The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-03-21

banking Mr.. Walton bought a telephone
line in 1879 between Anthony and Har-
per. The line grew into small exchanges
in each Of the towns, then larger ones
and finally several adjoining towns
were taken in until in 1905 the Bell peo-
pie found it was crowding them and
bought 1t in,' the many lines and ex-
changes representing a value of $125, 200.
A critical time in the history of An
thony was in 1896 and 1897. Defaulted
coupons of city bonds had been sued on
in the United States courts and levieS
were ordered made to pay interest that
would practically confiscate the entire
town. With the opening of Oklahoma,
combined with the hard times, Anthony
suffered loss in population Of over
sixty per cent in one year. Between
1892 and 1897 the population went from
$500 down to about one thousand Not
only did the population move, but like
the snail, it took its house with it, and
one hundred and twenty good residences
were moved out on the town in one
year.
To save the town, a company was or
ganfzed among the business men to de-
velop its interests and to compromise
and buy up the outstanding indebted
ness; Mr.. Walton was made president
Of the company and in five years. large
ly through his personal efforts, the in
debtedness was compromised and re-
ty-five thousand dollars to fifty thou
sand; the city acquired a sixty thou
sand dollar water plant, secured two
| new railways and three wholesale in
situations, and began to sit up and take
notice Among the outstanding bonds
was an issue Of four thousand dollars
put out in a way which. the supreme
court held invalidated them; it was
characteristic of Mr.. Walton to take the
stand that he did and insist that these
fraudulent bonds be compromised, mas
much as the city had received and ex-
pended the money for Them and it was
done. No one in connection with the
compromising of the bonds made a sim
gle penny. the work being done for the
| mutual good of all concerned.
After disposing of his phone lines and
exchanges Mr.. Walton secured a large
interest in the Orient Salt Works of
Anthony, plant with a daily capacity
of five to six hundred barrels of fine
salt. He was made president of the
company and is developing the plant as
he does all his interests and is widely
advertising the non-packng quality of
the product, which enables 1t to COM
pete with and displace the Saginaw ar
ticle wherever it meets it The pump
ing capacity of the plant has been en-
larged and a dairy salt mill will soon be
added.
Mr. Walton is domestic in his tastes,
has charming and accomplished wife,
formerly Miss Elizabeth Bent of Salina.
a beautiful daughter eight years of age,
a cosy but unpretentious home on the
| best residence street of Anthony; is a
| lover Of good horses and enjoys the use
| Of an automobile. Has been prominent
| in Masonic circles for many years, be-
! ing a past officer Of the Anthony lodge
and commandery. He is a member of
| the Kansas City club and is interested
| in Kansas City realty, but is talking of
opening an office in Topeka in connec-
| ton with his work as national bank ex-
aminer. He has been a tireless yet
tactful worker in Republican politics of
| Harper county and is considered by
Senator Long and Congressman Madi-
son as one of the safest counselors and
abIest workers for the party in the
south central part of the state