Butler County’s Eighty Years ~ 1855-1935
by Jessie Perry Stratford
A History of Butler County Biographical Sketches and Portraits with Foreword by Rolla A. Clymer
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Butler County produced 583,982 bushels of winter wheat in 1932, valued at $175,197.60. Her corn crop was 1,948,825 bushels with a value of $370,276.75. She ranked third in the production of oats for the state with 1,771,740 bushels valued at $212,608.80. Her rye production was 7,170 bushels, value $1,792.50.
The value of her potato crop, both Irish and Sweet, was $22,303, while her sorghum crop of 17,388 acres netted 13,130 gallons of syrup, 58,429 bushels of seed and 48,122 tons of hay with a total value of $116,687.53.
Butler County leads Kansas in tons of kafir produced, with 24,106 tons of kafir hay produced in 1932 with a value of $48,212. The county’s 1932 crop of prairie hay was 17,872 tons valued at $53,616. Her pastures of blue and other tame hay grasses are estimated at 71,775 acres. In addition to these standard crops many farmers are adding to their resources by experimentation. One of the latest is the planting of Tenmarq, a new experimental variety of wheat developed at Kansas State College. It is a cross between a pure strain of winter wheat and a spring variety, and matures before hot, dry weather sets in. During the summer of 1934 its yield on Butler County farms was better than 37 bushels to the acre. Some farmers keep stands of bees and in 1932 produced 7,480 pounds of honey and 131 pounds of beeswax.
Sam Asmussen, living two and a half miles northeast of Douglass has a cherry orchard of some 700 trees which yielded over 250 crates of cherries in 1932. This orchard, set out in 1926, has been bearing for the past three years and is the largest in the county. In addition Mr. Asmussen’s two and a half acre vineyard, started in 1924, yielded five tons of grapes in 1933.
A few small truck farms keep their owners busy from early spring until late fall and produce a quantity of early vegetables, cherries, plums, some peaches, tomatoes, cucumbers, grapes, as well as poultry and dairy products.
In 1872 the Butler County Horticultural Society was organized with Lewis Maxwell as president and M. D. Ellis as secretary.
One of the pioneers prominent in this society was W. H. Litson who had a nursery of all kinds of trees, shrubs and vines on his farm near Benton. Dr. William Snyder and his son had a small nursery near Towanda. In 1884 W. E. and J. C. Boellner established a similar place at Leon. J. W. Robison set out several orchards on his farms along the Whitewater valley. The largest orchard ever set out in Butler was near El Dorado, and owned by T. H. Jones and J. F. Thompson. It had 22,000 fruit trees on 250 acres. Thirty varieties of apples, fifteen kinds of plums, more than twenty varieties of peaches, three types each of blackberries, raspberries, quinces, gooseberries, five kinds of cherries and twelve varieties of grapes.
Dr. M. L. Fullenwider set out a 40-acre orchard. Among others who raised fruit were R. J. Ratts, Ed Price, William Price and W, O. Rafferty.
FARM BUREAU
In June 1921 the Butler County Farm Bureau organized on the demand of the farmers who backed up their request by a paid membership of 350 at $5 each. These members came from all the townships of the county and soon, under able leadership, the work of getting information as to the experimental results of the United States Department of Agriculture was under way.
Clarence King, Wallace Cameron, Elmer O. Graper, Robt. H. Hazlett, George Pickrell, Harley I. French, M. D. Ayres, J. C. Robison, J. H. Claassen and others throughout the county played a prominent part in the initial years.
H. S. Wise was the first county agent. Charles E. Cassel served from 1923 until 1930 when L.L. Compton, the present agent took over the work.
The latest improved methods of livestock, dairy, and poultry improvement; in cropping, soil management, agricultural engineering, marketing and economic problems are offered through the Butler County Farm Bureau to its members. The bureau also acts as an employment agency for farm labor.
Through local papers a weekly resume of the work is presented and numerous bulletins on farm subjects are available at the Bureau for distribution.
The present membership in the Butler County Farm Bureau is 301. The 1934 Board of Directors consists of Hans E. Regier, of Whitewater, president; C. C. Cunningham, El Dorado, vice president; Mrs. E. E. Harsh, Cassoday, secretary-treasurer; Mrs. L. G. McCune, Benton; Mrs. J. E. Sharrock, Augusta; John S.
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Boyer, El Dorado; Mrs. Ed Arnold, Latham; Will Hawes, Benton; Guy Faulconer, El Dorado, and Ralph Ball, Rose Hill.
Since the New Deal has gone into effect with its many projects directed toward the relief of agriculture the Farm Bureau has become of even greater service to its members. Some of the projects are being handled directly by it, in others it acts as an advisory body and in all of them, such as wheat, corn and hog control, drought relief, drought cattle and similar programs, it has provided an aid to its members in council.
In 1923, organized 4-H Club work and the Women’s Unit of the Farm Bureau were inaugurated in Butler County. By 1923, the 4-H clubs had a membership of 374 with so many diversified projects it became necessary to organize a club department and apply for state, federal and county funds for its maintenance. R. N. Lindburg was employed by the Bureau on January 1, 1929, as leader of 4-H work for the county. Mr. Compton and Miss Nora Bare are now carrying on the work.
The annual 1934 4-H Club Show held at Augusta in September was an expression of the accomplishments of that body. Prizes were awarded the young farmers for baby beef, dairy cattle, sheep, swine, poultry, and gardens. Entries were made for work its, undergarments, patching, children’s and misses’ clothing. Canning and baking divisions also were noted and a style show held. The 1934 enrollment in 4-H Club work is 207.
With a paid-up membership of 240, the Women’s Unit began work under the direction of Miss Maude M. Coe. After two years, Miss Coe resigned and Miss Nora Bare, the present Home Demonstration Agent, succeeded her. The Women’s Unit now has 371 members. Through Miss Bare and specialists sent out by the Kansas State College of Agriculture and Applied Science, Extension Service, the women of rural Butler County are given the opportunity to study college courses. The subject matter generally is on problems of foods and nutrition, canning, preserving and storage, interior decoration, clothing, hygiene and health, child development, household management, personal development and social life.
Following is a list of townships and the 1934 officers:
TOWNSHIP |
TRUSTEE | TREASURER | CLERK |
| Augusta | E. E. Anderson | Frank Corbin | Dolly Carter |
| Benton | J. L. Glancey | E. T. Harper | L. M. Waggoner |
| Bloomington | Charles Clark | Geo. Tribble | Walter Bowyer |
| Bruno | Ralph Grier | Guy V. Reid | Walter Clark |
| Chelsea | H. Doornbos | K. G. Arnall | W. Munson |
| Clay | M. M. Williams | E. Price | John Doyle |
| Clifford | W. M. Hoss | Henry Vervynck | G. H. Knaussman |
| Douglass | E. Barnes | W. Hartenbower | Frank Bush |
| El Dorado | S. A. Horton | Harrison Sluss | Grant Jeakins |
| Fairmount | C. J. Maxey | Roy Walworth | J. L. Biggs |
| Glencoe | C. O. Gray | Frank Squires | Frank Lill |
| Hickory | C. E. Johnson | H. G. Lewis | Floyd Semisch |
| Lincoln | Charles B. Guinn | Rex Hill | J. A. Houston |
| Little Walnut | L. P. Kiser | Olaf Larson | H. S. Dedrick |
| Logan | Wm. White | J. C. Getter | Roy Winzer |
| Milton | A. W. Zuercher | W. P. Brainerd | G. H. Regier |
| Murdock | Frank Claypool | Jess Whitson | R. L. Olsen |
| Pleasant | J. M. Lindley | J. A. Hall | O. A. Jones |
| Plum Grove | W. W. Kemper | Guy V. Maxwell | Walter Claassen |
| Prospect | L. P. Parker | H. E. Cour | Frank Kistler |
| Richland | I. L. Stanley | Guy McCune | O. N. Cramer |
| Rock Creek | Lloyd Walner | Frank Adams | Jess Lanier |
| Rosalia | A. G. Young | H. J. Nelson | O. C. Pike |
| Spring | J. D. Nixon | Charles Smock | Gus Donnell |
| Sycamore | Chas. Knab | J. M. Reed | Grover Prewitt |
| Towanda | W. G. Turner | J. C. McWilliams | Geo. Gorman |
| Union | Alfred Smith | F. F. Harwick | W. E. Shaffer |
| Walnut | Ed Maher | J. O. Kemper | H. E. Cease |
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TOWNSHIP POPULATION AND VALUATION FOR THE YEAR 1934:
(Exclusive of incorporated cities)
| Population | Total Assessed Valuation of real estate, personal,
railroad, telephone, oil and pipe line properties |
|
| Augusta | 898 |
$2,547,410 |
| Benton | 404 |
1,159,989 |
| Bloomington | 541 |
888,944 |
| Bruno | 581 |
1,211,220 |
| Chelsea | 338 |
1,859,912 |
| Clay | 164 |
479,077 |
| Clifford | 611 |
1,311,781 |
| Douglass | 400 |
1,064,044 |
| El Dorado | 2,442 |
7,407,860 |
| Fairmount | 428 |
1,104,335 |
| Fairview | 356 |
838,348 |
| Glencoe | 534 |
1,378,513 |
| Hickory | 297 |
905,682 |
| Lincoln | 632 |
2,424,393 |
| Little Walnut | 451 |
1,192,266 |
| Logan | 229 |
584,308 |
| Milton | 587 |
1,194,069 |
| Murdock | 369 |
1,036,029 |
| Pleasant | 461 |
984,065 |
| Plum Grove | 394 |
1,079,834 |
| Prospect | 660 |
2,035,922 |
| Richland | 659 |
834,602 |
| Rock Creek | 356 |
702,202 |
| Rosalia | 648 |
1,741,082 |
| Spring | 581 |
1,367,459 |
| Sycamore | 502 |
2,000,052 |
| Towanda | 593 |
2,026,087 |
| Union | 306 |
765,795 |
| Walnut | 726 |
1,791,722 |
| Township Total | 16,143 |
$43,910,002 |
| Incorporated Cities | 15,497 |
$9,004,687 |
| Total | 31,640 |
$52,914,689 |
Total valuation of real estate, personal, railroad, telephone, oil and pipeline properties in the four
Rural High School districts of Butler County: District One: $1,436,300; District Two: $2,000,052;
District Three: $874.802; District Four: $131,798.
Rose Hill, Rosalia, Cassoday, Oil Hill, Brainerd, Keighley, Pontiac, Beaumont, DeGraff and Andover
are not incorporated and their population and valuation figures are included in the totals of the townships
in which each is located.
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TOWNS OF BUTLER COUNTY
Following is a brief summary of incorporated and other towns of Butler County as they are today. In previous chapters, space has been devoted to early history of the towns and townships, and the respective banks, schools and teachers, newspapers and editors, attorneys and physicians of the present day.
AUGUSTA
(Chester K. Shore)
Augusta Today. Her slogan is Augusta. Her location is the center of broad fertile valleys radiating from her beautiful streams, Whitewater from the north, Walnut for the northwest, Indianola Creek from the northwest and a few miles southwest, Four-Mile Creek, with Little Walnut River and Hickory Creek to the southeast.
Strategically, Augusta has primacy in all this great area, stretching out to a radius approximately twelve miles in all directions, and Augusta is the center of the circumference. That is why in this story of Augusta Today, location is given first place. The historians tell us that in pioneer days the country settled rapidly and that “the flood of immigrants pouring down the valley were enraptured by the broad fertile valleys, the beautiful streams and abundance of walnut and other valuable timber fringing them.”
Only the timber has gone. The broad fertile valleys remain. Soil deterioration has not taken serious toll in Southern Butler County. Augusta Today is as firmly rooted in the soil as when Augusta Township was organized back in April, 1870.
Within this twelve-mile radius of Augusta are approximately 2700 separate homestead farms.
Included in that area are many communities ranging in population from 50 to 800. Good roads from all this section converge on Augusta. Were this picture of Augusta Today intended for a Chamber of Commerce brochure, the author probably would have state that all this is Augusta’s “trade territory.” Twenty years ago that would have been a truthful statement. For Augusta Today it is wholly inadequate. This area, with its farm population in excess of 5,000 is Augusta. And in this same area are scores of producing oil company camps, permanently established communities, where live the field men of the great producing companies, pipe-line men and men engaged in various permanent type work associated with oil production.
The approximately 500 producing wells in this area provide permanent employment for several hundred. With their families they contribute a substantial addition to the population of the area. Thus it is seen that in this area, outside that arbitrary line called the city limits, there is an estimated population of some 7,000 persons. This area is as truly Augusta Today as that part within the city limits. The dwellers therein send their children to Augusta for high school education, they trade in Augusta, they are for all practical purposes as “handy” to Augusta stores as are the dwellers within the city limits. They step on the starter – and in a few minutes park in front of the Augusta store.
And so in Augusta Today we add this approximately 7,000 population to the 3,742, the latest state census gives – and we record Augusta Today with a population in excess of 10,000!
Many of Augusta’s industrial workers reside in this area beyond the city limits. Augusta is exceptional in its transportation facilities. The Frisco and Santa Fe railroads provide first class service, which is supplemented by the Southern Kansas State Lines and a splendid system of Federal and State highways. Augusta is at the junction of Federal Highways 54 and 77 and on State Highways 96 and 22.
Augusta is a home-loving, neighborly community. Here the spirit of co-operation runs deep and strong. Industry, merchants, educators, professional men, farmers, labor – each has respect and tolerance for the other. Here all good causes, Community Chest, Red Cross, Salvation Army, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, welfare work and help for the needy are generously supported. The fraternal organizations, civic and social groups are numerous. Their membership is of the active kind, and with the church associations of the city and rural communities all contribute to an admirable social life.
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Undergirded by the riches of the products of her farming territory, with a large oil refinery, and other industries, and a large and prosperous retail district, Augusta City has an annual payroll approaching $1,500,000. Stated in terms of dollars the farm payroll from the sale of farm products, runs into millions. Cattle, dairy products, poultry and eggs, wheat and corn, are the money crops.
And all this is reflected in bank deposits approaching $1,500,000 in the city’s one bank, the Prairie State Bank, established December 4, 1918, an institution with a consistent record of stability during varying economic conditions. This record of stability spells something more than conservative banking. It is in fact a revealing picture of the solidity of Augusta Today, with its diversified resources, its ideal set-up of trade, industry and agriculture, a trinity by which is cushioned the shock and dislocation of depressions. That is why Augusta Today has come through the recent trying years with less of strain than most communities.
Living conditions in Augusta re admirable. Well paved streets, a water supply rated as excellent by the State Board of Health, good schools and churchers, highest type sewage system, adequate drainage, ample housing facilities, and a modern and progressive retail store district.
Augusta is well served by her public utilities. Gas is supplied by the Western Distributing Company. The electric power and light plant and the water system are municipally owned. They are free of indebtedness, paid for out of earnings. The electric light rate for domestic and store use is the third lowest in the state, and for power purposes the lowest in the state. Water rates are correspondingly low. Proceeds from the municipally owned utilities are turned into the general fund, hence there is no general tax levy.
Augusta’s water supply comes from a drainage area of between eight and nine square miles, stored in a lake approximately 200 acres, containing 600,000,000 gallons. The pumping capacity of the water works is 1,350 gallons per minute, with70-lb pressure, and a potential pressure of 120 pounds, affording ample fire protection.
Augusta has approximately eight miles of paved streets, eleven miles of sidewalks and ten miles of sewer system. Augusta’s largest industry is the White Eagle Oil Corporation Refinery, employing 375 men. In addition twenty are employed at stations and thirty in pipe line crews. Derby Oil Company employs from forty to fifty in the oil and pipe line fields. Other oil companies giving employment to many men are the Pure Oil Company, the Wolf Creek Oil Company, the Sinclair-Prairie pipe line department. Affiliated industries are the Eureka Tool Company and the General Machine and Tool Company. Augusta is headquarters for Harry Garden, R. E. Garden and Sons and H. E. Bradfield, oil drillers and operators. Several rig builders and casing crews operate from Augusta, which has two stone quarries and one feed mill. One of Augusta’s important industries is the Spencer Trailer Company. In all these enterprises the number of men employed is normally around 700.
Augusta Today considers her churches and schools as her greatest assets. The Augusta school system rates high. Her high school, junior high school and grade schools have an average attendance of 1,200 pupils. There are forty-three teachers. A. R. Peckham, Roy Schoeb, Harry Garden, Mrs. Rhea Gibson, Mrs. Nan Johnson Alley and Dr. R. S. Clark are members of the school board.
Following is a list of city officials: Mayor, Dr. F. A. Garvin; councilmen: A. E. Shultz, J. F. Dunsford, Frank Leonard, Ward Smith, Dr. Harry Lutz, C. E. Hopkins; Fred Spencer, and D. M. Shawver, city clerk, R. N. Book; treasurer, J. T. Wilson; city engineer, Joe R. Switzer; city attorney, Roy A. Cox; police and fire chief, W. H. Dove. The city’s total assessed valuation is $1,462,623, a bonded indebtedness $172,309; tax rate for 1934, 6 mills city, one mill library; no general levy this year (1935).
Augusta has an Elks Club, a beautiful little City Park, near the city lake, named Garvin, and a small open air auditorium adjoining the city building.
Community Hall, in the City Building, has a seating capacity of 200. The City Library, Daisy D. Denton, Librarian, is located in the City Building, has a wide range of literature and current periodicals. Augusta has a well equipped private hospital. As yet the post office is housed in a privately owned building. John Cox is postmaster.
Officers of organizations included in Augusta Today: Chamber of Commerce –
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