The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-11-19
IN SIXTH DISTRICT
Catholics Were Pioneer Sci
tiers in Rawlins County.
HerndOn and Atwood Are the
Oldest Towns.

Herndon, Nov. 19.-The Catholics
have several thrifty settlements In
Rawlins county. A souvenir booklet
has recently been issued containing
data of the early history of the pio-
neer Catholic settlers and parishes OF
northwestern Kansas and facts OF the
enterprising town Of Herndon fur
nished by A. j. Roberts, editor and
publisher of the Nonpareil. As early
as 1878 the first postOff1ce was estab-
lished in. Herndon. the name then be-
changed to its present name. The first
merchant was 1. N. George, who
hauled his lumber and goods by
wagon a distance of 60 miles. He
continued in business until 1884,
when several other branches of trade
started up. In 1886 the B. & NJ.
railroad was completed to Herndon.
In 1906 the town was incorporated,
and at this time there il q bank, flour
milk lumber yard. three elevators.
three general stores. two hardware
and implement firms, electric light
plant, two hotels. newspaper, two
drug stores, three cream and produce
stations and other smaller branches
of trade industry which are necessary
to make up a live. pushing town.
Herndon is in the Beaver creek val
ley and centrally situated in sec
ton of fine alfalfa and wheat rails
ing country. The business houses draw
their support from these sources. Two
destructive fires nearly wiped the town
out for q time, but the Herndon peo-
pie wouldn't lay down and the town
is built up more substantial than
| ever.
Senator Malone's Home.
Herndon ia the home of State Sem
ator James Malone, of the Thirty
ninth district. He Is one OF the neaoe
Of the. Beaver Valley roller mills OF
Malone and Wenzel. whose flour
wherever used has been the means OF
making Herndon famous.
In the pamphlet there Is a picture
1 of the mercantile house of George w.
Dull who started in business In aeTn-
don in 1883. having been engaged con-
tinuOusly In business here Tor q quar-
ter of a century. He stands up for
his town and RawHns county, and es-
pecially that part of the country trib-
utary to Herndon. He says his town
is located in one of the most fertile
valleys in Kansas, as there are thou
sands Of acres of fine alfana IN the
Beaver valley, and Herndon is located
in the center of the great alfalfa belt.
men prosperous and wealthy, and the
town the leading city In the Beaver
valley.
All the business houses in Herndon
are represented in the booklet, be-
sides many of them have pictures OF
churches, Catholic, Congregational
and German Evangelical. besides
schools, both parochial and public.
There are also scenes of buffalo herds
and the pioneer homeS-the famous
sod house.
The Catholic Settlements.
The booklet il interesting. The
Catholics have large settlements In
and around Herndon. And they are
Rawlins county. AS early as 1873 the
first Catholic family, Matthias Hafner.
settled in this vicinity. Other fami-
lies followed, several in 1879. The
church has prOspered until 1t has q
large membership, a church, the home
of the priest, parochial school and
boarding house. They have been in
dustrious farmers as we'll, their farms
well improved, splendid homes denot-
ing thrift, contentment and happiness.
Domestic Science at Atwood.
Atwood, Nov. 19.-The high school
is having the biggest attendance in the
history of the Rawlins county. The
domestic science class of the school
number IS, was well entertained by
A. E. Pilnacek, who has been at the
head Of one of the neatest and cleanest
meat markets in northwest Kansas
for years. After showing the class
the science of cutting and curing
meats and how to buy and at the same
time be economical, he prepared them
a fine lunch of choice eatables which
he carries in stock. The domestic
science class feel highly entertained
in the sight seeing and lecture given
by Mr.. Pilnacek, and their thanks
were bestowed in the way OF a pleasing
vote of thanks.
Rawlins County Pioneer Dies.
Atwood. Nov. 19.-Rawlins county
mourns the death of another early
pioneer, Mrs. L. J. Wiltse, who settled
in the county with the family In 1880,
on a homestead, near the town OF
Herndon. To Mr.. and Mrs. Wfltse
there were born eight children. five OF
them are living. Mrs. Mather, wife Of
In. c. Mather, register Of deeds is one
of the children who survives her. She
was a woman of untirfng energy, and
many of the living pioneers Of the
county will remember her for her
pleasing kindness and helpful hand in
the early pioneer history. Besides the
family there are other relatives num-
bering 81 grandchildren. 35 great
grandchildren and two great-great-
grandchildren left to mourn the loss
Of a noble, good woman.
WATHENA SKUNK FARM.
Owner Offers Reward for Black