Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-11-30
"REMINISCENCES.
Recollections of, and Changes That
Have Occurred in, Our
County Since '85.

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erything changes. We must either ad-
vance or retreat. We cannot remain
STATIONARY. This holds good in our
commercial and business relations the
same as in the physical world. But We
anticipate. We only started out to chron-
icle few of the changes that have taken
place in Tfego county since we first cast
our fortunes in Wa-Keeney and began to
grow up with the country"
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We first beheld the beautiful prairies OF
Trego county in August, 1885. The tide OF
immigration had just begun. Just prior to
coming west we had taken trip through
the east. Wherever we went the theme
Of conversation was western Kansas. We
realized that the boom was inevitable,
and concluded to ride in on the first
wave if possible. After spending few
weeks in different portions of western
Kansas we came to Wa-Keeney. We
cried Eureka and have had no reason as
yeti change our opinion.
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When we came to Wa-Keeney with our
family there was not house or room that
could be obtained at any price. We were
compelled to live two miles in the country
aud do business in town. A two Or three
roomed house rented for SIS per month.
But the era of house building began in
Wa-Keeney about this time, and from
natural causes shortly after the demand
became less. There has been a great
change in this regard. No difficulty now
in obtaining good houses to rent at very
reasonable rates. The business men of
the city never became excited as in other
western towns and the growth was only
legitimate and healthy. For this reason
the depression was sot felt here as else
where, and empty business houses to-day
are scarce in Wa-Keeney.
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The central point Of interest in 1885
was the Wa-Keeney land Office. The
Wa-Keeney land district was but sparse
ly settled west of Cove county, and when
we say that almost the entire district was
settled and improved in about one year,
and that all the entries were made at
this Office, our readers can have some
conception of the amount of business
transacted here during that time. And
when we say that by setuai count there
were sixty men engaged in the real estate
and government land Office business in
Wa-Keeney it will not seem so very
strange. The government land office
could not keep up with the business, and
at one time were several weeks behind.
The prairies surrounding the town were
dotted all over with prairie schooners,
the owners of which we're patiently wait
ing their turns. The sidewalk and even
extending to the street, in front OF the U.
8. land office was crowded every morning
by the homesteader anxious for his turn.
We have seen men crowded around Bar
NUNS ticket wagon anxious to get tickets
admitting them within the canvas. We
were reminded of this every morning while
watching the eager, anxious throng wait
ing to get inside OF the government build
ing. Some would take their places by
daylight in the morning, and some even
slept on the steps of the building all
night so as to be first in the morning.
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Capt. Hanna was register Of the q. s.
land office in 1885, and Major Pilkenton
was receiver. w. II. Damn was chief
clerk. They all earned their salaries in
those days, particularly the clerks. The
amount of work performed was almost
incredible. The Macedonian appeal for
help was disregarded by the authorities
at Washington, and they had to get along
as best they could. One thing we often
had occasion to remark, was the char
acter of those seekiny homes in the west.
No rowdyism; no drunkenness; always
patient, even under trying circumstances,
and in some instances waiting for weeks
with scarcely murmur or complaint.
This could not happen in any other nation
on the earth. This is the class of citizens
who occupy western Kansas to-day.
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1t became necessary to adopt system
for the transaction of all kinds of bust
ness in the U. s. land office. Entries
could only be made at certain time OF
the day, and information to homesteaders
and land attorneys was given for q half
hour in the morning and evening only.
How we used to stand for hours waiting
for the doors to open so that we could
get information for ourselves or clients,
or get our papers filed first, is matter OF
history, and will never be forgotten by
those who participated therein. All sorts
OF schemes were resorted to by some, and
not always did the poor homesteader who
had waited all night SO as to be first in
the morning get his papers filed first.