Adams County, Nebraska - Chapter 27: Adams County Towns, 1916

Chapter 27: Adams County Towns

The grain elevator operated by the Farmers Grain & Supph^ Com- ]3any, on the northwest corner of the southAvest quarter of section 12 in Blaine Township, is all that remains of the first attempt to build a town in Adams Coimty along the line of the Burlington. The town was called Inland and was laid out by the South Platte Town Com- ])any in 1871. Previously, George Sluyter, William Janes, Volney Janes and George Knajip settled upon the townsite.

A number of stores were built at Inland, that of Tom Shea among others. A tAvo story frame schoolhouse was built and other signs of a future town marked the spot. The development of Hastings ]Hit an end to the career of Inland, and about 1878 the railroad station was removed three miles east to tlie present town of Inland in Clay County. In the plan of the Burlington, Inland followed Harvard in alphabetical order, and until the development of Hastings Avas assured, the railroad favored Inland Avhile it ignored Hastings. For many years the elcA^ator Avas oi^erated by JNIichael Halloran on Avhose farm it Avas located, and the place Avas referred to as either "Old Inland" or "Halloran."

Brickton, 6I/2 miles south of Hastings, on the road forming the Avestern boundary of the city, was ne\'er a real town, although at one time there were there a group of about a dozen houses. This i)eriod Avas between 1886 and 1890. Hastings capitalists had started a brick yard in Brickton and had equipped their place Avith rather elaborate steam-driven machinery for the manufacture of brick. BetAveen thirty and forty men were employed and lived in the group of houses. There Avas also a store. Parts of the machinery remained at the location for several years after the brick plant was abandoned. The finances of the brick jjlant were involved in the aifairs of the City National Bank, and when that institution failed, the brick business failed with it. One of the stirring events recalled in the early days of Erickton is a prize fight between "Lou" Carroll and Billy "Tweester." In 1906 W. H. Ferguson began operating in sand at Erickton. ]Mr. Ferguson disposed of the sand business to the E. Stockhana Grain Company, who still carry it on. About a carload of sand ])er dav is removed from the pits. A. H. Farrens also operated Erickton sand l^its for a time.

Leroy is located on the south side of tlie Blue River on the southwest (juarter of section 2,5 in Hanover Township. It is 3l/o miles northeast of Ayr and nine miles south of Hastings. Before the building of the Kansas City & Omaha Railroad the point was known as INIillington, because it Avas here that Dyer's INIill was located. John Dyer began the erection of the mill in 1872 and by 1874^ it was completed and in operation. Jolm Dyer associated with him in this milling business his nejihews, Elbridge and True Dyer.

The mill was a large wooden structure operated by water power and having three runs of burrs. For many years it was kejjt very busy, farmers from miles around bringing their wheat to be made into flour. A store was operated a short time, but in 1880 was moved to Ayr by Kieth and Kress.

When the railroad was built in 1887, the single store that Leroy still has was built by John ^larsliall and Jolm A. Frank, both of whom now live in Ayr. The i)ostoffice was established in this store and John Marshall was the first postmaster.

INIr. Frank sold his interest in the store to his partner in about six months. Mr. JNIarshall conducted the store until about 1900 and tlieu sold it to his son, Robert. It came back into the possession of INIr. JNIarshall, who finally sold it to Cal Dreibilbis of Hastings. INIr. Dreibilbis sold it to tlie present proprietor, INIr. Liesveldt.

Because of its location near the river, which afforded shade trees, Leroy has been quite well known throughout the county as a pleasure resort. The Dyers kept a lialf dozen boats on the river, and built a dance hall. The place was patronized from Hastings and all surrounding- points for many years, ending about 1903 or 1904. In tlie summer of 1898 vaudeville was an attraction offered. The large station which was first built by the Kansas City & Omaha was removed to Pauline about 1902.

Hansen is the first station nortli of Hastings on the St. Joseph & Grand Island Raih-oad, and had its origin when the line was built from Hastings to Grand Island. The first house built in the town was the railway station in the fall of 1879. That fall, J. L. Evans erected a store building and put in a stock of general merchandise, and B. F. P^ord put up a store and engaged in the groceiy and hardware business. S. L. Loucks built a hotel at about the same time, which was called the Hansen House. The next business established was the lumber yard of Paine Brothers, of Wisconsin, Avhich was under the charge of James IVIcGregor.

From the earliest days, Hansen has been a good grain and livestock shipi^ing station, because it is the market place for a very productive area of farming land. A grain station was erected by Hansen, Gregg & Company in August, 1879, and another was put in by Oswald Oliver at about the same time. These early stations were not elevators, but were known as "shovel stations." Inclined approaches attaining a height of about twenty-five feet Avere built, and upon these farmers hauled their wagons filled with grain to the bins at the top, where they were unloaded with scoop shovels.

In 1880, W. L. Baker took the management of the Oliver grain business and some time later became manager of the business of Hansen, Gregg & Comjjany. jNIr. Baker conducted a coal business of his own and erected a building in which he opened a hardware store, carrying on the grain business at the same time. The shovel house of Hansen, Gregg & Company was the forebear of the present north elevator, jMr. Oliver's of the south. For many years John Wilson was the owner and operator of the north elevator. About 188i5, the original lumber yard was combined with the Doniphan yard and removed to that ])oint. The present lumber yard was started by the Barr Lumber Company of Plastings in 1904 and passed to the Yost Lumber Company when the latter bought out the Barr Lumber Company in Hastings.

In 1881. the store erected by J. L. Evans was purchased by Jacob Smith. It subsequently changed hands many times. Smith was followed by ]Mr. I^amb who in turn sold to Lucius Ware, who eventually sold to Ed Ileminover. After JMr. Heminover went out of business the store building was vacant for a considerable time and then was rented by the Ancient Order United Workmen, who used it as a hall until it was destroyed by fire on Easter Sunday, 1901.

Rev. Mr. Calvert, who operated the store about a year and then sold it to Elmer Sims, now of Hastings. jNIr. Sims conducted the stoi'e about two years and then sold. The store was then purchased successively by Z. Stone, ]Margaret Stone and John Stratton. ^Ir. Stratton was the proprietor when the store was burned on Easter Sunday, 1901. Following- the destruction of the two stores the Ancient Order United Workmen at once erected a brick building, using the up])er story for their hall and renting the store below. ]Mr. Stratton reopened in the new store room but eventually sold his business to Nellie Vandling and her father. George Hatch, who came from Harvard, was the next proprietor until he sold to O. A. Cain. In 1914 a corporation composed of John Kieth, Tom Wimi, Homer Loucks, George Durkee, Theo. Stock, Lem Clark, O. B. Shafer, H. C. Redman, W. O. Cain, Moses Price, Charles Dominy and George SheafF built a store, building across the street west from the Ancient Order TTnited Workmen Building, and IMr. Cain moved his store into the new building. The store is of brick and was erected at a cost of $7,000. W. V. Gauvreau, son of E. L. Gauvreau of Hastings, piu'- chased the business of JMr. Cain in 1914 and is the present proprietor of the store.

At about the same time that the store was built H. C. Redman, of Doniphan, erected the bank building at a cost of about $3,300. The hotel built by S. L. Loucks in 1879 Avas moved from the west side of the street to the east side in about 1896 and converted into a store building, now the location of the mercantile l)usiness of Kennedy Bros., with the Independent Order Odd Fellows Hall up stairs. S. ]M. Fi-ink conducted the first store in this building, the business afterwards being bought by Silas Price and at a later time by Charles F. ]\Iatheny, now proprietor of a store in Ayr. After ]Mr. ]Matheny left, the store was vacant and was used as a store room by W. O. Cain. At another time, Henry Keller's meat market was located here.

I. A. Carriker, now of Hastings, erected an eight-room hotel in Hansen in 1885, and added a six-room addition in 1904. ]Mr. Carriker conducted the hotel until 1908, and then rented it. It was not run as a hotel from 1913 to 1916, when ]Mr. Carriker sold it to :Mr. Zimmerman of Grand Island.

Hansen was siu'veyed in 1879 for A. B. Ideson and J. J. Wemple on the entry of Charles and William Haines. The postoffice was established in 1879 with James ^McGregor, the first postmaster. While some matters relative to the mail were being adjusted between the i-ailroad and the Government, JMr. iVIcGregor transported the mail between Hastings and Hansen on his back. J. F. Evans was ajipointed in 1881 and was succeeded in 1882 by Jacob Smith. Other postmasters have been Walter Stone, S. ]M. Frink, F. ]M. Frink, Charles F. ^Nlatheny, Charles IMatheny and W. O. Cain.

The first movements that resulted in the organization of the Presbyterian Church at Hansen were made in the early '70s by John Powers and his brother, Aaron Powers. The Powers brothers organized Sunday schools in their respective districts. These two Sunday schools were combined in what is known as the IMunroe schoolhouse, which is centrally located between the two former districts.

At this place the Presbyterian Society was organized, September 7, 1879, the Rev. G. L. Little acting as moderator and Rev. D. S. SchafF as clei'k of the meeting for organizing. After the coming of the railroad and the establishing of the Town of Hansen, plans were made to erect a house of worship in the village. The church was erected in 1884 under the direction of a building committee composed of L. A. Dominy, John Powers and A. A. Stone. The church, which is still in use, was erected at a cost of about $2,000.

The charter members were INIr. Alanson Baker and wife, J. I^. Rrockover and wife, Ryneas Covert and wife, Lafayette Dominy and wife, Jonathan Oldfield and wife, the families of John, Charles A. and Aaron F. Powers, William Palmerton and wife, William H. Reese and wife, James W. Smith and family, Augustus A. Stone and famil}', Letas W. Stone and wife, Henry E. Ware and wife, JNIrs. Isabella Carpenter, jMrs. Elizabeth Gregg, Philopena Huf, JNIrs. Xaney JMowei's, Laura INIowers, and Ella ^Mowers. The first elders M'ere Aaron F. Powers, John H. Powers, and William Palmerton. The Hastings and Hansen Presbyterian Church were combined in a double charge for many years, the pastors of the Hastings church lieing in charge of the service in the country. Among the early pastors of the Hastings church were the Revs. Mr. GrifRs, D. S. Schaff , Peter Wessels, E. A. JNIcCullum, H. K. Bushnell and F. M. Hickok and Reverend Howie. Rev. W. H. Steele served from 1893 to 1898; A. M. Hendee, 1898 to 1900; W. E. Reed, 1901; Reverend Howie, 1902 to 1904; D. S. Brown, 1904 to 1906; W. H. ScofReld, 1906 to 1909; A. B. Byrani, 1909 to 1913; James B. Kelso, 1913 to 191.5. Rev. Samuel Linn has been the pastor since 191.5. The church now has 72 active members and the Sundaj' school a membership of about 120. The present officers are: Elders, S. O. Cooper, George JSIunroe, Orville Smith. R. L. Boehne. Trustees, S. O. Cooper, C. G. Briggs, AV. C. Harrell, A. H. Bauman, J. J. ]\Iohlman.

The same year the church was built, with a seating capacity of 200. Tlie church was jjaid for partly by subscrii^tion and partly by appropriation from the general conference. The complete list of the charter members has been lost, but among them were Eugene, Lloyd, Clifford and Cora jMcWhirter, Cora, Crissie and Nora ]Montague, JMrs. Nellie Price, Jane Trembly and Frank White. The Rev. Mr. Beebe, ]Mr. ^liller's successor at Hastings, had charge of the pastorate until ]March, 1904. At that time Rev. W. J. Ely took this charge in connection with the Columbia cliurch, seven miles northwest of Hastings, and the Zion church, thirteen miles northwest of Hastings, in Hall County. The latter church is now called the Rosedale churcli. The pastors serving the church following Reverend Ely have been the following: Arthur P. Layton, 1905 to 1908; C. F, Hein, 1908 to 1910; W. W. Urdenkoffler, 1910 to 1912; H. C. Farley, 1912 to 1913; W. W. Phantz, 1913 to 1914; J. L. Lobaugh, 1914 to 1916; F. M. P. Bayles has been the pastor since the beginning of 1916. The Columbia church has disbanded.

Congress Lodge now has forty-nine members, who meet in their well-appointed lodge rooms ujjstairs in the brick building occupied by the Kennedy Bros, mercantile establishment. The present officers are H. A. Hubbard, N. G.; F. C. Grimm, Y. G.; F. A. Stock, secretary, and Walter Rhodes, treasurer.

Hansen Rebekah Lodge, No. 120, was organized June 21, 191.5, and has a membership of thirty-eight. The first officers were IMrs. ]Minnie Frink, N. G. ; ]\Irs. Christina Darling, V. G. ; JNIaude Briggs, secretary; Ruth MeWhirter, treasurer. Tlie officers at present are Mrs. Lulu Rhodes, N. G. ; INIaude Briggs, Y. G. : Ruth JMcWhirter, secretary; JNliss Marjorie MeWhirter, treasurer.

Hansen A. O. U. W. Lodge, No. 190, has a membership of thirtysix. It was organized in 1894, and in 1901 erected a building at a cost of about $1,850. The present officers are JNIartin Crosson, master workman; overseer, L. Dominy; foreman, Frank Lanfear: financier, C. G. Briggs; recorder, A. A. Stone.

Hansen Camp, Xo. 7620, INI. W. A., was organized February .5, 1900, by Deputy Head Consul G. H. Shelley. The officers elected were Charles ]M. Doniiny, consul; David J. Binfield, worthy adviser; Augustus Albright, banker; Alvin JVl. Hendee, clerk; managers, Lorenzo Lewis, Cliarles J. Silver and G. S. Robertson.

The charter members were Charles M. Dominy, D. J. Binfield, Lorenzo Lewis, Charles J. Silver, G. S. Robertson, Harry Tompkins, .Tames Trembly and F. JNI. Frink. Deaths have been as follows: JNfercey E. Williams, March 16, 1913; Peter Lorenson, September 1, 1914; Arthur C. Hart, November 3, 1916.

The i^resent officers are: Benjanain F. IMcWhirter, consul; D. J. Binfield, worthy adviser; Thomas Wynn, banker; Fenton M. Frink, clerk; managers, George A. IMunroe, George E. Devereaux and Albert H. Bauman.

Muxroe Drum Corps

On September 23, 1872. a little caravan of se\'en covered wagons started from Allen's Grove, Wis., to seek their home in Nebraska. One month later, October 22d, the seven families of William IMunroe, Del Snyder, Andrew ^Vheeler, Jehial Farr, C. B. Sperry. Ed Guernesy and Levi Eddy arrived at the home of Simon Dow, just south of where Hastings College now stands.

Just as they neared Hastings, which was only a few stragglinghouses. Mr. Sperry called to Mr. JNIunroe to play the drum in welcome to their new home. It was the first time that the Munroe drums were heard in Adams County. Hastings took to Mr. Munroe's drum from the fiist. and on July 4, 1873, the drum corps played at the celebration. This Avas the first time that the fife and drum were heard in Hastings.

Among the early players were Jacob Smith, record of whose death, will be found in the G. A. R. chapter; Ezra Dominy, now living in Canada; A'. J. Kindig, of Doniphan; S. O. Cooper, of Hansen, and Mr. Poole, of Hastings. Charles Bigelow played with the corps from the beginning. Among the later members have been Roy Van Fleet, Frank Swigart and Arthur Dominy.

The snrvey of the Village of Roseland was completed by E. G. GrofF AjH-il 20, 1887. It was located by the surveyor on the southwest quarter of section 21, town 6, range 11, the townsite containing 89.25 acres, less twelve acres wliich were the right of way of the K. C. & O. Railroad. ]May 27, 1889, the town was incorporated, the boundary lines being fixed as follows : Commencing at the northeast corner of section 22 in Roseland Township, thence west to the northeast corner of section 20, thence west to the half-section stake in section 20, thence south one mile to the center of section 29, thence east to tlie northwest corner of section 28, thence south to the southwest corner of section 28, thence east to the southeast corner of section 27, thence north to the southeast corner of section 22, thence north to the place of beginning.

In an action brought by W. P. Davis shortly after the incorporation of the town, the court decreed that sections 22, 27, 28. the east half of section 20, the north half of section 21 and the southwest quarter of section 21 be disconnected. The large area included in the original corj^oration was included in order to have within the limits of the village the requisite number of signers for the granting of saloon license.

B. F. Evans, who arrived in Adams County ]March 26, 187'3. and who now resides at 409 Saunders Avenue, Hastings, selected the name of Roseland. which is the name of both township and town. A postoffice was established in the home of Mr. Evans on the northeast quarter of section 22 a few years before there was a town at Roseland. Mr. Evans was appointed postmaster August 19, 1875, and was given the privilege of naming the postoffice. A great many wild roses grew in the vicinity at that time and ]\Ir. Evans thought that it would be fitting that the word "rose" should form a part of the name of the postoffice. He consulted the United States Directory of Postoffices and found that there were a number of offices in which the name "rose" appeared. There were only three Roselands, however, and this led to his selecting the name. So the Roseland postoffice was the fourth postoffice in the United States to bear thai name. INIr. Evans retained his homestead until 1914, when he disposed of it for $15,000.

The first child to be born in the vicinity of Roseland was Frances Boyd, a daughter of Mr. and INlrs. R. JNI. Boyd, February 18, 187.3. The first death was that of William Dieter, July 4, 1873.

It is the recollection of Mr. B. F. Evans that a child born to JNIr. and JMrs. Peter Shade was the first child to be born in Hastings. The Shades were -of a party of Illinois folks who arrived in Hastings in 1873, early in the spring, and went to Roseland Townshij) to settle upon their homesteads. The child was born in the section house of the St. Joseph k Denver City Railroad, JNIarch 29, 1873.

J. S. Richards opened the first general store in Roseland, in 1887- 31 r. Richards moved the store building from Aja*. J. H. Schmitz, now of Clay Centei', .but who is well known in Hastings as a carpenter, established the second business house in the town. ]Mr. Schmitz built a new store building, shortly after ]Mr. Richards had estalilished his business, and stocked it with hardware. Dui'ing 1 887, also, W. F. Duncan and J. P. Dvuican put up an elevator.

In 1888 an elevator was put up by Schwab & Pope. This firm was afterward Pope & Kapser, and later J. H. Pope conducted tlie business alone. jNIr. Pope sold the elevator in 1902 to the corporation of i'armers that still operates the elevator. This corporation is another farmers' organization which has achieved notable success in Adams County. The original organizers were Erick Johnson, Erick I^arsen, B. F. Evans, Charles Johnson, Gottlieb Fischer, A. W. Evans, and others. JNI. J. Stotzel has been the manager of this business for many years. Some years this organization has paid a dividend of 10 per cent on the stock. ' In addition to grain, hogs are bouglit. Among* the earliest raisers of winter Avheat in the vicinity of Roseland were A. W. Evans, J. S. Kendall and P. W. Warner. The first wheat of this variety was sown about 1889.

J. S. Richards, M^ho opened the first store, sold his general merchandise stock to E. F. Miller and F. A. JNIiller about 1893. The liusiness alone was sold and the JNIiller Bros, operated the store in the Richards Building. F. A. JNIiller later disposed of his interest to Harve Walters. In after years JNIr. Walters was a barber in Hastings, where he died a few years ago. Harve Walters sold his interest in the business to Louis Eversman, who eventually sold it to Ti'vin JNIartin, the present jiartner in the firm of JNIiller & JNIartin.

.1. .S. Richards, who had removed from Roseland uj^on selling his business to the JNIiller Bros., returned and reengaged in business in his building. After conducting the business about a year, JNIr. Richards sold it to his son-in-law, Ed Joynt, selling the real estate with the business. JNIr. Joynt then moved his own store building, in which he had carried on business for some time, to the location he had acquired upon buying the Richards property. The Richards store was then moved back, INIr. Joynt's original store becoming the front. It was about 1907 that Mr. Joynt sold the business to Frank Hogg. Recently Ernest ]McCue has become tlie business partner of ]Mr. Hogg.

Frank ^Vaugli erected a building and engaged in the confectionery business about 189.3, and after conducting the business a year or more, sold to Eugene Duncan, who operated the little store imtil his death early in 1894. In February, 1905, Solomon Favinger purchased the confectionery and restaurant business originated by Waugh, and shortly afterward W. F. Duncan erected a store building on the second lot south of Mr. Favinger's location. ]\Ir. Favinger moved into the new building and opened a general merchandise business, which he conducted for nine years, Avhen he sold the business to Miller & Walters. Before the return of Mr. Richards to Roseland the firm of JNIiller & Walters had moved their stock of goods into the building erected by U. Engleman in 1888 for a saloon building.

The first hotel in Roseland was erected by Thomas Carter, wlio conducted it for many years. This building, wliich was built shoi-tly after the town was started, still stands.

The first postmaster, B. F. Evans, was succeeded by Alexander Rogers. JNIr. Rogers was followed by U. Engleman, who erected a small building in which he conducted a hardware store in connection with the postolfice. Thomas Carter was the next postmaster, and was followed by Rufus W. Lull. Mr. Lidl put in a small stock of groceries and ran the store as well as the postoffice. The grocery developed eventually into a general merchandise store which JNIr. liull conducted until his death in December, 1894. Mrs. Delila Lull became postmistress after the death of her husband, and was succeeded by Alfred W. Evans, the son of B. F. Evans. Mr. Evans died in December, 1905, and was succeeded in the postoffice by liis wife. The next postmasters were O. D. Barras, followed by Charles M. Caton, who served until the appointment of the present postmaster, Robert G. Lynch.

A. H. Brooke, now of Hastings, conducted the first drug store in Roseland. opening in 1891. JMr. Brooke was in the business througli 1891 and 1892 and tlien disposed of the business to D. S. Phelps, now of Bladen.

December 24, 1888. The completion of the school building had delayed the opening so late in the year that it opened at the first opportunity, regardless of the fact that the next day would he Christmas. The present county judge, John Snider, was principal of the school, and INIrs. A. H. Brooke, of Hastings now, then Alice Baugh, was the ]jrimary teacher.

The JNIethodists and the United Brethren of the vicinity of Roseland united to build a church about 1883 on Solomon Favinger's farm, li^. miles southwest of Roseland. Not very long after the town was established they moved the church house into the village. In about ten years the Methodists secured a building from a disbanded Methodist congregation in the country and moved the building to Roseland. This building is the present church home of the denomination. The United Brethren disbanded and the church which they had pre^'iously owned jointly with the INIethodists was bought by J. y. Beardsley and wrecked in /191.5.

Will ]Maupin conducted a newspaper for about six months in the early days of Roseland. For several years jirior to his death the Roseland Gazette was conducted by Alfred W. Evans.

August 2.5, 1913, the stores of Miller & ]Martin, Roth Bros., and Frank ^Miller were destroyed by fire. In that year brick buildings were erected to replace the loss by Roth Bros., who conduct a hardware, furniture and undertaking Inisiness, INIiller & iNIartin, and Dr. J. L. JNIace.

Roseland has electric lights, a privately owned plant. The Roseland Electric Light Company was incorporated December 1.5, 1913, with a capital stock of $10,000, the corporation to terminate Deceml^er 1.5, 1938. The incorporators were Gus Bourg, William F. Duncan, John B. Roth and Irvin INIartin.

Pauline is located on the IMissouri Pacific and the Burlington railroads, in Little Blue Township. It came into being with the K. C. & O. Railroad in 1887. It was named in honor of Pauline S. Ragan, of Hastings, wife of John jNI. Ragan, who was general attorney for the railroad. The town was built on the farm of James B. IMcCleerv

The store now occupied by M. "SI. Abbott was the first to be built in the town and was erected in 1887. It was built by Duncan & Jeffries, who conducted a general store for about three years and then sold to Phineas Townsend. ]Mr. Townsend ran the store about four yeai's and then removed his stock to Iowa. John JNIoran, who on a farm south of Pauline, was the next man to operate this store. About this time the building Avas moved east to its present location. John McCleerj^ and Cash Fairman followed JMr. jNIoraii in the business, and they were followed successively by Bert Port and S. True. After JNIr. True went out of business the store was \aeant for about six months, and then Harvey Abbott opened a store which was bought by the present proprietor, M. M. Abbott, who conducted a grocery in Hastings for several years.

The second store to be erected in Pauline was built in 1887 by S. I^. Heaps, who lived on a farm about three miles south of the town. Pat Cronin operated a general store in this building for many years, until he built his own building about 1891. During the next year the building erected by INIr. Heaps was destroyed by fire.

Pat Cronin disposed of his stock to C. H. ]McCulloc]i about 1895. and in about two years iSlv. ]\IcCulloch sold to R. O. Slater, noM of Sutherlin, Ore. At about the time that JMr. Slater purchased the business from JMr. JMcCuUoch, T. T. Jones purchased the store building from Pat Cronin for his daughter, JNIrs. R. O. Slater, who stiil owns the building. Mr. Slater eventually sold his business and stock to R. Abel and later JMr. Abel moved the stock to another town. It was in Mrs. Slater's building that Carl JNIcCleery opened the first drug store in Pauline, about 1907. Mr. JNIcCleery soon sold the drug business to Ernest Harrett, who sold it to the present proprietor. Clarence Taylor, of Guide Rock.

In the fall of 1891 JMiss Nellie Jones, now JNIrs. Isaac Franklin, built the brick store building in which the general store of Carl JNIcCleery is now located. JNIiss Jones conducted the store about five years before JNIr. JNIcCleery ])urchased the business. The stoi-e in wliich JNIay & JNIay are located was erected by JNIr. Purdy about six years ago. Some three years ago JNIr. Piu'dy sold to Ernest JNIay. wliose son, Arthur, is associated with him in the business.

The first hardware store in Pauline was opened by B. K. ^Vest in 1888. This store was destroyed by fire at the same time that the store erected by Mr. Heaps was burned. The JNIarquis Brothers, of Hastings, conducted a hardware store for a time in Pauline in a

It was in the early days of Pauline that F. C. Glazier came from Edgar and engaged in the implement business in Pauline. In about 1901 ]Mr. Glazier built the hardware store he now occupies. ]\Ir. Glazier has associated with him his son, C. F. Glazier, and besides tlie hardware business, carries implements, windmills and pumps, automobiles, and o^ierates a large general business.

The first livery barn in Pauline was built by ]M. JNI. Parkins in 1888. It was afterwards run by John Petit and Bert Foy. It was eventually destroyed by fire. A year or so after the burning of the first barn the present livery stable, owned by John Crandall, was built by Ileiny Johnson.

The Farmers Grain & Sujjply Company's elevator started in 1888, when Clyde Gaunt erected a shovel house on the JNIissouri Pacific. Dow Black purchased the business from Gaunt and ran it until he sold to T. T. Jones and Ben Sherman, who in turn sold to the Farmers Grain &: Supply Company. Elmer Jones is the i^resent manager.

The elevator now owned and operated by John ^IcCleery was the first elevator to be built in Pauline. It was erected by Charles Furrer. It was owned successively by William Townsend and W. H. Fergiison and the Updike Bros. John jMeCleery managed the business under the Updikes and bought it in 1908.

The postmasters who have served in Pauline are ^Vill Jeffries, the first postmaster, followed by Samuel Bechtelheimer, Pat Cronin. Charles ]McCulloch. R. O. Slater, Dan iMcCleery. Nellie Jones and the j)resent postmaster, Carl ]McCleery.

DiH'ing the drought years, from 1893 to 1897, both the railway stations at Pauline were closed because of the almost total falling off of business. The K. C. & O. depot at this time was moved from Pauline to the K. C. & O. junction with the Red Cloud line of the Burlington, where it later was destroyed by fire. The present Burlington station at Pauline was moved from Leroy to its present location.

There is only one church in Pauline, the Methodist Episcopal, wliich was organized in 1884. Among the first members were JNIr. and INIrs. Sherman, Mr. and ]Mrs. Bander. Mr. and Mrs. Carter, Mr. and ]Mrs. T. T. Jones. The first church house was erected the same yeai- that the class was organized. The new church, Avithin the village.

The Village of Ayr, situated about twelve miles south of Hastings, in the valley of the Little Blue River, was established in September. 1878. It was named in honor of Doctor Ayr, of Iowa, who was then one of the directors of the Burlington & JNIissouri River Railroad.

The land at that time was the property of private parties, and portions of it had previously been obtained from the railroad company, having been included in the land grant. Those owning the land were John Ratcliffe, who owned section 33 of the railroad land: east of this a quarter section, j^roperty of A. C. Moore; one quarteisection on the east belonging to Ayers Goble ; while south of Goble's land and west of INIoore's joines the quarters owned by Professoi- Meyers.

The town started after the building of the railroad in 1878. in consideration that the parties owning the land were to donate every other lot, or half of the townsite. to the company, providing they locate a station at that j^oint.

O. D. Barras built the first house on the village site, a small frame dwelling, in October, 1878. The next improvement Avas the erection in November of the same year of a two-story frame hotel, by R. C. Fleming. The same fall, T. C. Fleming and A. L. 'West built a storeroom and opened a business house with a general stock of merchandise. Immediately following, R. C. Gregg also built a storehouse and opened the first dnig store, which he afterward sold to Koehler & Pahr. Pahr later bought the interest of his partner and had control of the business. Late in the fall of 1878, John S. Richards opened a grocery store, IMclMillan & Hull a general store, and M. S. & T. J. Edgington started a business, dealing in hardware. In the summer of 1879, Henry Gund & Company built a large grain elevator, and John Robinson opened a livery barn.

In 1878, A. Peck and Henry Howe put up a building, which was used for a saloon for a time, but, as the business did not flourish, the saloon was closed and the building later used as a schoolhouse. In the fall of 1879, Isaac Vanderwart built a blacksmith shop, and the same fall the Commercial Hotel was built by A. J. Pate and Rev. J. Fleming erected a building known as Church Hall, to be utilized for religious ijurjioses, in the building of which he used his own capital.

The educational facilities of Ayr were about equal to those of tlie average country district, and the school was kept in a building situated about half a mile north of town. The first school was taught in tlie winter of 1878-79, by John Gainor, a true son of the Emerald Isle. Gainor was generally considered an excellent teacher, having had a splendid education, and, with that amusing manner so characteristic of his race, he won the good will and admiration of all his ]MH3ils, his onlj^ crime being an excessive love for the intoxicating bowl. He was employed by the school board to teach a second term, but at the close of school, in the spring of 1879, he "went on a big spree," which lasted several days. Chagrined and mortified by his conduct, he secretly left the place and did not return.

A postofRce was established at Ayr in 1879. Previous to this date it was kept at a place called Gilson, about two miles north of the townsite. E. H. Scott was postmaster, and it Avas through his efforts and influence that the office was moved from Gilson to Ayr. Scott held the position of postmaster up to the spring of 1881, and was succeeded in office by James Bovard.

The first religious services Avere held by the Rev. J. Fleming, a Presbyterian missionary laboring under the auspices of that denomination. The church was organized in the winter of 1878-79. with a membership of thirty. The services were held in Church Hall, a building erected by Mr. Fleming.

In the spring of 1879 a JMethodist congregation was organized under tlie direction of Elder Lemons, then presiding elder of the district. The Rev. John Holland was their first regular pastor, ]-emaining with the congregation one year.

A lumber and coal yard was started in 1879 by William Laughlin and Cyrus jMcjNIillan. In 1880 IMortimer Kress and W. S. Moot moved a large two-story building from ^Nlillington to Ayr, using the first story for a storeroom and fitting the upper floor for a town hall.

Only one attempt was made at journalism at Ayr. A pajier called the Ayr Times was established in January, 1882, the first issue of which was made on the 14th of that month. In size, the sheet was a six-column quarto, was republican in politics, and had a regular issue of 360 co^Dies. The jjaper was edited and published by Watkins Brothers, the firm being composed of three brothers - C. L.. G. IM. and F. A. Watkins. The journal was of patent inside. Besides the editorial work, the firm did consideralile job work.

Ayr was incorporated 3Iay 1, 1883, the corporation embracing the following territory: The southeast quarter of the southeast quarter of section 33, the southwest quarter of the southwest quarter of section 34, the northwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section 3. and the east half of the northeast quarter of section 4. The portions in sections 33 and 34 are in Aj'r Township and the remainder in Zero.

The grain elevator which Henry Gund & Co. built in 1879 was destroyed by fire in 1902. The building moved by ]\Iortimer N. Kress and W. S. ]Moot still stands in the town and is the property of the A. O. U. W., who have their hall in the upper story.

Previously ]\Ir. E. H. Scott and James Bovard have been mentioned as being the postmasters. Subsequently ^Mortimer N. Kress was postmaster from 1889 to 1883, Henry Howe from 1893 to 1897, Robert RatclifFe from 1897 to 1913. The present postmistress, IVIrs. Roliert Zachary, has served since 1913.

Ayr now has two general stores, one conducted by Henry Howe, who has been in business in the village since its founding, and the other by C. F. INIatheny, who was in business in Hansen at one time. INIr. 3Iatheny purchased the business from George Overstreet in the summer of 1916. IMathew Ureling conducts a hardware store and Harley JefFers has a restaurant and confectionery store. Frank Fehringer has a barber shop and IMr. Ratcliffe a blacksmith shop. John Helmann manages the lumber yard for the Coon Lumber Company, and Eon Davis has a livery barn. The implement business is conducted bv H. Roeder, with whom is associated his son, Arthur

The Methodist Eijiscopal Church erected a house of worsliip in 1893 at a cost of about $1,200. George Moore was the contractor. The present church, which was erected at a cost of about $2,200, was conii)leted in June, 1910, Jay Gobel being the contractor. Among the earliest members of the Methodist Church in Ayr were Adam Reader, George Eastwood, George Parks, W. W. Pliilleo, JNIrs. Josie Scott, ]Mrs. Laura Easter, John Giddings and A. ]M. JefFers. Rev. Rex Ban- is the present pastor.

The brick store building in which the general store of C. F. Matheny is located was built in 1910 by the I. O. O. F., but came into the jjossession of Sherman Woodworth about two years ago, the lodge retaining a 99-year lease upon the lodge room on the upper floor.

That Prosser, located eight miles west and six miles north of Hastings, turned out to be a town and not a sheep ranch was a surprise. At least it was a surprise to George S. Parks, who was among tlie first to be interviewed by agents of the Pacific Railroad lookingfor a townsite. The railroad was built into Hastings in 1^87, but was not puslied tln-ougli to Prosser until the following spring. Before the grading of tlie road liad reached Adams County, even before the $12.1,000 bonds had been voted, Cameron Yeazel was looking for a townsite in the vicinity of Prosser.

INIr. Yeazel left jNIr. Parks under the impression that he was representing some eastern capitalists who desired to start a sheep ranch in that part of the country if they could find some cheap land. It was after a survey had been made that ^Ir. Parks learned that at a point where a white post had been set on the southeast quarter of section .5, Verona Township, a town was to be established, Juniata was considerably disturbed about the location of Prosser, and Juniata Iiad to be satisfied that the new town would be located at a safe dist;mce from their town before they would support tlie bonds in aid of the Pacific Railroad.

In the spring of 1888, L. J. Ware built the first general store in tlie new town. At about the same time B. F. Barr opened a lumber yard and E. G. Collins built an elevator. The second grocerv store was built by E. L. Price. The hotel which was built early in tlie history of the town by a ^Nlr. Dietricli and whidi was called for manv vears the Pacific Hotel, still stands near the station.

A second hotel, a very creditable hostelry, was built by Fred Stoelting a few years before a fire destroyed the hotel. J. G. Heartwell's drug store and the store which had been erected by E. L. Price, but which at the time of the fire was occupied by JNIorledge & Blake, and the first blacksmith shop, which had been erected bj- Joseph Philbrick, were destroyed in the same fire about 1902.

Shortly after the fii'c a general merchandise store was built by the brothers, J. G. and M. R. Jones. The Jones Bros, sold to F. R. Daggett and Charles W. ]Manahan. ]Mr. Daggett bought the interest of his partner and now operates the store alone. Mr. Manahan resides in Hastings.

The general merchandise business which G. W. Pratt now conducts had its origin when S. W. Smith purchased the first schoolhouse built in Prosser and converted it into a store. INIr. Smith sold to Charles A. Porter, of Heartwell, and Mr. Porter disposed of the business to. Mr. Pratt. The first store was started by Mr. Ware, and James Bacon later purchased the interest of Mr. Ware, who went to Illinois. The business was successively ojierated by Charles IMcCulloch and John Stoner. ]Mr. Stoner managed the business for Trimble, Blackman & Alexander, of Hastings, until the grocery was discontinued, when B. J. Symonds moved into the store and there conducted his drug business.

For several years before he became superintendent of the Ingleside Hospital for the Insane, Dr. M. W. Baxter was located at Prosser, succeeding Dr. C. J. Yates.

Prosser was not incorporated until August 1*3, 1907. Those petitioning for incorjioration were F. R. Daggett, P. J. Robinson, T. E. Bowlin, F. H. Schafer, Charles :Moritz, L. Katzberg, \V. H. Schumann, L. P. Burnham, T. J. Killion, H. F. Moore, August Katzberg. J. W. Benge, J. C. Pratt, G. W. Pratt, D. L. Hare, William Flowerdew, George F. Miller, A. L. Gilmore, J. G. Kent, S. W. Smith, D. C. Hinds, C. C. Robinson, S. G. Moore, D. W. Miles, R. O. Wirfel, C. H. Hudson, Charles Stanley, Frank A. Kuehn, J. B. Symonds, D. M. JNIcMakin, INI. W. Baxter, M. P. Creager. The first trustees were M. W. Baxter, Charles INIoritz, F. R. Daggett, F. H. JNIoore and T. J. Killion. The incorporated area embraced 210 acres on parts of sections 5, 8 and 9.

The administration of the second board of trustees is notable for initiating the building of cement sidewalks in Prosser against a spirited opposition. But though received at first with much disfavor, this improvement has been extended until Prosser has as good sidewalks as any town of its size. The trustees when this movement was begun

S. W. Smith was the first postmaster at Prosser. He was succeeded by George S. JNIoore, who in turn was succeeded by James Crow, who also conducted the first hardware store. After Mr. Crow, Henry ]Moore became jjostziiaster, holding the office until his death. JMrs. ]Moore was then jjostmistress until succeeded by the present postmaster, R. L. Woods.

The elevator now operated by the Verona Grain & Lumber Company was originally ojierated by W. H. I'erguson, Avho sold it to the Farmers Grain & Stock Companj'. Charles Moritz was the managei- under this company. The Farmers Grain & Stock Company sold the business to the present owners, the Verona Grain & Lumber Company. Earl Grounds is the manager. This company was incorporated 3Iarch 28, 1911, with a capital stock of $10,000. The incorporators Avere E. E. Binfield, G. H. Geddes, Bert IMott, William Conroy and G. C. Gilmore. In the early days of the grain business in Prosser, Simon Bechtelheimer bought grain on the track.

Prosser was named in honor of T. J. Prosser, of Concordia, Kan., who was superintendent of the construction force that built the Pacific road into the town.

There is only one church in Prosser, the ISIethodist Episcopal. The first Sunday school was conducted in the Pacific Station, with L. J. Ware acting as suiJerintendent. Within a year the church had organized and erected a church house at a cost of about five hundred dollars. That church, with additions and improvements, is still in use. Among the first members were J. JMorgan, L. J. Ware, George S. Parks, Dow Steadman and JNIiles W. Knapp.