From the files of the June 16, 1887 edition of the Kanopolis Journal.

OUR SAY

Just one year ago The Journal was started to supply a “long felt want” and that want has been supplied at the rate of $1.00 a year, sans chromos, sans lottery tickets, etc. Like the town The Journal was “leaded” but as the town progressed and began to assume metropolitan airs likewise The Journal dropped its “leads” and became more “solid”. Kanopolis is a fixture and so is its first love The Journal and as the city increases in riches, population and enterprises so will The Journal increase in size, price — our subscribers want to make mental note of this fact for future reference and solidity.

We have seen Kanopolis struggle in its infancy, when all was dark and the future not of the brightest; when she was ignored and derided by her sister towns with that love akin to hatred; we have seen her grasp for her rights and insist upon them until now she is respected and looked to as authority on all matters pertaining to the county.

Kanopolis is no longer a country cross road situated up one of the leading trunk lines of Kansas. A cross road from north and south extending through her limits, an east and west road seeking admission besides possessing several manufactories, she is destined to be one of the towns in Central Kansas. We might go on and enumerate more of Kanopolis qualities but space forbids, and merely say as Kanopolis grows, so will The Journal and as the paper increases in size so will it in price. We are not running a paper for glory or fame but as a financial investment and all interested please govern yourselves accordingly.

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ELLSWORTH

HAPPENINGS

There are at least six “dives” in the proud temperance county seat where it is reported any kind of a drink can be got at any hour day or night. These are places of idleness, vice and loafing. They are not taxed, nor do the police or city authorities pay any attention to them, though often seen in them.

A detective was seen among them last week and got all the bottom facts he wanted. There are also at least five places where regular gambling is done day and night, and it costs nothing to get in, but it is worth a poor devil’s pile to get out. We shouldn’t repeat these things, only would-be respectable tongues deny them and denounce blindly, whenever they are alluded to.

A great many of the finest farms on the flats are for sale at $20 to $25 an acre. Now is the time to buy, as this class of farms all through the east go at $50 to $75. Many of our old pioneers want to take their youngsters out west to grow up with the country.

Ellsworth is aspiring to other roads. A bet was made this week that the Mo. Pacific would be here before the Midland. Also we learn the Santa Fe is pulling out of Thomas for some point north.

About forty railroad construction teams loaded with plows, scrapers, etc., halted a day at Ellsworth late last week and then pulled out down to Kanopolis. Something wrong with the Midland bigheads.

A new town, Lorraine, on the flats is growing up.

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KANOPOLIS,

THE PRIDE ABROAD

What several Cincinnatians have to say regarding investment in the queen city of Ellsworth County.

Capt. J.J. Hamilton, says: I laid my $900 on the desk of an agent for ground at Kanopolis, I made investigations, and am satisfied that it is the best investment I ever made.

Frank Hastings, attorney at law, says: Kanopolis exceeds my expectations. It is destined to be a great commercial and manufacturing city.

J.C. Otis, druggist, says: I have a personal friend located at Kanopolis to whom I wrote regarding the place. He gave the most flattering report of its natural resources, its perfect climate and its rapid growth. Hence I bought property there and intend to buy more soon.

Theodore Ingalls, postal clerk on the O.&M. Ry., says: I should think there was a boon by the way mail has increased to Kanopolis. The was no post office there until about three months ago, when I commenced getting a letter occasionally. Now I handle about two hundred letters for Kanopolis every trip. Put me down for four lots.

Judge Philip Kumler says: In buying my lots at Kanopolis I went on what a friend said and the men who were backing the town; but afterward I wrote to a party at Kanopolis and received a very satisfactory reply. My information stated that the place was rapidly advancing, that several factories were already in operation, a large iron foundry now going up, and several other factories. I am well pleased with my investment at Kanopolis.

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TO THE FRONT

Kanopolis is rapidly coming to the front now and it will not be many months before she will be as well known abroad as any of her older cities in the state. Since the Kanopolis and Kansas Central railway proposition has been carried in this township more roads and enterprises are knocking at our doors for admission. The last but not least is the Clay Center, Minneapolis, Kanopolis and Western railroad. This corporation is formed for the purpose of building a line of railroad from Clay Center to Great Bend through the counties of Clay, Ottawa, Lincoln, Ellsworth and Barton. Estimated length of road, 150 miles. Directors: John Triplett, Adolph Gilbert, Henry Morgan, L.D. Moore, Jacob Campbell of Minneapolis, G.M. Shatlin, Clay Center; J.W. Snyder Kanopolis. Capital stock, $2,000,000.

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THERE AND HERE

On Sept. 28, 1886, Ellsworth city and town voted bonds for the Midland railroad, and what has been done by that company since, towards the fulfillment of their contract echo answers, nothing. On June 7, 1887, Empire township voted bonds for the K. & C. C. road and what has that company done, estimates have been furnished. Bidders are looking over the right of way preparatory to placing on file bids for grading, and in two instances bids are already on file and by July 1, work will actually begin. Mr. A. Baldwin, the right of way man for the company, is at Marquette looking over the ground in that vicinity and Geneseo, while Mr. Geo. S. Bruce, the civil engineer, is busy with his force preparing details of the work for bidders. Before the Midland and Ellsworth can awake from their Rip Van Winkle lethargy, Kanopolis will have a new road and then — well look to your laurels fellows, we never sleep here.

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KANOPOLIS

CARRIAGE

Kanopolis is proud of her manufactories and well she may be. In looking over the carriage works Monday we were greatly surprised at the kind, quality and finish of carriages that were being turned out. The Ray Bros. being experts in their respective lines they are enabled to manufacture first class work and fully warranted in every respect. We noticed several carriages that were finished and many more on the way and upon close examination we were unable to find the commodity generally used by “blacksmith” in making a poor article look good and wearing that finished air so common to many. Every piece of wood and iron used in the make up of the carriages was neatly made and fitted closely to its place which is an unusual procedure. The proprietors have not yet placed their goods on the market abroad but as soon as they do, we can assure the public that the goods will always be found as represented in every particular even to finish, which is equal to the best inn the land.

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10th ANNIVERSARY

Just ten years ago, Tuesday, four families — Mr. and Mrs. Jos. Gilkison, Mrs. and Mrs. Sam Henderson, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Livgingstone and Sam Livingstone — immigrated from Holmes county Ohio, to try their fortune in the state of Kansas. The came to Ellsworth County and found a suitable location about six miles south-east of this city where they all secured good farms and are found to be enterprising citizens.

The historic items on this page appear as they did in the original publication.