City of Axtell, Kansas Webpage
City of Axtell, Kansas Webpage
To the citizen who lives here, Axtell needs no introduction. He knows its history, its advantages, its surroundings, its society, its churches and its schools. Seeing its present and knowing its past he has unlimited confidence in its future.
It is not the intention in this issue of the ANCHOR to give an elaborate history of the city, but to present to the world the city of Axtell as it is today. Of the seven incorporated cities in Marshall County Marysville, Waterville, Blue Rapids, Irving, Frankfort, Beattie and Axtell the latter was the last platted or incorporated though it now ranks fourth in population and business transacted. The townsite was surveyed and laid out in January 1872 by the St. Joseph Town Company; the first building being erected by "Shoestring" Dickinson in the same year and was used by him as a store. A depot and sidetrack was also built and a postoffice established with R.F. White as postmaster; August 21, 1880 it was made a money order office the first order being remitted by Thos. Hynes. The first birth was a son to Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Dickinson early in 1872, the first death in 1874 Geo. W. Earl. But few improvements were made in the early history of the town and as late as 1879 there were but four families. In the fall of 1879 and winter of 1880 about twenty families from Deep River, Iowa, located and at once commenced making extensive improvements; since then the growth of the town has been rapid and steady, each year adding to its numbers and prosperity. October 6, 1887 the town was incorporated as a city of the third class the officers given in the directory being elected; with a light tax levy they have nearly one and a half miles of sidewalks and street crossings now under course of construction and within 60 days Axtell can boast of as good walks as any city of her size in the state. Situated in the center of as fine an agricultural district as there is in the state and drawing trade from all the territory from six to fifteen miles distant, her merchants are constantly busy transacting the vast volumes of business that comes to them.
are under the instruction of four competent teachers with about 130 pupils enrolled. The school district was organized in 1873, the first building erected in the same year but proving too small. The present building was erected in 1880 at a cost of $2,000. The building is 26x42, two stories high, divided into four rooms and is already too small to accommodate the pupils of the district. A new one or a commodious addition will be built at an early date.
There are three
in the city and another will be built as soon as the weather will admit. The Catholic society is the oldest organization and has a membership of about 200; they also have a church at St. Bridget six miles north of Axtell with a membership of about 370. Rev. John A. Hurley is priest of both societies, residing at St. Bridget. Services are held on alternate Sundays. The Presbyterian church was organized in 1879 and at present occupy the M.E. church in connection with the society, holding services in the afternoon. The plans for a new edifice have been received and work will begin within 60 days. The membership is about 65 with Rev. C. C. Hoffmeister as pastor. The organization of the Methodist Episcopal church was perfected in 1880 and a fine edifice erected in 1883. The membership is about the same as that of the Presbyterian; Rev. J. C. Bernhard is the present pastor. The Congregationalists organized as a church in 1882 with 15 members and erected a church the following year. The present membership is about 40; Rev. E. M. Bell resigned his position as pastor last Sunday and no arrangements have yet been made to fill his place.
are well represented. Axtell Lodge No. 234 A. F. & A. M. with a membership of 56, occupy rooms in Loobs hall and is one of the strongest lodges in the county. It is the oldest secret organization and its members are drawn from a radius of ten to fifteen miles in all directions. The I. O. O. F. have about 35 names on the roll in good standing and are adding to the number monthly; from a financial standpoint they are the most prosperous lodge in the city. Their hall is used also by the G. A. R. and A. O. U. W. the former organization having 22 of the boys in blue enrolled; the latter has a membership of 36, an increase of 18 in the past year. The A. O. H. was instituted less than nine months ago and already have about 30 members. All the societies are in a flourishing condition and growing rapidly. Although the
of the city is only about 700 the amount of business transacted would do credit to a much larger place. Nearly if not quite 125 sections of land or 500 farms of 160 acres each are tributary to the city and the immense quantity of produce raised by the occupants finds a ready market.
At present only one railroad the St. Joseph & Grand Island passes through the city. The Kansas City, Wyandotte & Northwestern is built to Seneca and will lay between 200 and 800 miles of track north-west of there in the spring. An effort is being made to secure the road with flattering prospects of success, thus shortening the distance to Kansas City from 30 to 35 miles and without change.
Will compare favorably with any place in the state. Some of the surrounding towns ship more grain but the Axtell farmer has discovered a better way to ship, by feeding stock. One buyer bought and shipped from this station between June 20th and December 30th last, 3,128 hogs weighing 777,140 pounds for which he paid $34,565.95 an average of over $220 per day while others have done equally as well. During the year 1887 over a hundred thousand dollars were paid by Axtell stock dealers for hogs alone.
Only two
have been published in the city. The Visitor made its bow to the public August 31st, 1882, and on October 18th, 1883 the first issue of the Anchor made its appearance; soon after the former office was moved to Frankfort and consolidated with the Bee. On January 1st, 1888, the Anchor passed into the hands of its present owners who have since added about $600 worth of material making the job office second to none; all job work for the county is done at this office by order of the county commissioners. Of the Anchor itself the publishers have little to say; they believe they believe that "by their works ye shall know them." It is sufficient to say it is one of the three papers among the nearly 900 printed in the State of Kansas that neither uses plates or patent and of the three it sets the most type.
add much to the reputation of a town. Axtell has two -- the Summit house, with James Fowler proprietor and the Boy's Home by Wm. Hayward. Both are first class houses and enjoy the large patronage they are justly entitled too.
With the space at our command but brief mention can be made of the
Many changes have been made in the past few years and but few of the "old settlers" are now with us. A new class of people have come in and all in all, the city has lost nothing by the changes made.
The oldest business house is that of
city drug store. Mr. Hynes is one of the men who have always been ready to put his shoulder to the wheel and push, whenever any matter of interest has been presented. He is the largest tax payer within the corporate limits, and has done as much toward building up the city. He has recently opened a
loan, insurance and law office and will devote his entire time to the business, placing the drug store in charge of his able assistant J. T. Kennedy where every thing carried in a first class store can be found. A full line of school books, fine glass ware, lamps, paints, oils, &c, are carried in connection with drugs and medicines. His list of real estate which includes some excellent bargains will be mailed free on application.
is also engaged in the real estate business, loan and insurance business having been established several years. He represents some of the best loan and insurance companies in the United States and has a large list of lands and city property on his books including some fine bargains. Eastern parties desiring to make
in this vicinity will do well to correspond with either of the above and they can rest assured their matters will receive prompt and personal attention. Any information regarding the country, its resources, advantages, &c, will be cheerfully given.
in connection with their banking business, make farm loans, represent several insurance companies and have no objections to an occasional real estate deal. The firm is composed of J. H. Trout and A. D. Davis, the latter gentleman acting as cashier, and has an available capital of over $100,000 making it one of the most solid institutions.
handle every description of hardware, farm implements, lumber and coal. The firm is composed of Geo. A. Ely, Joseph T. Ely and A.C. Axtell. In connection with their hardware store is an extensive tinware department, and a full line of glass, paints, and oils including gasoline and kerosene. Mr. Axtell has charge of the lumber yards and is making preparations for a larger trade this year than ever before.
have the neatest lumber yards at this place of any town on the St. Joseph & Grand Island road and they will compare favorable with those of any city in the state. W. H. Schutt is the manager and reports a steadily increasing demand. They also carry coal of all grades both hard and soft.
carry a complete line of hardware, farm implements, wagons, buggies and harness and in connection handle coal and buy stock. J.M. Murray and James Ragan comprise the firm and are ably assisted by Dan Meara, who has charge of the store. He is one of the finest carriage painters in the state and many proofs of his handiwork can be seen upon the streets.
composed of B.F., R.B. and T.H. Wasser manufacture all grades of farm and spring wagons, buggies &C. They employ six hands doing all the work and warranting every wagon that leaves their shop for five years. Lumber and iron is ordered by the carload and as the people prefer to patronize home institutions when the product is equally good and the price as low it will be but a short time before their capacity will be doubled several times. Blacksmithing, repairing and painting in all its branches is done in connection with the other work. Among the dealers in general merchandise is
who in addition to his own large stock recently purchased the entire stock of Brunswig & Co. and at present operates both stores; they will soon be consolidated. Mr. Passage is what in western parlance is known as a "rustler" and is business from the word go. He has built up a large trade in the two years since he located here and is adding to it from day to day. Four clerks are kept busy waiting on customers and the freight receipts show plainer than words the extent of his trade.
have been in business here but a few months. Both are thoroughly conversant with the business and they already enjoy a trade excelled by but few in the city. Dealing in nothing but strictly first-class goods the customer who once patronizes them becomes a regular patron. The senior member of the firm has been connected with several business houses in the city and is perfectly at home behind the counter. An addition to their present building will be erected in the spring or larger rooms occupied to accomodate their rapidly increasing trade.
has been in business about a year and has built up a good trade. He carries, like the others, a general line of goods and enjoys a liberal portion of the public patronage.
are another comparitively new firm having opened a general stock of goods last December and if the number of persons who pass through their doors with packages of all kinds is a safe criterion to judge by, they gratify no small portion of the public needs.
took possession yesterday of the Bee Hive, and
who for years have sold more goods annually than any other firm in Marshall County, retired for the time being from active business. From five to seven clerks have been kept busy wrapping up goods, their sales amounting to $45,000 to $50,000 annually. Mr. Herold has had but little experience in mercantile life but with the able assistants associated with him will no doubt maintain the record of the retiring firm. He has the best wishes of the community.
keeps the only exclusive grocery and crockery store and is doing a good business. He intends adding a general stock in time for the spring trade which will add materially to the patronage now received by him. There is plenty of room for them all and more could be accommodated without crowding.
of the south side drug store are also among the new comers having been in this city about three months, and are doing well. Mr. Scott, a registered pharmacist, has the management of the store. A full line of paints, oils, and wall paper is also carried by them.
carry everything in the line of furniture, undertaking, carpets, picture frames, wall paper, etc, occupying rooms covering nearly 3000 feet of space every foot of which is packed with goods. It is unnecessary to add they have a big trade.
under the management of J.C. Newton is another new enterprise that has come within the present year to join its lot with that of other Axtell merchants. As fine a line of furniture is carried as will be found in a majority of cities with double the population of Axtell.
has been engaged in active business here for several years and is at present the leading harness manufacturer and dealer, his stock comprising everything carried in a first-class harness shop, and a large assortment of trunks, and valises. He handles farm implements, wagons, buggies, and sewing machines.
is also engaged in the harness business carrying a complete line of all goods connected with the trade together with trunks, etc. The oldest established millinery store is that of
and the stock carried by her would do justice to a much larger place than Axtell while the sales correspond with the stock. A large line of dress goods is also carried and the dressmaking department under the control of Mrs. Tucker is the most extensive of any in the city.
opened a millinery store nearly a year ago to which a stock of merchandise has been added. She is now moving the goods to a separate building and will take personal charge of them. Her reputation as a milliner is not confined to Axtell alone and her numerous patrons can rest assured that the stock will at all times be complete. The
make a specialty of dressmaking and are constantly busy in filling their orders.
has a monopoly in the way of jewelry keeping the only store in town. He makes a speciality of clocks, watches, and fine jewelry and gives prompt attention to all kinds of repairing. He is also an adept with the brush and many fine signs are the result of his work.
is proprietor of the restaurant and receives the liberal patronage to which he is entitled. Everything kept in a first-class restaurant can be found in season. The meat market is owned by
Several others have been started but failed to receive proper support and were closed before a permanent business was established. An excellent opening is presented and another market could do well, not that the present one does not give satisfaction but because they is sufficient population to give both a good patronage. Good livery stables are essential to any town and Axtell can show two good ones; the one kept by
has a full quota of fine rigs and it is nothing unusual to find the stable empty every team being on the road.
also has several fine rigs and keeps a good stable. He makes a speciality of feeding and always has some fine breeding stock on hand. Among the other breeders may be mentioned
who has the largest stud of breeding horses in the city including some extra fine stock. Several other horses are kept by private parties that make the season here.
recently purchased a fine thoroughbred percheron stallion that will take second place to none. The association is incorporated under the state laws with a capital stock of $20,000 and includes among its stockholders many of the most prominent farmers and breeders. It is the intention to soon add other stock and erect buildings.
runs the feed mill and keeps on hand all kinds of flour and feed. Power is furnished by a 30 foot wind mill and he is kept busy with custom grinding. A flouring mill was built in 1879 and run for several years; it is now owned by Wm. Wheeler and is idle. The mill is well furnished and there is a good opening here for a practical miller.
is the only stone cutter in the city and is an experienced workman in both limestone and marble of which he carries a good stock. At present he is doing some fine work for the Catholic cemetery near St. Bridget.
has a first-class dray and is always busy transferring freight to and from the depot. At present there is but one barber shop in the city that of
who is assisted by his brother in his tonsorial labors. He is a first-class barber and the next man that locates here will have hard work to draw his patrons from him.
is the only shoemaker. He has had 50 years of experience and no better evidence of the quality of his work can be given than to say he is always busy.
has charge of one of the elevators and being an old hand at the business makes numerous shipments. As stated before a large portion of the grain raised here is fed at home and shipped in the way of live stock.
among which may be mentioned G. W. Busch, Frank Brawner, Syl Creevan and others who ship occasional carloads.
The medical profession is well represented by
who has an extensive practice, constantly growing larger as the country becomes more thickly settled. He is seldom idle and is on the road a good portion of the time.
has been in the city about a year and also has a large practice. It has been truthfully said that this is a healthy country and the doctors will no doubt endorse the statement. When we take into consideration the territory covered by their practice and the population, no one will dispute the assertion. Among the
can be mentioned B. F. Wasser & Co. who have already been alluded to; Kellum & Moriarty who have a large shop and Ernest Mack who employs several hands and is one of the eldest in the place. They are all kept busy and are good workmen.
are not so plentiful as when the "boom" was in progress a few years ago, but the permanent growth of the town gives several steady employment among which are Ithiel Johnson; N. L. Brown, W.A. Miller, Geo. L. Barnes, John Judge, Wm. Brown, Wm. Hayward, D.L. Funk, Lewis Hayward, John Wasser and others. No time is allowed them for loafing and during the summer months they have worked engaged from 60 to 90 days ahead which extends far into the winter and begins with the first warm days of spring.
are not so plentiful. E.R. Pollock and one or two others do most of this class of work. There is a good opening here for a first class mason who would find steady employment.
might be spoken in the same manner as masons. Abner Johnson makes a specialty of this class of work and several others do more or less in the same line. He is also a practical
and is assisted by D.K. Brown who is also an excellent workman. In referring to the business men of the city the rink of
deserves more than a mere mention. Since Mr. Passage has decided to use his hall for a clothing department it is the only large public hall, all others being used by one or more of the secret societies. It is used for nearly all public entertainments, dances, traveling troupes &c.
of which he is the leader is composed of fine musicians and is a credit to the town.
owned by O.S. Trask cover a large acreage and are of great benefit to the county. All kinds of fruit, ornamental and shade trees, vines, plants, and shrubbery are raised in sufficient quantities to supply the home demand which is rapidly increasing. For the current year his sales have been nearly double that of any preceding one and this spring's orders are already coming in. Every tree or vine that leaves the nurseries is warranted true to name and the prices are lower than the same trees can be purchased of traveling agents. Being thoroughly acclimated the loss from transplanting is extremely light. Another industry that receives no little attention is that of the
who ship from 2000 to 2500 tons annually to eastern markets. J.H. Seaman, Frank Brawner and G.W. Busch are the leading shippers with several other presses at work in the country. The price paid ranges from $3 to $5 per ton for wild hay and from $7 to $12 for timothy.
is agent of the St. Joseph & Grand Island railroad and conducts the affair of the station in a manner that gives entire satisfaction to both the company and its patrons. The
is under the efficient management of Miss A. F. Smith whose appointment merits the approval of all.
Among the men who are not now engaged in active business there is none that has done more for the advancement of the city's interest than
He was among the first to cast his lot here; was appointed postmaster in 1875 and held the position nearly twelve years when he was discovered to be an "offensive partisan" and was dismissed. In the early years of the town he established a general store which was sold four years ago to L. P., ballard & Co. At present he is the owner of several business blocks in the city, but devotes his time mostly to raising stock, owning two or three fine farms.
is another retired merchant having recently sold his interest in the firm of Bannan & Murray to James Ragan. He too is the owner of considerable city property and several fine farms.
formerly with the Billingsley Bros. real estate agents, was elected register of deeds last fall receiving one of the largest votes ever polled in the county. In connection with his official duties he pays special attention to abstracting and the perfecting of titles.
has taken an active part in the affairs of the town. He is at present in Hutchinson but owns considerable property in this vicinity.
came here eight years ago from Illinois and has a finely improved farm joining the city. He has laid out two additions to the city and takes an active part in business matters.
were formerly engaged in the banking business being succeeded by J. H. Trout & Co. They own valuable property in and adjoining the city.
formerly with the Wyeth Hardware Company of St. Joseph, Mo. moved here several years ago and lives on his large farm joining the city on the east. He is an extensive breeder of thorough bred short horn cattle and has one of the finest herds in the county. He also owns a large ranch in Washington county and is feeding 180 head of steers this winter.
is also a breeder of fine stock having over two hundred head of cattle most of them thoroughbred Polled Angus. At the Nemaha county fair last fall six first and one second premiums were awarded his herd. Several bulls have been shipped to New Mexico by him and he always has a ready sale for his stock. He also feeds from 100 to 150 head of cattle each winter.
is a resident of Nemaha County and is a member of the board of county commissioners. His home is only three miles from Axtell. At the request of friends he recently gave the following statement of the
last year; In June he sold 56 head of hogs that averaged 225 pounds, at $4.25, being a total of $680.45. In December he marketed 134 hogs that averaged 276 pounds at $5.05 bringing him $1,857.20. Total sold 190; received for same, $2,446.65. At one time he sold 38 head of fat cattle that averaged 1,490 pounds; 56 at another that averaged 1500 pounds making a total of 94 head. In addition to this, he disposed of ten cows, increasing the number to 104 which brought him $6,531.20. He also sold horses to the amount of $905. For hogs, cattle and horses he received $9,832.85. He raised 7,000 bushels of corn; 1,800 bushels of oats; 100 of millet seed and 100 of wheat. This at market prices, would yield him for his field products $3,415. Add to this 175 tons of hay at $2.50 per ton, makes $3,852 for the products of his farm or a total of $13,734.85. At the time he made the statement (in January) he had 428 head of stock, consisting of 40 head of fat cattle; 80 head of two year old steers, 35 head of yearling steers; 50 cows; 33 horses; 70 head of fat hogs and 120 head of stock hogs.
This is only the experience of one of the
around Axtell. There are others that could give equally interesting statements. Phillips Brothers have several ranches keeping from 75 to 100 horses, frequently more. David Smith, J.M. Bradshaw, Henry Alfers, John Hill, P. L. Wheeler, Dennis Ryan, F.G. Sitler, and a score of others have large well improved farms that would be a credit to any state in the nation. The latter has three large
covering nearly a hundred acres of ground from which he gathered 1,500 bushels of apples last year in addition to other fruit. Only a portion is yet in bearing. Trees set twelve years ago as an experiment yield from 15 to 20 bushels each and it was only when these began to bear that his main orchards were set. He also has ten or twelve acres in berries which give rich returns. He says each of his 4000 apple trees is worth a dollar for each year of their growth. The coming season he will devote his entire time to fruit raising as it yields better returns for the money invested than any other kind of farming. To show
we give the report of crops raised last year by Wm. McMains on his 160 acre farm two miles east of Axtell. He reserved 20 acres for pasture, hay, garden, buildings, &c, and planted 140 acres; 100 with corn, and 40 with oats. The corn yielded 40 bushels per acre and was sold at 40 cents per bushel or $16 per acre. the oats weighed 89 bushels per acre and sold for 25 cents per bushel or $22.25 per acre. He received $1600 for the corn and $890 for oats; a total of $2,490 for crops raised on 140 acres. Ely Bros. & Axtell of this city weighed the grain and will vouch for this statement. Of the
much can be said. New buildings by the score will be erected within the year. A
will be built at once that will give employment to a hundred or more hands. The
has already received considerable attention T.C. Casterline having been engaged in the business for several years making from one to three thousand dozen annually at his farm three miles south of the city. He contemplates moving to Axtell at an early date and devoting his entire time to the business. There is room here for a dozen such manufactories as nearly 400 acres of broom corn is raised in the tributary country which could readily be doubled if a home market was established. An excellent opening for a
is presented and competent parties will do well to give this point a careful consideration before locating. The acreage of flax grown here would be largely increased if the seed and fiber were utilized at home.
have been established in various parts of the state and have yielded large returns to those invested. There is no better opening than is presented here.
Three years ago the
was organized and prospected in several parts of the township. Four miles north of Axtell a 24 inch vein of first class coal was found about 200 feet below the surface and soon after while drilling on land adjoining the city a 32 inch vein was passed through at a depth of 280 feet. Owing to a lack of funds a shaft was not sunk at the time but an active effort is now being made to develop this hidden treasure. According to careful estimates there are at least 30,000 tons of coal used annually in Marshall county and
consumed in the territory that could easily be supplied from these mines. Coal crops out along the streams north east and south of Axtell and the day is not far distant when thousand of miners will be engaged in bringing the black diamonds to the surface.
by the diffusion process is receiving attention all over the United States and mills are being erected in numerous localities. Hundreds of acres of sorghum are raised in this county and a factory could easily be supplied. Those interested in sugar making can receive valuable information by writing M. Mohler, secretary of the state board of agriculture, at Topeka, for reports upon the subject.
Active preparations are being made to welcome the thousands of
who will come to Marshall county this spring and an earnest invitation is extended them to visit Axtell before returning. It is impossible to enumerate all of the advantages of this thriving city in so hastily written an article as this -- we can only ask them to come and see, and after a personal examination they will agree with us that the half has not been told.
|
© copyright, 1996-2004 City of Axtell Axtell, KS 66403 |