GEORGE
W. SMITH.
Arkansas
City.
Arkansas City Traveler, September 14, 1881.
Arrangements have been completed with a Mr. George Smith for the erection of a lock, novelty, and machine repair shop in our city. According to the terms agreed upon between the City Council, Canal Co., and Mr. Smith, a building 27 x 100 feet is to be commenced at once, and at least 25 hands are to be employed the first year, and to be increased according to contract agreed upon. Should this enterprise pan out, it will undoubtedly prove a great benefit to our city in more ways than one, as well as making a great convenience to the farmers and others using machinery in this vicinity.
Winfield Courier, September 15, 1881.
Geo. W. Smith, of Leavenworth, has contracted to put up a foundry and repair shop at Arkansas City to be run by the canal power.
Arkansas City Traveler, October 5, 1881.
The walls of the new Foundry, in the west part of town, are looming up and several door frames are already in position. A force of men are constantly at work upon the enterprise.
Arkansas City Traveler, October 12, 1881. Front Page.
KANSAS
NEWS.
Arkansas City is to have a foundry and lock factory.
Arkansas City Traveler, October 12, 1881.
The walls of the new foundry are up about six feet.
Arkansas City Traveler, October 26, 1881.
We had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Smith, proprietor of the novelty factory now in course of erection. He gave us several points in connection with his project, which we will enlarge upon in our next issue.
Arkansas City Traveler, November 23, 1881.
New
Industry.
Yesterday we took the time to investigate the buildings and machinery of the new factory started in our city by Mr. George Smith. The buildings consist of a casting room, some 27 x 40 feet, and a finishing room 27 x 60, calculated to accommodate sixteen hands at present, but capable of accommodating twice that number should it become necessary. The first piece of casting was done on Monday last, and yesterday Messrs. Smith & son were busily engaged in making brass lock castings to be finished and used as patterns for future castings in iron. Mr. Smith is thoroughly conversant with the business in all its details, as is proved by the sample of fine locks, etc., he allowed us to examine, which were finished and put up in a shape fit for any market. This enterprise is quite an acquisition for our city, and we trust Mr. Smith will soon build up a large and remunerative business, which will not only redound to his advantage, but also to the good of this community at large.
Eureka Lock Manufactory and Brass & Iron Foundry.
Arkansas City Traveler, December 21, 1881.
The Eureka Lock Manufactory and Brass & Iron Foundry, of this city, is now in good working order and ready for business. The proprietor, Mr. Geo. Smith, informs us that he is prepared to supply all kinds of machine castings and repairs, either in brass or iron, and to make every description of patterns or models to order. The Eureka, as well as other kinds of locks, he is prepared to supply to the wholesale hardware trade at prices much lower than they can be bought in the Eastern markets.
Arkansas City Traveler, January 25, 1882.
Geo. Smith, of the Eureka Foundry, met with an accident last Saturday, by which one of his fingers was entirely separated from the hand. He was immediately attended by a physician, the injured member replaced, and strapped in position, and it is hoped a union of the severed parts may result.
Arkansas City Traveler, January 25, 1882.
An iron moulder has been secured, from the East, by Mr. George Smith, of the Foundry, and work of the same formally commenced this week. The task of getting in good working shape has taken more time than was expected, but now all is in good order, and this enterprise will, we hope, be a notable factor in promoting the commercial welfare of our city.
Arkansas City Traveler, February 8, 1882.
Some new machinery was received at the Foundry last week, and work in good earnest will commence right away.
Arkansas City Traveler, February 15, 1882.
Things in general have been looking lively, of late, in the vicinity of the Foundry.
Arkansas City Traveler, February 22, 1882.
R. E. Fitzpatrick is putting in a stone foundation for a residence in the north part of town, near the foundry.
[1893
Arkansas City Directory:
R. F. Fitzpatrick, proprietor A. C. Transfer Co., 915 North Third Street.]
Arkansas City Traveler, March 8, 1882.
The Free Methodist Church will be built near the Foundry on Block 127. C. M. Scott and A. A. Newman donate the lots.
[1893
Arkansas City Directory:
Free Methodist Church: Corner of Cedar Avenue and Fifth Street.]
Arkansas City Traveler, March 8, 1882.
What haven’t we in Cowley County? In our office is a specimen of zinc ore, from the quarry on Mr. Rathburne’s farm near the head of Cedar Creek, which, in time, will be developed and prove of great value. Lead has been discovered in the same region, and coal has been taken from the hillsides for the past six years. A vein of coal, one-fourth inch in thickness, has also been discovered on Mr. Spray’s farm, three miles east of town, and another vein crops out near the “cut-off” on George Whitney’s and C. M. Scott’s lands. The new foundry men find that the very best of moulding sand can be dug up, by the wagon load, on the Arkansas River, and every enterprise that is started seems to find just what they want right here on our own soil.
Arkansas City Traveler, May 17, 1882. Personals Page.
Arkansas
City Boom.
From the books of Uriah Spray, trustee of Creswell Township, we glean the following statistics which are decidedly encouraging.
His enumeration shows the population of Arkansas City to be 1,356; the population of Creswell Township, outside of the city, 671; and the total population of both township and city, 2,027.
The population of Arkansas City last year was 937; consequently, the increase in the population during the year: 419.
The increase in the township, outside of the city, is 77. The total increase in population in both city and township is 496.
The township has 2,853 acres of growing wheat, 5,089 acres of growing corn, and 8,885 bushels of old corn on hand.
The township has about one dog for every five people, and only two goats.
The ladies of the township made 17,175 pounds of butter during the year.
Under the head of “Mines and Mining,” Mr. James Hill exhibits gravel beds worth in plant $12,000, with a product of 200 tons daily, worth $125. He works 12 teams and 16 men and pays out $2,000 per month for labor.
Under the head of “Manufactories” are three grist mills. That of Searing & Mead, capital invested $20,000, work ____ men, and grind 351 bushels per day. Wm. Speers’ Mill, capital invested $7,000, grinds 250 bushels per day. V. M. Ayres’ Mill, capital invested, $20,000. Grinds 500 bushels per day.
Mr. Speers also has another mill in the city, capital invested $1,000.
In the city G. Smith has a Lock Factory, capital invested $1,500, works 27 hands, and works up 200 pounds brass per day.
The churches of the city are also represented.
1. The Presbyterian church building, worth $2,000, and has 155 members.
2. The M. E. church building, worth $3,000, and has 107 members.
3. The U. P. church building, worth $2,500, and has 70 members.
Arkansas City Traveler, August 2, 1882.
A. A. Davis says it’s a perfect outrage the way that foundry is run, what with the smoke from the furnace, and continual hum of the machinery, and the constant blowing of the whistle calling the hands to work. He has not had a good night’s rest for a coon’s age.
He says he believes they run three sets of hands, a day time, night time, and meal time squad, anyhow he won’t stand it much longer and the city dads may look out for a petition from him to have the old thing crowded off the townsite, where the racket won’t bother honest folks, who work hard all day and want to rest o’nights. The heart of the city ain’t no place for factories nohow.
[1893
Arkansas City Directory:
A. A. Davis, 303 North Fourth Street, Arkansas City, Kansas.]
Arkansas City Traveler, September 27, 1882.
The Smith trial last week concluded with a verdict in favor of Smith, and the outfit skipped the town at the earliest possible moment. We wish them God speed, but the community in which they settle has our sympathy. As a beat game, The Eureka Lock Factory, with George Smith, proprietor, takes the cake.
Arkansas
City Traveler, October 11, 1882.
A dance was held in the old Foundry building now occupied by G. Mott as a residence, on last Friday night, and the calls of “balance all” and “swing your partner” were heard far into the night.
Arkansas City Traveler, October 18, 1882.
Mrs. Daniels is building a cosy residence on Eighth Street, west of the foundry.
[1893
Arkansas City Directory:
Mrs. Merinda Daniels, widow, 221 North Second Street.]
Arkansas City Traveler, November 22, 1882.
The foundry building is now occupied by Messrs. Rarick & Pickering, as a carriage, wagon, and blacksmith shop.
[BUSINESS
CARDS.]
Arkansas City Traveler, January 3, 1883.
RARICK & PICKERING, BLACKSMITHS. All kinds of buggy and wagon work done in good style. Special attention given to Horse Shoeing and plow work. Shop in Foundry Building.
Excerpt from article...
[ARKANSAS CITY.]
Arkansas City Traveler, January 24, 1883.
ARKANSAS CITY AND HER SURROUNDINGS.
Business. All kinds of business is well represented and doing well, with room for more. Two banks. Three first-class dry goods establishments, in rooms twenty-five by one hundred feet, are doing a large business; eleven groceries, part of them carrying large stocks; two clothing; four drug stores; two jewelry establishments; four hardware; three restaurants; four livery stables; one bakery; two harness shops; two agricultural and implement stores; one real estate and two law offices, make up the business of the town. In addition to this are three mills with a capacity for grinding twelve hundred bushels of wheat per day, and a foundry and machine shop for casting and machinery repairs.
Arkansas City Traveler, March 14, 1883.
Messrs. Rarick & Pickering have sold out their blacksmith shop to Mr. DeBruce.
Arkansas City Traveler, June 20, 1883.
Mr. Clarke, late of Winfield, will occupy the foundry building in this city as a machine shop.
Arkansas City Traveler, Supplement, December 19, 1883.
Amount of scrip issued by city clerk from May 1, 1883, to December 15, 1883, inclusive.
SAMUEL CLARKE, REPAIRING HYDRANT.
A. A. NEWMAN, DEED TO FOUNDRY LOT [AMOUNT $45.00]
Arkansas City Traveler, January 30, 1884.
Messrs. Beecher & Co. are putting up a work shop just south of the old foundry building in the west part of the city.
Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, February 16, 1884.
ARKANSAS CITY AND SURROUNDINGS.
Her Facilities for Manufactures and Inducements to Capitalists.
Her Live Businessmen.
FOUNDRY.
Samuel Clarke is proprietor of the Arkansas City Foundry. Any repairs to machinery can be obtained on short notice at low rates.
BLACKSMITHING.
Mr. A. B. DeBruce has recently removed from the foundry to his new shop on East Summit, where he is prepared to do all kinds of work. He is a first-class workman, and well worthy the patronage of the public.
Arkansas City Republican, February 16, 1884.
Al. Beecher is building himself a fine shop near the foundry.
Arkansas City Republican, February 16, 1884.
Mr. S. Clarke, our energetic foundry man, informs us that he has sufficient work for months, but still can do urgent work on short notice.
Arkansas City Republican, April 26, 1884.
Al Woolsey has commenced, near the foundry, the erection of his new residence.
[1893
Arkansas City Directory:
A. B. Woolsey, 311 North First Street.]
Arkansas City Republican, May 17, 1884.
Al Woolsey has built a stable yard and sheds near the foundry.
Arkansas City Traveler, July 16, 1884.
Mr. S. Clarke, who is now running a machine shop in the foundry building, comes out in a business card this week and solicits the patronage of our people. Mr. Clarke is a first-class workman in every respect, and we hope all needing anything in his line will call upon him.
AD. S. CLARKE, MACHINIST. Every description of machine repairs done on short notice. SHOP IN FOUNDRY BUILDING. ARKANSAS CITY, KANSAS.
Arkansas City Traveler, July 23, 1884.
Messrs. Beecher & Co., who recently put up an establishment just south of the foundry, are now busily engaged in scroll sawing, turning, ripping, bracket, and baluster and every description of wood work, etc., for the execution of which in first-class style they have put in approved machinery. Parties needing this kind of work should call on Beecher & Co.
Arkansas City Traveler, September 3, 1884.
Newton celebrated her water works system last Tuesday, to the satisfaction of the city authorities. It will be remembered that our townsman, James Hill, was the contractor, and Mr. Clarke, our foundry man, did the machine work for this enterprise. Mr. S. T. Moorhead, another well known gentleman in this city, was the constructing engineer.
Arkansas City Republican, September 20, 1884.
ARKANSAS CITY IRON WORKS. SAMUEL CLARKE, MECHANICAL ENGINEER AND PROPRIETOR. Manufactures Engines, Boilers, Shafting, Pulleys, all kinds of Machine Blacksmithing, Horseshoeing and Wagon Work. Repairs on engines, boilers, mill machinery, etc.
Arkansas City Traveler, November 5, 1884.
Our city was thrown into considerable excitement last Saturday afternoon about 4 o’clock by the cry of “Fire” simultaneous with which dense clouds of smoke were seen rolling over the northwest part of town. We immediately started for the fire and found the carpenter shop of Messrs. Mitts & Jones entirely wrapped in flames. It was utterly impossible to control the fire and all efforts were made toward saving the adjacent building, Mr. Mitts’s residence, which was luckily of stone, and stood directly south of the shop; and as a breeze was blowing stiff from the north, it was feared for some time that it would go. It was, however, saved, but had the wind been from the south, the frame dwelling of A. Hopp and the shop of Beecher & Co. would have been consumed. Total loss about $350, uninsured.
Something must be done in the near future to render our city more secure from fire or at least to give our citizens a more effective supply of water to combat the flames.
Arkansas City Traveler, December 10, 1884.
J. G. Danks, of Cincinnati, Ohio, a machinist, is here looking up a location for a machine shop and foundry.
Arkansas City Traveler, December 10, 1884.
J. G. Danks, a machinist from Cincinnati, is in the city looking for a location for a machine shop and foundry. We stand in great need of something in this line, and it is to be hoped that our citizens will extend such inducements as may be needed to secure the location of the gentleman.
Arkansas City Republican, December 27, 1884.
Council Proceedings.
The council convened Monday night with the following members present: F. P. Schiffbauer, Mayor; O. S. Rarick, T. Fairclo, C. G. Thompson, councilmen.
After the minutes were read and approved, the Mayor appointed T. Kimmell, W. Spray, and H. D. Kellogg as appraisers on vacating alley in block 141, and city clerk ordered to notify appraisers of their appointment. The clerk was also instructed to look up the matter of the foundry rent and report at next meeting, and to collect from H. D. Kellogg $20 for quit claim deed to lots.
On motion the engineer’s wages were raised to $40 per month.
On motion Judge Kreamer was instructed to collect the back indebtedness on the Highland Hall.
On motion J. J. Breene was appointed assistant marshal at a salary of $20 per month.
Arkansas City Republican, February 21, 1885.
F. Danks, J. G. Danks, and C. H. Danks, all prominent machinists of Cincinnati, Ohio, and forming the firm of Danks Bros., have purchased the Arkansas City Machine Shop and Foundry and lots. Last Saturday the trade was consummated; and J. G. Danks, the gentleman who has been here for some time working up the trade, commenced his labors Monday morning. The remaining two Danks Brothers are still in Ohio. C. H. Danks will arrive about the first of March to assist J. G. Danks, and F. Danks will come later on. At present Mr. Danks is engaged in over-hauling. He intends adding necessary machinery to both machine shop and foundry and can manufacture any needed repair. Under the reign of Danks Bros., we feel perfectly safe in saying that the life of the Arkansas City Machine Shop and Foundry will undergo a radical change. New motor power will create its breathings, and in a short time the establishment, which is now in its infancy, will be an institution of which a much more pretentious city than Arkansas City would be proud to claim.