davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1905-11-16
Dickinson County, Kansas.
ocation, Natural Features, Resources, Social
and Commercial Advantages.

or ponds to emit their poisonous va
pors.
The winters are short and only on
rare occasions are they severe. In
the summer season, although the
mercury sometimes climbs up into
the nineties, there is generallya miti-
eating breeze, and no matter how
warm the day the evenings and nights
are unusually cool and refreshing.
The purpose Of this historical and
industrial number Of The Reflector Is
to herald the many natural advan-
tages OF Dickinson county, the mar
velous growth Of our resources and
natural and commercial advantages
since the days Of aboriginal farming
when the native denizens Of the grassy
plains roamed at will and undistirb-
ed, when vast herds Of bison, antelope
and de were here and when the
wolf, coyote and buzzard held high
carnival.
1t is by the natural growth of a
county that the prosperity of the
people can best be Judged. The evil
dences OF material advancement are
to be seen on every hand in beauti-
full, well stocked farms, fine houses
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1905-11-16

and com modious barns; in thriving
towns and cities; in mills and manu-
factures; in numerous school houses
and churches and in the general
prosperity that seems to accompany
all branches OF business. This
growth is best shown by statistics.
In 1860 all the live stock in the
county was included in 2S horses, 5
mules, 7 sheep and I05 cattle.
In spite of the things that GO wrong
Dickinson county has enjoyed a con-
slant and healthy growth and never
before in its history has nature open
ed her cornucopia more generously
and poured out greater plenty. The
West has a record breaking wheat
crop and it takes less Ot it to make a
barrel of -four than in previous years.
The resources OF Dickinson county
are chiefly live stock and agricul-
tural products. The following figures
are taken from the compiled assessors
returns for 1904 and speak for them
selves:
popfrr aTTON uARcu 1908
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1905-11-16

honey we're sold as surplus over
home consumption.
The live stock business is a leading
industry. the Kansas City markets
being frequently topped by ship,
ments of our farmers The stock OF
both cattle and swine is being rapidly
i'm mproved by the use Of thorough
breds while there are numerous herds
of registered Shorthorn, Hereford and
Polled Angus cattle and Poland China
and Duroc Jersey swine. Shipments
Of fat stock valued at more than a
half million dollars left the county
last year.
A great factor in the success OF the
stock growers is the alfalfa crop, OF
which there are now about $4,000
acres, yielding in some cases eight
tons or more to the acre, the success
sive crops frequently aggregating a
growth OF ten feet. Over 5000 TINS
Of alfalfa hay were cut last year.
This crop will soon equal or exceed
that Of the Blue Stem, or native hay,
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1905-11-16
ny Il. G. PERsHING.

NoTE. The matter contained In this arCi-
,,a "a cleaned from books, statistics and ira
dition, and for which we are largely ihueoOo.
to many public spirited citizens VIM Alo''
kindly assisted in the work
n ckinson county is in the Shlro
tiar of counties from the north line OF
the state and in the sixth tier from
the east line or about one hundrec
and sixty miles west Of the missouri
river. Measured from north to south
the county is thirty-six miles, ana
from east to west it is twenty'four
miles. The county contains ool So
miles or BAG, $40 acres.
dickinson is strictly prairie
conntv the surface is undulating and
there Is little or no diversity OF seen
arv With the exception OF the
northwest and southwest portions
which are somewhat broken, the face
Of the country is one vast expanse Of
beautiful prairie. 1t is not low and
fat but rises and falls in gradual un,
dulations. Along the Smoky Hill
River and the larger creeks are beau
tiful valleys ranging from one to
three miles wide, and along nearly
ali the streams are fine belts OF tim
her. which consist chiefly OF ASH wal
nut, blackberry, elm, oak cotton
wood and other varieties. The ma
tive timber land embraces about hve
per cent of the county, the heaviest
being along Smoky Hill and Lyon
!, Creek. Chapman, Deer, Turkey, ana
Holland creeks are quite well timber
ed but Mud Creek In the north has
but very little timber
Scattered over the country are a
great many artificial groves, fine orch
ards and hedges which tend to break
the monotony of the scenery A
more beautiful prairie country would
be hard to find. Streams OF pure.
clear water are found at intervals OF
a few miles; the first stream OF I'M
portance is the Smoky Hill River,
which runs in an easterly direction,
entering the county at Solomon City
on the west Its point OF leaving the
county on the east line is about five
miles north of its point OF entry. 1t
is stream of great permanence ana
no matter how dry the season it al
ways contains quite flow OF water
Dickinson county has but very lit
tie waste land. No better soil can be
found anywhere. 1t is all alluvial
upland as we'll as bottom land; 1t is
subsoiled with limestone and clay.
The soil is of great depth and rich
ness. Soil has been taken up from
depth Of twelve feet which has pro-
duced wonderful garden crops, prov
ing its almost inexhaustlble nature
The soil is not quite SO deep on the
uplands as in the valleys, although
its average depth is from three to six
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1905-11-16

com mpetition promoted by the cream
cry companies have been influences
that have improved the quality and
quality Of Kansas butter.
Experiments have shown that the
cheapest forage is corn fodder and
alfalfa or clover. A comb nation oI
the two with a grain ration, based on
the relative cost Of mill stuff, makes
the most satisfactory and cheapest
milk ration known.
Farmers should keep more cows
Wherever dairy interests predomin'
ate. there will be found thrift. The
COW transforms the rough land into q
gold mine and prosperity, would
everywhere prevail under a proper
dairy system.
Our educational interests are pro-
vided for BY 1875 organized school
districts and a county high school
there are fourteen graded schools be-
sides the county high schools. lSl
teachers are employed in the county
who are well trained and comPetant'
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1905-11-16

The assessed valuation Of farms and
farm buildings is $1S, S96, $500. Of
farm machinery, vehicles and build
ings for same is $349, 1000. The
above figures are about one-fourth OF
the cash value.
On these farms are found 1888
horses, 979 mules, 1926 COWS, 46,
296 other cattle, 876 sheep, S4,S56
swine and 2,6S5 dogs
The Kansas COW and the Kansas
hen are continuous sources of rev.
enue, and men are becoming rich
because OF these items.
The best estimates at hand show
that 1857 pounds Of butter were
sold by the farmers last year.
The valuation OF milk and cream
sold is placed at $3.50, 900. Value Of
poultry and eggs was $162,ll7:
Value Of animals slaughtered or sold
for slaughter, $625,6l7. The above
figures are far short Of the real val
ues as farmers lose track of many
items OF produce Of which no book
accounts are made.
Bee culture is fast developing into
an important industry, as the ever
present alfalfa blossom furnishes the
best possible support for the bees and
produces honey Of the very best
quality. Last year "a, 6S5 pounds Of
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1905-11-16

raising. Its numerous streams OF
pure living water and the abundance
OF nutritious grasses make it very de-
sirable for stock raising purposes
The climate and pure atmosphere
Of Dickinson county are delightful.
There are no traces Of malaria and
pulmonary complaints are unknown
among the natives. The salubrity OF
the climate is due, chiefly, to the ex-
cellent system Of natural drainage
bywhich all surplus water from heavy
rainfalls is carried to the streams and
creeks 70 that there are 40 marshes
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1905-11-16
AbiIeDe a7d the cbiQf Grade CeQt2rs'
sketches and illustrations Of Farmers stoeneQ Professional
aDd BusiqessMQQ, aQd Industries.

feet. The extent Of the valleys has
to be seen to be comprehended. They
are not little strips Of level land bor-
dering the streams, but wide, beauti-
full valleys. Valleys Of many Of the
eastern rivers, such as the Connecti-
cut and the Mohawk sink into insigni-
ficance compared with those of the
smoky Hill There is nothing known
in agriculture that this soil is not
capable of producing. This soil is
also well adapted to horticulture, and
arboriculture. Apples, pears. plums
peaches and all kinds OF small fruit
are successfully grown
In addition to the other adaptabili-
ties of this county is that OF stock
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1905-11-16

They receive total Of $55, ,08S.S6
for their services and they labor six
to nine months each year. The total
receipts for all school purposes are
$81, TAO and the total expenditures
are $40, 256 the school census for The
county last year was 1906, of which
5,7SS were enrolled with an average
daily attendance Of 488l. The school
system Of Dickinson county is among
the best In Kansas where the percen-
age Of illiteracy is the smallest in the
United States
All the religious denominations are
represented and have cOmmodious
places OF worship distributed over the
county SO that no one Is deprived OF
these advantages which are as great
as in older settled states.
EARLY History.
As 1t is our purpose to show what
this county Is today rather than to
write a history we can but drop a
word here in honor Of those brave
hearted pioneers, who faced the dam
gers and prlvation Of pioneer life in
the then new and untried regions OF
the western plains.
Those wild prairies as our fore
fathers found them are now covered
with towns, churches, schools and
farms and the people are living In
peace and security. The Wild days
Of the cabin period as compared with
the present period Of Improvement is
expressed thus by the late Sol Miller:
The cabip homes OF Kansas
How modesty thet stood,
Along tep sunny hillside
Or nestled In the wood
They she eFed men and women
HfaVe-leHr ed pioneer,
Each one became land marx
OF early trial years
The medern homes of Kansas;
How proudly now they stand,
Amid the fields and orchards
All DER the smiling andi
They rose up where the cabin
Once marked the virgin soil,
And nre the llvipG emblems
or patient years OF toll
The first settlement In Dickinson
county was made on Chapman Creek
in 1856 by a family named Lemon.
Strong suspicious prevailed that they
were engaged in stealing horses and
they we're driven out Of the country
in 1858. The next settler in the
county was T. +. Hersey, who come
in the fall OF 1855 and located on a
claim on Mud Creek, adjacent to
where the city Of Abilene now stands
He built a commodious log cabin,
which was occupied by his family the
following spring.
At the time the county was or
ganized, in 1857, there were not over
a half dozen families in the county.
The county was named after Daniel ).
Dickinson, United States senator, Of
New York.
In 1857, c. W. Staatz settled on
Lyon Greek and in 1858 quite a num-,
ber OF new comers arrived and settled
in different parts Of the county.
Among them was A. j, Markley, who
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1905-11-16

OF which $4,000 tons were put up
last year. !,
Kansas distinction as "bread and
butter state" rests upon solid foun-
dation. This is especially true OF
Dickinson county, although we make
no great pretentions as a dairy cOun-
try, the dairy industry is growing
with giant strides.
Dairy associations, the work Of the
State School Of Agriculture and the
Mexico Missouri message., 1905-11-16

twenty FIVE (25l in township number Fifty
(5O) Of range number eleven (tl) IN Au-
drain county. Missouri, has been at
tached 10 secure the payment of said debt
and now unless you said non resident
defendant Nat. s. Wilcox, be and appear
at the next regular term OF the Circuit
begun and held at the court house in
Mexico, Audrain county, Missouri, on the
third Monday in January, 1909, and on or
before the first day of said term answer
or otherwise plead 10 plaintiffs petition,
Judgment viii be rendered In accordance
with the prayer Of said petition and said
attachment sustained and your said
property sold to satisfy the same.
1t IL further ordered that q copy hereof
be published in the Mexico Missouri
Message. a weekly newspaper published
In Audrain County, Missouri, for four
weeks successfully the last insertion TO be
at least Is days before the first day Of the
next term Of this court.
State Of Missouri
County of Audraln Ss
1, w II. Morris, Clerk OF the circuit
court Of Audrain county, Missouri, do
hereby certify that the above and fore
going is fun true and complete copy OF
the order Of publication in case of Sames
a. Roberts, VS.. Nat. 5. Wilcox as fully as
the same now remains of record and on
Gle In my Office. Witness my hand and
official seal.
Done at Office in the city of
Mexico, county and State aforesaid, this
18th day of October, A. ID. 1905.
(SEAL) w. II. MORRIS, Clerk
II. s. Booth, Atty for Plaintiff.
Mexico Missouri message., 1905-11-16
Notice to Taxpayers.

Notice is hereby given the tax
payers of Audrain county that |
will be at the following places on
the dates mentioned for the pur-
pose of collecting all taxes due
said county:
Cant, Taysday, Nov. 18th.
Benton City, Wednes., Nov. 10.
Rush Hill, Thursday. Nov.16th.
Rowena; Monday. Nov. goth.
Sailing, Tuesday, Nov. 81.
Sturgeon, We'd, Nov. %.
Centralia, Thursday, Nov. %.
Martinsburg, Tuesday, Nov. %
Laddonia, We'd, Nov. 80.
Mt. Carmel, Monday, Dec. 4.
Vandalia, Tuesday and Wed
nesday, Dec. 9Th and 9th.
Farber, Thursday, Dec. Z.
THos. F. RoDEN,
County Collector.
Mexico Missouri message., 1905-11-16

Prof. j. w. Hancock, who
teaches the Elm Bend school, near
Laddonia, dropped in on the MES
SAGE the other day. Mr.. Hancock
was principal of the Jonesburg
school ten or eleven years, but
when the boys desired to strike
out for themselves he had to come
home to look after the farm. One
Of his sons is telegraph operator
at Wellsville and two are attend
ing a dental school in st. Louis.
Mexico Missouri message., 1905-11-16

hardly seems fair to the Wabash;
Col. VauNrss. the politician drum
wer of Mexico, tells us that forty
passengers from his town went to
the Wabash depot one day last
week to go to st. Louis. While
standing on the platform they be-
gan talking about the new depots
the G. & A. and the Wabash
were erecting there aud
about passenger service on the
two roads. Some one suggested
that the Wabash management was
becoming too stingy to give the
proper Accommodations to its pa
irons and the crowd, appreeiating
the apparent truth of the state
ment, suggested that the forty
persons go to st. Louis over the
c. & A. instead of over the Wa.
bash And THE Only Way"
caught the crowd and punched 40
tickets.
Mexico Missouri message., 1905-11-16

The joke is on Prof. L. II.
Jones, superintenden MT of the Hig-
bee public schools, says the Higbee
News. When the small pupils of
the school went home for dinner
Tuesday noon they told their par
ents that a negro girl was going
to school, having started that
morning. 1t wasn't very long un-
til dozen or so of our prominent
citizens we're on their way to the
school house to make investiga-
ton. Prof. Jones was astOunded
when he found out the nature OF
their visit, and when explanation
was made the citizens felt equally
as foolish as had Prof. Jones, il
not a little more so. AS all know,
Prof. Jones is the present school
commissioner of Howard county
and it is his duty to examine and
grant or refuse certificates to all
who would teach in Howard. The
colOred girl who was the innocent
cause of all the excitement bad
simply applied to Prof. Jones for
a certificate, and aS school was i'll
session he gave h"r IA "Xrmina-
ton in the library. 5 far as
known this il the first negro to
ATTEND school" in tn" Higbee
public school building Aside
from above teaching negroes, Prof.
Jones is acquainted with our state
laws in this regard and the people
need have no fear of mixed, or
even "spiced", schools as long as
he remains in charge. We would
like to have a picture of the erup'
ton that would take place should
any negroes apply to him for adj
mission to the school. Sometimes
school children are the innocen'
cause of pretty tall stories and il
is always best to make an investi
CATION before going up in the air
Mexico Missouri message., 1905-11-16
Order adjudication.

State Of Missouri 4 In the Circuit court,
County OF Audraln January term, 1905.
j. r. Sames and r. L. Roberts, composing
the firm Of Sames g. Roberts, Plaintiffs,
vs..
Nat. S. Wilcox, Defendant.
Now this September 25th, 1905, come
plaintiffs In above cause and show to the
court from the petition and affidavit in
attachment heretofore fled In this cause
that Nat. s. Wilcox defendant herein is a
nonresident defendant of the State of
Missouri and cannot be served with the
ordinary process OF law In the State Of
Missouri.
IL Is therefore ordered by the court that
publication be made herein notifying
said nonresident defendant Nat. >.
Wilox that an action has been COM
menced against him by attachment 10
the circuit court, Andraln county, Mis-
souri,, founded on an account IAN item,
ICED bin of which said account Is at
tached to the petition filed in said cause,
which amounts TO the sum of Ninety five
| and e2-10O dollars (S05,22), and that his
property tO-wit:Three hundred and TWEEN
~ acres the east half Of section Numbel
Mexico Missouri message., 1905-11-16

The greatest of all newspapers is the
DAILY GLOBE DEMOCRAT, Of st.
Louis, 1t has no equal or rival In all the
west and ought to be in the hands Of ev-
cry reader Of any Daily paper. 1t costs.
by mail, postage prepaid Daily Including
Sunday, one year, 5000; months, $500;
months, $3.50; Daily Wlthout'Sunday one
year, 800; months, $500; 3 months
Sl.OO. Sunday Edltlon-a big newspaper
and magazine combined, AZ to IS pages
every Sunday; one year, 81 90; month,
sl.OO. A subscription for the Globe DEM
ocrat, at the prices, is the best possible
newspaper investment. Send your order
TODAY or write for Free Sample Copy
to Globe Printing Company, st Louis,
Mo. See advertisement of the "rwice-a
Week" issue of the Globe Democrat
elsewhere in this paper.
Mexico Missouri message., 1905-11-16

The corn is cut aud in the
shock. and the seed is on the holly
hook. The summer girl has
changed her frock. The housewife
counts her cans of fruit, the hun
ter sallies forth to shoot, the foe t
ball fiend begins to root, and the
legislators think of loot. The
buckwheat cakes will soon be here
aud sorghum 'lasses, too, will
cheer; and DER the children's
faces smear its sticky mess from
ear to ear. The nuts are falling
in the wood, the squirrels
store their winter food, the pump
kin pies are now so good. The
'possum's in the simmOn tree, the
coon dogs hold a jubilee, across
the field the rabbits flee, as com
ing danger now they see. The
bird dog hunts the timid quail but
strikes the frightened rabbits
trail. The burrs get in the horses
tail, and the autumn winds begir
to wall. The apple butter stew'
and biles, the thrifty housewife
stirs and smiles as she reflects
upon the pile of fruit she'd canned
in different styles.
Mexico Missouri message., 1905-11-16

State of Missouri In the Circuit court
County, OF AUdTain To January Term
1906.
J. w. Robinson, W. D. Hulen and S. t.
Dawson, composing the firm Of Rob
inson, Hulen & Co. Plaintiffs.
Nat. S. Wilcox, Defendant.
. Now on this September 2sth, 1905, come
plaintiffs in above cause and show to the
Court from the petition and affidavit, In
attachment heretofore filed In this cause
that Nat. $. Wilcox, defendant herein, is
a nonresident Of the State OF Missouri,
and cannot be served with the ordinary
process Of law In the State Of Missouri.
H. Is therefore ordered by the Court
that publication be made herein notify
ing said nonresident defendant Nat 3.
Wilcox that an action has been COM
menced against him by attachment in
the CHI cult court OF AudraiD county, Mis-
souri,, founded on an account IAN Item
ICED bill Of which said account ia at
tached to the petition fled In said cause)
which amounts to the sum OF one hundred
and lightweight and 3l-l00 dollars, and
that his property to-wit: Three hundred
and Twenty acres the east half of section
number tw enty five t25) in township No.
| fifty 500 Of range No. eleven QD In Au-
drain county, Missouri, has been at.
| tached TO secure the payment of said
debt; and now unless you said non-resl
dent defendant Nat $. Wilcox, be and APP
pear at the next regular term of the cir
| cult court of Audrain county, Missouri,
to be begun and held at the court house
| in Mexico, Audrain county, Missouri, on
the Third Monday in January, 1905, and
on or before the first day of said term
answer or otherwise plead to plaintiff
petition judgment will be rendered In &C.
cOrdance with the prayer of said petition
and said attachment sustained and your
said property sold to satisfy the same.
1t is further ordered that copy hereof
be published in the Mexico Missouri
Message, weekly newspaper published
in Audraln county, Missouri, for foul
weeks successfully the last insertion Il
be at least Is days before the first day o
the next term Of this court.
State Of Missouri
County of Audrain
/, w. II. Morris, clerk of the circui
court OF Audrain county, Missouri, d.
hereby certify that the above and forego
ing is a full true and complete copy o
the order of publication in case
Robinson Hnlen & Co. versus Nat
Wilcox, as fully as the same now re
mains on file and of record I'm my Office
Witness my hand and official seal.
Done at office In the city of Mex
leo, county and state aforesaid, this 1St'
day of October, A. D., 1905.
(sEAI) w. II MORRIS, Clerk,
HIS. Booth, Atty for Pailntltf.
Mexico Missouri message., 1905-11-16
A Ban on Foot RalI.

Alt1n. ILL.,. NJ 8 As the re-
suit of the death of James Squires
of the Alton high school, who died
from injuries received in a football
game. the Alton board of educa-
ton adopted a resolution to-day
condemning that game and placing
a ban upon football in all Alton
schools.
Mexico Missouri message., 1905-11-16
Train for Cuban Business.

Chicago is to have a train de
luxe, devoted exclusively to Cuban
business, this winter. Cuba, as a
winter resort, is vying with Cali
fornia, and the demand for better
service for Chicagoaus and the adj
iaeent territory has reached such
proportions that already there is
assurance that the train will be a
success. The service starts Jan.5,
and will be weekly. The Chicago
& Alton and Mobile & Ohio Rail
ways will run a solid train, leav'
ing Chicago every Friday after
noon at 2 O'Clock, and arriving al
Mobile, Alabama, Saturday after
noon. The new steamer, Prince
George of the MunsOn line, viii
sail two hours after the arrival o
the train, arriving in Havana har
Dor at daybreak Monday morning
Mexico Missouri message., 1905-11-16
Farm Insurance.

All who want Fire and Light
ming and Tornado insurance should
come to see mel can write you in
the Phenix of Brooklyn, the great
farm insurance company, on most
reasonable terms.
JOHN w. HOWELL.
At Agent.