Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1890-09-25
CLAFLIN AND HER BUSINESS.
A Good Town, in A Good County, and
Made up of Good People.

A Good Town, in A Good County, and
Made up of Good People.
Friday of last week the writer spent
the day with the wide awake and
industrious people of Claflin. Not
having visited there for some months
we were surprised to notice the many
improvements that had been made,
and the numerous evidences of busi-
ness prosperity that are to be met with
on every land.
Claflin is only four years old, but is
one of the best local trading points in
Barton county. It is situated in. the
eastern edge of the county, on the
main line of the Missouri Pacific rail-
road, and is surrounded by most
excellent farming community. Most
of the farmers are Germans, and it is a
notable fact that where that nation
ality predominates in an agricultural
community there will be found unflag-
ing industry, energy and prosperity.
The splendid farms surrounding Claf
lin on all sides make the future pros
perity of the town an assured fact.
With all their natural surroundings.
however, Claflin business men do not
court a ''boom" nor indulge in specu-
lation; they go to work with certainty
of winning success by steady bus1-
ness on small profits and generally a
cash basis. When man in that town
builds he has the money in his pocket
to pay for the building, and when a
young man gets married there he gen.
orally has home for his bride.
After partaking of hearty breakfast
at the Claf1in hotel-which, by the way,
is run by John H. Weltmer, with Mrs.
| Weltmer's parents, Mr.. and Mrs. John
Byers in charge-we visited most of
the business men, spending a very
pleasant day and meeting lots of good
people.
1.-The Peoples Store,'' just adjoining
the hotel, was the first place visited.
We found there D. E. Fryberger, for
| merly of the Heizerton general store,
with natty stock of staple and fancy
groceries, notions, ETC., occupying one
half the building, while on the other
side the familiar face of Ed. s. Marx,
formerly of the st. Louis store of this
city, was seen. Ed. has neat stock of
dry goods, clothing, boots, shoes, etc.,
and we bespeak for him successful
trade.
Ingersoll & Tincture's livery barn,
the largest in the town, and one that is
a favorite with all men who want good
teams and gentlemanly service, was
next visited. Mr.. Ingersoll was not in,
but the place gave evidences of doing a
good business.
| Across the street, in the old post
Office building, we found our former
townsman, M. Babb, of the firm of
Babb & Gillis, with handsome and
tastefully displayed general stock of
groceries and dry goods. Frank B.
Schuster, also Great Bend boy, is
assisting Mr.. Babb, and they announce
that they are getting their share of the
trade. The DEMOCRAT wishes them
abundant success.
Probably the largest establishment,
in the town Is the general store of J
II. Cannon. Clothing, dry goods, boots
shoes, hats, notions and a complete line
of groceries, are piled in great quan.
titles on every side. While they have
a large amount of room the stock would
easily fill, if we'll displayed, as much
more space. Horace Reed, a young
gentleman of pleasing appearance and
good business ability has charge of the
store, and is assisted by Miss Lizzie
Cannon, sister of the proprietor.
In the same building, and connected
with the store is the Bank Of Claf1in
where Mr.. Cannon was found busy a!
a bee. II. NJ. Stewart, late of Lyons, i.
assistant cashier and book-keeper il
the bank. Mr.. Cannon says there j!
not much wheat moving yet. but HI
looks for good fall business.
Miller s. Sons, saddlers and harness
makers, have a neat establishment il
the new stone building. Thes,
gentlemen came from Lacrosse to Claf
lin some few months ago, and will dt
a good business in their line. Theil
stock is new and of the best quality
and their excellent work in manufact
uring and repairing conmends them t,
the public. Call upon them.
The Clafin blacksmith. G.. A
Plasket, across the street from Mile
& Sons was waking. the echoes by th,
music of his busy hammer, and said b,
had all the work he could handle
There is another blacksmith in tn
town. but we did not find him.
Math. Klein, the timer, has also
stock of hardware. stoves, etc., and ha
all he can do in his line of business
He is one of the best known men in tn
town, and counts as his friends ever,
} farmer in the surrounding townsh ips
He is enthusiastic for resubmission, an,
will be hard worker for the winnin,