The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-06-22
Houses Going Up as Fast as
Carpenters Can Work.
Are First-cIass Buildings of the
Latest Fashion.
NOT A PLACE no RENT.
New Methodist Church Is Orna-
ment to the Town.
The County Has a Splendid Crop
Of Wheat to Harvest.

norton June 22--NDlLOn SOullLy
wheat raisers this year expect to har-
vest more wheat than ever. and will
beat the record of two years ago when
they raised over two million bushels.
The heads are filling nicely, and be-
fore the close of the month the ma
chimes wifi be actively at work cut
ting it, 1t is a daily occurrence to see
the farmers wagons returning home
with binding Irvine. Everywhere in
Norton county the same story about
good wheat prospects is heard. oats
and barley will also do well, while
the crop of potatoes is immense. Corn
is coming on nicely, and While the
acreage is not as large as in former
years, the prospects are good Tor q
crop. A resident Of Norton for many
years, and who is travelling in the
country most of his time, says II one
would go through the county and wit
ness the cribs of corn on every side
he would then see why Norton county
can miss a corn crop if the elements
so rule. On every hand the farmers
are making more permanent and bet
ter improvements in building new resi-
dences, cribs, granaries and barns. IN
improvements, stock, telephone, bank
account, rural delivery system, and all
round general prosperity the Norton
county farmers, taking population as
a guide. will not take a back seat for
any county in the north half Of the
state.
Norton. the capital of the county,
lies in the famous valley of the Prairie
Dog creek. q never-faiIing stream.
This valley is the alfalfa wonder Of
northwest Kansas, and probably next
to Jewell county is the second best
alfalfa county in Kansas. The valley
for miles on either side is full of al
falfa- 1t has made wonderful
growth this year. A year ago the
crou was so large that the farmers
A
people of that town in giving three
days alfalfa carnival, in which thou
sands of tons were used in making dec
orations. Even the sidewalks and the
streets were covered with alfalfa.
Norton has grown so rapidly this
year that most everybody is asking
when and where it will end. No less
than half hundred residences cost
Ing from $500 to $4,000, have so far
been erected this year, and as one of
her citizens has said, the close OF the
wear no less than hundred residences
will be erected. There is not a vacant
residence in Norton.
In the business part Of Norton many
substantial blocks are in course OF
construction. George Moulton and Al
bert Bralt are about starting on their
double two story brick and stone BUSH
ness buildings. which viii cost from
$4,000 to $4,000; W. H. Marsh has
completed his two story brick at a
cost of about S. 500; Henry MILF will
ond story: N. F. Browne will erect a
double business block, and Don Ayres
has the foundation for his double two
story brick completed. And there is
more than talk that others will build
this summer and fall With over $780,
900 on deposit in the two banks in
Norton it is no wonder the people OF
the town are progressive and prosper
Gus. And. again, witness what must
be paid out in Norton alone for hogs.
From 700 to 500 car loads are annually
shipped from here. not to say anything
about the big cattle and grain ship
ments. And yet on Sunday last the 3
& NJ. railroad. which doesn't run a
train on this branch that day pulled
out a train load of cattle and hogs fol
the eastern markets, of 30 car loads.
The Norton Concrete Construction
company has $500 invested. WILDER
Close is president n. L. Jones, treas
urer, and Gale r. Jones is secretary ano
general manager. They are doing al
kinds of concrete work such as curbing
sidewalks and building. They employ
from u to Is hands and pay out abou'
1925 a week. They are using cal
load Of cement a week. The invest
meut is good one.
The Norton Light, Ice and Cold Stor
age company have $4,000 capital in
vested. The president is J. E. Gleason
secretary and treasurer, Guy Conklin
and d. F. Bruner is general manager
The capacity of the ice plant is % tom
daily, of which Norton people are con
suning FIVE tons. During the summe
their light plant will be in service t
light the town. So far the investmen
work on the new $500 Methods
church viii begin at once. Over $500
has already been raised. It is said thi
new church win outshine in architec
ture the new Methodist church recent
Iy dedicated in Smith Center.
The Norton people have invests
about $4,000 in their high school an
public school buildings. They are tn
pride of the people Of the place.
Elmwood park, adjoining Norton, 1
one OF the most beautiful parks 4
Kansas. 1t contains % acres, has
grandstand with a seating capacity O
soc. There is also a half mile rae
course floral hall 407,S0 feet, and am
pie stable room for horses. A line O
boats viii be put on the Prairie Dos
which runs through the park. TIL
park itself is one of the most beautifU
and shaded sites in the state.
The eggs and poultry industry
large. Since the list of March B. Hins
dell has shipped to market seven ca
loads Of eggs, besides a large amour
of poultry. and handles three car load
OF egg cases.
Besides. Norton has come into prom
inence in more ways than one. Two {
her estimable women have held promir
ent Offices in their respective order
Mrs Eva Wheeler has served as gran
matrOn OF the Eastern Star OF Kansa
and Is the present state cOnduCtress
the court Of honor of Kansas. Mr.
Lucy r. Jones has served as depari
ment president Of Kansas Of the Y
r. c. They are exalted positions, an
during their term of Office the two nj
bic orders had the brightest Of wome
at the head of them.
The town has two cigar manufactul
ers. At the head of one are the pro
gressive Snyder & Son, who came t
Norton among the first, and have worl
ed unceas ingly ever since to max
Norton the Queen city OF the Prairt
Dog valley and northwest Kansas. A
the head of the other is Charley Mile
who has grown up in Norton count,
The people of the town generally smok
homemade goods.