The Topeka state journal., 1897-10-09
PROSPERITY NOW.
The Festival Wakes Up the
People of Topeka
And Now They Are Enthused
Over the Prospect
Of the Biggest and Best Wool
en- Mill
WEST OF MO. RIVER.
If We Can Spend $4,000 on
an Annual Jubilee
We Can Spend $1,OOO,OOO on
Making the Town Grow.
CIRCULATE THE CASH.
Too Much Hoarding of Money
Makes Business Dull.
Genuine Business Men Are Be-
hind the Wooden Mill.

Unless the present plans miscarry,
and there is no probability that they
will, Topeka will have a full fedged
Woolen mill in operation by December.
The company which will operate it
will have a capital stock of about $37,-
OOO and will be known as the Topeka
WOolen Mill company" The mill will
at first employ so hands, but later IS,
and will be established in the wooden
mill building in Oakland.
]. F. McAfee, the former superintend-
ent of the Independence Woolen Mills
at independence, Mo, will manage the
mill and hold a controlling interest in
the stock. His investment of capital
will amount to $12. .OOO and the remain
ing $4,000 will be invested by the fol-
lowing Topeka men:
Mr.. George Neal, Mr.. Oscar Neal, Mr..
J. B. Bartholomew, Mr.. F. A. Brigham,
Mr.. J. G. FIeischman and Mr.. E. H.
Crosby
Messrs. Bartholomew, F'leischman
and Crosby are well known as substan-
tial business men of Topeka. Mr. Geo.
Neal is one of the Wealthiest farmers
in Shawnee county and Mr.. Oscar Neal
is his son. Mr.. Brigham has been in
the real estate business in this city for
several years coming here from Boston
1t the time of the boom. He was the
founder of Brigham & Rice's addition
in Oakland as well as several other ad-
ditiOns to the city of Topeka.
When Mr. McAfee first came to To-
peka and laid his proposition of es-
tablishing wOOlen mill before the
Commercial club, committee was ap-
pointed by the club to introduce him to
Topeka men who had money to invest
with a view to rendering the establish
ment of the mill in this city possible.
At a special meeting of the Commercial
club yesterday afternoon this commit
tee made a report through its chair
man, MIR. c. J. Prescott, in which he
stated that Mr.. McAfee had been sue
cessful in securing the local capital
necessary for the establishment of the
mill and that if the Commercial club
would back the project, the mill would
be in operation before the first of the
year.
He then explained that the backing
the men interested in the mill desired,
was that the Commercial club secure
sufficient orders for material from the
mill to give it a working start after it's
establishment. Nothing further than
the orders was asked for, and no mon
ey would be expected until the time of
delivery of the goods. Mr.. Prescott
concluded by stating that he thought
the proposition a reasonable and busi-
ness like one, and was of the opinion
that the club should take hold of the
matter.
In response to a request from Presi-
dent Davis of the club, Mr.. McAfee, the
promoter of the project, made state
He said:
L feel that our proposition is a fair
one. We have promise of all the stock
necessary to start the mill, and we be
lieve that the citizens of Topeka should
give US sufficient orders to encourage
US. PrOba bly, no one in this city who
would be willing to aid a project of this
kind would hesitate to give S25 or $50.
or even 800 il it were asked for. and
why we think our scheme should
take is because we don't ask something
for nothing. We would like the Com
mercial club to take hold of this mat
ter because we feel that it would then
go through. 1 personally can see no
reason why a plant located in the cap
ital of Kansas. where in past years the
company 1 was Interested in. put in
two-thirds of it's products sold in the
state with no competition, would not
be a paying industry
Mr.. w H Davis-About how many
orders would be expected, Mr.. McAfee? |
Mr. McAfee-I think that orders
amounting to at least $4,000 should be
received.
Mr.. e. H. Crosby-What is the earli-
est possible time you expect to start
the mill2
Mr.. McAfee-About December / If
we can go right ahead, the mill should
be in operation by December 1.
Mr. c. J. Prescott believe a sub
committee should be appointed from
this club to take up this matter and |
present it to the citizens of Topeka I
sition as has ever been presented be- |
fore this club.
Mr. E H. Crosby believe that the |
merchants of this city will take hold
of this matter and do everything pos
sible to help the project.
Mr. J. p. Davis-I don't think there |
is a merchant in town who will buy
wooden stuffs outside of the state when |
he can procure them at home.
Mr.. E. H. Crosby have no doubt |
that if mills are established here. the |
contracts for supplying all the state in
stitutions can be secured.
Mr. Sam p. Howe move that |
committee of eight members of this |
club be appointed to interview mer-
chants and business men and get ad- |
vance orders.
This motion carried, and President
Davis of the club stated that he would |
appoint the committee within the next
two days
The work OF this committee will con
siSt in visiting the citizens of Topeka |
and securing orders for some of the