The Hays Daily News from Hays, Kansas • Page 12

PAOB HA1S MhiWB, BUiNDAY, 2)4, Yocemento Once Held Great Promise But Idea Of Founders Bom Too Soon There are ghost towns galore in Kansas, many of them merely ghosts now with no vestige of a town to indicate there was once life, industry and commercial activity on the spot. Such a one is Yocemento, a town in name only, yet there was a day when there was fabulous promise in the locality to the extent that investors, many from the east, put up more than two million dollars for a venture which had all the earmarks of a "sure thing," a prospect which sparkled for a while, glimmered over a period and finally flickered out. The story of Yocemento is one of bright hope, ingenuity and scientific genius of two men, 1. M. Yost of Hays and Professor Erasmus Haworth of Lawrence who staked a sizable chunk of their future on Western Kansas but who lived 25 or 35 years too soon to reap the fortune they deserved and which, were they living today they would have made.

The embryonic development of "Yooemento," an ingenious combination of the words Yost and cement, began when two men of great ambition and of firm resolution met in Hays for the first time over a half century ago. Each complemented the other perfectly so it was inevitable a strong friendship should spring up between them and that surprising development affecting the future of many, persons as well as themselves was hardly more than anyone of discernment might have foreseen. One was I. M. Yost who came in the early 80's and the other Professor Erasmus Haworth of the School of Geology and Mines at the University of Kansas, Lawrence.

Haworth was engaged in revising and enlarging the first geological map of this state which he had drawn himself and used as a guide in teaching classes in geology. It was summer and the professor was making a further survey of this section of Kansas. had heard of Ike Yost," Haworth said in later years, recounting his first meeting in the flour mill office of Mr. Yost. "I wanted to meet the man.

I knew he had been in Hays many years and thought he would give me some pointers on topography of the country. Two Kindred Souls Yost, a man of diversified interests liked the professor on sight. He agreed to drive him around the country and after the geologist outlined the kind of information hj wanted the mill owner took the visitor to places where he could find outcroppings of different rock formations. Six miles west of Hays a wide bend in Big Creek the professor suggested they climb to the top of a high hill on the south bank, Haworth studied the rocks, remarked there must be a thick bed of shale underlying the chalk cliff which was exposed on two sides He gazed thoughtfully at the creek. Yost asked the Lawrence man if he didn't like the view of land to the south.

The fields were green with waving wheat for it was the spring of the year. The wandering creek, its banks, studded with trees and the range of low hills defining the fertile valley south of them completed the enchanting pastoral scene but the professor had his mind on other things. On the drive back to town in the low spring wagon in the back of which OFFICE BUILDING AT YOCEMENTO: This imposing native stone office building was constructed at Yocemento simultaneously with the construction of the cement plant. For many years it stood in its original state and a part of it is now used as a home. were Haworth's surveying instruments the professor gave voice to the thought which had been uppermost in his mind since the.

minute his roving eye had lighted on the chalk hill. He said he believed cement could be made at the spot Lhey visited more cheaply than anywhere else in Kansas. Yost had vision to equal Haworth's and within the next few weeks the geologist and the flour manufacturer hatched tentative plans for a project that within the next two years was to take concrete form, literally. Waste No Time Before he left town, Haworth had a sort of graph' reduced to rough drawings together with the cost of calculations. Their idea was a cement mill.

It was Haworth who saw the advantages of the prospective mill site with all necessary ingredients to make cement close by. The chalk rock shale beds not far off and a plentiful supply of water, all adjoining the Union Pacific right of way. He pointed out the rock could be quarried and placed on a chute so gravity could do the work of transportation down the side of the hill and directly into huge crushers in the prospective mill. He said vats for the mixture before being placed in the great furnaces for finishing processes and also packing the product into barrels for shipment all could be housed in one plant. Yost saw the feasibility of the scheme at first blush.

They both felt the Union Pacific would jump at the chance in helping develop the largest industrial enterprise in Western building Kansas which side tracks so meant freight cars could be backed up to loading docks. Briefly, this is how Yocemento was born. They were off, and nothing could stop them. But it was Yost who rounded out the project in its varied commercial aspects. "See here, Erasmus," he said one day after their plans had been cooking for some time.

"We've got to enlarge the scope of our plans. We should have a town up here. Maybe it will get larger than Hays. Why not buy out a townsite, start selling lots as well as stock in the mill? The U.P. will build a depot and we'll get them to stop passenger as well as freight trains.

There will be people coming here from all over the country because we're going to sell stock in the East as well as the West. We'll have a hotel, stores, office buildings, everything, even a newspaper." Yost also engineered the stock issues, got together a sales force and he himself was not only sole manager but he personally sold more stock in the project than any of his salesmen. There those who said Ike Yost probably sold as much as one third of the stock in the plant, which when completed in less than three years is said to have' cost two m''lion dollars. It should be said before going further both these men believed they had such a good thing the cement mill would not only enrich them but everyone who had an interest in it. Stock was sold in many states.

Several large blocks were sold in Pennsylvania. A number of Yost's fellow townsmen bought stock because the enthusiasm and optimism of the promoters' was contagious. Two members of the board of directors were Hays residents. Relatives of both Yost and Haworth bought stock and in less time than the two anticipated the mill was built and in operation There were stores and residences yes, a weekly Yocemento Star, of which the late Frank Motz, editor of the Hays Daily News, then little more than a boy, was editor. Copies of the Yocemento Star may be seen in the State Historical library at Topeka today.

Mill Had 200 Employes The paper was printed in Lawrence, expressed to Yost but mailed from Hays for the Yocemento post office did not materialize until after the paper ceased publication. When the mill got into full operation more than 200 men were on the payroll and there were additional part time workers. Nearly all of these drove back and forth from Hays to their work, many using horses and buggies and some of them even walking the six miles Turnpike Income Continues Climb Wichita, May 2,3 net income --Knnsns from all sources through April was $1,121,359, says Gale Moss, turnpike general manager. Operating revenue net $1,024,298. months of 1958, Traffic counts showed that ftrt increase of nearly 130,000 passenger cars and 50,000 commercial vehicles used the turnpike through April, with 1.182,086 of the former rind 133,101 of the total of 1.315.277—having travelled 74,138.806 mile The turnpike's total net Income totaled; for April was $304,654.

Trnffic-wise. 350,488 vehicles Gross revenue from operating sources- amounted to in- sources amounted 10 m- eluding $1.403,090 from tolls and travel miles whereas in April of 1958 a total of 323.892 $145,153 from restaurant, service station and miscellaneous sources. Operations expenses totaled $523,954, leaving the net income up 42 per cent over the first four Passenger vehicle traffic was up five per cent and commercial traffic was up 55 per cent to boost the 1959 month eight per cent above April of 1958. YOCEMENTO-AS IT IS TODAY: In the foreground the dismantled cement plant, in the background the Madden Grain elevator and the new Farmers Cooperative Elevator. This picture was taken from the top of the hill from which the old cement plant obtained its'raw material.

each way daily, according to accounts handed down by families of the men. For several years the mill showed a small margin of profit. Tests showed Yocemento cement was on a par with the best grades of cement manufactured anywhere. There was a ready market but from the first one factor mitigated strongly against the enterprise which Yost and Haworth had foreseen but believed would be overcome. That was the high cost of fuel.

The furnaces were fired with coal, most of which had to be shipped in from Wyoming and Colorado coal mines. Then eastern Kansas competitors began cutting prices under the market price and Yocemento which had been laughed at in the beginning was threatened. Competitors began to dig into their volume of business. They ganged up it was said on their Western Kansas competitor. About this time the Boettcher Company's cement interests of Denver began expanding activities, built new cement mills in Colorado and told the Union Pacific flatly they didn't want competition from the Yocemento mill.

This was the added weight that eventually broke the back of Yocemento. The 'mill began losing money and the stockholders held Yost Haworth at fault. They found they had the old man of the sea on their backs and had to relinquish control. A few years later the mill went into bankruptcy. A reorganization was effected and the mill stumbled along for some time but the handwriting was clear.

When the Colorado competitor offered to buy the mill, lock, stock and barrel the directors voted to take their losses. The owners promptly dismantled the plant but the Boettcher estate still retains ownership of the section of land Yost and Haworth bought. Saw Their Dream Fade The enterpreneurs, the University of Kansas professo. and the Hays mill owner, didn't however, lose their shirts although they came close to it. This part of the story, though doesn't have a sad ending.

Yost turned all his attention to his mill and continued to prosper. Haworth, who was a 3- ring circus man, bought more race horses and had a big stable of trotters and pacers which made the circuits through the Midwest in the racing season. Meanwhile he continued as state geologist, a situation he held for more than 30 years. He also remained head of-the School-of Geology and-Mlnes at K.U. Many years later he returned to Hays to make further geological surveys and in company with the late Madden leased thousands of acres of land for exploratory drilling for oil on what is known as the Barton arch and its spurs in Ellis and Rooks counties.

He lived to see the first well on the Hadley ranch come in dry. He and Madden poked a hole in the ground almost pin-pointed between two of the largest producing oil pools in Kansas, the Bemis and Burnett. Mr. Yost lived to uhe ripe old age of 96. In later years he made his home with a son, Ed, in California.

Many readers must ask themselves 'what would have happened if the cement mill had been built 30 or so years later when Western Kansas began coming into its own with a tremendous building boom in cities and towns, the construction of concrete highways and the hundred and one uses of cement which were unknown more than 30 years ago. This indeed poses a question. On the basis of demand, however, and granting capable management such a plant if it had been in operation must have succeeded. Natural gas, then undreamed of, would have fired the mill's furnaces at low cost, trucks would have hauled its cement to distant points north and south, as well as east and west. And just as a guess the Yocemento cement plant, entirely, if it had been in operation the last dozen years would have had little to fear from competition because cement could be made as cheaply here and probably at less cost than anywhere in the Midwest.

Yost and Haworth had the right idea but they were 25 to 35 years before their time. was fined $10 and costs and eachj had one tab removed from his driver's license. Two Drivers Summoned In Non-Injury Crashes Two non-injury auto accidents were reported by police Friday night. 70 The Hays Building and Loan Association Hays 1011 Fort St. Kansas p.m.

two-car crash occurred at 8 Friday at 16th and Allen. Drivers were Mrs. Frances Rupp. 30, 1508 Milner, and Clarence Augustine, 29, 301 East 15th. The Rupp car was traveling west on 16th and.

the Augustine car was going south on Allen when they collided. Mrs. Rupp was issued a Summons on. a charge of failure to yield the right of' way. Her hearing is scheduled for 4 p.m.

Thursday. Damage resulted to the left front end of the Rupp car and to the left rear end of the Augustine car. A similar collision occurred at 6:40 p.m. Friday at 17th and Ash. Drivers were James Leroy Ross, 16, Rt.

1, Hays, and Jimmie Dean Chambers, 19, Lancaster, Kans. The Ross car was traveling east in the 300 block on West 17th and the Chambers car was going south on Ash When they collided. Chambers was issued a summons on a charge of failure to yield the right of way. His hearing is scheduled for 8 a.m. Monday.

Damage resulted to the left front end of the Ross car and to the right front end of the Chambers car. II hail fakes your crops, save the cash! Insure now against weather damage, other loss. Though your crops may be destroyed, you'll still- be paid for their cash value. Come in and discuss your farm insurance needs with us. We write low-cost coverages to protect you, your farm, your crop and livestock profits.

Easflack-Sform Insurance Agency 601 Oak Dial MA 4-3515 "It Wasn't Kairiing When Noah Built the Ark" TWO FINED FOR SPEEDING Edward O. Brungardt, Victoria, and Wayne A. Palmer, Hays, pleaded guilty Friday in count-court to speeding charges. Each THE YOCEMENTO CEMENT PLANT: When completed the Yocemento Cement plant was an imposing structure. Its building and equipment are said to have cost two million dollar's.

WOKKKIt.S ON UMKSTONK FORMATION: Limestone and shale on the site of the cement plant. a cable was run from the mill to the top to carry the shale arid rock to the kilns by gravity. The loaded card carried can up the fcill to be reloaded with raw material to make the cement. This Week's Specials! 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Conv. Power brakes, power steering, Ford-O-Matic, radio, heater, good whitewalls.

1957 Pontiac Star Chief Conv. Radio, heater, automatic transmission, whitewalls. 1957 Chevrolet 4-dr. V-8 Bel Air 2-tone bronze and beige. Powerglide, radio, heater, whitewalls.

1958 Rambler 4-Dr. Tu-tone blue, heater, gas saving overdrive. 1955 Ford Ranch Wagon White. Radio, heater, overdrive, whitewalls. See These Cars at Your Convenience! Kobler Rambler Now Open Every Evening 'til 9 p.

m. FOR SUNDAY SHOWING Dean 4-2788 Ray 4-2992 SAVE GAS BUY RAMBLfR KOBLER Rambler Co. 124 JR. 8th Dial HA 4-4710 Notice of Executor's Sale of Personal Property On Sealed Bids Roy R. Thomas Estate Bank Stock Diamond Ring 1935 Chrysler Sedan Mail or deliver written sealed bids to Theresa Marie of the Will of Roy R.

Thomas, Deceased, Schoenchen Route, Hays, Kansas BIDS TO BE OPENED IN PUBLIC IN THE PROBATE COURTROOM IN THE COURT HOUSE, HAYS, KANSAS AT 2:00 O'CLOCK P. ON MAY 28, 1959. You are Invited to submit sealed bids for the purchase of the following described personal property owned by the estate of Roy R. Thomas, deceased: DESCRIPTION 72 shares of the capital stock of the Farmers State Bank, Hays, Kansas. 1935 Model Chrysler 4-dr.

Sedan Automobile. This car is in good running order and has value as an antique vehicle. The car may be inspected at the Thomas Motel, 5th and Main Street, Hays, Kansas. Diamond Ring. Approximately .94 carat.

Man's old gold mounting. Extremely fine color. Has one small carbon spot. Appraised value $715,00. This diamond may be inspected at the Farmers State Bank, Hays, Kansas.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE Sale of the above described persona) property is being made under and pursuant to power of sale contained in the will of Roy R. Thomas, deceased. Said property is offered for sale on sealed bids to be made and delivered to Theresa Marie Meier, -executor of the will of Roy R. Thomas, deceased, Schoenchen Route, Hays, Kansas, on or before 2:00 o'clock P. M.

on May 28, 1959. The 72 shares of the capital stock of the Farmers State Bank, Hays, Kansas, is offered for sale and sealed bids for the purchase thereof shall be made on a per share basis and may be for an'y amount of shares; and subject to acceptance of bids, sale will be made for the highest bid or bids which will bring the highest price in the aggregate for the entire 72 shares. Said property will be sold for cash and title and possession will be delivered immediately upon full payment of the purchase price. The instruments of transfer will be made and executed by said executor. No bid will be accepted' after 2:00 o'clock P.

M. on May 28, 1959, and all bids will be publicly opened in the probate courtroom in the courthouse, Hays, Kansas, at that time. Said executor, Theresa Marie Meier, reserves the right to reject any or all and to change the terms of sale at any time before 2:00 o'clock P. on May 29, 1959. For Further Information CONTACT THERESA MARIE MEIER Schoenchen Route, Hays, MArket or FLOOD FLOOD, ATTORNEYS Hayii Kantai Telephone MArktt.