THE CITY OF RANDALL, as published in the JEWELL COUNTY MONITOR, FEB 26, 1903, Front page.
Something About Its People and Business By Chas Whitney
In speaking of the towns of Jewell county, Randall is always mentioned as first among the leaders, both in point of business and population. Randall is situated in the southeast part of the county, five miles from the south line and six miles from the east line. Randall is located in the Buffalo valley, a section of country that is famed the state over for the large quantities of wheat and corn that are raised in it; also for the fine cattle and hogs that are yearly raised and fed.
Jewell, as a county, has always been famous for its corn, hogs and cattle, and we know of no section of the county that could surpass that lying in the vicinity of Randall. In this part of the county there are quite a number of large stone quarries that produce large quantities of fine building stone of a limestone nature. These stones run from eight to ten inches thick and may be split and when split they make some of the finest flag rock we have ever seen. Large quantities of these stones are shipped to other points, thus making quite an item in Randall’s commercial affairs.
Randall has a population of about four hundred and first became of consequence as a town when the Missouri Pacific railroad was built through this section of the county. The members of the original town company were Ed Randall (now deceased), N. Crill and R.M. Brigham. Randall has the usual city government—at present the city officers are as follows: Mayor, W.H. Joslyn; Clerk, A.G. Sutcliff; Police Judge, W.F. Morris; Marshal, Dave Cooper.
The business men of Randall are hustlers in the highest degree, always looking out for the town and their customers. The business catalogue is filled with all the ordinary kinds of business. Randall has good shipping facilities and good buyers, and consequently a large amount of grain and stock is marketed here.
Randall has two churches, the Christian and Methodist Episcopal. Both have erected very nice buildings. The Christian people have for their pastor the Rev. J.W. Beaver of Glasco, Kansas, who preaches each alternate Sunday. They have Sunday school and Junior Endeavor meetings each Sunday; their members number about one hundred. The M.E. people number about one hundred and have preaching every two weeks with R.M. Rush as pastor. They have Sunday school and Epworth League meetings each Sunday. The people belonging to these churches are earnest hard working Christians, and have done much toward making Randall what it is—a good moral town without a joint.
Randall is also well equipped with secret societies, having lodges of all the leading orders, consisting of the Masons, Odd Fellows, Workman, Woodman, Fraternal Aid, Rebeka [sic] etc. These orders are both of a fraternal and insurance nature, are a benefit to humanity and we believe should have the hearty endorsement of the public.
These writings would be incomplete indeed were not some mention made of the Randall Cornet Band, composed of twenty members of whom six are ladies, with C.M. Connelly as president, L.M. Brigham, business manager; E.A. Bowman, leader; C.E. Kibbe, assistant leader, and Miss Lilly Kibbe, secretary and treasurer. This band has been organized five years, and has become one of the best in this part of the state. The purpose of the band is musical culture—good music forms many of the little oases to be in the desert of life—and any effort in that direction should be assisted and borne along by the public.
Randall is not lacking in good schools, in fact, there are none better. The school is composed of three rooms, with Prof. Hugh Durham (county superintendent elect) as principal and Misses Orpha Daniels and Bertha McIntyre assisting him. The school is well attended, and both patrons and scholars seem to be doing nicely. The board seems to realize the importance of good schools, and render the teachers all the assistance possible.
To the public we would say that Randall would be an excellent place to invest your money. It has all the modern conveniences, and above all is a good moral town where property is steadily advancing. If you are looking for a home or business location, don’t pass Randall without looking it over.
J.S. HART. We had the pleasure of making a short call at the office J.S. Hart, who is in the grain and coal business at Randall. Mr. Hart is an experienced grain man, and has been in the business here for four years. He has a modern elevator of 13,000 bushel capacity, also large coal shed where he keeps constantly in stock all kinds of coal at reasonable prices. He believes in living and letting live, and will pay you every cent the market will afford and you may rest assured that your weights will be correct.
Mr. Hart has a fine well improved farm of 160 acres just east of town, where he raises and feeds considerable stock. He is also quite an alfalfa raiser and has quite a field of the same on his farm. He is one of the pushing men of Randall and always stands for the town.
JAMES A. CARROLL has made Kansas his home for the past 32 years and for the last 18 years has been a citizen of Randall and for five years has been postmaster and is at present occupying that position. The condition of the office and the fact that three rural mail routes have been established during his years of service testify to his faithfulness in discharging his duty and in looking after the best interests of the patrons of the office in fact no one could have done more for Randall’s mail service than he.
Mr. Carroll stands high in the circles of masonry and has also been prominent in the county’s politics. He has always been an enthusiastic worker for Randall’s good and has served two years as mayor of the town.
The men who came to Kansas in the early years when the coyote held undisputed away over the prairies, and who have stayed with their respective towns and helped to make them what they are, are the ones who should receive the credit for it, and their pathway should be smoothed at every opportunity. Among these Mr. Carroll stands in the front ranks. (There is a picture of Mr. Carroll as a young man in this issue of the MONITOR)
B.H. GORDON, who is now in the butcher business in Randall, has lived in Kansas 17 years. He is a native of Maryland, but lived in Pennsylvania before coming here. Mr. Gordon has had extensive experience in the mercantile business, having been connected with Elliott, Plum & F. Angle of the town, then for a number of years with the J.D. Robertson Mercantile Co. of Jewell and also with John Larimer of Randall. He then engaged in the grocery and restaurant business in Randall at which he was very successful. After selling out her business he engaged in the butcher business, and he has as neat and clean a shop as could be found anywhere in the county, fitted with everything modern and up-to-date. He does his own killing, consequently has fresh goods at all times. He handles everything to be thought of in connection with a complete shop, and his weights and prices are always right. He also pays cash for all kinds of produce. Mr. Gordon has stored 350 tons of ice which will be for sale in its season.
SAMUEL GITHENS. When we shook hands with Samuel Githens, we met one of the oldest settlers in this part of the country—he having homesteaded here 30 years ago. He is one of the men who have made Randall what it is. He was at one time engaged in the general mercantile business at this place. He is an expert at cabinet making and carpentering, and kindly showed us some very fine work of his along that line. He owns considerable town property here and has no notion of changing his location.
W.H. COLLINS. While in Randall we had the pleasure of shaking hands with W.H. Collins, who is a practical steam engineer. He has had 13 years’ experience at his trade, and has lived at Randall 5 years.
Mr. Collins is an expert with an engine and can do anything in the line of repairing in connection with steam engines. We can fully recommend him and advise those in need of that kind of work to always call on him. He is well known here, having lived 28 years in the state.
S.H. FARRAR. The jovial good natured agent of the Mo. Pac. At this place, S.H. Farrar, was found at his post busy but happy.
Mr. Farrar has lived in Kansas 15 years, has also been with the Mo. Pac. 15 years—9 years of which have been spent at Randall. He is quite popular among the patrons of the station, as the amount of business done by it will testify—amounting to about #3,500 per month. We can find only one fault with Mr. Farrar, and that is that he is still a bachelor, but perhaps in time even that fault may be remedied.
MRS. S.L. HART. Upon entering the store of Mrs. S.L. Hart, we found a stock of milliner goods as complete and up-to-date as one would expect to find in a city three times the size of Randall, and the ladies of Randall should consider themselves lucky to have such a stock to choose from. Besides a line of milliner goods she has a nice display of jewelry, also a full stock of all kinds of ladies furnishing goods. She goes to St. Joseph twice each year to buy goods, and in the season she secures the services of an expert trimmer who understands all the latest styles and effects and will guarantee you satisfaction. Just now she is having her annual clearing up sale and you can buy anything in the store at cost and in many cases below cost. Be sure to call on her before it is too late.
G.J. SEAVER is one of the oldest settlers of Jewell county. He homesteaded in Prairie township in 1871, and has seen all the ups and downs of early times in Jewell county. His occupation has been mostly farming. Owing to an accident which made him unfit for labor he is now living in Randall, having retired from active life. Mr. Seaver is well known throughout Jewell county, and is respected by all.
J. DOBBINS came to this state 30 years ago from Hardin county, Iowa. He is a native of North Carolina. He left Kansas 16 years ago for Colorado, where he resided until last August when he returned to Randall. While in Colorado he had the misfortune to lose one of his limbs in a railway accident.
Mr. Dobbins is now in business at Randall, having for sale groceries, both staple and fancy, fruits, vegetables, nuts, candies, cigars and tobacco. He has a large roaster and always has fresh peanuts for sale. He has ice cream and summer drinks in their season. He conducts a very pleasant place, and if you have a few movements [sic] to spare drop in and you will always receive a cordial welcome.
W.T. HART & SON are in the live stock business in Randall, and are the only exclusive buyers here. They take good care of their trade, always paying top prices and consequently are having a fine run—buying and shipping as much stock as any other station along this line.
W.T. Hart, the senior member of the firm, has been in this state 17 years. Besides his business here he is quite an extensive farmer and stock raiser, owning 240 acres of good land east of town.
Good honest stock buyers are a necessity to any town and the farmers should always give the home buyer a chance before selling elsewhere.
THE CARROLL HOUSE. Mrs. J.A. Carroll, the proprietress of the Carroll House, has lived in Kansas 23 years, and has managed the hotel here for 18 years. Mrs. Carroll thoroughly understands her business, and you will always feel comfortable and like you were at home when stopping there. She makes a specialty of the commercial trade, and her rooms and table are surpassed nowhere along the line. She has a good sample room in connection, which is warm in the winter and well ventilated in summer.
If you happen to be in Randall at meal time be sure to go to the Carroll House. You will surely be satisfied, and your patronage is respectfully solicited.
J.E. FIELDS is engaged in the furniture business and has one of the largest stocks in the county, having bought the stock of A.G. Sutcliff’s, and also the stock of the Randall Jewelry and Furniture Co. Combining the two they make a stock that is complete in every detail, consisting of everything to be thought of in connection with the furniture business. Mr. Fields is also well prepared for undertaking, carrying a full line of coffins, caskets, burial robes, etc. You will do well to call on Mr. Fields when needing anything in his line, as his prices are always at bed rock.
Mr. Fields’ former business was that of farming and stock raising. He now owns a fine well improved farm of 360 acres, southwest of Randall.
DR. GEO. N. LOWE. In meeting Dr. Lowe of Randall we were pleased to shake hands with one of the oldest practitioners in the county. Dr. Lowe has practiced in Randall for thirteen years, and has been very successful. He holds diplomas from several of the leading medical colleges of the United States. He has one of the finest resident properties in Randall, also owns 64 pieces of property in the city of Pierre, the capital of South Dakota; also a cattle ranch of 1120 acres 5 or 6 miles due west of Pierre, located on a plateau at a bend of the Missouri river, where he expects to move next April—intending to make that his future home. The Doctor and his estimable wife are liked and respected by all who know them and Randall will be sorry to lose them.
MORRIS & MCDANIEL are land and loan brokers at Randall, and have probably done as much toward building up and advertising the town as any firm in the town.
W.F. Morris has been in his present business fifteen years and has resided in the state twenty-seven years. He is justice of the peace, and has held that office for ten years. He owns property in town, and is looked upon as one of Randall’s substantial citizens.
R.L. McDaniel has lived here for a number of years. He is a large land owner, also has considerable property in Randall. He deals extensively in cattle and hogs.
The firm attends to all kinds of real estate business, make land loans, attend to collections, etc. Give them a trial. You will be satisfied with their way of doing business.
C.V. WOOLSEY. One of the neatest and best regulated groceries and restaurants that we have been in, in the county, we found at C.V. Woolsey’s at Randall. He furnishes meals and short orders at all hours of the day or night, and after you have once eaten there you will always go there. He carries a full line of staple and fancy groceries, candies, fruits, cigars and tobacco and always has on a fine line of fresh vegetables. He has a large peanut roaster, and can furnish peanuts hot from the roaster.
Mr. Woolsey has lived in Kansas 29 years. He is a photographer by profession and was formerly engaged in that business. Mr. Woolsey is a pleasant gentleman, and will always treat you courteously when you stop at his place.
W.H. JOSLIN & SON are in the lumber and coal business at Randall, and are in it right, too, as they carry a fine stock and sell at prices that defy competition. They handle all kinds of lumber, sash, doors, blinds, posts, shingles, etc., plaster, cement, brink and tiling and all leading kinds of coal.
W.H. Joslin has lived in Kansas 25 years, and spent 16 years in the grain business at this place and has been in the lumber business 3 years. Up to a short time ago they were also engaged in the hardware business, having just recently sold their hardware stock.
Mr. Joslin owns a good farm of 160 acres, joining the town site, and raises a great many hogs; also has stock in the Randall Telephone Co. M.E. Joslin, his son, is actively engaged in the business with him. They are at present contemplating extensive improvements in their yard.
RANDALL TELEPHONE CO. was organized last June with a capital of $5,000. The officers are as follows: President, C.M. Connelly; Vice President, B.H. Gordon; Secretary and Treasurer, L.M. Brigham. Rus [sic] Crane business manager and Logan Petty, line man. Besides a complete system in town they have about 35 miles in the country.
L. WOOD. We were happy to meet L. Wood, Randall’s hustling jeweler and music man.
Mr. Wood is an expert at all kinds of jewelry and engraving work and if your watch or clock can be fixed he can do it. He carries a large stock of jewelry, watches, clocks and silverware.
He has shown remarkable judgment in choosing his stock and has nothing but what is beautiful and artistic enough to suit the most refined.
He is also in the music business and keeps on hand a nice stock of musical instruments and musical supplies, try him before buying a piano or organ as his prices can’t be beat.
Until recently Mr. Wood was also in the furniture business but has just sold his stock to James Fields.
DR. W.M. THOMAS came to Kansas 13 years ago, and in the year 1896, graduated from the Kansas City Medical College of Kansas City, Mo. He then took post-graduate work in Chicago, and 6 years ago commenced practice at Republic City, Kansas, when he practiced until a short time ago with gratifying success.
Although Dr. Thomas is a young man he is by hard work and close application to business building for himself a reputation of which an older man might feel proud. He has been in Randall but a short time, but his practice is rapidly picking up and he is fast making host of friends. His office is located at Fairchild’s drug store. His practice is general, and he will answer calls day or night.
BRUCH & SON. Upon visiting the blacksmith shop of Bruch & Son, you will find there a shop that is up-to-date in each particular. You will find there a two and one-half horse power Webber gasoline engine with the following connected; A boss trip hammer, band saw, drill, disc sharpener, grind stone, emery wheel and a turning lathe used for either wood or iron. Their patent blower is also run by the engine. They make a specialty of shoeing horses, and have stocks arranged in such a way as to be able to handle the most fractious horse with ease. In the wood department you will find everything ship shape and will find them able to do anything you may require. Give them a trial and you will always have them do your work.
E.B. REED. A glance around the barber shop of E.B. Reed would convince anyone that he understands his business, and when he shaves you or cuts your hair you will at once conclude that he is thoroughly the master of his trade. He has worked 9 years at the business. He has his shop fitted with two modern chairs with everything else up-to-date, which adds to the comfort of his customers.
Mr. Reed is a native of Kansas, and came to Jewell county when quite young. He has been in business at Randall 5 years. He informs us that he is enjoying a fine trade. Mr. Reed is a pleasant gentleman, and your welcome at his shop will always be cordial and your patronage will be appreciated.
O.C. SCANLAND. While making the rounds in Randall we called on our friend Mr. O.A. Scanland whom we found busy in his big general store but who very graciously took the time to tell us something of his business and future prospects.
Mr. Scanland has spent 25 years of his life in this country and has spent 7 years teaching in our public schools. He commenced business here four years ago. Each department of his store is complete and tastefully cared for.
His dry goods department is replete with bargains in choice goods and you can find any thing you desire in his line of ladies furnishing goods. His line of shoes is among the largest in the county and he has bargains in this department that will defy competition and save you lots of money. Be sure to look at his stock of gloves, underwear and mittens before buying. His prices are right and above all things don’t fail to enquire about those all wool men and boy’s pants made by the Topeka Woolen mills and every pair guaranteed.
When we came to the grocery department we found that here he was excelled by none. Everything was fresh and clean. Everything new was to be found and we think if you would try the famous Morning glory bulk coffee you would never use any other, he also has a fine line of glass and queensware.
In fact his store is complete if you can think of anything connected with a general store ask Scanland; he has it.
He will appreciate your trade large or small and thank you for it.
C.M. CONNELLY. While in Randall we had the pleasure of meeting Mr. C.M. Connelly who is manager of the Greenleaf Baker Elevator and coal yards at this place.
He is a native of Iowa but has lived in Kansas 22 years. He came to Randall four years ago to take charge of the business here. The elevator and bins have a capacity of about 10,000 bushels. Mr. Connelly reports business as being good averaging during the year about $6000 per month. They have at all times a good supply of all kinds of coal with they sell at the lowest possible prices. They also handle all kinds of field and garden seeds. He is also president of the Randall Telephone Co.
He owns property in the city and will make this his permanent home.
HART BROS. & CO have one of the best stocks hardware and implements in Jewell county. They have just commenced business, being successors to W.H. Joslin & Son, but they are starting out in good shape and report a nice trade. Their line of shelf hardware is very nice and nothing lacking; also a fine line of jewelry and silverware decorate their show cases. They handle the Gold Coin Round Oak and Hot Blast heaters and the Acorn and Leavenworth cookers and Oxford ranges. Guns and ammunition are one of their specialties; also paints and oils of all kinds. They carry a full line of wagons and buggies of the leading makes. They handle the Canton and Moline farm implements and the Milwaukee harvesting machinery. They also have a complete harness department, consisting of harness, saddles, whips, robes, blankets, etc. Try them in any department and you will find their prices right.
CRANE BROS. Among the many enterprising firms of Randall that of Crane Bros. general merchants stand prominently in the front row. They came to Kansas in 1894, and 6 years ago commenced the mercantile business. They have a fine large store building built of Randall stone, which is nicely arranged for conducting the business and at night is lighted by their own acetylene gas plant –the only plant in town. It furnishes a very brilliant light.
They have in stock everything that could be mentioned in connected with an up-to-date general store and as they buy in large quantities and for cash they are always able to offer their customers bargains that could not be found elsewhere. Just at present they are paying special attention to their line of shoes, which is quite extensive—composed chiefly of the Hamilton and Brown make, whose shoes are everyone [sic] guaranteed. They will make you a price on shoes that will surprise you.
The Crane Bros. are also interested in other lines of business here, D.R. Crane being the business manager of the Randall Telephone Co. They are men with whom it is a pleasure to transact business—public spirited to extremes, and always working for Randall and her good.
R.W. FAIRCHILD has been in the drug business in Randall since last September coming to this place from Kensington Kansas where he was engaged in the same business. Mr. Fairchild is a son of Dr. L.A. Fairchild who at one time practiced medicine at this place, he is a competent druggist having had seven years experience he makes a specialty of compounding prescriptions.
He carries in stock a full line of pure fresh drugs and chemicals all kinds of patent medicines, paints, oils and varnishes, ink stationary, books and school supplies.
He carries a nice line of jewelry and has all kinds of fancy and toilet articles also a nice line of pipes and cigars. He sells all kinds of stock food and is recommending Roberts White pine cough syrup for colds and sore throat. He invites you to call and look his stock over whether you buy or not.
H.M. TUTTLE is a hustling blacksmith at Randall, and has been running a shop here for 5 years. He has had 15 years’ experience in blacksmithing, and is thoroughly competent to do any work in that line. He is also an experienced wood worker and can do all kinds of wagon or buggy work. Horseshoeing is also a specialty with him.
Mr. Tuttle has his shop fitted with all the modern tools, consisting of emery wheel, lathe for wood or iron, etc., all being run by horse power. He has lived in Kansas 27 years, and is well-known in Randall and vicinity. He is a fine workman, and you will make no mistake in giving him your work.
J.W. PEERY, who runs the livery barn at Randall, is one of those all around good fellows with whom it is a pleasure to transact business. He has lived in the state nearly all his life, and has been in the livery business in Randall 4 year—his former business being farming.
Mr. Peery’s barn is well equipped and well kept. He has 5 good driving teams and as many buggies, two surries, trunk wagon, etc. He makes a specialty of the commercial trade and guarantees good service. He is also in the dray business, and is always ready to do hauling in any part of the city. His brother, Albert assists him in the management of the barn. When in Randall be sure to give them a call.
DR. F.E. WAY, who is practicing physician and surgeon at Randall, is of hardy Scotch-German descent, was educated at the State Agricultural College of Kans., and is also a graduate of the Kansas City Medical College of Kansas City, Mo., of the class of ’95. He has practiced in Randall 7 years, and has a large practice which is constantly increasing.
The Doctor believes in encouraging everything that is moral and uplifting, and is a lover of music, science and natural history. The Doctor has also made an extensive study of Taxidermy, and has on exhibition a collection of birds and animals of his own mounting. The Doctor has made the eye a special study, and is an expert at fitting glasses. He guarantees all his work in that line. His office is at the Star Pharmacy, where he will be glad to meet you.
STAR PHARMACY. Conducted by Mrs. Jennie R. Way, is the place where you can buy fresh new drugs at reasonable prices. She handles drugs, patent medicines, chemicals, sundries, stationery and everything kept and sold by a first class drug store. The store is located in the central part of town on main street. They make a specialty of prescription work and the prices are always reasonable. When you send a prescription to the Star Pharmacy you can depend on three things—clean fresh drugs, accurate compounding and that the price will always be right. Give them a call.
THE RANDALL NEWS. A town that is possessed of a good newspaper is among the lucky, as it seems impossible for a town to grow and thrive without one. In the News Randall has a first class paper that seems to be doing all it can toward building up the town and business interests.
W.A. Smith, the editor and proprietor, is a hustler after news and business. He has had 48 years of experience in newspaper work. He formerly edited the News at Blaine, Kans., and eighteen months ago moved his plant from that place to Randall. He is a G.A.R. man and one of the wheel horses of the Republican party. The News should receive the support of every business man in Randall.
Transcribed by Marjorie Kincheloe Slaughter. Please excuse any typos.