City Fathers Heard Grievances

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Clippings from the Past

Evening Kansan Republican, 25 April 1911

Recently, researching for another blog post, the headline “City Fathers Heard Grievances – Was Called Choice Names by Woman With Big Vocabulary” caught my attention.

The reporter for the Evening Kansan Republican had written a report of a recent Newton City Commission Meeting.  The Commission discussed methods to use when collecting  poll tax, city bridges and the up-coming clean-up campaign. The Commission  unanimously approved Joe Gravel as the city dog catcher,

“each  feeling that Joe’s wide acquaintance in local dogdom, and the zeal he heretofore has instilled into his work made his services most valuable.” 

Then, the Commission heard from several community members.

“The World Has Gone All Wrong . . . “

Mrs. C.T. Smith “gave the commissioners a large sized piece of her mind” while complaining about water drainage from a neighbors barn.

Mrs. Smith did not hold back.  She noted that the city officials were “thugs, tin horn lawyers, robbers and several other staple and fancy varieties” according to the newspaper reporter.

“Bore Up Bravely Under this Great Load . . .”

When City Attorney Brice H. Turner tried to address her concerns “once Mrs. Smith stopped to catch her breathe,” she quickly continued “and with renewed emphasis she told them a few more of the inside facts about how the city should and shouldn’t be run.” Turner was not able to answer her concerns.

The question of the potato patch in the street was  resolved with the Commission promising to investigate.

The solution to Mrs. Smith’s problem was not mentioned in the report.

The City Attorney – B.H. Turner

B.H. Turner was the oldest attorney in Harvey County at the time of his death April 19, 1940. Born in Ohio in 1857, Turner came to Newton in 1881 and worked in a clothing store.  After a year, he returned to Ohio to complete his study of law.  Turner returned to Newton in 1884 to practice law.  In 1886, he opened his office in the Randall Building at the corner of 5th and Main, Newton, where he practiced law for the next 54 years.

B.H. Turner, Newton City Attorney

He was active in the community and served as the President of the Newton Bar Association for many years. As city attorney, he represented Newton in the negotiations with the railroad for the return of the Santa Fe Middle Division Headquarters to Newton from Nickerson.

Turner was described as “vigorous, jovial and a hard worker, a studious, careful attorney, maintaining high ethical standards.” He was survived by his wife, Augusta, and several nieces and nephews.

Sources:

  • Evening Kansan Republican: 25 April 1911.

  • Newton City Directory: 1911.
  • Newton Kansan 50th Anniversary,  22 August 1922., p. 128.
  • Evening Kansan Republican: 20 April 1940, p.1.

“A Little of Everything” at 613 N. Main

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by Kristine Schmucker, HCHM Curator

With the notice that Alexander Jewelry will be closing January 1, 2017, we thought it might be fun to look back at the businesses that have been located at 613 N. Main, Newton.

Which one did you shop at?

By 1885, J. F. McGrath had a grocery business at 613 N. Main. Upstairs at 613 1/2 N. Main, Dr. N. Monday provided dental services and W.M. Morris had a tailor shop.  In 1887, the Bretch Bros had taken over the grocery and several dressmakers operated from the location on the ground floor and second story.  The dressmakers included, Miss Mary O’Keefe, Mrs. M.E. Brooks and Miss Ida Gibson.

Plumb’s China Emporium

W. I. Plumb came to Newton in 1887 and was using the space for his China Emporium by 1902.

Plumb’s China Emporium, 613 N. Main, 1902. Western Journal of Commerce, 1902, HCHM Archives.

He carried “the most complete  stock of crockery and china ware, comprising the latest and most artistic handicraft of the . . . art potteries of Europe and America.”  The Emporium was “tastefully arranged and a more attractive show windows are seen in the city.” By 1915, Plumb’s Emporium had moved to 502-504 Main.

Postcard of Newton’s Main Street, 600 Block, West Side, ca. 1905. Photo by Stovall.

Between 1905 and 1913, several different businesses used the space from  Mildred Coleman, a hair dresser, to the Davis Novelty Store.

View of Newton Main Street, corner of 6th & Main, 1911.

Hogan’s A Little Bit of Everything

Born in Abilene, Ks, September 1883, to Irish immigrants, Richard L. ‘Dick’ Hogan spent several years as a traveling salesman in Kansas. In February 1913, he moved his family to Newton, Ks and went into business with J. G. Bremmer.  They bought the business at 613 N. Main from S.A. Davis for $1,500.

R.L. “Dick” Hogan, 1883-1955.

In 1915,  Hogan installed a new  store front on the building at 613 N. Main.   The editor for the Evening Kansan Republican described the new front as “strictly modern in every respect, with closed backs, plate glass fronts and prism glass at the top.” The article concluded that this would “greatly improve the looks of that block.”

600 Block of Main, Newton, 1959.

Hogan enjoyed “remarkable success” and by 1919 was able to buy out his partner.  In the early 1920s, Hogan established similar stores in Herington and Peabody, Ks. He also expanded the Newton store to the alley.  The business was valued at $20,000 in 1922.

Basement of 613 N. Main, 1955. Dick Hogan & Fred Martinez after cleaning the storage room enjoying a drink from the Fostoria glasses.

Over  40 years, Hogan would run a successful business as well as serve as “the city’s No. 1 booster.” He worked with various groups from the Harvey County Red Cross to Bethel College to raise money for community projects. He served on the city commission in 1949-1953 and was mayor for one year.

Hogan’s Fostoria Glassware display.

At the time of his unexpected death, Dick Hogan, a devout Catholic, was focusing his energies on raising funds for “a new church for Mexican members of the Catholic faith.”  

Hogan died of a heart attack 17 February 1955.  He was 71 and was survived by his wife, Jeanette; sons, Morris and Pat R. and daughters, Katherine Gilchrist, Betty Torline, Marian Snider, Julia Hoffman, Barbara Hanlon.  One son, Lt. Robert L.  Hogan was killed in action during WWII.

600 Block of Main, 1962. Lucile Mitchell Miller Collection.

His son, Morris, took over the business and continued to provide the community with “a little bit of everything.”

600 Block of Main, Newton, Ks, 1963.

Detail of Hogan’s, 613 N. Main, 1963.

Detail of 613 N. Main, 1966.

Morris Hogan closed the business in approximately 1970.

Morris Hogan standing next to “Quitting Business” sign, 613 N. Main, Newton. ca. 1970.

Moffatt’s Jewelry ca. 1972 – 1996

Moffatt’s Jewelry was owned and operated by Harry L and Unilda Bestvater Moffatt.

Moffatt’s Jewelry Store, 613 N. Main, Newton, 1972.

Entry way to 613 N. Main building, 2016.

600 Block of Main, Newton, 1992.

Alexander’s Jewelry, 1996-2016

The store continued as a jewelry store under the ownership of Parker Exposito.  Alexander’s Jewelry will close January 1, 2017.

600 Block Main, Newton, 1997.

Alexander Jewelry Yellow Pages Ad, 1999.

Alexander Jewelry Sign, 613 N. Main, Newton, 2016.

What will be next at 613 N. Main, Newton?

600 Block of Main, Newton, 2006.

Note:

There were several stores in Newton known as “racket stores,” including one associated with Hanlin Merchantile Co.  Hogan’s was initially called “The Racket.”

Ad in the Evening Kansan Republican, 14 May 1921, p. 5.

In 1908, the Evening Kansan Republican provided a description of these stores.  The term,  “Racket Store,” was used in commercial circles to describe

“a store – often open for temporary use – in which cheap goods are sold at ‘bargain prices.’ . . .   sometimes include what are usually termed ‘notions’.”  – Evening Kansan Republican 20 July 1908, p. 4.

Ad in the Evening Kansan Republican, 8 October 1921, p. 3.

What’s next  for 613?
Norm’s Coffee will move to the store.

Sources:

  • Western Journal of Commerce, 1902.
  • Evening Kansan Republican: 22 May 1899, 17 October 1899, 20 July 1903, 2 January 1908, 13 November 1908, 26 April 1912, 16 April 1915, 7 April 1917, 25 January 1919, 14 May 1921, 15 August 1921, 8 October 1921, 22 August 1922, 11 November 1922, 23 December 1922,18 February 1955.
  • Newton City Directory: 1885 – 2000.
  • Harvey County Now: 8 December 2016.

 

Taste of Christmas!

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The sights and sounds of the Christmas season are all around us.  The Harvey County Historical Museum and Archives will once again participate in the Five Places of Christmas this Saturday, Dec 3 from 10:00 – 4:00. 

Ready for the Holidays: Toews Parlor

HCHM Photo Archives

 

Peppernuts 

For many families in Harvey County, peppernuts are a traditional Christmas treat. Below are three recipes for peppernuts from Arpa Wedel’s Recipe Box.

 

Arpa Wedel’s Recipe Box

Arpa Wedel’s Recipe Box

If you try one of Arpa’s peppernut recipes, let us know how it turned out!

 

Arpa Wedel’s Recipe Box

What is your favorite Christmas treat? Feel free to share a memory or recipe with us!

Visit all Five Places of Christmas on Sat., Dec 3 10:00-4:00.