The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-01-24


Samson, OF Cove county; Alex. Sho-
walter, Thomas county; Frank Nc
1vor, Sheridan county; III. +. Kline,
! Trego county; r. A. Collins, Graham
county; C. w. Miller, Ellis county; j.
r. Young, Logan CO Inty; W. E. Ward,
Wallace county; and e. D. Wolfe,
Sherman county. The first five names
are the present members OF the legis-
lature from their counties. Mine men
already talked for state senator and
several other counties to hear from, it
looks If the Thirty-ninth will have a
! big love feast in the primary election.
p. T. Knudson is the new member
of the legislature from Rawlins county.
He is big farmer and stock raiser.
Isaac Conger is one of the first set
tiers in Rocks county, locating in
Paradise township, where he has
farmed and made money in stock,
grain and alfalfa. In the days of
Populism his party elected him to the
| legislature. In the recent trial of the
L w. ". in Kansas City, he was fore
man of the jury that convicted twenty
seven of the gang. Prior to the trial
he believed the organization was
charged with more rascalitS than they
deserved. but since the evidence came
out he changed his mind, and says the
half hasn't been told about them.
Colby and Norton contempt erect
| ing modern hotels this year. The two
towns are made up of boosters, and
organizations have been effected to
push the hotel proposition The Nor
ton people figure on a hotel to cost
100000. The Real Westerner, a
northwest Kansas real estate publica-
ton, printed in Norton. says: MAKE
/ it 100000, and go to work" The
Commercial club. with the aid of the
| live, pushing people OF the town, who
have never failed in any business
proposition, can secure such a hotel.
/ IL would mean much to Norton, for it
is so conveniently situated and on two
lines of railroad it would be a drawing
card for conventions.
J. W. Railsbach is serving his Sec
, ond terms as az legislator from De-
catur county. His county is the
| home of Otis L. Benton, who travelled
more miles and made the most ac-
| tive campain for congress ever be-
/ fore known. He was beaten by q
Thomas county, who served three
terms. Decatur county is enjoying
fair amount of prosperity. Good corn
was raised all thru the county and AN
extra good yield of wheat except in
a few localities. There is an abun-
/
| alfalfa. Many farmers are building
I and making other improvements.
Railsbach has been an active member.
| and when not in committee or debate
/ on the floor, he is saying good words
| for Oberlin, his home, and Decatur
county. Asked if he wouldn't swell
the list for state senator in khe
Thirty ninth district and make an
even dozen candidates, he said so far
as be knew now Decatur county
wouldn't present a candidate unless it
would be Lester Parker, former owner
and editor of the Oberlin Times who
has been mentiond for the honor.
Among the legislative visitors n the
! closing days or the special session was
A. Swope, of Jewell county, ia rmer
and stock feeder. He represented his
county in the session of 1907-0S. He
| also attended the big state agricultural
| farmers meeting. He has been living
in Jewell county on farm since 1873,
and has been successful financially.
State Sen. James Malone, of the
Thirty ninth district, will support
ex-Congressman John r. Connolly, if
he is a candidate, he says. Malone is
serving his second term and may see
his way clear to run again His
| friends have been boosting him for
congress. His legislative record has
been good and he has been a firm
friend to the farmers. After I 6 years
\ in the milling industry in his town of
Herndon. Rawlins county, he has re-
tired from that work and engaged in
! other business. He has a wide ac-
quaintance over his district.
j. t. Fitzgerald. merchant and
banker of Colby, was sightseeing and
visiting both houses of the legislature
| last week. He settled in Thomas
county seventeen years ago. He was
one of the business men who would
have left that town in 1912, the year
OF the blown OUT streak fatality,
if he could have sold his business at
/ any price. The writer of these notes
was visitor to Colby during this
period. One day Fitzgerald took with
him $4,000 in good notes. all due, and
given by farmers. He wanted money
bad. He visited many of them who
had given notes. and after a days
hard work driving he returned to
Colby that night, tired out. Asked
what success he met with. he said he
dent collect enough to pay the livery
hire. He said he never saw a more
barren country and crops buried un-
der the sand. and the prairie as free
from any kind of vegetation as a
floor. Rock Island and Union Pacific
trains were detained for hours on ac-
count of the drifting sands, and thou
sands or dollars worth of crops were
/ strangled to death becauses of the
drouth and sand. A year later a
remedy was found to combat this dis
aster. Many farmers who left Thomas
county on account of it returned, and
again put in crops. and from that time
to the present good crops have been
raised in the county. Last years
crop of wheat averaged Is bushels an
acre. which was one of the largest
crops ever raised in Thomas county.
The conditions are satisfactory for
4 1920. Mr.. Fitzgerald is proud of the
fact that he stayed in Colby. His bust
ness last year was the largest he has
had since he located there.