The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-09-04
Indications Suggest Boom But
Nothing of Kind Exists.
Little City Is Just Now Enjoy
ing Era of Prosperity.
MANY NEW BUILDINGS
Opportunities Offered Have At
tracted Many New Firms.
Cement Works and Fine Resi-.
dences Add to Attractions.

| Bennington, Kan, Sept. Awhile this
place has kept pace with the other Sol
| onion valley towns i'll the great prosperity
which central Kansas has been enjoy
ing the last 10 years, it would appear
to the stranger just arriving that the
town is experiencing a boom. There is
no boom" in Bennington, however
unless the unusual activity and hustle
the din occasioned by workmen with
hammer. saw and plane may be termed
l"booming.''
Many New Buildings Erected.
During the past year there have been
built moro residences. more business
buildings and more concrete sidewalks
than there has been for ten years pre-
VicUs. The Bennington opera house,
one Of the most up-to-date and best
edifices of its kind in any town along
the valley was opened up for the
public few months ago, and during
that time has proven to be very sat
iSfactory and profitable investment. The
Collins livery stable is another acquisi-
ton of which the town is proud, be-
ing a fine structure. The ]. Haley sale
stables have just been completed while
the Kelley Hardware company will have
finished work on their new store build
ing and open their doors for business
by the 18th of the present month.
New Firms Attracted to Little City.
Among those new firms which have
begun business in Bennington within
the past year may be mentioned the
Sutton & Clark Hardware company,
the ]. W. Shepard Mercantile company,
the Rehberg & Norman Implement COM
pany, and several smaller establish
ments, al of which seem to be actuated
by a spirit of more than usual enter
rrise and progressiVeness which Is
itself in very material
manner.
Besides the buildings recently erect
II Af
construction. Russell & Son VIII soon
begin work on a new shop which they
propose eQuipping with machinery OF
the most approved and latest type. The
Baugh Brothers will also enlarge their
establishment and Shepard Il Hoskins,
real estate brokers, will begin work on
a new office building on Nelson avenue
on a site now occupied by structure
Of less modern type.
Miles of Concrete Walks Laid.
While there has been miles of con-
crete walk built during the last three
years the work still goes on, and at
The present time Bennington has better
walks, better graded and parked
streets than any other town OF its size
Il the valley-better in fact than many |
anger and more pretentious towns
which claim the dignity of being cities. |
The farming community around about
is moved by the same |
spirit of progress The farms are be- |
rig improved in manner which would |
make our eastern cousins eyes water, |
or where there were small and IN |
farm houses and stables
| few years ago may now be seen mag |
lifcent and stately dwellings and huge
,arns, many of them fitted up with all
he modern appliances which may be
ound in city homes.
Central Kansas is not what might be
properly called booming but simply
conserving the wonderful resources OF
he country applying them in such
manner as to add to the enjoyment OF
ife and for the promotion of business
Enterprises to that extent which will
cconnmodete Itself to ever growing and
Increasing demands Of prosperity.