Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-10-21
AB|LENE'S ADVANTAGES
AND BUSINESS FIRMS.
Belle Of the Smoky and the Best Town in
Central Kansas.
FACTS ABOUT THE CIqY'S COMMERCE.
A. Large Number of Business Houses That
Are Enterprising and Progressive-What
They Sell and What They Have Done
BY c. E. WEST AND H. HOMER LUCE.

splendid natural resources, and excel
lent and prosperous business ant
mercantile interests.
But recently Kansas was spoken o
by our eastern sisters in derision, to
J day her praises are on every tongue
her name is known wherever ciyilza
} tion has penetrated. The poor peas
ant, from the icebergs of Norway tt
the sunny land Of Italy, in his dreams
pictures home for himself ant
family in sunny Kansas, as the chic
aim Of his life. Today we are lead
the van Of progress and prosperity
What tomorrow will be no man dare
to prophesy.
Abilene, the capital, is situated
near the center Of the county, about
two miles north Of the Smoky Hill river
on a beautiful plateau Of prairie. The
splendid business houses, beautiful
homes, well shaded streets, and good
sidewalks make this at once an at.
tractive and pleasant little city.
The public schools are an especial
pride Of Abilene. Three school build.
ings are used and eighteen teachers
are regularly employed to teach the
various branches and departments.
Lincoln school employees four teach
ers with Victor E. Rugh as principal.
Garfield school employs ten teach
ers with William H. Phipps as prin-
cipal.
The High school requires four
years course to graduate. Literature,
languages, and the sciences are taught
by four efficient teachers. Prof. W.
H. Wagner is principal of this school.
Mr.. j. H. Niesley is superintendent
of the city schools
Mt. St. Joseph's College is under
the direction Of the Sisters of st.
Joseph Of the Catholic church.
Nearly all Of the religious denomi-
nations here have temples of worship,
some imposing brick edifices, but all
creditable as places Of worship. Near
ly all have large memberships and
high degree of spiritual attainment.
Sabbath schools and other auxiliary
societies for the promotion of Chris
tianity are nurtured by the churches.
There are also many secret and benev-
olent orders here, all combining to
make this community as free from
immoral taint as any in Kansas. The
system of waterworks is very COM
plete and fully adequate to the de-
mands of the city. The facilities for
shipping and travel upon the Great
Rock Island" Union Pacific and Santa
Fe routes need not be commented
upon. A volunteer fire department
meets all the requirements Of the
city's need in time Of fire.
To give the reader abroad an idea
Of the commercial Importance of Abb
lene we have glanced into the affairs
of prominent firms Of the place and a
list Of the most prominent enter
prises follows. 1t will be noticed that
the showing is good from every stand
point. Almost every line Of mer-
chandising is to be found here, and
our merchants as a rule are operating
on sufficient capital to be abreast Of
the times not only in variety but
quantity of goods to be found in their
stocks.
ABILENE's FINE WATER SUPPLY.
Abilene has great source Of wealth
in its city water supply Four years
ago the well system was abandoned
and the pumping station located four
miles west Of town, where Sand |
Springs, a never-decreasing supply of
pure, cold, clear water bubbles up |
out Of clean sand. The springs are
fed from an underground source in