The Topeka state journal., 1908-06-27
A MODEL TOWN.
Citizens Of Speed, Prosperous,
Happy and Progressive.
A Phillips County Settlement
That Is Growing.
TO HAVE NEWSPAPER
Farmers in Vicinity Haven't
Lost a Crop in Years.
Its Bank One of a Chain of Ten
Solid Institutions.

Speed, Kan, June 27.-For years
this town was known as Big Bend,
taking the name from the big bend in
the North Solomon river at this point
A postoffice has been maintained for
many years, while the Missouri Pa
cific has operated a depot now and
then ever since the building of the
railroad. The time when the depot
agent is concerned was in dry years
when hot winds burned up all vegeta-
ton in earlier seasons. So about 1894
when the place commenced to show
some life together with the fact that
similar names got tangled up with the
name Of Big Bend, it was changed to
Speed. The question was asked of one
of the business men why the name was
changed to Speed, and the answer was
progress that the name of Speed was
desirable name for so prosperous
and progressive a town.
Speed has population of about 25O
inhabitants. 1t has grown to almost
its present size in the last three years.
1t is in Phillips county, and the peo-
pie claim the farmers tributary to the
place haven't lost a crop for years.
About July 1st the town will have a
newspaper, the Clarion, with Nelson
A. Peckham editor and publisher.
Mr.. Peckham is already operating a
good sized job office.
Speed Is the home of a citizen and
business man who has made success.
DR.. H. ]. Chapman came from Iowa in
1893 and located in Speed, with only a
few dollars. He hung out his shingle
and built up good practice. Later he
put in a drug stock, and the secretary
of the state board of pharmacy says
DR.. Chapman has the neatest and best
arranged drug store in this section of
the state. Nor is this all: he has a
fine fruit orchard containing 400 apple
trees, 600 peach trees. 200 pears, 300
plums, 200 apricots and 600 grapevines.
Besides he has put in reservoir hold
ing 1,500 barrels and laid pipes to
connect his orchard and barn with wa
ter. When DR.. Chapman commenced
these improvements the land was COW
cred with buffalo grass and stone, and
some people thought he was crazy to
locate here and make such improve
ments. The reverse is true and he has
made money for his rustling qualities
Speed has three general stores, one
hardware and implement firm, lumber
yard which is credit to any city. a
drug store that is as attractive and
modern as any store of the kind can
be, an elevator, a bank, the Farmers
State, with Alvin Dougherty. president
E. L. Williams, vice president, and NJ
Y,
board of seven directors. and Is one OF
a chain of ten solid banks. The new
business enterprise has completed one
of the most attractive bank buildings
in this section of the state at a cost
of about 5000. The main building is
constructed of the best of red brick
with white enameled brick corners
There is also a modern blacksmith
and repair shop. stock buyer, physi-
clans, school and two churches. The
North Solomon furnishes splendid 10
cation for a water power Touring mil
at Speed.
Speed is located half way betweer
Kirwin and Logan, about IL miles from
either town. 1t is said the farming
country tributary to Speed hasn't miss
ed a crop for more than dozen years
To visit the town and see the progress II
is making one will not wonder why
Speed was selected as permanent name
for the town.