The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-03-29


OF Independence, Kas., the friend of
| Washburn.
81 have not seen the story printed in
! the State Journal, and do not care to
make any statement. 1 regard it as
very unfortunate that anything, of this
kind should have been printed"
D. L. McEachron. dean of the col
good friend of the college, no dona-
ton for new building was expected
from him in the near future.
The college authorities seem to feel
bad about the publication of the story
at this time for the reason that 1t is
premature. They think that it might
4 in some way influence Mr.. Stitch to
change his mind. The information came
to the State Journal, however, from a
reliable source. and came in such a
way that there was reason to believe
| that no special effort was being made
to keep the matter secret 1t may
have been a mistake on somebody's
part to give the information to the
State Journal instead of some other
Topeka paper, but that isn't the fault
of the State Journal.
! A. G. Stitch, the man whose name is
connected with this report, is one of the
leading men of southern Kansas. He
was born in Hanover, Germany, in 1916.
MI Stitch has been identified with
independence since 1872, engaging first in
the mercantile business there with his
| in Seattle, Wash. Their business was
started in a very small way with
stock of general merchandise, but 1t
grew to proportions equal to any of
their competitors. After several years
of successful operation the business was
sold to other parties and the partner
ship existing between Stitch Brothers
was dissolved.
A. c. Stitch began financiering in 1883,
when he purchased in connection with
| the late Henry Foster the Hull bank.
The bank was changed in name of Citi-
zens' bank with Mr. Stitch as cashier.
Later when the institution was nation
i allied he become its president, which
position he now holds Under his adj
ministration of its affairs the bank has
always been of the soundest and safest
Stockholders among whom the $50 900
capital is divided. while they at the
present time own $55 900 more in surplus
and undivided profits.
Mr.. Stitch was instrumental largely
in bringing to the Missouri Pacific
railroad. He subscribed for stock to
and financially assisted the Indepen-
dence Gas Co., in its dire hour of need,
years ago, when capital in genral
seemed to have no faith in the strug-
Cling company.
He conceived the idea of the city
paving certain district of its princi-
pal streets as an aid to the establish
ment at Independence of a vitrified
notwithstanding strong and bitter OPP
position. This institution now has the
largest payroll of any industry in
that city.
The new and magnificent Carl-Leon
hotel at Independence stands as a
monument to the, public spirit and
characteristic foresight of the same
man. For years he tried to interest
local capital to invest in a stock COM
pany to build a hotel, as q public en-
terprise and advertisement for the
town, but without success. ~ For a
time he let the matter drop, but one
day in January, 1902, he called re-
porter for local daily into his private
office and told him he could announce
that he had secured the site and would
Immediately commence the construc-
ton of a big hotel. He outlined the
plan and the news printed that even
ing under big headlines created great
! rejoicing throughout the city. A crowd
of citizens engaged the band and pro-
| ceeded to Mr.. Stich's residence that
evening wher he was given a serenade
and accorded an ovation. In replying
to the spokesman'S remarks he frank
ly assured the crowd that he Thought
. the hotel would be a money maker for
himself and that it was not ph1lan-
/ thropic project by any means.
Mr.. Stitch is a heavy stockholder IN
j MANY enterprises and has a wonderful
capacity for work, much of his time
and advice being demanded by MS
varied interests. But he is seldom Toe
busy to have a genial word or JOKE
/ from friends and acquaintences
! He owns several business buildings
having recently commenced the con-
struction of a fine 3-story building,
46x1OO at 2O4-6 N. Pennsylvania ave
nue., Independence. He also OWNS
many residence properties.
Mr. and Mrs. Stitch are very popn-
lar socially and their beautiful home
is well known for its generous hosp1-
tality. They are members ana work
ers in the Presbyterian church Mrs
4 Stitch takes a great interest in educa-
tional matters, having for three sue
cessive terms been elected president
of the Ladies' Library association.
Politically Mr.. Stitch is stauncn
Republican. AS a lodge man he at
fliates with the knights of Pythias
and the Masonic orders 1t the latter
he has taken the thirty-second de-
gree.
n