The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-04-01
tisement of this business the manage
ment says: No delay: no red tape.

tisement of this business the manage
ment says: No delay; no red tape.
B. F. Spatz is one farmer who isn't
afraid to keep tab of what he is doing
on the farm. He started as a renter
in Jewell county, in March, 1891. with
scarcely anything but energy. He now
owns several farms in both Jewell and
Mitchell counties. his home place be-
ing one of the best farms in that sec
ton, the improvements alone being
worth $4,000. The Beloit Gazette
that in his school district in Jewell
county. in 1875, the first term was
taught by Mrs. John Warburton and
Miss Eva Bourbon, the former teach
ing four months and the latter two
months, the entire wages paid for the
six months being $500. A four
months term in 1877 the teacher re-
ceiyed $3.50. In 1880 school wages
had increased to $50 a month for the
first half and SIS a month for the
last half. In 1894 the district paid
only $25 a month. The wages for
teachers in the same district are now
500 a month. Spatz began farming
on his own account in the spring of
1891. In the middle of March, same
year. he started blowing. On the 25th
of that year snow was a foot deep on
the level. Early in April he sowed
his oats and threshed out 40 bushels
an acre WHICH Drought Z Genus u
bushel. Corn made 40 bushels an
acre, and sold for rs cents a bushel.
His rs acres of wheat made 8 bushels
an acre, and sold for 80 cents. Harvest
wages then for man and team was 81
a day, and threshing charges was II
cents a bushel for oats. and 3 cents
for wheat, the farmer furnishing the
help.
Frank E Munger, the oldest bust
ness landmark in Atwood continuous
Iy, has retired after a thirty years
hitch at it. In these years he has seen
the hot wind blow, but he always had
confidence in Atwood. Rawlins county
and northwest Kansas. He has been
public spirited and donated literally
to the towns good. He owns good
business properties, and a fine, mod
ern home. Politically Democrat, his
party made him postmaster. He has
been a friend to the writer Of these
notes for 35 years, and on his regular
visits to Atwood Frank Munger was
always hunted up. He started in BUSH
ness before there was an auto IN
Rawlins county, now he can count
them by the hundreds daily in the
streets of his town. His successor in
business is George w. Bastian. May
good luck follow you Munger what
ever you engage in.
SeIden is another town in northwest
Kansas that is taking great interest in
education. 1t is also equipped for this
purpose. During the year past the
town has erected two school buildings,
one for the grades. and the other for
higher purposes. The aggregate cost
for construction and furnishings totals
close to 100000. In addition to these
an electric lighting system and a white
way. Selden is in Sheridan county.
and on the line of the Rock Island
road. 1t has met with destructive
fires in other years, and is now hold
ing her own better than ever.
1t is said company is being formed
in Norton county to go after the oil
which biologists claim they have dis
covered good bearings. Oberlin, kan
ona, Tracer, Bellaire, Athol and other
towns in northwest Kansas have all
tried it-but neither of them have
struck the oil veins. 1t is the Norton
people who are going to try the ex-
pertinent about ten miles north of the
town. That town has never failed on
any enterprise they went after. Every
body friendly to the town are wishing
they will find i. If they fail they |
have their good farms to fall back on. |
1t has been known for several years |
there was silica ore beds near Burr |
Oak, Jewell county. Omaha people |
have been there investigating. and |
they are so pleased with the outlook |
they have contracted TO buy not less
than 40 acres of land. They will COM
mence operations at once. Biologists
say it is the purest they have ever
investigated. In one body of land of
six acres they estimate there is not |
less than 100000 tons in the beds. |
The present price of the silica is said
TO be 10 cents a ton. The company
estimate when in operation they can
furnish 500 carloads a year.
Not an empty business house nor
residence to be had in Oberlin, and
work in progress on several is the way |
-htngs are looking up in that town.
Besides the chances for raising
bumper wheat crop this year is getting
better every day. To have seen
Oberlin in the latter seventies and
compare it with the town today, will
convince all of the stickative qualities
If the Oberlin people. Besides the two
newspapers are pushing for the town
W. C. Cochran, one of the best
Eown men of Beloit, and former
farmer, claims Mitchell county is one
II the banner wheat counties, If not
he best, in the state. The county
-aises about ten bushels of wheat, 10
bushels of corn, 10 bushels of oats and
10 bushels of barley per capnta of
Ter population. The old farmers have
o town, and leave the boys on the
arm. OF Beloit this same man says:
TT Is the queen city of the northwest.
It has advanced in growth from a
own of a few acres in the early seven
les and now covers two sections of
t is one of the wealthiest towns in
he state according to population"
Colby is figuring on q new 100000
modern hotel, the increase of tourist
ravel making it necessary.