Omaha daily bee., 1909-04-18

ment OF every city, as they have burned
down or become too small for the business,
have been replaced by large and substan-
tial brick and stone buildings. The resi-
dent portion of the town is composed of
neat and commodious. ornamented and
well kept homes. including many preten-
tious residences that would do credit TO a
much larger city.
The town was laid out in 1869 by Messrs.
Mcdonnell and Mattingly. but the period
Of growth commenced with 1872, the year
the st. Joseph & Western was completed,
since which time. excepting 1876, the year
succeeding the grasshopper scourge, the
growth has been steady and substantial.
Mr.. Mcdonnell gave the place its name,
choosing the name of his previous resi-
dence. Fairbury, Ill, The postoffice was
established here in 1869. The great ma
Jority OF the population are native Amer
leans although there are a few of other
nationalities. Nearly every state In the
union Is represented. As a class, the peo-
pie are well educated. intelligent and Of
refined taste. They are thoroughly alive
to the interest of home education. One of
the most evehtful storms in the history
of Nebraska struck this city Just as it's
citizens were retiring for the night, June
20, 1881. Over 5000 damage was done to
window lights alone. The hail and rain
was the most severe ever experienced on
the western prairie.
The first school In Fairbury was a pri-
vate one taught by DR.. r. s. Chapman in
1870. In 1871 a public school was started
with about fifteen pupils. The religious
element is quite as we'll represented here
as at any other point in Nebraska, and
the standard of morality is commercially
high. Deep respect for the Sabbath is
nearly universal. The Woman's Christian
Temperance union has been active In this
little city from the beginning. 1t was or
ganlzed In March. 1881, with ten members,
and its efforts and influence are seen and
felt on every hand. The press has been a
great aid in building up the town and
county. 1t is well patronlzed at home, and
has an extensive circulation outside the
city, also over the county.
Fairbury is a modern little CITY In everv
respect. Its court house is one OF the
models of the state. 1t is built Of native
sandstone, erected at a cost of S55, 900. The
new high school. with ten large rooms, is
modern In every sense of the word and
fairly represents the progress Of it's citi-
zens. The other school buildings are of a
substantial nature. The foundation is laid
for a new Carnegie library and two new
school buildings are under construction at
a cost of $4,000. The water works and
electric plant give excellent service and
are appreciated by the entire city. One Of
the principal industries OF the city is the
large Touring mill. II is operated by water
power. This plant has been prominent
for many years in the upbuilding Of the
city and surrounding country. The several
mills Of this county manufactured and
shipped out last year 2,aB 0o pounds OF
flour and 33s, 600 pounds ~ min feed. More
and more each year this CITY Is becoming
prominent as q manufa ct surfing center.
Fairbury Is the center ~ y magntficent
farming country. II is the devotion noint
of three main lines of railroad operating
between the east and Yves. and southwest.
1t is the division point OF the Chicago,
Rock Island & Pacific. where their repair
shops are located, with n payroll amount
ing to $4,000 per month. The Burlington
lines from east TO west pass through the
city. and the st. Joe & Grand Island rail-
road, running from st. Joseph 20 Grand
island, connects with the main line OF the
Union Pacific.
Fairbury has many manufacturing plants
controlled by local capital. The Fairbury
Iron Works and Windmill company en-
rloys about seventy-ffve men. The city has
a planning mill turning out all kinds OF
woodwork from bank furniture TO a full
constructed house. There are two large
nurseries adjoining the city. also two
creameries. The city has free mail de-
livery, also several free rural routes that
serve a large section Of country.