Gage County, Nebraska - Chapter 24: Wymore, 1918

The city of Wymore is located at the confluence of Big Indian creek and the Big Blue river, on the main line of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company across southern Nebraska, from Chicago to Denver. Here also the branch line of this company from Omaha to Concordia, Kansas, via Lincoln and Beatrice, intersects the main Denver line, imparting to the city of Wymore the characteristics of a railway center. From its beginning the city has constituted a division for the Burlington Railroad; here are found the company's roundhouse, machine and repair shops, station building and numerous other structures required at a railway division point. Here also are found the headquarters of the division officials, and the various accessories necessary to the proper operation of the railroad. Wymore is the second largest municipal corporation in Gage county and is the most important and best city of its population in southeastern Nebraska. It is thirteen miles southeast of Beatrice, joins the city of Blue Springs to the north, and is located in the midst of a wealthy, prosperous farming community.

The founding of Wymore dates from the construction of the main line of the Burlington Railroad upon which it is located. At the time of its origin the situation in Nebraska was such as to invite railroad building on a large scale throughout the eastern twothirds of the state. The main line of the Union Pacific Railway through central Nebraska had proved a surprising success as a factor in the settlement and development of all the territory tributary to it. By successive purchases and consolidations with other lines the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad

Company had, by 1870, acquired a line of railway from Chicago, Illinois, to Pacific Junction, opposite Plattsmouth, Nebraska. The Burlington & Missouri River Railroad Company in Nebraska had been incorporated May 12, 1869, and in July of that year began the construction of a line of railway from Plattsmouth to Kearney Junction, Nebraska, on the Union Pacific, near where the city of Kearney is located. Several years after the completion of this route, the company was consolidated with the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company, under date of the 26th. day of July, 1880, having at that time 836. miles of trackage in southeastern Nebraska,, including a railroad bridge across the Missouri river at Plattsmouth and two miles of trackage at Pacific Junction. Amongst its: other activities it had constructed, in 1878, a line of railway from Hastings to Red Cloud,, and thence up the Republican valley, projected, to Denver. In 1871 it had also constructed a line of railway from Crete, on its main line between Plattsmouth and Kearney Junction, to Beatrice. In 1879 the Union Pacific Railway Company, then described asthe Omaha & Southwestern, had built itspresent line of railway from Marysville, Kansas, as far as Beatrice, via Blue Springsand the Otoe Indian Agency, which was projected to a junction with its main line at Valley, via Lincoln. Almost the entire state,, and particularly the South Platte country and that portion of central Nebraska which wasthen tributary to the Union Pacific Railway lines, was in a ferment of activity. Immigration was rushing in, following the rails, at an: unheard of rate; the prairies were disappearing under the settlers' plows ; in every directioa towns and villages were springing up as if by magic; and everywhere in the state the railways were taxed to the uttermost to meet the demands of the ever increasing population.

Moreover the local situation by 1879 was such as to promote the increase of railway trackage in Gage county, and particularly in the southern portion. Since its completion, Beatrice had been the terminus of the Crete branch of the Burlington road. In 1877 the western portion of the Otoe and Missouri Indian lands had been placed upon the market and quickly sold to actual settlers, as by law required. This splendid tract of fertile lands was without railway facilities nearer than Beatrice or, later, than Blue Springs. Under these circumstances, it created no surprise when, in March, 1880, a party of Burlington surveyors arrived in Blue Springs from the west. They had carried a projected line of railway from Red Cloud down the Republican river to Hardy, Nuckolls county ; thence across country to the head w|aters of Rose creek, in Jefferson county, crossed the Little Blue river at the confluence of these streams; led up historic Rock creek to the head waters of Big Indian creek ; followed down the valley of that stream to its junction with the big Blue river, and, crossing the river, led away eastward to an intersection with the Atchison & Nebraska at Table Rock, and still on down the Big Nemaha to the Missouri, St. Joseph, northern Missouri, western Illinois, Chicago.

This ambitious and most successful plan of railroad building contemplated the extension of the Crete-Beatrice branch to a junction With the east and west main line. When it became evident that these lines of railway were to be pushed to immediate completion the southern half of Gage county seethed "with excitement and eager anticipation. The question of greatest concern was the location of the junction, since it was evident that at that point would be developed a city of importance. Blue Springs was of course ardently hoping to become the center of all this railroad activity and to profit by securing the location of the junction of the two lines of railway. Unfortunately, and to this day to the regret of those who love it, these expectations were not to be realized. Over-confidence in her position and importance at that particular juncture in her affairs, prevented the consummation of her hopes.

The following narrative of the origin of Wymore and its early history was prepared for this work by Charles M. Murdock, who has been a citizen of that city since its founding, and who as a right-of-way agent for the Burlington Railroad Company, and at the time a citizen of Blue Springs, writes from an intimate knowledge of the facts :

"In the fore part of May, 1880, R. O. Phillips, secretary of the Lincoln Land Company, and some of the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad officials came to Blue Springs and made an arrangement with S. M. Hazen, C. W. Hill, and others in Blue Springs, for a half interest in about two hundred acres of land in sections 17 and 18, township 2 north, of range 7 east of the 6th principal meridian, surrounding where the depot at Blue Springs now stands, and to locate a depot, and not lay out or build any conflicting town interest within five miles of the depot at Blue Springs. Several business men in Blue Springs agreed to purchase from five to ten acres of the Hazen and Hill lands and pay them a stated price per acre. Then they would donate (to the Lincoln Land Company) a half -inter est in the tracts they had purchased, in order to share the burden with Hazen and Hill. This arrangement was agreed to and seemed to be definitely settled. But within sixty days some of the parties who had agreed to purchase from five to ten acres of the Hazen and Hill lands went back on what they had agreed to do. They claimed the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad Company would put in the depot at Blue Springs regardless of whether they got a half-interest in the Hazen and Hill lands or not. R. O. Phillips, secretary of the Lincoln Land Company, and A. B. Smith, townsite surveyor, came to Blue Springs and tried to close the deal, but could not do it. They then had options of purchase taken on part of the southeast quarter of section 21, southwest quarter of section 22, northwest quarter of section 27 and northeast quarter of section 28, township 2 north, of range 7 east, where the Burlington surveyed line crossed the Union Pacific tracks, - a move that looked very discouraging to some of the observing people in and around Blue Springs.

"Samuel Wymore then owned the northeast quarter of section 20, Blue Springs township, which joined the section in which the city was located. When he learned that R. O. Phillips, for the Lincoln Land Company, had procured options of purchase on lands east of the Big Blue river, he offered to donate a half-interest in the west half of his quarter section, which on the north joined the townsite of Blue Springs and which was crossed by the Burlington right-of-way leading eastward, if the railroad company would erect and maintain a depot on his land or at the junction of the two lines on the southeast quarter of section 20, joining his land on the south, and he signed a contract to that effect. I then went to the southeast part of Marshall county, Kansas, to see Owen R. Jones, who then owned the last-named quarter section of land, together with the north half of the northeast quarter of section 29. I took his contract for the right-of-way over the southeast of section 20 and any extra right-of-way that might be required in the construction of the railroad across or upon that tract of land. He said the railroad company ought to buy his land ; I asked him his price, and he said twenty dollars per acre. He and his wife signed a memorandum contract agreeing to convey to R. O. Phillips the above described land, 240 acres, for the sum of $4,800. I sent the memorandum contracts of Samuel Wymore and Owen R. Jones to Mr. Phillips at Lincoln, Nebraska, and wrote to A. E. Touzalin what could be done with Wymore and Jones. Touzalin and Phillips were anxious to get the location at Blue Springs adjusted, and to gain time I procured, at their request, an extension of the Wymore and Jones contracts to September 15, 1880.

"But the Blue Springs location was not definitely settled, and Mr. Touzalin, the general manager of the Burlington road, and other officials arranged to come to Blue Springs, and on September 17, 1880, Mr. Touzalin; George W. Holdrege, general superintendent; Tobias Castor, superintendent of right-of-way; Superintendent T. E. Calvert, and other Burlington Railroad officials came to Blue Springs from Beatrice over the Union Pacific line, in a special car. They arranged for a meeting with the Blue Springs people that evening. At the meeting the subject was fully discussed and the Blue Springs people asked for time to enable them to talk the matter over that night, and at nine o'clock the next morning they reported that they would not accept the proposition.

"Wymore and Jones were both present at the above described meeting. A deal with them was closed September 18, 1880, and it was definitely settled that a depot would be built at the junction on the southeast quarter of secion 20, township 2 north, range 7 east. Gage county, Nebraska. In the latter part of December, 1880, the line was extended from Beatrice to the junction, and General Superintendent Holdrege and other officials rode down to the junction over their own new line, in a special car, January 5, 1881.

"April 7, 1881, Mr. Phillips, secretary of the Lincoln Land Company, and Anselmo B. Smith, the company's townsite surveyor, began the survey of the townsite at the junction of the two lines of railway. A. E. Touzalin, general manager of the Burlington lines, named the town Wymore, after the late Samuel Wymore."

Mr. Murdock was selected by the Lincoln Land Company, an organization which every old settler will remember as having greatly influenced to its own profit the location and disposal of towpsites along the lines of the Burlington Railroad system in the early history of Nebraska, to handle the company's interest at Wymore. The plat of the original town of Wymore was filed for record in the office of the register of deeds at Beatrice, May 21, 1881, by which time Mr. Murdock had sold twenty lots in the townsite, upon which buildings were being erected, and within sixty days after the recording of the plat there were sixty business houses and residences erected in the new town of Wymore. Among the first to build were David Greenslate, who erected a hotel forty by forty-four feet, and two store buildings ; J. Pisar, a business house twenty by thirty feet; J. Wazab, a business house twenty-four by thirty-six feet; Charles Wachtd, H. M. Leach, of deeds May 21, 1881. It comprised a part of the east half of section 20; it has been greatly augmented by additions, the most important of which are Ashby's Addition and Wymore's Addition, on the north and west; Summit and Railroad Additions, on the east; Hoag's, Hinkle's, and Scott's Additions, on the south and west. With these additions the city now occupies a part of sections 19, 20, 29, and 30.

confined to the Original townsite. Niagara avenue, running north to Blue Springs, is the principal business street. It is a wide, beautiful thoroughfare, and most of the business houses upon it are substantial, two-story, brick structures.

A United States government postoffice was established in the village of Wymore, October 27, 1881, with George F. Walker as postmaster. The citizens of Wymore are supplied with free mail delivery, employing two city carriers, while the rural population tributary to the city is reached by the free-delivery service of the postoffice department.

of Wymore was the construction and operation of a street-railway line from the Burlington station to the Union Pacific station at Blue Springs. It was a horse-car line and was built by E. P.. Reynolds and his sons J. H. and Ben Reynolds, railroad contractors with headquarters at Wymore, who had completed a number of contracts for the Burlington Railroad Company on the main line from the Missouri river to Denver. This car line was carried across the Burlington right-ofway by an overhead bridge, thirty feet in width, on Ashby avenue. It was operated from 1882 till about 1892, when it was abandoned.

From the beginning Wymore grew rapidly in population and wealth. It was an ambitious and aggressive rival of Beatrice, the county seat. By 1883 it had acquired a population of approximately two thousand souls. The federal census of 1890 gave it 2420 inhabitants; that of 1900, 2626; and that of 1910, 2613. In the year 1893 those who guided its destinies conceived it possible to divide Gage county and erect a new county out of the south half, to be known as Blaine county, with Wymore as its county seat. Proper steps were taken by these enthusiasts to bring the matter to a vote at the November elecion. A very spirited and splendid canvass was made by the Wymoreans. Beatrice of course entered warmly into the contest, and during the latter part of the summer and early fall of 1883 a vigorous campaign was waged on the question of county division. At the election, 1332 votes were polled for division and 2801 against the project. It is to the lasting credit of Wymore that she gracefully accepted this result and, without murm.ur or complaint, good-naturedly has continued to play the part of the second most important city in the splendid county of Gage.

On October 25, 1881, Horace A. Greenwood, who had formerly lived at Red Oak, Iowa, established the first bank in Wymore. The following year Benjamin Burch, his son John C. Burch and M. A. Southwick came to Wymore for the purpose of engaging in the banking business and were about to start a newi bank when Mr. Greenwood sold them his institution and retired for the time being from the banking business. The Bank of Wymore, under the management of its new proprietors, did a flourishing business for more than ten years, but during the great financial panic which began in 1893 and lasted for several years, the bank was forced out of business and passed into the hands of a receiver. About the time the Bank of Wymore was purchased by the Burches and Southwick, a brick bank building was erected by Joseph R. Dodds on the corner south of the Touzalin Hotel, that being the first brick bank building in Wymore, and the Citizens Bank was established in it by Elisha P. Reynolds and sons. Some years afterward this became the property of Samuel Wymore and E. C. Wilcox, with E. C. Wilcox as cashier and as the one in principal charge of the bank's fortunes. About the time of the financial stringency above referred to this bank liquidated its obligations and ceased to exist. Succeeding these two early ventures in banking, the First National Bank of Wymore was founded by Horace A. Greenwood and others, and, probably about the same time, the Farmers & Merchants Bank came into existence. These are both exceptionally strong financial institutions for a town of the population of Wymore and each possesses a fine bank building. They are owned and conducted by men of character and standing in the community and meet the ordinary demands for banking resources in a way that leaves nothing to be desired. J. A. Rueling is president of the First National; G. L. Stephenson, vice-president; John S. Jones, cashier; and D. K. Windle, assistant cashier. Sherman Taylor is president of the Farmers & Merchants Bank; W. A. Dawson, vice-president; F. E. Leflferdink, cashier; A. E. Baker and C. F. Stillwell, assistant cashiers.

In addition to its banks Wymore is well supplied with elevators, lumber and coal yards, garages, hotels, implement houses, restaurants, general stores, grocery stores, hardware stores, drug stores, jewelry establishments, photograph galleries, and every kind

The city obtains its water from the springs of its nearby neighbor, Blue Springs, and owns its own water system. It is well lighted by electrical current from the Holmesville Mill & Power Company.

The visitor to Wymore is always impressed by the extensive yards and shops of the Burlington Railroad Company, where hundreds of men are daily employed. The monthly distribution of wages by the company to its employes at this divisional point has been a constant and never-failing source of prosperity to the business men of the city. At present the railroad company employes 135 men in its mechanical department, 371 in its operating department, and 46 officers and clerks - a total of 552 employes of the Burlington Railroad at Wymore.

No city of its population in the state approaches Wymore in the number, acreage and beauty of its public parks. The public-park system for the city was first agitated several years ago, by Hbn. A. D. McQandless, a lawyer of distinction in the Gage county bar. With intelligent persistence worthy of the cause, he has allowed no opportunity to pass for urging upon the citizens of the city and upon those in authority the desirability of adopting a system of public parks which should be more than commensurate with the immediate needs and resources of the city. Great success has crowned his unselfish and altruistic efforts. To his credit, and to the credit of those associated with him in his fine, patriotic labor, there are now eight public parks in the city of Wymore. They are as designated in the following paragraphs.

Arbor State Park consists of thirty-three acres of land in the northeast quarter of section 20, formerly known as the old Fair Ground. It was named Arbor State Park "in recognition of the loyalty of the Arbor State newspaper to the interests and upbuilding of the city of Wymore in the past quarter of a century, and of the editor of said paper for his years of faithful service as the highest office in said city, and his zealous work for the park system of said city."

McCandless Park comprises blocks 25 and 26 of Ashby's Addition to the city of Wymore, with the street lying between the two blocks, which" was vacated in order to become a part of the park. It was named in honor of A. D. McCandless and in recognition of his successful work in planning and securing an attractive public parking system for the city.

Furnas Park consists of the south half of block 8 and the north half of block 9 in the original town of Wymore and the street lying between these two parcels of land, which was vacated by the city council for the purpose of being added to the park.

Rawlings Park is block 31 of the original town of Wymore and bears the name of Rawlings Park in recognition of one of its most prominent and enterprising citizens, M. L. Rawlings, who has served three terms as mayor of the city of Wymore and has been otherwise active and useful for many years in the affairs of the city.

Riverside Park lies on the east bank of the Big Blue river, between the wagon road on Bennett street and the Burlington Railroad bridge across the river.

Horseshoe Park lies south of Indian creek and west of what is known as the Marysville road, and is the property of the Lincoln Land Company.

Taylor Park comprises a considerable tract of ground lying north and west of the rightof-way of the Burlington Railroad Company, in the immediate neighborhood of the depot building.

In 1916 the public-spirited citizens of Wym.ore began agitation for a free public library. Application was made to the great philanthropist, Andrew Carnegie, for an appropriation out of his many millions for the erection of a library building. This magnanimous builder of libraries readily donated to the city the sum of $10,000 to be used exclusively for a building, on condition that a suitable site be furnished by the citizens of Wymore anrl that the city authorities should annually levy a public tax sufficient to sustain the library.

These conditions have been fully complied with. The library is located on the southeast corner of block 26 of Wymore's Addition, immediately west of Neuman's store, on the southeast corner of the block. The plans and specifications were furnished by Richard W. Grant, architect, of Beatrice, and at this writing the building is complete except for the placing of a furnace.

The first Episcopal church service was held in Wymore by Rev. T. O'Corinell, in what is known as the Honeymoon school-house, in the fall of 1881. In March, 1884, a service was held by the Rev. C. L. Fulforth, rector of the Episcopal church at Beatrice, at which this being dedicated as a house of worship, by Bishop Worthington, April 15, 1889. The church has grown in strength and usefulness from the first day and is today one of the live, virile religious organizations of the city. The parish of St. Mary's Catholic church was established in 1882, a pastoral residence being erected that year and later a frame church building. The priest first in charge was the Rev. A. C. Rausch, who continued his labors until 1889, when the Rev. J. C. Freeman tooK charge; he remained at the head of the parish until his death, in 1915. He was succeeded by Father D. J. Cronin, who is now in charge of the parish.

preliminary steps were taken for the organization of a parish in Wymore. A petition was prepared and was addressed to the bishop of the diocese, requesting such action. It was signed by eighteen persons, of whom eight were communicants of the church. This request was granted, and on August 17, 1884, the parish was organized under the name of St. Luke's. On the following 13th day of September, with Bishop Worthington officiating, the holy communion service of the church was celebrated for the first time in Wymore. A mission organization wlas adopted, with Richard Whitten as warden. On the 10th day of October, 1888, steps were taken toward the building of a church by the congregation. A lot for that purpose was donated by the Lincoln Land Company, the Bishop contributed $800 and a building was erected,

The Catholic organization owns fine church properties in Wymore, consisting of an entire block of ground adjoining the high-school block, upon which is situated the church building and a new pastoral residence, of two stories.

The Christian church was organized in 1887, by Elder Bear, of Tecumseh, the services first being held in Brownwell Hall and other places. In 1896 the present church edifice was erected. Services are regularly maintained by the church and the organization is an active factor in the social and religious life of the city.

The first church organized in Wymore was the Missionary Baptist church. The organization took place September 14, 1881. Services were maintained at various places in the city until 1886, when the congregation built a frame church building, under the pastorate of Rev. A. H. Law. This building was afterward sold, and the Baptists acquired by purchase their present church, from the Congregationalists.

Since its organization a good Sunday school has been maintained and the regular services of the church have gone constantly forward. The membership of this church is quite strong and it is an influential factor in the life of the city.

About 1907 the Calvanistic Welsh church was organized in Wymore. A building was purchased and moved to its present location, where it Was fitted up as a house of worship.

at her suggestion, a subscription list was started for funds to be used in purchasing a suitable site for a church building. The sum of one hundred dollars was imraiediatjely sHibjcribed by her and her children and 'subscriptions continued to be taken until enough money was on hand to purchase a lot and a half in the most desirable residence portion in the city of Wymore on which to erect a church building, where the present splendid house of worship now stands. A movement was then started to secure enough money by subscription to erect a church edifice. Plans and specifications were supplied by the Methodist

The Free Methodist church has had an existence in Wymore since 1887, maintaining a pastor the most of the time and its organization all the time. It has a new frame church building, located in the northwest part of the city.

The Methodist Episcopal church was organized in Wymore July 20, 1883, with the Rev. C. M. Hollopeter as pastor. The church services and Sunday school were first held in Livsey's Opera House, later in the Newbranch Hall and in what is now known as the Baptist church. The first effort to secure a church building came from Mrs. William Winter, in 1885. At a family gathering at which her seven sons and two daughters were present.

Church Extension Society and approved by the local board of trustees for a structure to cost approximately six thousand dollars. The building was begun in 1888 and in the following year it was completed, and dedicated, by Bishop Joyce, to the worship of God. Including the grounds, the property cost about thirteen thousand dollars. A considerable indebtedness rested upon the church, which accumulated during the hard times following 1893, until it finally amounted to $4,700. Heroic efforts were made by the pastor in charge, the Rev. A. B. Whitmer, to secure through subscriptions a sum of money sufficient to liquidate this indebtedness. He was aided by Dr. Huntington, the presiding elder of the church, and at a meeting in 1900, in the presence of a large and rejoicing congregation, it

Since that date the church has erected on lots adjoining the church property, which it purchased from R. W. Laflin, a .fine parsonage, which cost $4,250. Thus through years of toil, patience, sacrifice and self-denial, the Methodists of Wymore have succeeded in securing a beautiful and permanent church building and a roomy, homelike parsonage. The congregation is large and in a flourishing condition. Since Dr. Hollopeter's time, the following named ministers have served the

McClelland wa,s elected its director. He proceeded at once to take an enumeration of the district and, incidentally, a census of the population. On March 17, 1882, he reported the number of families then in Wymore to be 224 ; number of inhabitants, 1,280; and number of children of school age, 375.

The schools of Wymore have flourished from the beginning and the liberal-minded citizens of the city have seen to it that ample school facilities were available. The city now possesses two brick ward-school buildings of two rooms each, and a handsome, two-story, brick high-school building, containing ten

In the fall of 1881, a subscription school was started in Wymore, with Miss Ormsby and Miss Mitchell as teachers. The school was held in Johnson's Hall, but as this proved too small to accommodate the attendance, another room was secured, and S. B. Bowdish was employed as principal.

Early in 1882 steps were taken to detach Wymore and its additions from the Blue Springs school district, and in March of that year the city of Wymore was erected into a separate school district and numbered 114. On the organization of the district, W. H.

rooms. The district employs seventeen teachers and the high school offers a four years' course of study, with normal training. The pupils enrolled in the schools of Wymore number 683.

The social and benevolent orders of Wymore include: Coleman Post, No. 115, Department of Nebraska Grand Army of the RepubHc, organized at Wymore October 7, 1882, and ever since remaining in good standing; Coleman's Women's Relief Corps, No. 65, Department of Nebraska, organized at Wymore June 12, 1888, and ever since maintaining its good standing; Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, organized April 19, 1883 ; Independent Order of Odd Fellows, No. 105, installed February 8, 1883; Rebekah Lodge, No. 69, organized September 23, 1891 ; Abergeldie

So rapid has been the growth of Wymore from the beginning that at a very early period of its history the necessity for some form of municipal government had become very obvious. With characteristic energy and foreation of Wymore as a village under this statute and suggesting as suitable persons for village officials E. Hutchins to be mayor; W. H. Ashby, clerk; E. C. Wilcox, treasurer; George W. Mechling, police judge ; Ben Reynolds, engineer; C. F. Washburn and E. C. Pusey, councilmen for the first ward, and S. S. Darling and A. J. Davis, councilmen for the sec- sight, a movement was inaugurated early in 1882, almost within a year after the founding of the city, to effect village organization under the statute which then provided that all unincorporated towns and villages in Nebraska having over two hundred and less than fifteen hundred inhabitants might be incorporated as villages. On the 22d day of June, 1882, a petition was filed before the board of commissioners of Gage county, praying for the incorporond ward. The prayer of this petition was readily granted by the county commissioners and these recommendations approved. The organization of Wymore as a village, under the law, immediately followed.

Village government was continued in Wymore until 1884, when it was incorporated as a city of the second class, having more than fifteen hundred and less than twenty-five thousand population, as provided by law. The

Hbtel, where later the Citizens bank was established. On the 12th day of May, 1882, from the basement of this old building, Mr. Dodds sent forth the first issue of the Wymore Eagle. In the fall of tliat year he purchased from Ashby & Scott the Gage County Leader, a newspaper which had been founded shortly after Murdock had brought the Reporter to Wymore, and this he consolidated with the Eagle. A little later he merged both names into the Democrat, bearing the following leg-

Charles M. Murdock had established at Blue Springs a newspaper called the Reporter, largely as an advertising medium for the sale of real estate, but on the 22d day of June, 1881, he removed his printing establishment to Wymore, and thereafter for many years the Wymore Reporter was an important factor in the settlement and development of the city. This was the first newspaper in Wymore. In May, 1881, Joseph R. Dodds, a veteran of the Civil war, came from Burlington, Iowa, to Wymore and became immediately active in its affairs. He erected the two-story, brick building on the corner of Nebraska street and Blue River avenue, directly south of the Touzalin end: "Wymore and Blue S'prings." Before his death, he ceased publishing the Democrat and began the publication of the Arbor State. This bright, newsy paper is now both a daily and a weekly, and is owned and ably edited by J. W. Ellingham. In 1882, with Benjamin Burch, his son John C. Burch, and W. H Southwick, John A. Weaver, a practical newspaper man, came to Wymore from Red Oak, Iowa. In conjunction with the younger Burch he established, the Wymorean, a weekly newspaper which has had a continuous existence from the date of its founding and which is well established, with a circulation exceeding two thousand copies. For thirty

Wymore is a city of many beautiful homes. The residence district lies west of Niagara avenue and is reached from the business district by ascending a gentle slope. It overlooks the beautiful valley of the Big Blue river on the north, east and south, and the valleys of Bills creek and Big Indian creek toward the west, and from almost every point presents a pleasing landscape. At an early day Elisha P. Reynolds and his sons, J. H. and Benjamin erected fine residences in this part of the city, and many others have since been erected. Here also are located the beautiful high-school grounds and a nuniber of the churches.