MANKATO, JC MONITOR, 7 Jul 1886
– Editors, Vaughan & VanDeventer
(I apologize for this being so long, pray there are few typos and hope no surnames were missed – mls)

A Short Sketch of its Development, Business and Business Men

One peculiarity in the settling of Western Kansas counties, is the frequent founding of a town in the geographical center. The lay of the land in the eastern states often renders this impossible, but on our broad western prairies towns were started wherever the convenience of the people or cupidity of town companies demanded.

Hence, as it was obvious that a town, especially a county seat, was more convenient in the center than anywhere else in the county, and as it could usually be as easily built there as anywhere else, the center of the county came to be regarded as a town site as soon as the county came into existence.

The settlers of Jewell county were no exceptions to the rule, and Jewell Centre was started soon after the county was organized. The personage so famous in the smaller towns in the eastern states, “The oldest inhabitant” in Jewell Centre was D.S. Blank, who opened a blacksmith shop on the corner since occupied by Chapman Bros., and more recently by Ed. E. Chapman.

The second oldest inhabitant, L.J. Gould, established the “Pioneer” wagon shop. About this time, the Town Company built the building long used as the court house; after its completion it was used for a time as a store building; in it C.W. Pettigrew opened the first store in Jewell Centre. The second store was opened by Ed. Chapel in the “Pioneer” wagon shop.

The first lady to take up her abode in the Centre was Mrs. E.C. Greenland, the second, Mrs. Chapel.

Dr. Studley, well remembered by the old settlers as a physician and naturalist, was the Center’s first doctor. C. Angevine was our first lawyer and still retains his position. Wm. Patterson was Centre’s second legal light.

In 1873, after an exciting election, the county set was moved from the City to the Centre. From then on the town grew rapidly, people came and went, the surrounding country became settled and lost its frontier character, assuming, in its place, a civilized aspect. In 1880, Jewell Centre vanished from the map of Kansas, and Mankato took its place.

The Mankato of the present, is a typical Kansas town, bustling and energetic.
On entering the town from the north, the Chicago Lumber Co’.s yard first attracts attention; it is, as it has been for some time past, under the management of J.C. Getts. In the yard is a full stock of everything in the lumber line, and we only voice the unanimous verdict of its patrons when we say that no more courteous and obliging manager than J.C. Getts ever figured on a bill of lumber.

Next below, and opposite the lumber yard, is the Commercial House, kept by the most popular host in Northwest Kansas, Sam. Bowles. Sam is an old settler, having had perilous encounters with the red-skins, in early days. He has succeeded in winning an enviable reputation for himself and the Commercial, and has become one of our most solid citizens.

Passing on down the street we come to Wm. Robert’s Photograph Gallery, where Billy is always ready to do any word in his line, turning out none but first-class jobs.

Crossing the street we enter the law and loan office of Jno. B. Rea & Co., the ‘Co.’ being Mr. Gustave Jones. Although Rea and Co. are a comparatively new company, they have won the respect and good will of all who have met them, and are establishing a profitable business. Their next door neighbors on the south are the firms of:
Heron & Case, lawyers, and Case, Bishop & Co., bankers. These gentlemen are well known throughout Northwest Kansas, and we need only point to the business they have built up, to establish their reputation for honesty, square dealing and strict business integrity.

Miller & Black come next. During the two years “Hoosier John” has been in business here he has succeeded in making himself one of our most popular and highly respected business men. His partner, Mr. O.P. Black, is a late importation from Missouri, arriving here in the front end of last spring and is rapidly working into public favor. The firm are at present engaged in transforming the building lately occupied by V.F. Warren into an elegant and commodious store room, into which they intend to remove shortly.

Lovers of the ball and cue will find in A.J. Galbreth’s billiard hall first-class tables and as neat a room as any in Kansas. Just across the street Jack keeps the cleanest, neatest ice-cream parlors to be found.

Next we come to the domain of our Democratic friend, E.P. Bancroft, the post-office. No more pleasant and accommodating P.M. ever puzzled over the address on a Norwegian envelope than Gene, while Milo is simply par excellent.

The left side of the ground floor of the office occupied by the sturdy old pioneer, L.J. Gould. L.J. has fought, bled and shot buffalo in this vicinity in early days, and is one of the few pioneers yet remaining. He is always ready to wait on a customer or spin a yarn of old times.

Bert Evans is “monarch of all” he surveys on the south side of the room. Bert deals in – well everybody knows Bert and we wont make extract from his inventory at present, but if you want any groceries, call on him. He is at present engaged in superintending the erection of a neat residence in the north part of town.

In Hank Hill’s old stand Harve Harrison welcomes everyone lacking anything in his line, and will do you up as big a pile of groceries for a dollar as you can have the cheek to ask for.

But if you are in need of anything in the heavy hardware line keep straight ahead to McCarthy’s, where the genial proprietor will meet you with a smile, and show you as well selected and managed stock of hardware as can be found. Mr. McCarthy is a gentleman with whom it is a pleasure to deal. If you need the services of a tinner call on Frank Doty in the rear of McCarthy’s building. Frank proved his skill as a tinner, ten years ago, in the old store on the corner.

Bidding Mr. McCarthy good morning we enter the general store of L. Hulse & Co. As Roy don’t advertise we fear our readers are hardly aware of the size and completeness of his stock. His patrons will always find him and Alex ready to satisfy all needs in their line. Roy is too well known to require much from us, suffice it to say that he began his business life in Mankato behind the counter of W.S. Chapman & Co. and has steadily worked his way up to his present position, winning golden opinions from all who know him.

R.O. McCroskey established himself in the dry goods business only a few months ago, and is fast working into public favor.

L.M. Butts is always ready to welcome old customers at the old stand. Mr. Butts is one of the oldest and best known merchants of the county and his long career on the corner renders more than a passing word from us unnecessary. Crossing the street we come to the other corner store, Chapman’s, under the sway of one of the best boys in Kansas, Jimmie Reed. If you want anything in Jimmie’s line he will always be glad to see you and give you the best bargain possible.

Leaving Chapman’s we are greeted by the old blue front, kept at present by A.P. Hulings. A.P. is always ready to set up a meal at all hours, or sell you a bill of groceries or glass of soda water or lemonade or anything else in his line, while Mrs. Huling in the east room endeavors to meet the wants of the feminine portion of the town, in the millinery line. While we blushingly confess our profound ignorance of everything pertaining to the milliner’s art, we think any of our readers in need of anything in that line would do well to call on Mrs. H.

D.C. Forbes, merchant tailor, is next in order. He turns out only first-class work and will guarantee satisfaction to anyone needing anything in the line of cutting, fitting, making, repairing or cleaning.

E.W. Allen, the furniture man, will sell you furniture wholesale or retail. He buys by the carload and hence buys cheap and so is able to sell at reasonable prices. He keeps everything in his line so call for what you don’t see.

Dr. W.M. Keer & Co., Druggists, occupy Dalton’s old stand, with a full stock of drugs, patient medicines, etc. J.K. Ball and Andrew Snyder are in charge, neither proprietor residing here. Two more gentlemanly and obliging salesmen never occupied positions behind the counter and we are sure that John J.’s old customers will be as well suited with the new management as they were with the old.

J.M. Ketchum’s cash store and lumber-yard occupy the corner. J.M. is well known as a pushing, energetic business man, dealing in everything kept in a dry goods and grocery establishment and a well stocked lumber-yard beside. Crossing over and passing down the other side of the street we stop first at the old post-office building now the county clerk’s and treasurer’s offices. No county in Kansas can show a better set of books than those kept by Messrs. Dalton and Munson.

Next door is the Bank of Mankato kept by J.P. Fair, Esq. Mr. Fair does a general banking business and we predict will, in the future, build up a profitable business here. Just beyond R.H. Gould is prepared to furnish the city with everything kept in a first-class butcher shop. R.H. is an accomplished wielder of the cleaver and guarantees satisfaction to all who patronize him.

And now lest we forget it we will call on Mrs. E.C. Greenland, Mankato’s leading milliner. Mrs. Greenland has already been mentioned as the first lady to settle in Mankato, she also established the first milliner’s shop, and is still at the old place ever ready to greet her innumerable old friends, or add to the list by forming new. Mrs. G. came here a widow with a family to support, and endured without a murmur, all the hardships incident to frontier life, and now after seeing the city and country develop from raw prairie into what it now is, calmly enjoys a well earned prosperity.

The old court house has degenerated into a restaurant kept by Al. Brown. Al. is the boss restaurateur of Mankato and sets up first class hash in first-class style, as any one desiring a square meal can assure himself by calling. But the sweet music of organ and horn invites us on, we enter Ira Harrison’s music emporium; Ira can supply you with anything in the musical line, and test it for you before you buy. He is also city clerk and head tooter in the band, which position he fills with grace and dignity. The washer manufactory owned and conducted by E.R. Churchill, comes next. E.R.’s washers are a blessing to the weary washerwoman who is wise enough to use them, as E.R. can easily show, any time you call.

Williamson Bros.’ barber shop occupies the next building. Charley and Jim are always ready to shave or shampoo in the latest style.

Jake Allen’s meat market is next, and well, if you don’t know Jake call around and get acquainted, and he will sell you the juiciest steak that Jewell county corn and hay can produce.

Robt. Missell and Reid Bros. will lend you money on approved security, at as low interest as anyone in the business. Missell and Reid Bros. are new-comers, but seem to be doing a good business.

Jim Warren flourishes his razor at the old stand, where he has shaved perhaps a quarter section of cheek during the last ten or fifteen years. His razors are as sharp, and his “lawn-mower” peels the scalp as closely as in days of yore, and he will take you through a whole campaign of the “late unpleasantness” during a single shave, if you will only give him a call.

Passing by the ice-cream parlor which we have already noticed, we come to the drug store of Saunders & Peters. Both gentlemen are educated physicians and have a large practice in this county. Besides drugs, they keep a large assortment of jewelry. Geo. Smith, a care inland experienced druggist will always be found ready to wait upon customers and show goods.

Across and a little down the street is the drug store belonging to L.D. Raynolds. L.D. first tried to win glory and wealth in the editorial field, but finding that his reward consisted chiefly in glory, disposed of his paper, the Review, and started in the drug business, in which he is meeting with well-merited success.

Col. Horn is the well-known proprietor of No. 99. For several years he formed part of the well-known law firm of Horn & Harrison. Wearying of Blackstone at length, he quit the law and finally became a merchant. He has succeeded in gaining his share of the public patronage.

A.Whitehead also deals in general merchandise and seems to have a good trade. Always accommodating
and obliging, he merits a liberal patronage.

Above Whitehead’s is the hardware store of R. Hanna & Son. They keep a large stock of shelf and heavy hardware, and enjoying a profitable trade.

In our rapid journey around town, we have passed many, and will now return and gather up the stragglers.

Mr. John Moser is our marble dealer. Mr. Moser may be found at the old stand one door east of Canfield's harness shop. When you desire anything in the marble line give him a call.

Prominent among our real estate dealers is the firm of McRoberts & Devoss. Judge Mac needs no commendation from us – his spotless record during the six years he served the county as probate judge is the best testimonial that can be shown in his favor. His partner, J.W. Devoss made his debut in Mankato as an insurance agent, representing the Burlington Company. As they know the value of advertising, their success is assured.

Somewhere in the immediate vicinity of their office is the office of J.H. Mechem, county attorney. Mr. Mechem, during the last two years, has earned an enviable reputation by the prompt, impartial and efficient manner in which he has discharged the duties of his office, and the people, to show their appreciation of him, will re-elect him this fall by a handsome majority.

Over Hanna & Sons’ hardware store is located the law office of R.S. Hanley. The judge has long been one of the county’s leading lawyers; pleading his own case, rising by her merit, he has gained the front rank in his profession.

On the second floor of the post office building anxious lovers will always find Judge Kyle waiting to make them happy. The judge has served the people faithfully and well during the two years he has held the office of probate judge. His past services are a guaranty of the faithful discharge of his duties during the coming two years, in the same position.

In the next room is the office of T.S. Kirkpatrick, clerk of the district court, now serving his third term in that office, which is ample proof of the county’s appreciation of his services.

In the next room, during business hours may be found Jewell County’s model superintendent, Prof. R.W. Turner. Prof. Turner, it will be admitted by all has done more to advance the cause of education in this county in the last two years than all other influences in the past. When he gets in two years’ more work, Jewell County Schools, like Jewell County corn-fields, will rank as the best.

While you are here you might step from Prof. Turner’s into Sheriff Woollen’s office. Sheriff Woollen, like all our county officials, is discharging the duties of his office in a manner that is beyond all criticism or censure. In the room south of Prof. Turner’s office may be found the office of W.A. Patterson, our second oldest lawyer, who is always ready to work for the best interests of his clients.

In the same room is the office of S.H. Harrison attorney at law, justice of the peace and pension agent. S.H. formed one half of the old and widely known firm of Horne & Harrison and when the firm dissolved kept on in the legal profession. He has also become a horny handed agriculturist but still finds time to attend to all business placed in his hands. Before leaving the post office we must mention one who from its birth until a year ago presided over its destinies. Of course we can only refer to D.J. Vance, who after a term of fifteen years succumbed to “the powers that be”.

Just west of the Bank of Mankato is the law office of C. Angevine. Mr. Angevine, as mentioned elsewhere was the first lawyer to settle in Mankato. By dint of hard study and natural ability he has won a place in the front rank of his profession, being recognized as one of the leading lawyers of the state.

One door west of the old court house is the office of W.N. Hoskinson, Register of Deeds. During the three years he has held the office has gained the good will of all who have had dealings with him. Mr. Hoskinson always does things just right and the county may congratulate itself on having so capable and careful an official.

As we are so near we will pass on to the M.E. church, which is finely located on the gentle eminence in the west part of town. It is in charge of Rev. B.F. Hollen and has a membership of 110. Mr. Hollen, during his three years pastorate has labored faithfully in the Masters cause.

The Presbyterian church is located in the south part of town. It is in charge of Rev. Warren Mayo and has a membership of 60. Mr. Mayo has had charge of his flock six years and has proved himself a most faithful shepherd. One block south of the M.E. Church is the high-school building, a substantial two-story stone structure, which, large as it is, is hardly sufficient to accommodate the juvenile portion of the community.

The artisans of Mankato congregate in the northeast part of town. There is the old pioneer wagon-shop now silent and empty.

On the corner of Center and Jefferson streets, John B. Hendrickson will set your tires, fix your shot-guns, shoe your horses, or do anything in the iron-work line that may be necessary to render you happy.

Two doors south is the shop ran by W.T. Brown who acknowledges no superior in iron work. In the rear of his shop is the wagon shop of Mr. W.A. Pease. Parties needing the services of a wagon-maker will find Mr. Pease always ready to do their work for them.

Nels Lindgrove keeps none but first-class workmen, as Steve will convince you if you call. Nels will sell you anything you want in the way of ___ and ____ (unreadable!) from a wheel-borrow to a windmill.

While your plow is being sharpened, perhaps you had better step over to Canfield’s, right by the public well and look over his stock of harness, etc. Charley does good work, as many of our citizens can testify and can always be found at the old stand.

Just north of Lindgrove’s, E.C. Beagle holds forth. Mr. Beagle labors early and late to keep the city coal and if you find this warm weather oppressive call at his ice-house.

Not the dimmest among our legal lights is Wm. Metcalf, who won the good will of the community by his excellent work in our high school; then he enrolled himself among our merchants, but after a time had down the yard-stick, returned to Blackstone, and will plead your case, make you a loan, or attend to any business you may have in his line.

Dr. Young is ever ready to administer to your physical comfort in all ways known to the disciples of Esculapius. – Dr. Crew, on the hill northeast of town, has built up an extensive practice.

Dr. Whittier offers his services to the sick and afflicted, and will do for them all that years of experience and study may dictate.

E.W. Allen, although always rushed with business, still finds time to do much effective work in the Master’s vineyard.

Rev. David Harrison has charge of the Burr Oak circuit and is ever ready to do battle with the enemy of souls. He can deliver a sermon or temperance lecture with equal zest.

While H.C. Beagle is careful to provide means to keep us cool in summer, R.H. Bishop is equally solicitous for our welfare in winter. He endeavors to mitigate our chilling blizzards by furnishing hard or soft coal as our exigencies may require. R.H. also relieves surrounding farmers of their surplus grain, but Bob only requires mention, his stalwart figure has adorned our streets so long that all must know him.

A.W. Knapp presides over the depot (when Harry goes up town) and no more obliging station agent ever checked a trunk or sold a ticket.

If you happen to be around the depot Mondays or Tuesdays, you cannot fail noticing Robert Gordon, president and general manager of the Farmer’s Shipping Association. Robert has demonstrated clearly that a farmer can do something more than plow corn. He ships from two to four car-loads of stock weekly, and reports that his last shipment netted $3.86 @ $3.96.

F.M. Drake intends, in the near future to handle his share of the livestock in this vicinity.

John Burns is always ready to pay the highest price for fat steers or hogs.

M.S. Hall is the man who times the town. He is the quiet young man who stands behind the counter in the northwest corner of the post office building, and will sell you a new watch or mend your old one, as you choose.

Dr. Henderson, our dentist, spares no pains to satisfy his customers.

Dr. A.B. Marsh, the “hoss doctor” offers his services in behalf of the afflicted quadruped of this part of the State.

The many fine residences in our town attest the skill of our carpenters Shively, Chapman, Metcalf, Carter, Churchill and DeHoff who are daily doing their share towards building up our town. Schlagle, Hepstine, Dillman and Brant are knights of the trowel, and are kept constantly employed.

K.H. Field is the Ajax among our loan brokers. Mr. Field is at present seeking health in the east, and expects soon to return. In the meantime, his business affairs here are under the careful management of Harry Spaulding.

Alf. Evans, deputy county clerk, will loan money or insure your building against almost anything but a mortgage. He may be found in the clerk’s office, always ready for business.

H.T. Crawford, representing Dow & Morrison, deals in grain, and aims to give perfect satisfaction in price and weights.

The MONITOR and the REVIEW supply you with a stylish turn-out at a moments notice.

Aug. Kaup supplies the market with Wrey’s patent chimneys. His factory is in the north part of town. Of course everyone reads the papers and knows that G.T. Williams is the man to call on for Deering harvesters or Goodline windmills, or a set of the celebrated Osgood farm scales.

The band demands a hearing ere we pass. The boys in their new uniforms are simply irresistible, and when they all break loose at once the seraphs up above lay down their harps and lean over the walls to listen.

Such, in brief, is Mankato and the men who carry on her business; the list may be incomplete, if so it is not intentional but merely an oversight.