The Topeka state journal., 1905-12-16
A 500 Barrel Grist Mill and
Elevator Going Up.
FINE DWELLINGS
Firm From Salina Is Putting
in a Large Elevator.
Wooden Sidewalks Are Giving
Away to Cement.

Russell, Dec. 16..-The year Just clos
ing has been busy one for Russell. One
of her Oldest and best known citizens
said that the building operations here
this year have surpassed any ten years
prior to 1905 and that the improve
ments viii aggregate more than $50, OO0
The increase in population has shown
wonderful gain. In 1886 Russell had
population between 1,600 and LOO.
The loss OF crops those years, and build
ing operations standing idle, many Of
her population left the place on account
of the failure, and empty buildings were
scattered all over the town. Seasons of
prosperity and raising good crops won
out again, and for the last six years and
more the Russell county farmers have
swelled the bank deposits in raising big
crops, and today the town has a good
1.400 population of as, thrifty, content
ed people as can be found anywhere in
Kansas. Anybody who wants and will
work need not lose a day. Merchants
carry large stocks and build fine houses,
the modern home Of Albert Yoxall,
cashier OF the Russell State bank, cost
ing not less than 81 900. Cement and
brick walks take the place of the old
board walks. For thrift, push and good
naturednesS, the Russell people will not
climb down and off the front seat for
any town.
One of the substantial Improvements
now under way is the erection of the
5OO-baTe- ri grist mill with elevator COM
bined, by the Russell Milling company,
built mostly by home capital; another
big Improvement is that of the Shella-
barger HilI company, Of Saina, who are
erecting an elevator about three miles
west of Russell; another is the building
67y
Der company, and rumor says that the
Russell has two solid banks, the Russell
county, will early in the spring COM
mence the erection of a new bank build
ing at a cost of upwards of $4,000, on
one of the busiest corners OF the town.
Russell has two solid banks, the uRssell
State bank founded in 1876. On the first
of this year the deposits showed up $780,
122 and on the 9Th of November last,
$4,000, a splendid increase. The Off
GERS Of this bank are: Otis L. Ather-
ton ex-treasurer and ex-member of
the legislature, is president; J H Hill,
ex-member of the legislature and one
of the successful business men Of Rus
sell, is vice president; Albert Yoxal IS
cashier, and 2. D. Miles is assistant
cashier. The capital stock is $50, 900, and
the surplus and reserve is $52, 500.
The Farmers State bank commenced
business in March, 1903. The last state
rnent of this bank, issued November 9,
The officers of this bank are: F. ).
Rockefeller president; H. A. Frier and
NJ P. Miller, vice presidents; V. K.
Hoover, cashier. Few banks as young
as this can show up better. There is
room for both of them, the stockholders /
being among the best citizens and far
mers who have built up Russell and
the splendid county of Russell.
The new court house is a credit to
the true western push and grit of the
oil Tr7fT
here in an early day, and watched the
ups and downs, and hot winds thrown
in, until today every farmer has a bank
account, and the large mass of them
are out OF debt.
One of the stayers in Russell is the
real estate and immigration bureau OF
Edwin w Voorhis and A. L. VOOrhis,
who have been in continuous business
since 1888.
other old timers are Chas. 2. Hall,
present member of the legislature, and
Geo. W Holland, who are partners in
the real estate and loan business. Both
of them carry side lines" the former
being the possessOr of the only set of
abstracts in Russell county, Whlle the
latter is one of the most successful at
torneys in the Sixth congressional dis
trict. They also have political ambi-
ton, Charley Hall wanting the office of
secretary of state and Geo. Holland will
not object to succeeding Congressman
Reeder.
There has never been a time since the
town was stal1ed off when Russell and
her people We're so happily contented as
now. Most of her business buildings
ar constructed of brick and stone, in
cluding her roomy school house. Her
homes, most Of them. are models of
neatness, her several churches are well
supported and the two newspapers de- |
serve the good patronage they receive. /
Her people are loyal to town and coun-
ty.