Transcribed from volume II of Kansas: a cyclopedia of state history, embracing events, institutions, industries, counties, cities, towns, prominent persons, etc. ... / with a supplementary volume devoted to selected personal history and reminiscence. Standard Pub. Co. Chicago : 1912. 3 v. in 4. : front., ill., ports.; 28 cm. Vols. I-II edited by Frank W. Blackmar.

Kirwin, an incorporated city of Phillips county, is located on the north fork of the Solomon river and the Missouri Pacific R. R. 12 miles southeast of Phillipsburg, the county seat. There are about 75 business houses, among which are 2 good hotels, a flour mill, an alfalfa mill, grain elevator, 2 weekly newspapers (the Argus and the Kansan), a bank and a number of mercantile establishments. The city has an opera house, telegraph and express offices and an international money order postoffice with three rural routes. The population in 1910 was 626. The first settlements at Kirwin were made in 1869. The town was named after a Col. Kirwin, who was sent to this vicinity just after the war to erect a stockade for the protection of emigrants to California. The postoffice was established in 1871, with H. P. Gandy as postmaster. Stores and other business establishments were opened about the same time. The first school was taught in 1873 by Miss Maggie Shurtz. There were Indian scares in 1871, 1872 and 1878. The neighborhood was visited by hostile Sioux, Omahas and Pawnees, and in the latter year the Cheyennes. The town was incorporated as a city of the third class in 1880, and the following were the first officers: Mayor, Horace Moulton; marshal, C. E. Russell; clerk, C. E. Don Carlos; treasurer, H. J. Cameron; councilmen, F. Campbell, W. T. Belford, E. W. Warner, W. D. Jenkins and J. H. Skinner.

Page 78 from volume II of Kansas: a cyclopedia of state history, embracing events, institutions, industries, counties, cities, towns, prominent persons, etc. ... / with a supplementary volume devoted to selected personal history and reminiscence. Standard Pub. Co. Chicago : 1912. 3 v. in 4. : front., ill., ports.; 28 cm. Vols. I-II edited by Frank W. Blackmar. Transcribed July 2002 by Carolyn Ward.