The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1916-12-29

county. Liberal is steadily increas-
ing in population, buildings are be-
ing erected daily, and the last year
closes with perhaps the greatest num-
Der of buildings erected than for
many years past. City property is
much in demand and has been for
some time. We start the new year
under the most favorable conditions
and with only few inconvenience,
one of which is a dearth of houses to
rent. 1t appears that the builders
cannot keep up with the demand for
homes. Liberal is throbbing with
commercial activity. 1t is all that its
reputation recites over the state: the
best town in Western Kansas, and
the Capital City Of the Southwest.
And that wholesome reputation is
due to many causes but perhaps none
of greater import than the work OF
IL. w. Baughman, who has been for
years in the real estate business in
the west, and is now identified with
the well-known firm of Griffith &
IBaughman Of this city, which has
done much advertising for the city
for considerable period in the past.
Years ago. when Mr.. Baughman came
Ito town, he began to buy real estate
here and there. He was about the
only man who wanted to buy land or
town lots. Farms and lots we're low
priced then and many tracts were
transferred to him. He appeared to
have a knowledge of the future,
which few other men gathered or
cared to, entertain, and there was no
competition in the business of ac-
quiring land and lots at that time.
There followed lean years for the
real estate man with farms and lots
for sale, but Mr.. Baughman was un-
daunted by the III conditions. He
simply invested in more land and lots
from time to time as the price justi-
fed. He never lost an opportunity to
boost the interests of the town and
county. Spent his money for litera-
ture, mailed 1t abroad. So closely did
he keep in touch with the develop
ment of the town and county that he
attended to all the correspondence
that should have been handled by
commercial club, an organization
that did not exist as working insti-
tuition until the Chamber of Com
merce was organized last spring.
With the rise of land values the prop
critics held by Mr.. Baughman more
than doubled, and he is considered
land baron today, but even In these
days of easy sales for real estate he
is not avaracious. He is simply ask
ing a reasonable profit TO defray the
expense incurred in the past in adver-
Using the city and country. He Is a
promoter. He believes in letting the
other man have a chance to make a
profit on the property he sells. And
that plan is in evidence today. The
price and terms on the lots in Sunny
side, the 56-acre tract dedicated and
made part of the city last Septem-
, Der, proves the idea being exercised.
January /, 1914, partnership was
formed with w. V. Griffith and the
I firm name is now familiar to thous-
ands of satisfied customers. Mr.. Crit
fifth, who is a gentleman of much
ability and a good business man, has
conducted a very successful cam
paign. During the two years exist
ance, the firm has sold 1875 quarter
sections of Seward county land which
has been converted into valuable
farm property by farmers who under
stand the climatic conditions. He
has also caused sales of many thous-
ands of acres in the southwestern
counties of the state and in Colorado.
The firm of Griffith & Baughman
has one of the best equipped real es
tate offices in the west. Every de-
partment has its extensive up-to-date
filing systems, and corps OF, compe-
tent assistants to look after each de-
department. The Office force consists
of four men. H. M. Goss, land sales
man, is considered one OF the ablest |
men in the west He has made a |
special study in that work for years.
and is we'll informed regarding land
values, and the character of each in
dividual quarter in the county and
many tracts in the western part Of
the state. Ray Kennedy, stenOgraph-
er, Is q valuable man to the firm. He
keeps up the correspondence of the
Office and is ever ready to assist the
customers when the occasion de-
mands. L. e. Johnson, who looks af-
ter the insurance department, Is one
of the ablest Office men in the state.
His department has the largest city
property and insurance business in
the southwestern section of the state.
l.. H. Davenport, who Is now Ill, has
charge of the department Of the Act
ma Building and Loan Association.
This department has made a won
drous growth. For statement see
advertisement in this issue. Two of
the oldest stockholders in the Aetna
are prominent professional men of
the city. A. Etzold and v. H.
Grinstead. Among the prominent
business men holding fully paid in
advance stock are George s.. Smith &
Bro. and VIM. Lampe.
In the same Office room there is a
desk where the J. W. Baughman per-
sonal interests are conducted. e. D.
Cooper holds this desk and is the
manager for Mr.. Baughman's per-