The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-02-29
Has One of the Finest Court
Houses i'm Northwest Kansas.
SETTLERS COMING IN
Wa-Keeney, the County Seat, Is
a Town Of Shade Trees.
Has Solid Banks, Churches and
Miles of Cement Walks.


the many pleasing sights the new
conner will see in visit to Wa-Keeney
are the shade trees. They remind one
of the older settled towns of the east,
so far as regards shade trees. It ap-
pears that all the people Of Wa-Keeney
in making their new homes first think
of setting out shade trees. And when
the trees are in leaf. approaching the
town in either direction, the site looks
more like a forest than a town. The
people of Wa-Keeney have certainly set
a precedent in the planting Of forest
trees other towns can well pattern at
ter.
Wa-Keeney is the county seat of Ire
go county One OF the most attractive
court house in northwest Kansas Is
the $4,000 one in Trego county, and
better. still, it is paid for and the
county is free from debt. The popu-
lation of the county in 1907 was 4,282
It is estimated this spring census will
show an increase close to 800 In 1905
Wa-Keeney had a population Of 508; in
1907 it had increased to 55S, while the
township showed in 1905 a population
of GIG, and TIA in 1907. 1t is believed
that both city and township will show
gain of over 200 in the census this
spring.
The acreage in wheat in Trego ooun
ty, in 1897, was $4,000 acres, while the
increase this year is estimated close to
rs per cent greater; the acreage In corn
was about 81, 900 acres, and it is claim
ed that this will be Increased not less
than 80 per cent In barley there was
in 1907 about 5000 acres, and close to
5 900 acres in oats. The ground has been
and winter. and at this time there is
ample moisture. The present indica-
lions are that Trego county will raise
her banner crops the year 1908.
An indication that Wa-Keeney Is
prosperous, three years ago there was
only one auto in town. while today
there are ten. and paid for. They raise
SO nice strawberries here, that in some
instances the vines are pushing out, and
into the buffalo grass. With the ex-
ception of the year 1907 the people of
Trego county have raised their own
fruit and hundreds Of bushels to spare.
One Of the successful business men Of
Wa-Keeney Is J. J. Keraus, general
hardware and implement trade. He has
been In Trego county for nearly dozen
years, coming here from Riley county.
He owns a large amount of lands in
both Trego and Graham counties, and
has 200 acres Of growing alfalfa The
only fault the other fellows can find
against Mr.. Keraus Is that he Is
Democrat. He once ran for the legis-
lature and DR.. A. B. Jones, the present
member, beat him. He is enthusiastic
for western Kansas. Trego county and
W. T. Litt1echild is another enthusi-
astic Tregoite. He owns about three
sections of soil. He has upwards Of
400 cattle and between 300 and 400 hogs.
hogs are on full feed Mr.. Lttlechild
is progressive. He believes Trego coun-
ty Is a paradise to make money in eth
er land stock and alfalfa He is max
ing money fast.
Wakeeney people pull for their
factions among
her business men. Some towns could
MT do without them. No so with Wa
keeney business men. There are two
safe, solid banks. two we'll stocked
lumber yards, two newspapers, three
hotels and several restaurants thrown
in for good measure, four general
stores, drug store, two hardware and
implement dealers, in fact all business
is represented here one VIII find IN all
live and progressive towns. Wa
visitor sees the first-class schools, the
several elegant churches, the miles OF
cement walks and the pleasant and
attractive homes surrounded with
shade trees and inviting lawns, they
are reminded Of the towns they left
in the east. And in any direction one
looks from Wakeeney they will see
well cultivated farms and good homes.
It can be truthfully said that the town
has never had a boom, every building
is occupied, business failures have
been scarce, and the town has grown
only as the country demands. And
Treeo is one of the best Of the west
ern Kansas counties, her lands are
surely advancing in prices, and the
many real estate and land agents in
Wakeeney are usually busy as bees
showing lands here and there. And
here are some Of the finest opportunf-
ties offered anywhere to those seek
ing homes in western Kansas.
..