The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-03-09
GIRL RUNS A FLOUR MILL.
Successful Work of Miss Anna Webb
of SummitviIle, Ind.

Alexander. Ind. March 9.-What a wo-
man wills she will has been ably demon
Strated by Miss Anna Webb Of Summit
vile, who since last July has managed
the affairs Of a f1fty-barrel steam grlst
mill of that place. Last fall her father,
L R. Webb, died, leaving as a part OF
his assets the mill which for q genera
ton has ground the grist for the people
mityille. The mill was temporarily
given in charge of persons who failed to
keep up the good reputation built up by
years of careful work in the mill by her
father and Miss Webb finally decided to
take charge of the business All the
knowledge she had was inherited from
hearing her father talk of the business
and the real knowledge which comes of
education and plenty of good Judgment.
a part of which was acquired in
schoolroom as its teacher. Everybody
knew Miss Webb as a bright young wo-
man and had faith in anything she un-
dertook.
Calling to her aid John Whistler of
Marion, one of the best millers in the
state and with a lifelong experience, she
gave him control of the mechanical
work. while she managed the business
and has. since last July. succeeded in
again winning back the trade and con-
fidence of the customers which her
father had held for years.
When seen in the mill Office discussing
machinery and pipe fittings for the en-
CINE room MISS ~ 6DD llOQGSLlJ u6CuAEQ
to boast of her achievement, thinking it
nothing more than any woman could
have done, but those who know her and
the circumstances surrounding the en-
terprise think she has set pace for
progressive women which will be hard
to emulate.
Miss Webb is a. society favorite and as
the correctly dressed hostess of a social
function is no more particular about her
attire and appearance than in the dusty
mill office which has no spittOOns nor
dirty spots. the walls of which are neat
ly covered with tasty show and maya
zine Autographs and has the well ar
ranged Office fixtures that bear the i'm
press of a woman's hand. The mill all
the way through shows care and taste
in arrangements, even to the piles Of
sacks filed and laid in military preci-
sion in the sacking room.
In addition to experimenting the work
in the mill and keeping its books Miss
Webb once a week donS the garb of a
commercial traveller and with samples
and order book, visits her customers IN
the numerous towns along the Un1os
Traction cOmpany'S lines between An.
derson and Marion. This, she says, IS
the most disagreeable part of the work,
Her chief pride is pancake flour Of
her own compromising, and which has
proved very popular. taxing that de-
partment Of the mill in the few months
it has been on the market. The mill
uses the French burrs. and Miss Webb
{
the modern rollers. and succeeds III
making her customers think so, too,
judging by their numbers.
Miss Webb is five feet five inches IN
height and weighs AS pounds, without
any suggestion of an amazon or man
nishness. but she can shoulder a two
bushcl sack of wheat as easily IS any
man. She reads a number of trade pa
pers and is an accepted authority on
prices and grades of grain in the little
town. When questioned how she cams
to adopt the odd vocation of a miles
she answered with a tinge of tender
ness, For mother" L. r. Webb. her
4 father, at one time was wealthy, bus
going security for friends left but a
4 home and the mill after his death, and
I Miss Webb, alone at home with her
mother. met the responsibility Of re-
trieving the lost fortune, and right wei
she IS doing It.
Miss Webb's only companions in thf
mill Office are two dogs, who keep tht
mill clear Of rats, and a pretty maltese
cat, which sleeps on her desk A num-
Der of offers Of marriage have been dc.
clined, she feeling amply able to take
care of herself. in life's battle. She IS
| however, not man hater.' and is {
society fayorite in the TTi-TOwn club
/ Quality club and other social organiza.
tiOnS whose membership covers neigh
( boring towns. At one time she was
correspondent for several metropolitan
pa pers. She is an interesting exampl.
| of a balanced, self-reliant girl.