The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-04-27
PROGRESSIVE OAKLEY.
One Northwest Kansas Town That Is
Particularly Prosperous.

Oakley, Kan, April 27.-One of the
cIeanest and more progressive small
towns with less than 1000 population,
in northwest Kansas, is Oakley, the
railroad center and business metropolis
of Logan county. 1t can't boast OF be-
ing a county seat, but her people 90
take pride in pointing out to visitors
the fact that ii is the business center OF
the county. II has the main line of
the Union Pacific. besides a spur rr
the same road reaching to Colby. where
IT makes connection with the Rock IS
land main line system Besides, a NUM-
Der of Union Pacific employees live here,
probably close TO 80 families, and while
Oakley is neither a passenger or freight
terminus for main line trains, 1t IS the
home of several families who operate
the Colby spur" and Ii is said that the
payroll runs up to $500 and s5,uOo
monthly.
Oakley has made great growth in the
last few years. Only two sod houses
remain on the 5owrTite, a few years
ago dozens could be counted. there
isn't an empty building in the Ilace,
families are temporarily living Her
present population is close TO the 500
mark.
The cement plant is operated by W.
A Baker & Co. a number Of resi-
dences and business buildings have al
ready been built of cement. and many
more will be erected, while cement
walks are getting 10 be -uite as COM
other places.
Another enterprise of Oakley is the
large carpenter shop plant of the
Cochrane Bros. These men are con-
tractors and builders, and operate their
plant with gasoline power motor.
It was in September, 1904, that the
principal part of Oakley burned up.
For time it partially crippled some
of the business men, but they stood it, |
and today they are doing business on
a larger scale and in larger buildings
than before. One of the most modern
is the three story, roOming brick hotel
of c. NJ. Kaufman, erected at d cost OF
S13 500, with hot and cold water and
steam fixtures. With the new kaufT-
man hotel, Oakley has become a per
maaent fixture for a Sunday town for
by the way, Mr.. Kaufman has made
Oakley and Logan county famous, fer
he was one of two men who circulated
a petition to change the name or st |
John county named in honor Of Sow. |
St. John, to Logan county. And when
the town was Incorporated 1t was Mr.. |
Kaufman who drew up the first city
ordinances for Oakley. He was also |
Union Pacific agent here for Dozen |
years, and in all he worked for this |
company more than 20 years as con- |
ductOr and agent. He says now that |
he would rather be railroading than in |
any other business.
oakley has two banks. the State bank |
of Oakley, with a capital stock of 500 |
0D0. ana II r NTlCSSl0Fs pEeSluCHts "A
w. Snyder, vice president. V. Jaggar, |
cashier. NJ. A. EversOle, assistant CASH |
Ter. This bank has deposits reaching |
to over $3.50. 900. They are convenient /
" situated in modern brick building. |
erected since the big fire.
The new Farmers State bank. or |
ganiZed in March, last. with a capital /
stock of $4,000, has for. its officers: |
VIM. Wyscarver, president. w. ]. Dav-
export and J. D. Vawter. first and sec
ond vice presidents. Nelson WalcotI, /
cashier, F. w Irwin. assistant cash
Ter. Only a little over a month old Its |
deposits now reach over 81, 600 The |
new bank building which they will soon /
cccupy will cost about 5000. including |
the furniture.
Oakley has a Touring mill of daily /
capacity of 200 barrels, besides a Separ- |
ate roller for barley of $1,000 pounds /
daily capacity. and a feed grinder fo-
grinding $4,000 pounds of feed daily. 1
This plant is operated by John Brown,
and is claimed TO be one of the most
successful in this section Of the state
The town and farming community
supports two large lumber yards Every
branch of trade has sharp competition.
which has made Oakley a great trad
ing center. If you drop off here in
search of farm lands the several real
estate firms will do their best to sell
you a farm; good water is found all