The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-22
TOpekans Are Interested III One
i'm the Ozarks.
Comprises 100 Acres and
10000 Trees.
HAS ITS OWN TOWN.
LabOrers on 1t Live in a Model
Community.
Holman the Name and the Lid
Is On.
las IT'S OWN TOWN.

The Central Ozark fruit farm COM
prising 2.1O0 acres situated Is miles
east of Springfield, Mo-. at Holman, on
the Frisco railroad, within the near
future will be one of the great fruit
farms in the United States.
It's location IS certainly ideal. lying
as it does on a ridge Of the Ozaries,
$500 feet above sea level, where for
miles the valleys and mountain heights
stretch before the vision.
The productive qualities of the soil,
its adapta oilIty to fruit culture. the fine
slope OF the land, the excellent eli
matte condition leave little doubt as to
the monetary Importance of such an
investment
It has the advantage over other largc
fruit farms in the country, for the reu-
gon that a great transcontinental rail-
way passes directly through its cen
ter.
what a wondsrous sight for the trav-
eler. when a wilderness of fragrant ap-
pie blossoms enlivened by the attrac-
tive green OF the mountain heights shaH
greet his eye. or, when the boughs are
weighted down with a wealth of rosy
fruit what a marvellous illustration OF
the DISTINGUISHING feature for which the
Ozark region is famous. both in the
United States and in EurOpe-the big
red apple.
dexter. Mr.. John A. Bunkin. Mr.. NJ. c.
Holman and DR.. H. A. Warner, all cap
ftalists of Topeka, Kan, alighted from
q train in the midst of a dense forest
on the western border of Webster coun-
~ They chopped out a clearing. pitch
ed tent. and then nailed signs through
the woods and along the track, La
boreIs Wanted
The gentlemen compose the Central
Ozark Fruit company, OF which E. W.
Poipdexter is president, and John A
Buffkin, secretary and general mana
ger. Through the efficient management
of Mr.. Bunkin. who resides on the
farm. a tremendous amount of work
has been accomplished
Two thousand acres have been
cleared and the timber sold for cord
wood. Twenty-four miles of Dillon
fence. pig tight. mule strong and
horse high" have been built. 1t was
found necessary to change the road,
and ten miles of new road was made
at the expense of the company with
perfect sa tisfactiO to the community.
Mr.. Bunkin has shown wisdom in
eschewing experimental work, for the
experience of successful fruit growers.
and has planted a fine variety of trees,
already demonstrated to be adapted to
the soil His apples include such va
rieties as GanO. York, Imperial. Ben
Davis, Jonathan. Grimes Golden and
others. Already 1000 trees have
been planted. Three-fourths of the
400 acres will be in apples and the
remaining fourth in peaches and
pears He will conhne himself to the
Keiffer pear. and the alberta and Sal
The building of the town of Hol-
man had its inception in the wish of |
the company to make their laborers |
comfortable. It lies to the south of
the track and presents a very neat /
and thrifty appearance The tOwnsite |
IS fairly level with Just enough slope |
to insure perfect drainage. There are (
thirty-six cottages from four to five
rooms each. which are occupied by the
1aborers and their families free of
rent The little settlement boasts q
general waterworks system. The wa
ter is of the purest and comes from a
we'll 347 feet deep. from which it IS
pumped by a Dempster wind mill into
a tank. and forced into the pipes.
There is also a blacksmith shop, an
immense barn. a Union church, and a
general supply store. In addition to
this there is canning factory for tn.
handling OF the 100 acres utilized for
the propagation Of tomatoes. Three
hundred acres in clover and 500 In
corn, is another factor in reducing ex-
penses-
In connection with the fruit indus
try. the company propose to make it
stock farm They have thoroughbred
hogs. consisting of Poland China
Berkshire, Duerock and Jersey. They
viii also enter extensively into the
sheep and mule industry.
Holman is distinguished as a dry
town Mr. Buffkin acted on the old
adage, an ounce of prevention is worth
a pound Of cure when he closed the
lid" on intoxicating liquors for all
time and prohibited card playing
The men are wildly gay when they in
dulge in such exciting revelTy as quoits
and numblepeg. the women are equally
as happy when attending a pie eating
contest or candy break The
candy break is a form Of entertal7-
ment where the foxy maiden, and the
bashful youth find an outlet for their
1rrrv.
thing like this: Sticks of candy are
passed around. the youth and the maid
en- at his left crack their sticks togeth-
er. II. one whose sticks break OF the
shortest is the one who loves the least.
7 haven't no faith in IT. stammered |
a red-faced youth, whose stick broke on
the shortest They don't talk right
But it wouldn't hev broke off, eff yer
hadn't felt that way" sighed the foxy
maiden
Yer know better. yer know when I
LOOK -nto them bright eyes. feel JUS
like goin' into Their woods and cancin'." |
No yer don't"
Yes, I do" pleaded Inc youth, plac-
ing the short stick of candy in his mouth
and proffering ner the other end |
Wont yer tine me?''
And she jined-with rapidly. the
melting obstacle melted into an ardent /
kiss Their airs softer outsiese,'' he
whispered
The Fourth of July and Christmas are
royalty celebrated. at the expense of /
the company. This town is Stunned by /
all tramps. One had the temerity to en-
ter. but he left no sign upon the gate |
His advent was on cold winter even /
ing
..Tu not turn you away without food |
and shelter" said Mr. Bunbin, but I /
viii not house you. neither shall any OF |
my men"
He gave him blankets and locked him I
m in the school house, with a warning /
that II ne attempted to escape before he |
came to him in the morning. bull dog 1
would tear him limb from limb