Western Resources Monthly Magazine
Number 130 Denver, Colorado, April, 1901
Published by Western Resources Chicago, Denver, & Salt Lake City
Transcribed Sept. 2003 by Phil and Sharleen Wurm.
This is a wonderful source of information about the history of Oberlin and Decatur County. The first seven pages include information about Norton and Norton County. Keep in mind that its main purpose was to lure new settlers to the county, but with the pictures included and the names mentioned, it can be a great source for genealogical research and for learning of Decatur County History.
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The spirit of unrest which now prevails in the states east of the Missouri river seems to have contributed to a widespread desire for a change of base and as the “Star of Empire” courses its way westward all eyes are turned toward the setting sun, to the fertile prairies of northwestern Kansas for some sign of encouragement, and all ears listen for tidings from this land of promise. The success of the home seekers in this section of “Uncle Sam’s” domain has inspired multitudes to follow and try anew their fortunes where success has crowned the efforts of so many.
Norton county Kansas is situated in the northern tier of counties and west of the center of the state. The county is thirty miles square, containing 576,000 acres of land, and hardly one acre of wasteland in the entire county. The county has a population of 11,000 people; pupils in school, 3,719. Of this latter 412 are in the city of Norton.
Norton County is in a prosperous condition, and at the present low price of real estate offers opportunities for the home seeker and the investor that cannot be surpassed in the United States. The land is very fertile, easily tilled, free from stone, stumps and weeds and very productive. Corn, oats, wheat and alfalfa are the principal crops. Of the latter Norton county stands second in the state in production. Cane, potatoes, Kaffir corn and millet are also profitable crops, and are extensively cultivated. While partial crop failures are experienced occasionally for want of sufficient moisture, it is far more profitable to farm in Norton County than in the most favored states east of the Missouri river. This is patent to all who are familiar with both sections. In the first place the land is not so expensive, and interest on the capital involved will not amount to more than twenty-five per cent of the amount it does in the older states. The soil is light and easily tilled, as it lies in large bodies and the plowman does not lose valuable time in “turning short corners,” but the energy of himself and team are profitably employed all day long. In the second place what is termed a good crop in Norton county is fully twice as much as can be raised to the acre in Iowa and Illinois, and we mention these states for the reason that they stand at the head of the list of the states mentioned. The whole matter summed up is this: A man can farm twice as much in Norton county as he could in the eastern states, and would harvest about four times as much for the same amount of labor expended. The markets are most as good and one crop every two years would make Norton county superior to the older states as a farming community, and when it is known that a partial failure is the exception and not the rule it will be seen that this section holds out strong inducements for the home seeker and capitalist as well.
The climate is all that could be asked. The county has an elevation of about 2,300 feet above sea level, and the air is dry and exhilarating, free from malaria of all kinds.
Stock growing is an important branch of business and large numbers are grown annually. Here the corn and cattle are both grown upon the same farm, the cattle and hogs fatted and driven to market. The well-known buffalo grass and the blue stem are natives of Norton County. Tame grasses of all kind grow to perfection and this combined with plenty of pure water makes an ideal stock country. Vegetables of all kinds thrive well, and fruits, especially of the small varieties, are not surpassed in size or flavor. The whole truth in a nutshell is, Norton County is a first-class farming section, and land is low in comparison with other farming communities, while good society, churches and schools are already established.
Three railroads, the Rock Island, the B. & M. and the Union Pacific, cross the county from east to west, which affords excellent shipping facilities.
The county is traversed by the Prairie Dog, Sappa and Salmon Rivers, while the entire county is underlaid with a sheet of water of the finest qualities.
The city of Norton was laid out in 1873. It is the county seat of Norton County and has a population of 1,500…
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…bright, active, enterprising and progressive people. It is situated on both the Rock Island and B. & M. railroads, and is one of the best trading points in northwestern Kansas. Large numbers of cattle are driven in from the south, where no corn is raised, to be fattened in Norton county, and the books of the railroads show an average of more than one carload of hogs shipped from Norton each day and about nine cars of cattle and hogs each week have been shipped from this progressive city for the past year. Three live newspapers are published in Norton and the schoolmaster is abroad in the land. There are six churches, excellent schools and hospitable people. A fine court house decorates the city, a cut of which appears in. this issue. The business buildings are well filled and not a vacant residence in the city. All branches of business are represented, banks, four hotels and a sanitarium. A nice city park is one of the attractions that greets the eye of the stranger.
A county high school building has been provided for and will soon be erected which will crown the school facilities of this growing town. The merchants of Norton are aggressive and public spirited and always maintain the reputation of the place.
Norton is progressive and prosperous, and the man looking for health, wealth and happiness will not go amiss in setting his stakes in this city. Any of the business men represented in this issue
will cheerfully answer inquiries concerning the town and county of Norton.
ALMENA
is the second town in size in Norton county. It is situated at the junction of the Rock Island and B. & M. railroads twelve miles northeast of Norton, the county seat. It is surrounded by a fine agricultural district and is a place of activity and hustle. The town has a population of about 500 people. It is a growing town, a good business point and a nice place to live. Don’t overlook Almena.
GEORGE MOULTON:
Among the many attractive stores of Norton, the drug store owned by George Moulton deserves special mention. The store is conveniently located and commands a large trade, as the result of first-class goods, low prices and strict attention to the wants of his customers. Mr. Moulton carries a choice line of drugs, proprietary and family medicines, books, stationery, school supplies, paints, oils, etc. He was born in Wisconsin and came to Norton in 1885, and opened up a drug store. His store presents a metropolitan appearance in both the stock and its arrangement. He and his estimable wife have always been identified with the advancement of Norton from a business and literary standpoint. Mrs. Moulton is president of the Avon Shakespearian Literary, or reading, Club. Mr. Moulton is one of the Board of School Commissioners and was instrumental in securing an option on the site where the beautiful City park is located.
FRED S. HAZLETON:
Among the real estate men of Norton Mr. Fred S. Hazleton takes high rank. He has always been identified with the best interests of Norton and Norton county and as an instance of his confidence in the country he is now negotiating for the purchase of another stock farm. He was formerly in the abstract business and later a cashier in the First National Bank, which position he filled with credit to himself as well as to the benefit of his employers.
Mr. Hazleton is a man of pleasing personality and our brief interview with him was interesting as well as instructive. He does a general real estate business and makes loans at the lowest rates of interest. He reports a favorable outlook for Norton county in the real estate, cattle and farming industry and predicts, not a boom, but merely a growing demand from judicious investors.
THOMPSON & SIMMONS:
Norton is well equipped with legal talent, but no firm stands higher than Thompson & Simmons, of wide…
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knowledge, eminent ability and known for their painstaking, zealous and conscientious attention given all their cases. They control a very large portion of the desirable law business in this section and clients whose interests are entrusted to their care may be assured that their interests will be well cared for.
Mr. Thompson has lived here for twenty-two years and his career has been an open book. In public life and private station he has acquitted himself with honor. After an excellent schooling he took up the study of law and speedily won a high place in his arduous profession. Mr. Thompson possesses a keen legal mind, scholarly attainments, is of a studious nature, as faithful as when lie was an embryo lawyer.
He was joined by Mr. Simmons about a year ago. Mr. Simmons graduated at the State University of Lawrence in 1896 and is forging his way to the front. This firm does a large volume of business and their practice is more than local.
FOSTER LUMBER COMPANY:
Lumber has its history, and, like all histories, has its various chapters. It begins with the primeval forests and the woodman’s ax, and ends in the homes and haunts of civilized man. It is the prime factor in the building world, and the industry has afforded an avenue of trade for a class of men who are typical hustlers, who prove equal to any emergency of prosperity or depression.
Prominent among this class is found Mr. M. Walker, manager for the Foster Lumber Company. This company has been in business for nine years, and under the able management of Mr. Walker, who took charge as manager four years ago, has built up a reputation for good material, low prices and honest dealing that attracts trade from a large area in all directions. The company carries on hand a large and well selected stock of lumber and building material. Mr. Walker is very much attached to the country, and says the future outlook is good.
THE E. M. TURNER SANITARIUM AND TRAINING SCHOOL FOR HOSPITAL NURSES:
This is a very important enterprise in which Norton should feel a deep interest. This institution was formally opened by Dr. Turner in January, 1900, and incorporated February 5, 1901, with Dr. E. M. Turner as president and Miss Hattie McClaury as secretary and treasurer. It occupies a large and imposing building and is equipped with the latest improved electrical and surgical instruments known to the medical science, including an X-ray machine with a Crook’s tube attachment for examining the entire human system. Another new feature is a hot air vacuum used in connection with the treatment of rheumatism in its various stages. This method is particularly successful with sciatic rheumatism. The accompanying cut shows Dr. Turner and his assistant giving the patient a hot air treatment. Dr. Turner is ably assisted by Miss Hattie E. McClaury and an efficient corps of trained nurses, while the culinary department is carefully looked after by Mrs. Florence Flannery, who deserves a special compliment for the tempting manner in which food is prepared for the guests. In our tour of inspection we noticed that the sleeping rooms and apartments occupied by the guests presented a very inviting appearance. It appears to us that the location is far superior to the higher altitude which overtaxes the nervous system and causes the patient to collapse before an otherwise successful treatment would have time to act.
Dr. W. R. ALDRICH:
In the profession of dentistry are found many educated and refined gentlemen who take pride in their work and who do not worship the almighty dollar to such an extent as to make it the paramount object in life, but who labor for a reputation as well as the profits to be secured. Dr. Aldrich is a thorough, practical dentist in every respect, and his work is equal to that being done in the larger cities. He took a post graduate course under L. N. Wente of Lincoln, Nebraska. He cast his fortunes with the people of Norton last May, and reports a good trade. He thinks well of the country.
H. M. POE:
Few men have been more enthusiastic or have accomplished more for the good of Norton county than H. M. Poe, the well-known and successful real estate dealer, who has been engaged in his present line for fifteen years in Norton county. He has been instrumental in supplying homes to many of its present prosperous settlers who came here with very little cash and no credit, but happily have gained a competence, which places them above any present want. Mr. Poe is conservative, well posted and very reliable in all his dealings. He does a general real estate business, writes insurance in several well-known companies and furnishes complete abstracts of title to any lands in Norton county. He makes a specialty of land locations for prospective settlers and will cheerfully furnish any information in regard to the country.
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(H.M. Poe Continued) He owns and is interested in several paying farms in Norton county and has some handsome residences in the best part of the city. He reports a good outlook for Norton county in the future and says even though Norton has had its ups and downs yet his confidence has never been shaken.
M. F. GARRITY:
The extensive and well-patronized hardware and queensware establishment of Norton, owned by Mr. M. F. Garrity, has secured a remarkable share of public favor and patronage in the past decade. The great success of this establishment has been due to the superior grade of goods handled and the reasonable prices which prevail. Mr. Garrity gives his own personal attention to the details of the business. He has had a wide experience in the hardware business, and not only knows how to sell goods, but he knows how to buy, and buys well. He has one of the largest stocks west of Topeka in this state. He is a stockholder and director in the bank. He is public spirited and always ready to lend a hand in the county’s behalf.
W. H. HILES:
In running our eye over the list of Blackstone disciples we read the name of Wm. H. Hiles, who has been a. resident of Norton for seventeen years. He was born in Ohio, admitted to the bar in 1891, and has built up a splendid practice. He has seen the ups and downs of the county in his seventeen years’ experience, but in the outcome thinks this county will rank with the best. His observation is that those who raise hogs and alfalfa are generally successful. Mr. Hiles practices in all courts and is recognized as a man of sterling qualities and legal acumen in this community. He says the future outlook is good.
FIRST NATIONAL BANK:
There is no branch of business so essential to the welfare of any town or community as a solid, well regulated bank, one holding the confidence of the people. We are glad to note that Norton has the advantage of this kind of a banking institution. This bank was established in 1886, and its confidence in Norton and Norton county has never been stronger than at present. It has a capital stock of $50,000, surplus of $10,000 while its last published statement shows nearly $200,000 to the credit of depositors. Its officers and directors are all men of well-known character and financial responsibility, who have been instrumental in the growth and development of Norton and Norton county. M. Sawyer is president, E. E. Ames vice president and C. J. Shimeal cashier. They are all largely interested in lands in Norton county, and will cheerfully furnish any information regarding lands, cattle, crops, etc., in this section.
G. G. GU’THRIE:
[Great-Uncle to Sharleen Wurm, please contact me for more information]
As a fitting illustration of what may be accomplished in Norton county, we refer by permission to G. G. Guthrie of Norton, who commenced business seven years ago on a very small capital, first by buying calves through the country and hauling them home in wagons, disposing of them in small bunches to dealers, later branching out to shipping cattle and supplying the farmers in large bunches. As a reward for his close attention to business and honest dealing with the public, he enjoys the largest stocker and feeder trade of anyone in this section of the country. As the country became more settled, and with the growing demand for farms, he engaged in the real estate business in connection with his cattle business. He buys and sells cattle, all kinds of real estate, rents farms, residence and business properties, makes loans, also collections, for non-residents and writes insurance in the leading companies. He is assisted by Charles F. Miller, a young man of good business attainments. We found these gentlemen very entertaining and free to impart any information pertaining to the resources and development of the country. They stand high in the community and are regarded as trustworthy in all their dealings.
A. G. BENNETT:
A strong arm and a keen eye are two requisites of a good blacksmith. Mr. Bennett lays claim to these, and more. He has had a life experience in the business. He came to Kansas twenty-one years ago, took a timber claim of 160 acres and pre-empted another quarter section, since which time he has purchased an additional eighty acres, and he says he is very proud of his farm, looking forward to it as a safe retreat in his declining years. He enjoys a good trade in his blacksmith shop, as the result of good work and courteous treatment to customers.
J. BRIDEGROOM:
Few men have been more enthusiastic or have accomplished more for the development and up building of Norton than J. Bridegroom, the well known and successful real estate dealer, loan broker and abstractor. Mr. Bridegroom has been engaged in the real estate business here for fifteen years and with rare judgment and discretion as to real estate matters he has become widely known. Every transaction he makes seems to cement more firmly the hold he has upon the confidence of the people of this county. His judgment upon real estate matters is accepted without question. Mr. Bridegroom has a complete set of abstract books of Norton county. He buys and sells all kinds of real estate, make…
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…loans and investments, does conveyancing and writes insurance in all the leading companies of this country and Europe. You can with perfect safety entrust your business with this gentleman and thus have the benefit of ripe experience and a. reputation which in itself is a guarantee that you will be fairly and honorably treated.
J. L. MILLER:
Enterprise is a dominant characteristic of western progress in which real estate and stock dealing are very important factors in the town and county of Norton. This important branch of industry is represented by Mr. J. L. Miller, who came to Norton twenty-three years ago, and has passed through the ups and downs that all western towns have experienced, but during his long business career his faith in the future of Norton county has been steadfast as a rock. Mr. Miller deals in cattle, buys and sells all kinds of real estate, pays taxes for nonresidents, rents business and residence property, writes insurance in the leading companies, and makes farm and other loans at the lowest rates of interest. Mr. Miller enjoys a large business, and from personal knowledge The Western Resources can recommend him to its eastern readers as a man of the strictest integrity and reliability.
DR. N. L. JONES:
During our brief stay in Norton it was our pleasure to call on Dr. N. L. Jones, one of Norton county’s early and most respected citizens. Dr. Jones is a native of Indiana. He took a course in the Rush Medical College at Chicago and graduated at that institution in 1882. He practiced his profession for three years near his birthplace; but, owing to the state of his health at that time, he decided to come west, and in 1885 he located in Norton and began to practice. Perseverance, combined with good medical training, soon won him distinction in his new home. Though he relates some trying experiences, he says he is well satisfied with the location, and from a standpoint of health he could not cite one to a better. country. He conducts a drugstore, which is a great convenience to him in practicing medicine, as well as a source of revenue. The well-selected stock and general appearance of the store shows that he takes a just pride in this line as well as to keep fully abreast of his profession. He is by nature hospitable, very pleasant and commands a large practice.
MRS. WILLIAM WEIKERS:
None of the arts come nearer to our homes or affections than does photography. The desire of the human heart to preserve the pictured resemblance of loved ones has paved the way to success for the skillful operator in this very fascinating art. In less than half a century science and discovery have reduced the cost of producing portraits till now the poor as well as the rich are able to secure better work than any produced by the masters in early days. Mrs. Weikers possesses more than an ordinary degree of talent in posing, lighting and modeling the features so as to retain that character peculiar to each individual face. She numbers in her collection of samples many of the prominent people of Norton and vicinity as a reward for her untiring zeal and devotion to the wants of her patrons.
W. J. BOWER & SONS:
The furniture trade of Norton is very extensive, permeating nearly the whole of Norton county and many towns in tributary territory. Chief among the houses of this kind is that of J. W. Bower & Sons, who carry a complete line of furniture, pianos and organs, parlor and chamber sets, carpets and other house furnishings. W. J. Bower is a regularly licensed embalmer and does embalming by the latest methods. He gives his personal supervision to this department, being adapted by experience and temperament for this work. He came to Norton in 1875, and is one of the oldest business men in town. He has been successful and has just completed a new business block owned jointly by himself and Mr. J. Bridegroom. Messrs. Bower & Sons have branch stores at Goodland and Phillipsburg. An important epoch in Mr. Bower’s family is that he has seven sons and one son-in-law, all grown up and trained in the business under his own supervision, thus making a strong force in carrying on the business at different places. They report a good business and an abiding faith in Norton county.
WILL HOUGHTON.
The occupation of a merchant tailor is a very important one in the make-up of a city’s resources. In this respect Norton is fortunate in having the services of such a man as Mr. Houghton, who takes a great pride in this line, and during his business experience of eighteen years has gained a reputation for good workmanship and straightforward dealing which is more than local. Personally Mr. Houghton is very entertaining, and should any of our eastern readers have occasion to heed his services they may safely rely both on his goods and workmanship. Mr. Houghton is a native of New Jersey and came to Norton eight years ago. He was formerly in business at Red Cloud, Nebraska, but thinks this place is far superior from a standpoint of health or business.
J. M. SCOTT.
This gentleman has been in business here for ten years and is favorably known to the community as a business man of high standing and a public-spirited citizen. He is liberal and progressive and his establishment is noted for low prices and fair dealing. Mr. Scott displays a large and well-selected stock of furniture, and he is always pleased to show his visitors his stock. All the latest novelties in furniture, carpets, etc., can be seen there. If Mr. Scott furnishes your home it will be comfortable and artistic, as he is possessed with excellent taste and gives his own personal attention to the business. In addition to the furniture business, he carries pianos, organs and sewing machines. He also does undertaking and employs an embalmer. He came to Norton county from Oskaloosa, Iowa, in 1885. He had but $300 when he reached here and lost that in a speculative deal, but time and perseverance has placed him in easy circumstances. He owns the building he occupies and keeps it well filled with a splendid stock of furniture. The horse is a great favorite with him and he recently purchased a fine pacer which makes a mile in 2:14. He speaks well of the county and likes the climate very much.
A. S. HAWORTH, M. D.
The profession of medicine is one of the noblest as well as most important callings in existence, as a man who…
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