A Graphic Pen Picture of the Topographical Features,
Soils, Water Supply and
Agricultural Resources of a
Matchless Commonwealth
A Region that has Liberally
Responded to the Thrift of Man and
Bounteous Yields Result
from Nature’s Lavish Gifts
By M.D. Steiner
When Henry W. Grady, the great orator, editor, and statesman of the state of Georgia, the Horace Greeley of the south, a man revered by all liberty loving American people, declared in a burst of touching eloquence that there should be no north, no south, no east, no west, but one great and powerful republic, free from all national strife and differences, linked together in the bonds of human sympathy, love and mutual welfare, he struck the keynote of American civilization and independence made dear to us all by the fundamental principles so wisely foreseen and laid down by our forefathers. Had Henry W. Grady lived he probably would have wrought, perhaps by this time, the reforms he so earnestly and ardently championed, and united the American people under the one great standard of truth, virtue, honesty and unity of purpose and brotherly love; bound up and healed all the wounds and differences and the past and present, set uniform standards of moral, social, industrial and agricultural life; established fixed and irrevocable governmental principles in all branches. Then would all this vast empire west of the Mississippi river, thriven progressed and prospered as never before in her history, and the crowning gem in the illustrious diadem made up of these hardy and dauntless western states would have been Kansas, and foremost among her energitc, enterprising and growing cities would have been Lincoln, the home of industry, patriotism and thrift.
No Cries of Want
But the creator in His infinite wisdom decreed that those things were not to be. Mankind always was and always will be of diverse opinion, and there will be dissensions and pretentions so long as humanity and the world endure.
It is not the intention of this article to deal with politics in any way, shape or form. Its aim is widely different. Only those facts which are accepted and acknowledged by all will be given reference.
Whatever has been the cause we all know that for a period some years ago, times were hard, money scarce, prices low, war and pestilence stalked abroad, and the cry of hunger, want, cold, misery and despair went up from many parts of this country and the old world. In the face of all these adverse circumstances, however, the grand commonwealth of Kansas and the dauntless county of Lincoln have forged steadily to the front, maintained their supremacy and shown a zeal and courage in facing a deplorable condition in the affairs of men before which many a less enterprising and wide awake section would have resigned themselves to despair and retrogression, and today she is the center of one of the most industrious regions of the west.
Forged Steadily to the Front
From a desert in years gone by, when none but the wily red man and the buffalo trod these plains, and that splendor of the orient, the fiery sun cleft the azure robes of night and set her blaze of glory on the eastern skies, it revealed naught but a dreary waste, bleak and bare, save for a rank growth of prairie grass and the footprints of the nomadic buffalo and beasts of the plains. Now, however, connected with the great populations of the east by the spider-like bands of steel of the transcontintental railroads, and transformed and awakened by the skilled hand of man, backed by the great principles of civilization, education, and science inherited, the land is indeed a veritable garden spot. The soil is rich and prolific, and its marvelous fertility, coupled with the aid and benignity of Dame Nature, brings forth bounteous yields of all kinds of crops, chief among which are wheat, corn, alfalfa and all the cereals and grasses. They grow to perfection in this splendid climate, and while the prices for farm products are not extremely high, the profits have been sufficient to afford many a man a comfortable home and to lay aside a neat sum each year.
A Veritable Paradise
The energy of man rightly applied can overcome all obstacles and make a prosperous community in the midst of a desert and cause a barren waste to become a veritable paradise. When this same energy and fixedness of purpose is aided by nature the results are the same, but man naturally becomes better repaid through his being relieved from the combat with sterile surroundings and consequently finds more in life to enjoy.
Looking backwards over a lapse of but a few years into the desolate waste land of Lincoln county, when the rattlesnake and the coyote ruled the domain and the rich land remained untouched by the plow, one can hardly realize that in this once barren plain cities and towns have sprung up as if by magic. The most gifted pen or the most eloquent tongue cannot paint the change wrought within less than a half century. Lincoln county stands among the first counties of the great state of Kansas, and within her borders is a city that has exceeded intrepid strides – Lincoln county is blessed with an excellent location which draws trade from a large area of country.
Thousands of Beautiful Homes
Nature can offer all and, unaided by man, remains only a beautiful waste. Nature has done much for Lincoln county, but man has done more. The everliving energy of those hardy pioneers who settled on these broad acres, braved the winter’s cold and the summer’s heat, has produced thousands of beautiful homes and millions of wealth.
It is true that there are here drones, as in any other community, who live on the drippings of prosperity that their business neighbors permit to drop from their tables, but without individuality they exist and show a contrast to their business rivals that proves beneficial to the latter. But there are only a few of this class in the county, fewer than may be found in many another municipality. But in order that the reader may have exact and definite information touching her resources and capabilities, the following statistics are submitted, and the fact that they have been secured from some of Lincoln county’s best informed men is guarantee sufficient of their reliability.
Organized in 1870
Lincoln county is located in the third tier of counties from the north line of the Nebraska border [unreadable] and contains 460,800 acres. It was first organized in 1870, and with this transaction commences the narrative history of the county. While it is supposed that the Spaniards over 300 years ago crossed this country, and while it is known that various parties, cattlemen, hunters and Indian fighters have invaded and made short stops, but few accurate dates can be fixed.
Massacred by Indians
The first settlers in Lincoln county were J.L. and Thomas Moffit, J.W. Houston and James Tyler. They settled about three miles southeast of the present town of Lincoln, March 16, 1864. They were murdered by Indians August 6th of the same year. The Moffit brothers were natives of Ireland and came to Kansas from Illinois, to which state their bodies were taken for burial. As to what locality Houston and Tyler came from no facts are available. The date of settlement of Lincoln county is fixed by a letter written home by John Moffit, an extract from which is reprinted here by permission from C. Bernhardt’s "Indian Raids":
"We came here March 6, 1884. We are 25 or 30 miles from Salina, up the Saline river. We are 13 miles from the nearest house. We have put up a stable 35 feet in length, and a house 22 feet of logs."
Arrows by the Armful
On August 6, 1864, the four frontiersmen left their cabin on a buffalo hunt. They were surrounded by a band of savages and died fighting against great odds. The fight took place on a rocky ledge on what is now the Dan Day farm, southeast of Lincoln. Their bodies were found sometime later by a party which came out from Salina after hearing the story of the fight. The [resting places of Houston] and Tyler are still to be seen only a short distance from where they met their death.
An idea of the size of the band of Indians which made the attack against the four men may be gained when it is said by one of the Salina party that arrows could be picked up by the arm full around the rocks where the bodies lay, and that there were probably 75 arrows sticking from the back of John Moffit.
Massacre of Spillman Creek
Five years later another massacre took place on Spillman Creek, near the present town of Denmark, and the following persons were killed: E. Lauritzen, Mrs. Laurtizen, O. Petersen, F. Mengerhoff, G. Weichell, F. Alderdice, A. Alderdice and J. Daily. The last three were children. These settlers had come to Lincoln county in the spring of 1869. On the same day Indians came to the Strange home in Elkhorn township and murdered two boys, about 14 years of age, John Strange and Arthur Schmutz.
These were by no means all of the outrages which Lincoln county pioneers suffered at the hands of the Indians, but the list above are those who met death in the struggle for civilization.
Historic Pioneer Monument Erected
It was to preseve the memory of the historic events of frontier life that citizens of Lincoln county, through the untiring efforts of Mr. C. Bernhardt, erected the pioneer monument that stands in the court house yard. This granite shaft was unveiled on May 6, 1909 – the first pioneer monument erected in Kansas.
The first court house was the frame building which now stands on Main street in Lincoln, directly adjoining the new telephone office building on the west. This building was erected in 1871 at a little town called Abram, and when this town lost the county seat the building was moved to Lincoln.
The first church building was started by the Presbyterians in Lincoln in 1873. In 1874 came the grasshoppers and the construction of the church building was stopped. Several years later the building was finished and it was used as a place of worship by all denominations as well as for other public purposes.
First White Child Born in County
The first white child born in the county was Lizzie Green, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Green.
The first school taught in the county was presided over by Mrs. Mary Skinner, in December 1866. The school consisted of her three sons and a neighbor boy.
The first deed recorded in the county was from the Kansas Pacific Railway Co., to John D. Page of Hudson county, N.Y., consideration $320. Thomas A. Walls was register of deeds at that time.
The first mortgage recorded was given by Richard Foster to I.M. Erickson, March 13, 1871, on one yoke of working oxen, consideration $53.15, bearing 10 percent interest.
The first marriage was that of David M. Reed and Nancy E. Hendrickson, August 25, 1867.
The first store was located on Elkhorn by F.A. Schermerhorn Dec. 23, 1867.
The first death recorded in the county was that of Robert Wright in the late ‘60s.
The first sermon preached in the county was by Rev. John Peate, in a dugout on the claim of E.E. Johnson, in Colorado township, on Sunday, May 18, 1866.
Water Supply Inexhaustible
The topography of Lincoln county is smooth to gently rolling and the land is very fertile. It gradually slopes to the east, all its water courses running in that direction. Its supply of drinking water comes from wells and springs and is of the most pleasant taste. Good water in abundance can be secured at a depth from ten to sixty feet. This supply cannot be exhausted.
There are at least 35 church organizations outside the city of Lincoln, and all denominations are represented.
The educational resources are good and well up to modern ideas and as a result we find a well educated people, a sharp and active citizenship.
Climate Unsurpassed
The climate of Lincoln county can scarcely be exaggerated in words. It is centrally located between the cold, frigid north and the hot, torrid south. The weather scarcely ever gets extremely hot or cold and the nights are pleasant during the warmest weather.
The county has as good natural roads as one can find anywhere and are as good ten months of the year as the pikes of the eastern states and the streams are spanned at the section lines and crossings by substantial cement and iron bridges.
The soil of the bottoms and low lying prairies is a sandy loam, with a porous clay subsoil, and is from 18 inches to 5 feet in depth. The upland soil is from 10 to 26 inches in depth and is as nearly productive as the bottoms and for lasting qualities and fertility has no equal in the union. It is warm, seldom bakes and is especially adapted to all kinds of cereals and fruits.
Lands Reasonable in Price
Very best improved lands range in price from $50 to $100 per acre. Stock farms and ranches can be had from $15 to $50 per acre. Why should land with equal fertility, a much better climate, sell at these prices when the same lands, with less advantages in many of the old states sell at two to four times these figures?
This county is known far and wide as a cattle raising county. Many of the finest and fattest of these animals that go into the eastern markets are being raised and fed in this section. There are a number of large ranches in the county where thousands of head are annually pastured and fed. You cannot find the long horn here. It, like the buffalo, has disappeared with the Indian.
To poultry raisers we can say that nowhere can poultry be raised more successfully than here. The climate and surrounding conditions are such as to be perfectly adapted to this branch of industry. Just a short drive into the country will reveal large flocks of high grade turkeys, ducks, geese and chickens surrounding every farm house.
High Grade Cattle and Swine
The breeds of cattle consist principally of White-face, Short-horn and Hereford, while the Poland china and Berkshire, with several other strains becoming prominent are the favorite breeds of swine.
Alfalfa raising is a very important industry with the agriculturist. There are many thousands of acres sown to this wonderful crop in this county. From 2½ tons to 6 tons are cut per season from each acre, to say nothing of a seed crop netting the farm often $12 to $30 per acre.
Lincoln county farms produce per acre 20 to 75 bushels of corn, 15 to 35 bushes of wheat.
The county is traversed from east to west by the Lincoln branch of the Union Pacific railroad, giving shippers and producers a quick service to and from the markets of the world.
Only Hustlers Wanted
A good honest man can come to Lincoln county, get possession of an excellent farm by paying one-third of its value in cash and the remainder on easy payments. He can go to work at once and meet his obligations, as nowhere can money be turned as easily and quickly as here.
Neither political preference no religious prediliction cut any figure in Lincoln county’s estimate of a newcomer. The only question asked is as to whether he is a hustler. If he isn’t he might as well pull right on through without feed or water.
The City of Lincoln
The city of Lincoln is an aggressively progressive city of about 1,800 population. The inhabitants are a charming and hospitable people, wide awake, ambitious and enterprising to a degree that surpises visitors from other sections. There is no apathy or laziness among them, but exceeding vim, zeal and courageous energy characterize their every action. They extend the open hand of welcome to the newcomer, are frank, generous, open hearted, unselfish and sincere in their efforts, full of commercial vim, level headed and far seeing, what wonder the stores, business houses and the city generally presents a scene of life and business many cities twice its size do not show.
It is situated on the Lincoln branch of the Union Pacific railroad and is the largest town between Salina, Kansas, and Denver, Colorado. The town is located on a high plateau overlooking the Saline valley and as a consequence never is bothered with overflow water.
Plat was Made in 1871
Lincoln was founded June 22, 1871. The northwest quarter of section 6, township 12, range 7, consisting of 155 acres, was selected and occupied as a townsite. The land was surveyed, the townsite laid out and an accurate plat was made. On Jan. 14, 1878, the land never having been offered for sale, and the inhabitants number over one hundred, G.M. Wellman, then Probate Judge, entered the same for the benefit of the several inhabitants and made final proof of such settlement.
May 1, 1880, S.J. Judd, H.S. Steele and William Baker were appointed appraisers of the townsite and proceeded to set off the interest of persons entitled to the same.
The first school in the town of Lincoln was held in the little frame building now occupied by the shoe shop of E.P. Loso. Mrs. Anna C. Wait was the teacher, and it was here many of the citizens of Lincoln got their early education.
The first house built in the town of Lincoln was erected by Capt. Henderson in which he kept a stock of merchandise.
Many Church Buildings
Lincoln has seven church edifices occupied by the various denominations. Every opportunity is offered to the christian people, as many of the residents of Lincoln are, to accept and embrace the great and transcendent truths which unerringly guide to that greater and hallowed existence whose name is eternity.
In a commercial way Lincoln has three banks, two state and one national, with combined deposits of some $600,000; five general stores; two furniture stores; three elevators; one modern flouring mill; six groceries; three hardware and implement stores; two hotels; three large lumber and coal yards; two racket stores; one exclusive meat market; collar factory; rug factory; two produce stores; ice factory; laundry; telephone exchange; two exclusive clothing stores; two drug stores; two jewelry stores; two millinary stores; three restaurants; two barber shops; three garages; two bakeries; nine real estate firms; one marble and granite yard; two cream stations; an up-to-date green house, and two newspapers and printing plants.
City Operates Water and Light Plant
The city owns and operates its own water and light plant, an institution of which Lincoln people take much pride in and which is constantly being brought to a high standard of efficiency.
Lincoln has education advantages which cannot be excelled anywhere. The two large public school buildings with tier corps of instructors offer the best of educational facilities and competent instructors are employed in teaching the young idea to burst forth its bud and blossom in to life.
All the prominent secret and fraternal societies are represented and each has a good membership.
One of the many advantages that will be enjoyed by the citizens of Lincoln is the free public library which will soon be installed. The building to be known as the Carnegie Library is now nearing completion and the best works of fiction and other classes of literature will be found on its shelves on the opening day.
Professions Well Represented
The streets are broad, well graded and the sidewalks are durable and are made of cement and heavy limestone blocks which are found in abundance in the limestone hills near the city.
There are about one hudnred businesses and professions represented in Lincoln and the professions find as able exponents as there are in the entire west.
The shippers and dealers here have free and direct access to the markets of the world, and this being so, the merchants are justified in carrying larger stocks of goods than are usually found in cities of this size.
The city has near completion a handsome limestone city hall and when finished will be as fine modern municipal building as seen anywhere in western Kansas.
Streets Not Paved with Gold
Visionary individuals cannot get along in Lincoln. The streets are not paved in gold and you can’t pick big yellow nuggets out of the gutter or make a fortune in a minute, but any legitimate business enterprise, coupled with honest and energetic endeavor on the part of the promoter, will succeed.
Below we give a review of the prominent enduring business and professional interests of the city.
