing in the qualities and facilities
Of its members. energy, capacity, sensa,
Judgment, prudence and capital run
ming up intothe millions. But this is not
all. There are associated with the gen.
tlemen named, Harry G. Cross. president
Of the First National bank, of Emporia.
Kansas, and a prominent railroad man
in his own state. Mr.. Cross formerly
lived in Enon. in this county. and is
we'll known to all old citizens. N. ID.
Harter, of Mansfield, Ohio. and q. ID.
Harter, of Canton, millionaire anu
facturers, bankers. etc, are also inter
ested in this movement. as also are
Frederick Holford, Of this city; II,
Coleman, jr, capitalist Of st. Louis:
William Martindale. capitalist of En-
poria: 5. G. Thompson. capitalist of
New York city; w. II. Thompson, cap
italist of Cincinnati; j. w. Phillips, ID,
f. Barnum and II. A. WorthiDgtOn, OF
this CITY, and II. G. Whitley. of EmpO-
ria, Kansas. The Globe Republic
would not go far beyond bounds in de-
claring that the projectors and prose-
cutOra Of thisp ntprDriSo roDrpSpnt from