Fort Scott Daily Monitor from Fort Scott, Kansas • Page 4

i on, "Santa Te system, frcrc closed, and the "veroict rendered. Foun- FORT SCOTT. and wes bringing in the varied proJucTs of the surrounding country, over a radius of more than one hundred miles, and returning In exchange therefor articles cf common use from our many manufacturing enterprises, and general merchandise from our mammoth wholesale houses. able bit of news to note tiat Jadies are abandoning the practice of cutting their front hair. In Europe this practice is confined to street maids and shop girls.

The t'hange in this country is litiled like a rav of sunlight after a shower! The practice is confined almost entirely to children, ladies are having their hair dreed, not cut. outlook, it Is proper that it be said that in the retail line the trade is well supplied. There is a limit to everything, and the limit of population limits" the number of those who supply local needs and conveniences. A given population can consume only so much flour, and a reasonable profit on that amount gives a result as certain as any other mathematical proposition, and hence an over supply of local dealers is a hindrance to progress rather than an advantage. Fort Scott is not over supplied with this kind of trade, but is well served, and the prosperity and thrift which has prevailed for many years is due to the sound and healthy growth and the development of productive energies and resources here found, which brings us to the conclusion of this article.

CONCLUSION. In the foregoing we have said nothing about those things that are incidental to industrial growth rather than being a part of it in a commercial sense, but reserve such features as improvements, our public conveniences and buildings, schools, churches for mention elsewhere. The conditions we have herein pointed out illustrate the fact that Fort Scott is a growing city. The principal part of the development indicated has taken place within fifteen years, and the growth of the last ten has been gradual ana unremitting expansion, clearly indicating on its face that it is permanent in character. Success in business, which is in the line of productive development, is here an assured fact, and there is an abundance of room for labor and capital that has the will and energy to take hold and develop somethtng or enlarge and expand some already devel I mi.is, ana shops, are the order ot the cay west 01 the Mississippi river and not the exception.

The only question now open for consideration is at what point can manufacturing in general be most successfully and profitably carried on. Years ago Fort Scott entered the lists for supremacy in this respect and we assert Jhat taking everything into consideration no point west of the Mississippi river can discount it. An abundant supply of cheap fuel, found in the inexhaustible beds of coal which can be laid in the factories at from 75cents to Si.co per ton; an abundance of water can be had in welte or from the water company, which furnish the two first essential elements which nature alone can supply. A perfectly developed railroad system of whic.h we have already spoken in detail furnishes every convenience for bringing in material or shipping out the product at rates which enable competition with any point, and furnish sites for buildings, where switches from the several railway systems entering the city can always be had for the asking, supplies the next essential condition, that of reaching supplies of raw material and markets. Naturally, the existence cf these essential elements and the gradual development of an extensive railroad system first stimulated local enterprise, and the development of the cement, of a fine quality that is found everywhere, awaiting the demands of commerce.

Two large institutions now ship annually hundreds of car loads of this valuable article. The unexcelled quality of brick clay found here, invited capital to embark in that direction, and Fort Scott now makes large quantities of the best brick found on the market The Fort Scott flagstone has been found by experience to be the best quality of that indispensable material obtained in the west and is now used in every citv within 400 miles cf the quarries, which are probably inexhaustible. Fort Scott lime has also established itself in the market as a prime article, and so on with the infinite variety of the choice deposits made in this vicinity by nature, for the use of mankind. In their natural order came the building up of another class of manufacturing institutions. Foundries, novelty works, sorghum sugar works, the first successful plant in the United States having been erected here; furniture factories, planing mills, saddles and harness, candy and confectionery, marble works, baking powder, broom works, pottery, book making and publishing, soap, flouring mills, cigars and chewing and smoking tobacco, iron fronts, cornices, and last, but by no means least are the Missouri Pacific and Gulf railway repair shops, both of which are practically institutions where engines and cars are built.

The possibilities lound here for development are aptly illustrated by the tact that the machinery of all kinds, esce- works, are now counted0 standard and is cianyior sugar making, and shipped to the most remote regions where such machinery is required. The profitable operation of institutions of the class we have named, and which have grown from year to year, extending 522 CUT C7 SOUTHEASTER SAKSAS. A and Esilti7 OroTth A Srief Eeszascf Its Past, Present as I Fttire, Tiling lata Ccssidsntica its Eeaests cf Grsxti Tie Great Mrcai Center and Isjcrita cf Scntheistera Zzzzzs Its ITatural Advantages Considered in Ccnntotica TTiti for Snccessfsl Its Sanfcs, Betail Trade, andllanj Placs cf Eesidesoe, tl as a PUcd Xnrestaeni cr Easiness- For the tenth time It becomes the duty ef the Monitor, under iU present management, to present Its readers, and the public, an annual review of the con-illtlon and prospects of the city and Incidentally of Its growth for year. Naturally, such a review must deal somewhat with the past, as well as the present and the future. The past furnishes a standard by which to measure progress as well as a basis upon which we found our hopes of the future, while the present Is our working capital, of which this review is to be, to some extent, an Inventory, the objects of which Is to show ipith facts, that Fort Scoit is a growing and progressive city, most fortunately situated, and provided by nature with an abnndance of the essential resources for commercial and manufacturing growth, pad that it stands to-day with scarcely a rival In everything conducive to success fa business and comfort In living.

Nearly fifty years ago the beauties of its situation as well as the advantages of its geographical location was observed by the officers ot the government, and hence its origin was due to the selection of this point as the site for a fort, and government out-fitting post, for what was then the great and almost unknown southwest. The wisdom of Its selection has been Terified by the progress of the country during this half century; for while point after point, which owed their existence to similar Influences, have passed, like their human projectors, into the region of for-getfulnesss, and dismantled of everything that marked their former condition, lie in at condition of "inocuous desuetude," Fort Scott lives a beautiful and prosperous city. The evidences of its former military condition lie rolling, and serve only as reminders of the past, while there has grown op over and around them evidences of bum an genius, thrift and power, found oolr where organized society has decreed I utroogh the Taws of evolution, that labor, Chanute to rort scott. an uniicipation the earlv building of this line the Santa Fe companv have already their right-of-way and depot grounds in this c'ty, an invefttd quite largely in other property The favorable settlement of the financial affairs of the great Santa Fe system, give a most oncouraging outlook to the tion, and assurances have been received in this city from the management of the road indicating its purpose to build from Cha-nute via this city to St Louis, provided thev succeeded "in maintaining the integ. rity of the Santa Fe system.

This is at ready assured and it is confidently expected that this great fystem will teccme a Fort Scott road within a year. BUSINESS. In the foregoing we have treated upon three of the elements which are absolutely essential to the rowth of a city. Natural resources, geographical location and rail, way connections. From these things at else comes through the enterprise, industry and genius of the people, and in this re-spect the Monitor claims for the people of Fort Scott a standing equal to any city in the country.

WHOLESALE TRADE. Naturally, business was exclusively retail until its business men saw its conditions opening up for a profitable jobbing trade, of which they were not slow to avail themselves. The vast agricultural region are consumers of large quantities of staple goods, materials for mining and agricul. tural implements. 1 nere was no reason with the opportunity for laying goods here at the same rates that take them to Kan.

sas City, why ForScott should not become a distributing point. The effort wai made and jobbing here is no longer an ex-periment. For some years trouble was experienced with outgoing rates, but the questiont raised were laid before the state board el railway commissioners last spring and a ruling'secured that places Fort Scott on an equality with all wesjern points. The hew connections being opened up by the Missouri Pacific and the shortening of th line to St. Louis thirty miles are going tc greatly facilitate opportunities for jobbing from St Louis.

With much more than the anticipated prosperity of those who first engaged the experiment the wholesale trade oJ Fort Scott has grown and developed In a healthy and substantial manner until to" day there are several large and represent ative concerns in each of the general line? of trade. A fair sized battalion of com mercial travelers, all representing Fori Scott houses, now cover the territory once monopolized by St Louis and Kansas City, and successfully compete with the best of them. Leading retail merchants in all the interior towns on thd manv railroads leading out from Fort Scott depend entirely for their supplies upon the eteantic and reliable concerns of this citv and patronage from our tributary territory is constantly on the increase. At the present time, the city contain? several mammoth wholesale grocery UNITED STATES COURT BUILDING nouses, two exclusive wholesale dry goods concerns, clothing houses, jobbers of notions, queensware, glass and china, har-nessmakers and saddlers' supplies and other similar institutions. In addition to these a large number of the manufacturing concerns ot the city, either keep men on the road soliciting trade, or selling immense quantities of goods, through the order system, the Fort Scott pottery, which ships car load after car load of jugs, jars, crocks, churns, monthly, three heavy brick companies, cigar lactorres.

mineral water and bottling works, sugar factory, broom factory, carriage works, furniture factory and many other similar concerns. In no other avenues of trade, perhaps, are there so many splendid openings as in the wholesale business at Fort Scott. The city growing in population and wealth and importance faster than any other Kansas metropolis. Its influence is reaching out and being felt over an immense 6cope of country, and year by year the retail dealers ot the surrounding country are learning to look more exclusivelv to this point for their supplies. They have already learned that goods can be bought here equal advantages with St.

Louis or Kansas City, as to list Drices, while in matters of transportation Fort Scott "holds the edge." With this sentiment prevailing, and upon the increase, any and all kinds of wholesale concerns can be established here with an absolute assurance of success. GRAIN AND STOCK TRADE. Bearing an intimate relation to the jobbing trade is the grain and stock trade, which for Fort, Scott is an important center, but concerning which it is impossible to obtain specific data. It is sufficient to say that what has been done only illustrates what may be done with larger capital, and the increased facilities which a few years will bring. As a horse market Fort Scott is well known and large numbers of horses and mules are annually shipped.

MANUFACTURING. It is a well known fact that for many years there has qeen a growing tendency among manufacturers towards the west. This is due to numerous and obvious reasons, among which we name the fact that the great developement of population in this region, with the discovery of coal and other important adjuncts to profitable manufacturing, presents the problem to capitalists whether their interests might not be better served by coming closer to their markets. This tendency has been wonderfully stimulated by purely western enterprise which has come in competition with eastern Institutions in the same line, until it Is no longer an open question as to whether the west is to be a manufacturing, as well as an agricultural and stock growing region. The arguments are all in and capital and the influences of modern commerce shall combine for the purpose of carrying forward mankind In the march of progress.

In fact, through her superior railroad facilities Fort Scott has become the principal distributing point for all southeastern Kansas, portions of the Indian Territory, southern Missouri and northwestern Arkansas and a laige part of Texas. The roads centering here and in course of construction belong to five systems. Those actually built tnd in course of operation are as follows: The Kansas City, Fort Scott Gulf road, running fromKansas City south to Fort Scott and thence south through Parsons to Cherry vale, on the Indian Terri tory line. This company also own and operate the line from Fort Scott to Cherokee and Joplin, and the branch via Arcadia to Cherokee. The splendid railroad running from Fort Scott through southern Missouri and Northeastern Arkansas to Springfield, Missouri, Memphis, Tennessee and thence to Birmingham, Alabama, also belongs to this system.

The Missouri, Kansas Texas, running from connections with Hannibal, Missouri, on the Mississippi river, to Fort Scott, thence southwest through the Indian Territory to Denison, Texas, and Austin. The Kansas, Nebraska Dakota road, running from Fort Scoit northward to sate capital of Kansas, is an-otner of the fine lines belonging to the Missouri Pacific companv As is also the Fort Scott, Wichita Western, running west through the finest portion of Kansas to Wichita, giving to the wholesale merchants of Fort Scott control over a vast extent of magnificent tributarv territory. NOW BUILDING. Now under course of construction, and which may properly be Included in the category of roads in operation, is the.Missouri Pacific connections, which are intended to connect the Kansas, Nebraska Dakota and the Wichita ec Western with the main line of the Missouri Pacific at Tiptcn, and the coal lands which reach from this citv south to the Indian Territory line. These connections which are being built by the Missouri Pacific company, are known as the Belt Terminal road, which extends entirely around the city, the line running through the suburbs;" the Fort Scott Eastern line to Tipton, Mon ana the Fort Scott Southern from here to Minden and thence south, the objective point not being known.

Hundreds of men are now at work on the lines of these several roads. It is a significant fact that this concentration of Missouri Pacific interests was secured by the board of trade through a contract made with Mr. Gould in person, as the president of the Missouri Pacific railway company, by the terms of which Fort Scott is to become the headquarters ot the Missouri Pacific sjstem in Kansas. THE ine shops of the Wichita Western are already located here and are expected to be greatly enlarged and Improved with the increased demands resulting from the concentration 01 so many roaas. THE SITUATION SUMMED up.

Summing up the situation, what have we? First, the Gulf system, which touches Kansas City connections on the north and opens up the vast timber and mineral re-giensof Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi Louisiana, Alabama and Tennessee on the south. The great Missouri, Kansas Texas system reaching the Mississippi river Hannibal and thence on to Chicago; and the vast regions of the Indian Territory Texas and tide water on the south, and last, the Missouri Pacific system, which reaches out from Fort Scott as a center to the four points of the compass. North to Topeka, east to St. Louis, bv a line thirty-two miles shorter than any ever built, south through the coal regions, and west to Wichita and California. The Belt Terminal line, which is a par of the Missouri Pacific, reaches entirelj areund the city, opening up unexcellec facilities for manufacturing locations.

The line from St Louis, via Tipton, is the main line of the Missouri Pacific, and within a year will be the shortest and quickest route In existence from St. Louis, via Fort Scott to the mountains, over which solid vestibuled trains will run from St. Louis to Ogden, Utah. In connection with these roads there are also yards and 6hops more or less exten-sive, which require a monthly outlay for labor of all kinds, probably $75,000 per month. The Gulf system have a splendid passenger depot, built at a cost of the Mn K.

T. a new one just completed at cost of while the Missouri Pacific has secured a site on National avenue, and will erect an elegant and large depot and office building costing 500,000. PROTECTED ROADS. Of the railroads now under way, and which will largely Increase the facilities for communication of Fort Scott, there the New Orleans, Natchez Fort Scot' railroad. This gigantic enterprise, wori upon which is already begun, is laid ou' through southern Missouri and northen Arkansas to Natchez, on the Mississipp river, thence down the fertile valley that great river to New Orleans or Mobile Ala.

When completed it will open another line to the immense pine forests the south, her valuable mineral regions, and place Fort Scott In direct com muni cation with the seaboard, giving to tho farmers of Kansas a route to the eeoboarc for their surplus products, nearly 500 mllei nearer than by New York, as ihej ar now compelled to ship. Another Ihje of much value to Fori Scott, is the fconnecliong line of the Atch- A PRACTICAL HAIKj DRESSER. The advent of Mrs. Dver in our citv ha? relieved our ladies from? considerable restraint. This lady, whq has her rooms at No.

iS, Main ctreet. upon the same floor with Drs. Cory I liftman, is indeed the fashionable hair dresser; of this citv. She not onlv carries in stock a large and elegant stock of first and; second quality of human hair in all lengths, but a full line of switches, ladies' and gentlemen's wigs. Mrs.

Dyer is a first; class wig maker and understands the hai? trade thoroughly. Her stock, which consists of all the latest styles cf manufacture, ventilated hair goods, elegant ventilated front pieces, "toupets" for genemen that cannot be excelled anywhere, frizzes for ladies and wigs manufactured to order, composed of all colors of hair, straight and curled hair. MAIL ORDERS. All orders by mail entrusted to Mrs. Dyer will be faithfully filled.

Her "toupets" for gentlemen, made from natural. gray hair, are just elegant. All are mounted on extra webb. Her rooms are laree. handsomely fitted up for ladies' hair dress ing parlors, and shampooing rooms and she is deserving of the patronage of people.

our THE MODEL MARKET. Kessrs. Ffeiffer Weirich Present Their Compliments and Wish Their Patrons a Sappy New Year Their Stockyards and Slaughter Eonse Splendid MarketButchers and Packers As Weil. As has been the the custom annually since the organization ot the nrm or Pfeiffer and Weirich, they greet the readers of the New Year Monitor with a happy New Year to all. These gentlemen are successors-to the firm of Ott Hahn, and since they have had charge of the business a marked im provement has taken place.

First, ther have improved the cattle yards and slaughter house located north of city on the banks of the river, where ample and complete drainage, with an abundance of fresh water enables thei ito pre sent their customers the finest dressed beef seen in the city. The splendid facilities enjoyed by these gentlemen at their slaughter house and stock yards enables them to not only present their customers with meat, clean and artistically dressed meat, but with sleek, fat and highly attractive quarters, which, when cut up, as they well know how, into choice roasts, tender steaks and juicy boiling pieces, is calculated to tempt the appetite of the most fastidious. MEAT MARKET. Passing from the slaughter house to the meat market on North Main street, the customer enters the largest, neatest and best appointed market in this city, and in fact, it may, with equal justice be stated, the finest in the state. The large and handsome room occupied is tastefully arranged with all the appliances of the best equipped meat markets in the large eastern cities.

Hanging pendant from hooks suspended from iron frames, can, at this season of the year, be found the most attractive quarters of delicious beeves that the entire state can afford. Quarters from thoroughbred cattle that would make an eastern butcher turn green with envy. PACKING HOUSE. Messrs. Pfeiffer Weirich are now engaged in packing their own pork.

Although they make no pretense in this line, they yet kill and pack ten hogs daily. They salt and pickle sides, hams, shoulders and bacon, while their smoking facilities are kept running day and night. They are enabled by this means to offer to their trade an unsurpassed ar ticle of cured meat equal to any sugar cured meat in this country, and at prices considerably lower than the Kansas City product. The large trade enjoyed by this nrm is due to several causes, first, thev slaughter prime cattle. Second, they know how to cut up their meat in order that it presents the most attractive shape.

Third, they accommodate their trade by prompt system of delivery and tourtn, they are both thorough gentlemen, affable and pleasant to their customers, al ways accommodating and entirely trustworthy. All of these qualities combined cannot fail to attract just such a trade as they are accustomed to cater to. It Frank Pfeiffer can't please a customer, it's useless to apply to any other. The same may be said of John Weirich. In act, as was remarked by a gentleman rom Providence, Khode island, last week, they are the best qualified men to run a meat market he ever saw, ana ne had traveled a long distance from here.

Their market is delightfully arranged. Every possible appliance to keep meat sweet and fresh. It is, in fact, the model market of the city. At night it Is lit up brilliantly with arc and incandescent electric light, and a creditable display Is alwavs made It not only attracts our own people, but strangers as well. GEO.

E. WARE, Dealer in Lumber, Doors, Sash, Hard and Soft Fine, Oak, Cyprus, Poplar, etc. Here in America all the products of the saw, and shingle mill, beams, planks, boards, studding, shingles, are knows as lumber. In the early times pioneers in the business were subjected to much hardships and many deprivations, but the lumber yard of the latter day is as neat and as comfortable a place of busi-, ness as its neighbor, the dry goods emporium. Perfect system and order prevails, and a lumber yard of to-day would surprise the lumberman of the olden time.

Among the lumber dealers of Fort Scott, the yard of Geo. E. Ware is a model in every respect. Mr. Geo.

E. Ware is yet a young man, Fort Scott having been his boyhood home, but having been raised in the lumber trade, he is a veteran in the business. His lumber vard on the corner of Scott avenue and Third street, contains one of the heaviest stocks of lumber in So uthern Kansas. Hard and soft pines from the northern pineries, and the vast forest of Arkansas, oak, cypress, poplar, Hnn and Indeed every variety of species and cut, also doors, sash, lath, etc. Mr, Ware takes, great pleasure and pains in assisting to make estimates when desired, and in all respects is a gentleman with whom it is a pleasure to do business.

During the year just closed Geo. E. Ware has done his full share of business. The people of Fort Scott are pleased to regard his yard as a fixture and rate it as one of their first class institutions. I ELEMENTS OF GROWTH.

Slowly, at first, but with the certainty of destiny, the elements that were to make this a city, organized themselves. The transition from a government post 4 to a village was the first 6tep, and then the growth of a town which may be vated back about a quarter of a century, f'rid finally the commencement of the ruggle with equally ambitious rivals for he survival of the fittest through which communities, as well as men, must pass fore they have established themselves in public estimation. The year 1S69 marked the first era In growth, and which was a recognition of the fact that here was to be oped product or trade. The growth which is assured also creates an Inviting field for capital seeking time Investments, or de siring to engage in safe speculative enterprises. Loan agent.

A Successful and Growing Business, Conducted by a Reliable man. One of the most enterprising and yet thoroughly reliable and conservative Loan Agents in Fort Scott, is Mr. E. J. Chapin, office No.

10S, East First street. Mr-Chapin is a thoroughly well known man in Bourbon county, and Bourbon county as well, if not better, than any other man in it, having served two terms as county clerk, a position which brought him in contact with all of the people as well as gave him a complete knowledge of the county. After retiring from office two years ago, he opened an office for the purpose of doing a general investment and loan business, and immediately went to the front. His judgment upon the values of property is unexcelled, while his sense of obligation to the parties for whom he operates, is such that his loans are safe for the lender, and are always negotiable with scrupulous fairness toward the borrower. Loans are made by him in unlimited amounts, provided always the security is adequate, and at the very lowest current rate.

An advantage possesed by Mr. Chapin is found in the conservative qualities and careful attention to details which has given him a standing in the east that enables him to negotiate loans with unusual facility, the money always being ready when papers are completed. This is an important consideration, and parties who desire loans on first class property find it to their interest to deal with him. MRS. DORA C.

DYER. Hair Dresser and fares, Waiving pets, Street lors No. Manufacturer of Coif-and Braided, Ton-Wigs, etc. Par-18, Main St. Among the industries recently estab lished in this city, that has for its patrons almost exclusively the gentler sex, yet at the same time the lords of creation are not entirely exempt from the artistic and desirable improvement offered by this industry is the hair dressers art.

The great improvement visible of late in hair dressing is a fact pleasant to see and worthy of note. All modern fashion magazines filled with elegant discriptions of matchless gowns, dainty hats and the latest wraps are incomplete, did they not offer a few interesting items relating to the newest and latest styles of hairdress-ing. At last the American lady is awakened to the fact that the manner in which she dresses her hair has a great deal to do with her general appearance, and to make her appearance in society complete she must have her hair becomingly coiffured. Tt is a. well known fact, amonsr men at least, that with a becoming arrangement of her hair any imperfections of feature are ost in the agreeable whole.

It is an agree AND POSTOFFICE, ON SCOTT AVENUE. a city. In that year the Kansas City, Fort Scott Gulf railroad was built, now Inown as the great Kansas City, Fort Scott Memphis system. With this recognition of commercial power, began the actual developement of the productive enercies of the surrounding country. 1 among which Is a most liberal distribution 1 of mineral wealth also coal, flagging stone, limestone suitable for building; cement cck, brick and potter's clay, natural gas, ochre and soil suitable for agricultural purposes and stock raising, unsurpassed by any section west of the Alleghenies.

Along with the development of the Interests allied to the utilization of these products of nature came a natural acquisition cf social forces and accummulatlon of financial power that still further emphasized the fact that Fort Scott was In the line from north to south and east to west, of the great highways of traffic which were to assist In transforming this region into one of the most ropu'ous and productive sections of the United States. The growth was not of that rapid and startling character standing upon a spongy and uncertain foundation such as has sent some western towns up like a rocket, only to let them I cocae down like a stick, but every year I found the city larger, stronger and more Important than the preceding, carrykijj oa its face a symmetrical compleUu I pleasing to all observers and satisfactory I to Us business Interests, until the city has reached a commanding position among the wholesale and manufacturing cities I west of the Mississippi river, having for I the basis of its wealth and growth the ele- ments we have herein named and a railroad their Influence ana trade, employing hundreds of men, is a practical demonstration of what may be done in Fort Scott in the way of manufacturing. The reason why it may be successfully accomplished is found in the favorable conditions which we have set forth in a general way, for the teason that to enter into greater detail would consume more space than we have at our command. The field is not occupied, and indeed that can never be. The natural growth of population within the territory accessible and tributarv to Fort Scott, opens up possibilities beyond the ken of the man now living.

While the fact that nature and the conditions which organized society have thrown around this city, have united to ensure the congregation of interests here within the near future that will bring to this city a greater share of trade than would naturally fall to its share in any one line, without the drawing efforts of large regations of wholesale and etablish-ments which are here found in successful operation. We have now treated upon the deve-r -p-ment of the city of Fort Scott, its nau.J advantages considered geographically, an i with relation to what nature has done for it, its railroads, and wholesale and manufacturing business, and in order to complete this review, have vet to refer to the oanks and retail trade. BANKS. There are four banks in Fort Scott, in- ctitutions of which the people of the city take pride, because of the fact that the management of each fully realizes the im portant relation which they bear to the business community. We name them in the order of their age and capital stock: The First National Bank; capital stock paid up the Bank of Fort Scott, individual liabilities the Citizens' National Bank, capital stock paid up, the State Banic, capital stock paid up, $100,000, making an "aggregate banking capital of $900,000.

This sum does net, however, Indicate the "eal strength of these institutions, which may be safely' set down at doubly the sums named. All are paying investments, are carefully and conservatively managed, and are withal enterprising and public spirited in the encouragement of every enterprise that can show merit and command confidence. RETAIL TRADE. The retail trade of Fort Scott is extensive and well represented in all lines. The retail merchants have not only customers in the city and county, but by reason of their large stocks draw customer for a distance of a hundred miles.

Several of our retail establishments are in magnitude and character with similar institutions in much larger cities, and carry stocks which for completeness is unsurpassed. And as this review is intended to be a truthful exposition of the commercial and industrial i Tstem only surpassed by St. Louis and Qticago. From this on we have to deal with I ort Scott as it now is. RAILROAD SYSTEM.

The developments of the products of nature by the industry of mankind is the tails cf wealth, but the expanding power cl commerce, allied with human genius, hm, created an agency, the commanding power and greatness of which has formed fn the human mind an Illusion that it is tame thing separate and apart from the jeople whom it serves. This is true because the coming of the railroad marked a 'pew era In civilization, the product of hu-brain, labor, and effort; it has become master of the conditions which surround IS, inasmuch as it has revolutionised, the conditions of trade, which now conforms to sinuous course tnd awaits its comings -i going. The railroad is the creator of Wealth by making its developement pos-I1 la "when It was once Impossible; It annihilates distance and time, and within fifty it has revolutionized the commerce i the world. It follows that It Is no mis-tzXe when we speak, of the commanding I r.pcrtance which attaches to the Fort -3it of to-da because of its complete and rca-juiScent system of railroads. 1.

--inning with the "Gulf system, came one by one until Fort Scott t'-inda-unparalleled la the west for Its I reaching and communicating the country tributary to it, and reach- 7 io the limits of the continent Her Is reach out to the north, south, east I I.