Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1895-09-26

"A Kansas Town That Advanced Rapidly
and Then Went to Pieces-Farmers Buy
City Houses and Move Them on ON the
Prairie.
During the years 1886, 1887 and 1888
Greensburg, kiowa county, was one of
the bustling, thriving little cities in
Kansas, but little beyond the center of
the state. 1t then had a population Of
2.700 and the hopeful residents and
property owners believed that before
the year 1895 there would be 5000
souls in the city. The energy and rest
less western grit of the population
caused it to anticipate the future, be-
lieving that having paved the way to
wealth it might enjoy the Injuries as
well as comforts Of the day, leaving the
settlement of the costs in the hands of
posterity.
During 1886, 1887 and 1888 the county
was bonded for internal improvements.
Iron bridges, ~ county courthouse and
a county Jail were erected. These i'm
provements hut excited "a desire for those
things found in acity. Municipal bonds
TO the amount Of $40, 600 Were issued
and sold FOR par, the proceeds being
used to put in a w~aterworks plant and
establish an electric Light plant. Then
school district bonds to the amount of
$40, 900 were issued and two handsome
schoolhonses were erected.
Property was constantly changing
hands at Increased figures with each
transfer, and, although many bank bal
ances were in red. the inhabitants made
improvements that promised wealth az
well as convenience. There had been a
good crop Of wheat while there was no
Touring mill, As an iHducement TO q
company Of enterprising men the city
gave 50, 900 cash toward the erection of
the building, which was to cost Sic, 600.
Taxes were paid ON property assessed at
high figures. and there was plenty of
money in the city treasury. Such a
small sum was not missed.
Hotels and restaurants We're so crowd.
ed with buyers and spectators that a
large hotel was added TO those already
doing business. So firm was the faith
of all in the city that hotel proprietors
donated generously TO the bonus given
by the business men to the new house.
The original town site was found to
be too small, SO farms were cut up into
town lots and land worth possibly Sl5
an acre was sold in its new form for
5000 an acre and found ready purchas-
ere. These lots We're Don covered with
dwellings, all of which were occupied,
and but few Of them for sale at any
price, the owners holding them for ad
vances. A $7O0 bouse would be erected
on a lot costing Si0o TO $3.50 and then
the property held at 81, 900.
In 1889 there were crop failures,
and houses on the outskirts began to be
empty. In 1901 there were not only
additional crop failures, but the reac-
tion came, speculation was at an end,
and the owners of property were willing
to sell for cost, provided they could get
cash. There was no more building, so
carpenters, plasterers, painters and
bricklayers moved away. Fully one
third of the population was TINS lost.
Some of the smaller business houses
were closed, and the city began to have
the deserted look that was SO frequently
seen in western towns.
In 1892 the population was reduced
one-half, but those who could not get
away, men who were property peer and
who could not afford to abandon all
they possessed Oh earth. Staid on, hop
ing against k9pe. Bpt they. too, were
soon forced to move. for they could not
make enough money TO pay taxes, iet
alone live. This year The Iarcdeelued
city property, after the usaai sQl8 Of
lands and lets for uapaid 41es, eva
ed IA quantity the property th.u
still kept clear III hopes 81 better
IN 1884 hope was practically abtu
doned, and the population dwina b
down TO GOO or GG0. Crops were stiG u
the future. Notlisg IL almost thaig
was RAISED. aud tbcfa 9as LotlfHs 81
sell TIen commenced TIE anal hc
until NOW, in tha middle q 1885
are but is3 men, women ana cRgea
IA the once thriving city, ard are
net holders Of real e Tax oEV
tine county officers and Their lam
who live upon salaries there ale nog SO
men. women and chihIrea liyiag "a
GTeensbErg.
When delinquent lots were Offered Tor
sake there wege no PM sers. Tire coOa-
" DesUg forced 70 b{d thegl "a Thef8y
GER cat wase ocsal Gag 10
70 25 cents or she doliae,
baugAt MP by aers WHO could
little money aad who waited Ill
on Their places. EoaScs aat c0s $1,000
IL 81 900 were thas purchased
low as SO. They were raiaaa al3
GA Nas and haaled aelos the
to some Farm, where chey v9ere la III
DO duty fer farulerS who he'd been m
ing in sol houses q duggpt.
But the city bcids and tle school dis
trigt bonds will be nn ls9
wortbless leFritorg skat can and
probably VIA be vacsisd by $ s
act Of the Leg slaiure, aeG thele rs Il
WORTHLESS 10 tEc IS Evia except Is
u~iseolcgs If : once prosp us c3y bow
tie siso 81 IT v anl
They were good whan sold, but are Of
no yalue nov. -t 1lica9N IhrnQ4gla.