The Topeka state journal., 1921-03-12
Sixth District Nelus Notes
Items and Reminiscence. by An Old Timer With His
Ear to the Grass Roots.

neers, and was plated into town lots
in 1886. The town was named for Art
a mile northwest of the townsite, and
who was quite prominent in the early
trict. Ira M. Thompson erected the
first building on the townsite, and
also operated. the first store selling
merchandise. The first postmaster
was w. H. Markham, staunch Re-
publican, and the first term of school
was taught by Miss Minnie Cumpston.
The town, however, did not make
real growth until in the year 1902
and at that time the newspaper was
established. the first bank was organ
lied and many other improvements
were added. The newspaper is owned
and edited by Representative Gillispie,
" no also conducts a real estate busi-
ness and he has been instrumental in
bringing a number of new residents
to his part of the country, and they
have prospered by raising wheat on
the fertile Thomas county lands.
During the month of October last year
eighty-seven cars of wheat were
shipped from Rexford. and 1t Is con-
servatively estimated that over a mil
lion bushels of wheat will be shipped
from this one station from the 1920
crop. Gillispie is owner and editor of
the News, a journal that has worked
untiringly to build up Rexford and
Thomas county. This is his first at
tempt to get into politics for himself,
he having always been for the other
fellows. He don't miss roll call, is on
several committees. and is making
good.
]. P. Noble. of Oberlin, was a To-
peka visitor this week, on legal mat
ters. He is one of the pioneer attor-
neys of northwest Kansas, locating in
Atwood in 1889. He served Rawlins
county eight years as county attorney.
For the past ten years he has been a
| resident Of Decatur county. his home
being in Oberlin. where he and his
son, Perry, who was born in Atwood.
have their law office. At the age Of
21 years, Perry Noble graduated with
high honors from the Washburn law
school. The father and son stand UP
| for their house and Decatur county.
The present wheat crop is coming
along in the best shape, the acreage
being fully as large as last year. ]. P.
Noble has made a success in the law
work, and is frequent visitor before
the supreme court.
| Cawker City, Mitchell county and
northwest Kansas lost a good citizen
in the death of Clark A. Smith. The
writer of these notes met his acquain-
tance the first visit he made to Cav
ker City. a half century ago. From
|
friends. Locating in his town in the
early seventies. he witnessed its
growth from a few struggling build
ings to wide awake. pushing popu-
lation of close to 2,9eg. He was iden-
titled with all the good things which
have built up and beautified the town
He served the state well as Justice OF
1.-THE supreme court He was the first
public school teacher. He served his
town well in several offices. For many
years he and his partner L. S. Tucker
were the only law firm. It was Judge
Smith who first showed the writer hel
famous Waconda Springs. He was a
support OF her once beautiful Lincolr
Park, one of the most beautiful groves
in the state. He was a firm friend Of
the city's public library, one of the
largest in that section of the state, the
association owning their building an6
out of debt. He settled there before
the railroad. and from that day unit
tive, pushing citizens. He will be
widely missed by his friends. not only
those he made in the town and county
where he lived so~1ong. but his large
state acquaintance as well.
One of the interesting sights in Sher-
man county is seen on the Reinharf
ago the daughters put few gold fish
in the large reservoir cement tank
which Is three feet deep and 1e by &c
feet. It wasn't long before water
plants made a growth, and the fish
began to propagate. until at this time
dreds. some OF them being equal te
the largest caught in the Smoky
It is an entertaining sight for the Wis
'itors passing the Reinhart ranch. On