Davison Co., SD - Description and History, 1884 This file is a complete transcription of the descriptive information about Davison County as found in A. T. Andreas' "Historical Atlas of Dakota", 1884. DAVISON COUNTY. Davison County is situated in the James River valley, centrally between the Missouri River and the valley of the Big Sioux, in the midst of the finest portion of southern Dakota. It is bounded by Sanborn County on the north, by the first standard parallel which separated it from the counties of Hutchinson and Douglas on the south, by Hanson County on the east, and Aurora County on the west. It comprises twelve congressional towns, equal to 432 square miles of 276, 480 acres. The James River traverses two of the towns in the northeast corner of the county, near the line of Hanson County, through a fine valley having an average width of a half mile or more. The other principal streams are Firesteel Creek and Morris Creek in the north, and Enemy and Twelve Mile creeks in the south part of the county. The county generally is free from marshes and broken land, nearly its entire area being a beautiful even or slightly rolling prairie, excepting that portion lying contiguous to the James River, which is diversified by picturesque but not lofty bluffs. The county is traversed north of the center by two lines of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company's system, one running directly east and west, the other following the direction of the James River. The county was erected in the session of 1873-4. The commissioners appointed by the Governor were J. Head, L. Hain and J. Platt. There appears to be no records of the proceedings of these officers, but they met at the house of H. C. Green who was appointed Register of Deeds, and Firesteel was made the first county seat. The first general election for county officers took place in November, 1874, at Green's house, at which time the following officers were elected: Commissioners, John Head, L. W. Lowell, R. P. Cady; Register of Deeds, Thomas Watson. Watson did not qualify, and R. L. Alterton was appointed in his stead. Sheriff, C. Morris, elected, but failing to qualify, L. Hain was appointed. Treasurer, Rev. J. Morris; Judge of Probate, Rev. J. Morris; Superintendent of Schools, Rev. J. Morris; Assessor, L. Hain. The county seat was changed to Mitchell, in 1880. The following are the present county officers: Register of Deeds, J. K. Smith; Clerk of Court, William C. Metcalf; County Judge, W. L. Warren; Sheriff, R. L. Alterton; Coroner, A. S. Curtis; Treasurer, R. D. Prescott; Superintendent of Schools, William H. Helwig; Surveyor, Major I. Green; Assessor, C. B Rathburn. The county during the past year has been erecting a fine two-story court-house, of brick, with a stone basement, the whole to cost, when fully completed, $30,000. The building is 56 by 72 feet, and elegantly fitted up with an ample court-room, the necessary county offices, jury rooms, gallery for spectators, etc., and a roomy, strong jail in the basement, fitted up with iron cells and modern improvements for the safe keeping of prisoners. It stands upon an elevation near the center of the city, commanding from its dome a splendid view of the surrounding country. EARLY SETTLEMENT.--The following information relating to the early settlement of Davison County was furnished by Rev. John Morris, who arrived in the county on the 4th of April, 1874, to select a home for his family, and eventually settled on the James River, in Town 104, Range 60, near the mouth of Morris Creek. At the time of his arrival, he found H. C. Green and family living on the bank of the James River, near the mouth of Firesteel Creek, and living with him were J. Head and Mrs. Baker and her two sons, all of whom had settled the year before. J. Platt and family, who had settled at about the same time, were living near. Near them on the river and not far from the Firesteel Creek Mr. L. Hain was living, having been a resident since the fall of 1872. All these parties were living in Town 103, Range 60. Immediately on his arrival Mr. Morris began the erection of a dwelling, and in May, 1874, was joined by his family. The lumber for his house was hauled by teams from Yankton. In the same month Mr. L. Lowell, from Bon Homme, arrived and located on the river in the same township, about one mile south of Green. Mr. R. Alterton came into the county about the same time as Morris, and also located in Town 103, Range 60, J. McDonald located on the Firesteel Creek on the same day, adjoining Alterton, and John Lowell settled in June, 1874, on the river. Major I. Green, a brother of H. C. Green, who had been engaged in surveying in the valley, located land in the summer of 1874. Luke Lowell was another settler in the same township in May, 1874. George F. Allen settled in June, 1874, on Section 32, Town 104, Range 60; A. Curtis settled in Town 103, Range 60, in April, 1874. In May of the same year R. P. Cady, Thomas Watson, Henry, Charles and Richard Morris settled on Sections 26 and 27 in Town 104, Range 60. The following voters were residents of the county in the fall of 1874: H. Morris, C. Morris, Thomas Watson, R. P. Cady, J. Head, Rev. John Morris, H. C. Green, R. Alterton, Maj. I. Green, L. Hain, M. C. Baker, G. Baker, A. Curtis, J., S. Platt, L. Lowell, George F. Allen,--Tyrrell, Charles Saunders, and--Kromer, a blacksmith. During the years 1876, 1877, 1878, there were only a few settlers; but in 1879 there was a great influx of new comers. In the fall of 1879 a considerable settlement was commenced at Firesteel, and thirty two buildings were erected, but upon the settlement of Mitchell everything was removed to the new town. CITY OF MITCHELL.--The commencement of Mitchell dates from May 5, 1879, when a half-section of Government land was located by Gen. John D. Lawler, with soldiers' additional scrip on the surveyed line of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway, in Davison County. The original town was laid out in September following, and in October lots were offered for sale upon contract, the purchasing parties agreeing to pay one-fourth the purchase money down, and guaranteeing the improvement of the lot and taking a bond for a deed; the remainder to be paid upon the completion of the railway to the town. These last payments became due on the 1st of May, 1880. The buildings erected previous to the advent of the railway were either removed from the old trading-post, Firesteel, or constructed from material hauled in wagons from Marion Junction, fifty miles away. During the winter of 1879, which was mild and comparatively free from storms and deep snows, building continued active, considering the difficulties to be overcome. From the day when it became apparent that Mitchell would become a prominent place on a great line of railway, it became at once the objective point for land seekers, and this fact was duly recognized by the General Government when, in October, 1880, a United States land- office was established here. The district includes the counties of Davison, Moody, Miner, Lake, Aurora, Buffalo, Brule, Hanson, McCook and Minnehaha. The following table shows the number of acres taken at the Mitchell Land Office between January 3 and November 29, 1882: Number of Homesteads taken............................ 6,155 Number of acres taken as homesteads................... 984,800 Number of Homestead final proofs...................... 331 Number of acres covered by Homestead proofs........... 52,960 Number of Pre-emptions taken.......................... 4,042 Number of acres pre-empted............................ 646,620 Number of Timber Culture entries...................... 3,315 Number of acres covered by Timber Culture entries..... 530,400 Number of Timber Culture final proofs................. 15 Number of Soldiers' Declaratives...................... 2,335 Number of acres covered by Soldiers' Declaratives..... 373,600 Number of Military Bounty Land Warrants located....... 14 Number of cash entries................................ 2,550 Number of acres entered by cash....................... 408,000 Amount received on cash entries.......................$510,000 Following are a few interesting items relating to the early days of Mitchell, which have been gathered from various sources: On the 16th day of September, 1879, John Walsh moved a 12 by 16 frame building from Firesteel to Mitchell, and placed it on the lot south of where the First National back building now stands. It was occupied during the winter of 1879-80 as a post-office, and also accommodated the "Capital," the first paper published in the place. On the 21st of the same month, M. F. Dunham moved the second building from Firesteel, and set it on the southeast corner of Second and Lawler streets, where it was occupied as a dwelling. In the same month Messrs. Wells & Oswald and Mr. S. F. Goodykoontz commenced bringing lumber by team from Marion Junction, and in October began building, the former on lot 9, in block 13, of the original town, and the latter on lots 10 and 11, in the same block. About the same date O. R. Betts erected a small frame building on lot 12, block 8, in which he opened a hardware store, and probably sold the first goods in Mitchell. M. F. Dunham also hauled a building over for W. Abbey, and located it on lot 7, block 18, where it was occupied as a boarding house by A. P. Pilger. About the same time J. Davy put up a building on lot 19, block 19, which was used for a saloon, and known as the "Chalkstone Saloon." In October, John Lowell moved his building over from Firesteel, and placed it where the Gleason House afterward stood, and of which it became a part. In the same month W. Wells erected a hotel where the Sanborn House now stands, and named it the Wells House. The growth of the city since 1880 has been like that of many other towns in Dakota, rapid and phenomenal. In March of the last mentioned year, a single square of frontage would include all the business building of the place. The year 1882 witnessed a wonderful boom in the growth and improvement of the town. Among the fine business structures erected were the bank of Ormsby, Clute & Co., the First National bank block, the Letcher block and the bank of Mitchell. During the year the aggregate value of building improvements reached the respectable sum of $500,000. The year 1883 witnessed a still greater expansion and outlay. During the season twenty- five business blocks and 200 residences were built, and the aggregate outlay reached an immense sum. The mercantile business of the city for 1883 amounted to more than $1,000,000. The prosperity of Mitchell is owing largely to railway influences, it being the crossing point of the two lines of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway, giving it a central location and making it a fine marketing point for a large region of productive country. The location of a district land office has also conduced largely to its growth and business, and its situation in the heart of the James River Valley constitutes another important factor in its circle of advantages as a business point. The cosmopolitan character of its people, coming as they do from all parts of the American Union, is still another reason for its energetic and continued advance in wealth and population. Valuable building materials abound in the vicinity, including the white chalk-stone of the Missouri Valley, a reddish variety of sand-stone, and the famous Sioux Falls quartzite. EDUCATIONAL.--The first school in the county was opened in 1879. At this time there are no less than sixty, with about 1,500 pupils. The third school in the county was the one which has grown into the present large and prosperous one in Mitchell. The first teachers' institute for Davison County was held in Mitchell in September, 1883. The city has the graded school system, managed by a board of education, and the schools are under the instruction of a superintendent and six teachers. A fine two-story school building was erected in 1880 at a cost of $6,000. It is divided into five large rooms, furnished in the best manner with patent seats and all modern appliances, and has a seating capacity to accommodate 200 pupils. The grounds are commodious, planted with shade trees and surrounded by a substantial fence. Additional grounds east of Main street have lately been purchased at a cost of $2,250, upon which a new building costing not less than $5,000 will be erected to accommodate the increasing population. The school board consists of a president, secretary and eight members, two from each ward. METHODIST COLLEGE.--One of the two principal colleges of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Dakota is to be located in Mitchell. It will be a first-class institution, calculated to furnish a thorough education in all the higher branches, including classical, philosophical, scientific, normal, academic, law, medicine, business, art, music, agriculture, technology, domestic economy and the chemistry of the kitchen. It will add greatly to the prestige of the city. CHURCHES.--The First Presbyterian Church claims precedence in Mitchell, members of it having held religious services in the fall of 1879, at which date some say a church was organized. The membership, at first small, soon increased to respectable proportions, and in 1881 they were able to commence the erection of a church edifice, which was completed in 1882. The value of the church property is placed at $4,500. The intention is to soon erect a parsonage to cost $1,500. The bell hanging in the tower of this church has an interesting history. Miss Anna Robinson, of New York, on her death-bed requested her father to dispose of the money she had laid up for the benefit of some needy church. The father, hearing that the Presbyterian Church at Mitchell, Dakota, was in want of a bell, proceeded to have one cast at a foundry with his daughter's name upon it in raised letters. When ready for use it was forwarded to Mitchell and thankfully received by the church. The Protestant Episcopal Church, known at St. Mary's Church, claims to be the oldest religious organization in the city, dating from the early part of 1880. At that time a portion of Southern Dakota was included in the diocese of Bishop Clarkson, of Nebraska, and this society was a mission charge of the diocese. A house of worship was erected and dedicated in the same year with the organization, and Rev. D. A. Sanford was the first rector. The building is located on the corner of Lawler and Third streets. The present rector is Rev. C. C. Harris, from Lincoln, Neb., who assumed charge on the first of November, 1883. A ladies' aid society, in a prosperous condition, is connected with this church. The value of property is about $6,000. The Catholic Church of the Holy Family was organized in 1880 by Father Hennesey, and in 1882 the congregation were able to erect a house of worship, 37 by 74 feet, with arched ceiling, and furnished in a neat and comfortable manner. The building and lots are valued at $7,500. The communicants number about five hundred, and the church is in a prosperous condition. The First Baptist Church was organized November 27, 1881, by Rev. J. P. Coffman. The society struggled along for two years before they were able to build a church. In 1883 a commodious building, 49 by 67 1/2 feet in dimensions, was erected. It is divided into an auditorium, 42 by 48 feet, and a large Sunday-school room. The main audience room is arranged in the form of an amphitheater, the seats gradually rising from the pulpit, and furnished with Andrews' patent opera-house chairs. The society has recently purchased a fine pipe organ at an expense of $1,300. The value of the entire property is over $7,000. The First Methodist Episcopal Church was organized by Rev. C. E. Hager on the 15th of October, 1882. In 1883 the society erected a fine church edifice of large dimensions, with an ample auditorium and several comfortable class-rooms. the membership is about one hundred. The value of the property of the society is about $8,000. The First Congregational Church was organized by Rev. John R. Reitzel, who was followed by Rev. R. D. Atkins, the present pastor. The society has a fine church edifice, with a membership of fifty or more and a large congregation. A flourishing Sunday school is maintained. Value of property $4,000. A Free Methodist society was organized in 1883, under the leadership of Rev. J. W. Sharp. The membership is between thirty and fifty, and the society is erecting a house of worship during the present season. THE PRESS.--Mitchell is well represented in the newspaper line. The Mitchell "Mail" is the outgrowth of what was originally the Firesteel "Mail," a paper founded by J. W. Walsh in 1878, and published in the old village of Firesteel, at one time a considerable business point, situated at the confluence of Firesteel Creek with the James River. When the new town of Mitchell was located on the railway, its superior advantages attracted all the business of Firesteel, and the "Mail" for a time was discontinued, but was revived in February, 1883, at Mitchell, by Messrs. Sherwin & Stockwell. On the 4th of July, 1883, it became the property of its present proprietors, Messrs. McBride & Sherwin. It is a seven-column quarto, well filled with local and general news, published weekly and doing a good business. The "Republican" was established in October, 1880. It passed through various changes, and eventually fell into the hands of S. D. Cook, its present proprietor and editor. the weekly edition is a nine-column folio, all printed at home, and has a large circulation. The daily is a seven-column folio, issued every morning except Sunday, and gives the Associated Press dispatches, together with a full digest of home and Dakota news. The office includes the finest job printing establishment on the line of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway west of Milwaukee. A handsome, two-story brick building was erected by Mr. Cook in 1883, and the "Republican" can justly boast one of the best and most conveniently fitted up establishments in the Territory. Mr. Cook is a persevering, industrious and successful business man, and has made his journal a power among its compeers. The Mitchell "Capital" was established in 1879, by Mr. J. W. Walsh. Like others, it has seen numerous changes, and is now the property of Messrs. Ewart & Dean, under whose management it is rapidly increasing its circulation and influence. It is a seven-column quarto, cut and pasted like the metropolitan dailies. It makes a specialty of local and Territorial news, and keeps abreast of the times in every respect. A well fitted-up job office offers first-class facilities for every description of work in the printing line. The paper is one of the best in Dakota. The city has a free reading-room under the management of the Women's Christian Temperance Union, supported by voluntary subscriptions from the people. In addition to a full assortment of the leading periodicals of the day, the very complete library of Dr. Chapin is also open to its patrons. The institution is highly prized by the citizens of Mitchell. This enterprising city is the home of the National Homestead Monument Association which has recently spring into existence, with the object of commemorating in some suitable manner the passage of the great homestead law. The present plan is to erect in Mitchell a grand monument, 160 feet in height, so constructed as to represent the principal features of the land survey under the system adopted in 1785. The Southeastern Dakota Agricultural and Driving Park Association was organized as a stock company in June, 1882, with fourteen members. Its object is the special encouragement of agriculture, horticulture and mechanical art, and the general improvement of stock. Two annual fairs have been held, and in 1883 $4,500 was distributed in premiums, the association paying to a dollar the full amounts advertised. The association owns a fine park of forty acres adjacent to the town, fitted up with all necessary buildings and conveniences, the whole costing $7,000. ORDERS AND SOCIETIES.--A lodge of A. F. & A. M. was instituted at Mitchell in April, 1881, with twelve charter members, and W. S. Warren as first master. The lodge has steadily increased in numbers from the first, until its membership at present numbers over fifty, including many of the prominent men of the place. A lodge of the I. O. O. F. was organized April 26, 1880, which makes it the oldest secret organization in the city. The charter members numbered seven, which have been increased to about seventy. The order also has an encampment in Mitchell. They have an elegant hall in the Burr block, in which Odd Fellows and Masons hold meetings alternately. There is a flourishing lodge of the Knights of Honor in the place, which claims to have been the first organized in Southern Dakota. It is largely composed of prominent business men, and its growth and usefulness are both assured. A lodge of the O. O. H. was established in the autumn of 1882, with four charter members, which number has since increased to nearly 200. It is the oldest lodge of this order in Dakota. Ransom Post, No. 7, G. A. R., was organized by Colonel Wolf, in March, 1882, with twenty charter members. The post has increased and flourished, the last report showing over sixty members. It was named probably in honor of General T. E. G. Ransom, the lamented commander of the Seventeenth Army Corps, who died of dysentery, at Rome, Ga., in the fall of 1864. HOTELS.--Mitchell is noted for its fine hotels, there being three which compare most favorably with the best in the Territory, to wit, the Alexander Mitchell House, the Sanborn House and the Bradley House. Besides these there is a considerable number of less important but well conducted and popular places of resort. The Mitchell House, named in honor of Hon. Alexander Mitchell, of Milwaukee, is one of the largest, most complete and best known hotels in Southern Dakota. It was erected in 1881, by Colonel J. L. Davenport, a well known hotel man, at a cost, complete, of $30,000. It is three stories in height, with a mansard roof, situated on the corner of Main and Third streets, and one of the most prominent structures in the city. The main building has a frontage of 118 by 92 feet. The rooms are all comfortable, well lighted and ventilated, with lofty ceilings, and furnished in the best manner. The dining-room is claimed to be the largest in Dakota, with a capacity for seating 350 guests. Every department of this fine hostelry is carefully managed, and the determination of the proprietor is at all times to make it emphatically a comfortable home for the public. It is an honor to the city of Mitchell and the gentleman who manages it. The Sanborn House, one of the finest in Dakota, was commenced on the 15th of June, 1880, by Mr. J. V. Hamilton. The first proprietor was Mr. Wells. The property has changed hands a number of times. In November, 1882, the present proprietor, E. F. Bond, purchased the property, already known as the Sanborn House, and has since conducted it. The building is 60 by 65 feet in dimensions, and two stories in height. The location is a good one, convenient to business and the railway station. It is finely fitted up and furnished and kept in a manner to make it a popular house. It has accommodation for about 100 guests. The Bradley House is another prominent and exceedingly popular hotel, P. G. Somers proprietor. Mr. Somers settled in Mitchell in May, 1883. He had been a resident of Chicago, where for some years he was connected in an official capacity with a large rolling mill. For a time succeeding his arrival he was connected with the Alexander Mitchell House, contributing in an important degree to its popularity with the traveling public. Subsequently he opened a restaurant which he conducted until he leased the Bradley House, in October, 1883. Upon taking possession, he thoroughly renovated and refitted the house, and has from that time conducted it in such manner as to win a wide popularity. The house is well located on Main street, convenient to the railway station and the business center. The main building is 60 by 30 feet in dimensions, with a large addition, the whole affording ample accommodations for the traveling public. Further improvements are contemplated. The Commercial House, a pleasant, home-like hotel, with accommodations for thirty or forty guests, is well located on First street. It is a well kept and popular resort, Mrs. A. E. Breese, proprietor. Other prominent hotels are the American, Gleason and Germania, and there is a large number of well appointed restaurants and boarding-houses. Probably no town in Southern Dakota has better accommodations for the traveling public. BANKS.--The pioneer bank of Davison County was established at Mitchell in the spring of 1880 by Mr. S. F. Goodykoontz, under the title of the Mitchell Exchange Bank. This institution was carried on as a private banking-house by Mr. Goodykoontz until April, 1882, when it was merged into the First National Bank, incorporated in that month. The officers of this bank were S. F. Goodykoontz, president; Capt. J. D. Feegan, vice- president; J. F. Kimball, cashier; J. H. Green and P. T. McGovern. In the autumn of 1883 the bank passed under a different management; Mr. G. retiring from the presidency to take the same position at the head of the Bank of Dakota. The new management of the First National was composed of Gen. J. D. Lawler, president; Mr. H. Rowley, vice-president; J. F. Kimball, cashier. This institution has a paid-up capital of $50,000, with total resources, according to last published statement, of over $200,000. Its business has been ably managed and has steadily increased from the beginning, and its reputation is solidly established as a reliable and well-conducted financial institution. The First National Bank owns and partly occupies the best business block in the city. It is constructed of white chalkstone, with trimmings of red brick. It is two stories in height and of imposing dimensions. The position occupied by the bank is on the corner of Main and Second streets, and forms a conspicuous object among the fine buildings of the city. The banking-house of Ormsby, Clute & Co. was established in Mitchell in September, 1882, constituting one of three similar institutions located at Emmettsburg, Iowa, and at Huron and Mitchell, D. T. The original institution in Iowa is conducted under the firm name of Ormsby Bros. & Co., and at Huron, under the name of Ormsby, Graves & Co. The three institutions have established reputations and are doing an extensive and profitable business in each of the locations. At Mitchell the house has erected on the corner of Third and Main streets a fine and substantial two-story brick banking-house finely finished and conveniently fitted up. In addition to a legitimate banking business in all its branches, the firm is extensively engaged in loaning money on real estate, principally good farms; in fact, this may be called the prominent feature of the business. Their transactions cover a wide expanse of country, extending over Northwestern Iowa, Southwestern Minnesota and Southern Dakota. Since the establishment of the home office at Emmettsburg their aggregate investments in this direction considerably exceed three million dollars. It is probable that no firm in Dakota, and few in the Northwest, have placed more loans on farm property since the opening of their business in Dakota. The gentlemen composing the firm are prompt and accommodating. Mr. F. A. Huggins is the resident manager at Mitchell. The Bank of Dakota was originally established by Mr. I. J. Gray, in December, 1882. It has been re-organized within the past year, and officered as follows: S. F. Goodykoontz, President; J. H. Green, Cashier. The institution occupies a fine building of its own, in an eligible location on Main street, and is doing a large and increasing business in banking and real estate, loans, exchange, etc. It is one of the solid institutions of the city. The Bank of Mitchell was established as a private banking house in November, 1881, for the purpose of doing a general banking and real estate loan business, with Elijah Butterfield as president, and W. C. Metcalf as cashier. The principal member of the firm, Mr. Butterfield, is a wealthy resident of Milwaukee. Mr. Metcalf is a resident of Mitchell, and also a wealthy gentleman who has held several responsible official positions in Davison county. In 1882 the bank was re-organized under the laws of the Territory as the Bank of Mitchell, with a capital of $25,000, and a surplus of $10,000. It has from the first been considered one of the soundest institutions in Dakota. The firm also has a similar establishment at White Lake, in Aurora County, Dakota, under the management of Mr. H. Huyssen. The Bank of Mitchell is well located in the business portion of the city, occupying a fine two- story building, constructed of red brick, with a heavy plate-glass front. The interior is conveniently arranged and handsomely fitted up. MANUFACTURES.--Among manufacturing institutions may be mentioned the Mitchell flouring mill and elevator, on the railway adjoining the company's grounds. This enterprise is under the management of a joint stock company, of which F. H. Cotes is president, J. C. Brown, treasurer, and J. D. Wood, secretary, all of the Merchant Mills, Monmouth, Knox Co., Ill. The dimensions of this structure are 40 by 56 feet, and 55 feet high. The building stands on a solid stone foundation, and will have a storage capacity of 20,000 bushels of grain. The mill is thoroughly constructed in every part, and fully equipped with the Hungarian roller-process machinery, all driven by a 2100 horse power steam engine, and capable of producing 125 barrels of flour every twenty-four hours. The total cost of the establishment will approximate $25,000. The structure will be made as nearly fire-proof as is possible. A foundry and machine shop, on an extensive scale are among the projected works. These will be erected on land set apart by General John D. Lawler. The intention is to erect a main building, 40 by 60 feet, and other buildings sufficient to employ about twenty men at the outset in the manufacture of iron pumps, pump cylinders and every description of general foundry and machine work. Mr. G. H. Summers, from Beloit, Wis., is manager of the works. The steam feed mill of S. Bosworth, recently purchased from Mr. John M. Tenny, is an important institution and doing a large and successful business for a region of fifty miles radius. In addition to a heavy custom business the mill manufactures large quantities of buckwheat four and feed of every description, for merchant sales. Mr. George B. Orswell is also proprietor of a feed and chop mill, situated on First street, at the corner of Sanborn. The mill contains a corn-sheller and a Raymond patent feed-mill, for manufacturing Graham flour, corn meal and buckwheat four, which are supplied at the rate of twenty bushels per hour, and mostly handled by city merchants. Mr. Orswell has been a resident of the place since April, 1882, and is doing a fine business. A promising and extensive industry is the manufacture of brick. Mr. Joseph Spears. is the proprietor of this business, and his yards situated near the James River are turning out an excellent quality of brick from material found in abundance on the ground, and claimed to be equal to any in the country. Many of the best blocks in the city are constructed of this material. There are in the city about thirty practicing attorneys, many of whom are also engaged in real estate business; ten or twelve physicians; about twenty-five real estate dealers, exclusive of attorneys; twelve or more insurance agencies; a flourishing board of trade; ten contracting and building firms; a well organized hook and ladder company; a United States land office; a local telephone system, well patronized; a creamery; four extensive lumber establishments; four coal dealers; three grain dealers; two express offices--the American and United States; a driving park association; about forty mercantile establishments; a manufactory of artificial stone; five livery stables; the usual variety of small traders, manufacturers and mechanics, and a population of about three thousand. The city is well supplied with excellent water by wells varying from fifteen to thirty feet in depth, and artesian water is easily obtainable. An artesian well was sunk in the spring of 1883, to a depth of 310 feet, where an abundant flow was obtained; but as the boring was of too small a caliber to furnish the necessary supply the well was plugged and steps taken to sink a large drill with a view to furnishing the city with water sufficient for all purposes. INCORPORATION.--The place was incorporated as a village in 1881, the first election having been held on the 7th of May, at which time the following officers were elected. Trustees, J. J. Devy, James S. Foster, P. T. McGovern, J. L. Davenport, A. J. LaBarre; Clerk, C. W. Taylor; Treasurer, F. E. Moses; Justice, A. H. Daniels; Marshal, Frank Stiles; Assessor, I. H. Green. The town was incorporated as a city under a special charter granted at the session of 1882-3, and the first election took place on the first of April, 1883, at which time the following officers were elected: Mayor, C. S. Burr; Aldermen, F. F. Hammer, A. M. Bowdle (Mr. Bowdle resigned and was succeeded by J. E. Tillotson); A. Platner, H. Koch, A. A. Hammer, E. Devy. L. O. Gale, Thomas Fullerton; Clerk, G. L. Beckett, resigned, and M. M. Hitchcock appointed; Treasurer, T. W. D. Oswald; Assessor, J. T. Morrow; failed to qualify and Charles Rudolph appointed in his place; Marshal, D. W. Collins, elected; Capt. J. T. Pierce subsequently appointed; Police Justice, W. Abbey; City Justice, J. N. Crow. Board of Education: W. H. Knowlton, S. D. Martin, James S. Foster, George W. Hunter, L. Beckwith, M. F. Dunham, S. D. Cook, Dr. C. B. Bracy. MOUNT VERNON.--The following statements concerning the early settlement of this place and vicinity were furnished by C. H. Arland, Esq., an early settler and prominent citizen. Mr. Arland first visited this region on the 20th of September, 1879, when he located on Section 22, Town 103, Range 62. He found, on his arrival, H. S. Edwards and family living on Section 10 of the same town, having settled in May previous, and the Johnston brothers on Section 4, who also came in May, 1879. These were the only inhabitants for many miles around. Mitchell was just coming into existence. The grade stakes of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway were set in this county in March, 1880, and in July following, Mr. Arland relinquished his right to the north half of the southwest quarter of Section 22, Town 103, Range 62, to the railway company which entered the tract with scrip. H. C. Burgess also made the same arrangement with the south half of the same quarter section. The railway was completed to this point in September, 1880, and in December, 1881, the company laid out the original town on the land described. The place grew rapidly during the season of 1881. From a point one and a half miles west of the town, in August of that year, Mr. Arland counted sixty buildings, including sod shanties. Within a radius of five miles around Mount Vernon, in the winter of 1880-81, were living H. S. Edwards, W. R. Miller, P. T. Gibson, F. B. Rowell, the three Johnston brothers, M. Doherty, T. Gilleran, George Lewis, Dr. Abbott, Anton Meyer and D. McLatchie. A post-office called Arlandton was established in January, 1881, and Mr. Arland appointed postmaster. In the spring of 1882, Mr. Arland and E. S. Johnston purchased the town site from the railway company, and soon after the former sold his interest to J. C. Tatman. In April, 1882, he commenced the erection of the Mount Vernon House, and a little later Messrs. Johnston & Tatman put up a large frame store building. W. S. Tobey also erected a building for a general store. The pioneer store was erected by Mr. L. George a little west of the present town, in the fall of 1881. In May, 1882, he removed it to the new town site. The Davison County bank building was commenced in the fall of 1882, by. C. Tatman, and completed by him in the Spring of 1883. The Methodist Episcopal denomination erected a church edifice in the fall of 1883, and a fine school building was put up in the same year at a cost of $3,500. It has a seating capacity of 100. The town boasts a lively newspaper, the "Gazette," established by John M. Pease, first issued June 29, 1882. It is a six-column quarto, and has an extensive circulation in both Davison and Aurora counties. ROME, EMSLEY, VICTOR and CHANKA are small post-offices in different parts the county. The town is improving quite rapidly, and contains at the present time about 500 people.