The City of North Platte
Educational Advantages, Church Conveniences,
Public Improvements and Splendid Homes.
Various Features of North Platte
Pictured and Described.
Nestling In ond of tho fairest sections of tlio state, at the Junction 01
tho North and South Platto rivers, on an excellent townslto, Res North
Platte, tho county seat or Lincoln county, one of tho host stock raising
Alfalfa and farming districts of Nebraskn, a city richly dowered Indeed and
tbo worthy prido of nil our people. It is not a villngo of which we speak,
nor yet a metropolis, but a throbbing, vigorous, bustling city of 5,500 in
habitants. There Is but Httlo pauperism in city or county; crlmo is kept down to
a minimum and the total city Indebtedness Is but $20,000, while tho value
of tho taxable property is over $2,000,000. Tho telephone company gives
adequate sorvico and tho Chamber of Commerce Is a most effective agency
for tho advancement of the best iutere3ts of ono and all.
Located on tho main lino of tho Union Pacific, with many passenger
trains dally, and tho Burlington soon to build through tho town, wo have n
ilrot-class moll and train service. Our various mercantile establishments,
tho $7C,000 monthly pay roll, our mill, lumber yards, three banks, four
garages, cemont plants, etc., employ a largo number of men and give North
Platto tho bustling appearancq which "looks good" to the stranger. We
havo a fine alfalfa stock raising and general farming country, and the Irri
gation canals are making this section blossom as tho roso and add riches to
our coffors.
Wo have a splendid High school, five graded schools, and we aro second
to none in educational facilities for a town of this size. Local society com
pares with tho cultivated communities of the east and the Kallroad Y. M.
J. A. is a strong factor in the moral bottoTraent of the town.
Briefly, religious, educational and social features are well represented,
for wo have seven well maintained churches, lodgo halls of leading organi
zations, a fine theater in tho Keith, two moving picture enterprises, the
varioua women's organizations, and whatever a progressive, up-to-date town
of this elzo should havo Ib found here. Tho cllmato Is mild In winter, pleas
ant in summer, and lhoro is vigor and llfo in the air, making the blood
tingle and stimulating all to tho best endeavor.
North Platto may well tempt Uie descriptive pen, but we will paps from
-word-painting to tho various features of Interest in this gem of the prairies,
this progressive, wide-awake town of 5,500 boosters and pushers for their
city. Good fortune smiles on our community, smiles through sunshine and
rain and growing and developing and improving men, women and children
of greater promise than those who went before. Here nature and art would
seom to minister to man and provide a city that meets every requirement
and expectation.
Tho broad prairies in our famous valley, smiling with the queenly alfalfa,
golden grain and tasseled con whee North Platte lives, moves and has her
being, havo built up a flourishing town that makes our prosperity sure In
deed. Tho pioneers of early days wrought bettor than they luiew In casting
their lot on this fair expanse of God's creation, and all honor to them, for
we reap in increasing measure from their toil and hardihood.
Standing on the solid rock of past achievement, endowed with all the
requisites necessary for legitimate, rapid expansion, North Platte, with just
pride In her self and faith in her destiny, presses forward to gather the fruit
fast ripening for her hands.
Not many years ago the red man roamed these plains, but' now all is
changed. Tho magic touch of tho passing years has wrought wonders in
truth, and transformed the scene into ono or beauty, prosperity and progress,
Yhorein education and culturo abide and a high type of American citizenship
Is found.
North Platto offers superior advantages not only In commercial and
railroad pursuits, but to thoso who are in search or a desirable home, re
moved from tho strife and turmol! of tho great centers, yet enjoying all the
advantages of urban life. We havo a high moral tone, modern, beautiful
homes, the best educational advantages, churches of the leading denomina
tions, and refined, agreenble society. North Platte Is well lighted by elec
tricity; the city owns the wnter works, and wc never lack a plentiful supply
of the purest water. The $75,000 monthly pay roll of tho Union Pacific
is a big help to our merchants and the commercial Importance of tho town
and tho extensive machine shops, round house and tho largest ice storage
plant in the world are weighty factors in our prosperity. Our $100,000 post
ofllce and court house Is the pride and ornament of our city; a government
postal savings bank has been installed and the sewerage system is of the
best. Hero is the United States court, United States land ofllce, United
States weather bureau, and of course wo are the judicial seat of the county.
We havo excellent business blocks, several having been put up the last two
years, and our three banks carry more than $1,000,000 In deposits. The
Masonic, Odd Fellows and Elk lodges havo lino homes in this city, ranging
in cost from $25,000 to $40,000, and our Carnegie library is valued at $15,000.
The stato experimental farm, three miles south of the city, consists of some
1,900 acres, and has Improvements of $G0,000; It does tho best of work In
showing tho wonderful fertility and adaptability, not only of the soil of the
valley, but also In tho uplands back of it. From sixty to seventy-live new
dwellings a year have been erected tho last live years, and enterprise and
progress are tho order of tho day.
Our sanitary conditions aro good and streets and lawns aro well planted
Tith fruit and ornamental trees, where sweet singing birds build their
nests, rear their young and till tho air with melodies. Civic pride is always
in evidence; wo have considerable musical taste, ns our bands, orchestras,
including the Philharmonic, and excellent music teachers, testify.
Aspirations for a city beautiful have always round expression In North
Platto and public opinion Is ever responsive. Tho result Is that wc havo
artistic, modern homes, with environments of great attractiveness so that
North Platte may well be called a city of homes and preeminently so. Our
local building and loan associations flourish and do much good.
lergymcn officiating. Sundny school for tho lltt'.o folks is held by all do
minations. Aside from tho various churches, thero aro nlso churches In
0 other towns of the county and In the rural districts nnd North Platto
nd Lincoln County mnko up in all an enlightened, God-fearing community
hero tho acts or the peoplo as a whole, nnd ns Individuals, are governed
y a keen sonse of right.
FRATERNAL ORDERS.
Speaking or frntornnl ordors, North Plntto Is well to the fore with lis
Urong brnnchos of tho Masons, Knights of Columbus, A. O. U. W., Eagles,
I'oomon, Knights of Pythias, Redmon, W. O. W., Maccabees, Odd Fellows,'
"Silts, G. A. It. and Womon'B Relief Corps. Actlvo lodges nro maintained In
!8ch organization and tho hoarty cooporntlon nnd good fellowship promoted
isve a beneficial offect on the citizenship of our city.
Tho Masonic, Elks' and Odd Follows' hoinos are the prldo nnd ornamen'
3f our city, nnd wo havo nlBo flourishing, well managed railroad organlza
tlbns, conductors, trainmen, engineers, flromcn, switchmen, machinists, '
bollermakers apd carmen.
THE NEWSPAPERS.
Whllo n city orw community may have many Individuals and rosourc.
to which It owes much of Its prosperity, wo must not lose sight or the fan j
that the newspaper Is a highly Important factor In tho development of th
city, county and state. Tho knowledgo tho outside world has or Its op
portunitles and advantages comes largely through the columns or tho
press. Settlers nnd Investors have been brought from nil sections to n laim I
extent through Information furnished by the nowspnpera of tho existing I
chances.
Tho newspaper 1b among the pioneers of every town, bearing tho brum
of the battle on nil movements claiming to ndvnnco tho best interest ot
ho community. Our various journals aro a credit to their publisher nnd
n season and out of season thoy aro boosting. They give their best to tin
advancement of their townB and enjoy tho confidence vof the people.
WATER.
Without good wator a town Ib handicapped, but wo havo tho pure, Hweet,
wholesome kind, and there is no end to" it Our wells nnd streams novcr glvo
out and North Platte and Lincoln county nro fortunate in this nnd many
other respects.
OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The lire laddies glvo us excellent protection and we havo u first-class
quipment. Tho department Is particularly efficient and It Is said that the
average time It takes to get out after tho first alarm Is Bounded Is but a
nlnute. Many times a start can bo made In even less time nnd It is the
work of only a few minutes to extinguish the ordinary blaze. Our chief
and his boyB deservo all kinds of credit.
BANKS.
The character of a city as a business center nnd the buccohb of its
oinmercial nnd Industrial enterprisers depend In a large degroo on the qunl
,ty and volume of Its banking fncllltlea. In fact, banks aro Important factors,
indeed, In tho struggle for wealth and supremacy. Ono of our many advan
tages Is the completeness of the racllltles enjoyed In this respect. There
are few cities of this size more favorably circumstanced In respect to bank
ing nnd none in which the business stands on n higher plane. ' The First Na
tional, tho McDonald Stato and the Platto Valley are towerfi of strength and
command the confidence of all. They aro conducted on proper, const-native
lines, their deposits exceed a million, nnd nothing Is left undone by
the enterprising officials of these banks which will in any way inure to the
benefit of the peoplo and which Is within tho scope of banking effort.
CLIMATE.
We have a healthful, salubrious climate, vigorous nnd bracing, the kind
that puts the bloom on the cheek and mnkes for health and happiness. Tor
id heals and bitter colds we seldom know and we are Just tho right olo
vation above soa level with no swampy lund to breed malaria. Autumn das
r.ro a delight Indeed; thero are cooling breezes In summer and wo bao .m
early spring when all nature seems to rojolce and beckon the tu"l Jius
bandmen to sturdy toll. In short, cllmato Is ono of our best assets.
REAL ESTATE.
J H. VAN CLEAVE.
( Dlackcmlthlno, Wagon Works, Fancier
urn urccucr none oomo rtnpac
Island Chickens.
Mr. Van Cleave has built up a largo
buBlneBB on the basis of excellent
valuo and tho Bquare deal, therefore
In referring to his lino In our town
nnd county wo wish to hand him a
fow well deserved boqucts.
Ills building which ho owml is a
substantial brick structure, and hero
wo find tho finest machinery and nn
Investment representing sovernl thou
sand dollars.
Mr. Van Clonvo puts tho best of
material and tho finest workmanship
In all his jobs and If tho work In not
dono right ho will make It right but
ho has never had any Job to do ovor
yet.
Everything In tho way of black
smithing, horseshoeing nnd wood
working is put through, charges nro
right nnd Mr, Van Clonvo has always
plonty to do.
Ho has been with us a long tltno and
wo nil know that thero Ib not a mora
roltablo placo In tho county. Ills
patronage grows from year to year
and an establishment of this kind
would got trado anywhoro.
He keeps up-to-dato In his business
and a hundred cents In valuo Ib given
for ovory dollar taken In. His men
aro all experts and Mr. Van Cleave
has u largo personal and business ac
quaintance In this section.
Wo would add that ho Ib a fancier
and brooder of Rhode Island Chickens,
Robo Comb, and has mado qulto a suc
cors of his off oris In this line.
Mr. Van Cleave Is a hustlor and a
pusher and makes a winning of overy
undertaking to which, ho puts his
hand.
J. S JOHNSON & CO.
Dry Goods and Groceries.
Ilratieh stores at North Platto, Kear
ney and Schuylor. K. Morian
mahagcr North IMatlo store
Tim business men of North Platto
and Lincoln county aro in the main
enterprising, liberal and up-to-date,
pushers for tho best Intorestsof tho
town, and always willing to put their
shoulders to the wheel in overy move
ment that will tend lo advance this
part of the stato.
Mr. Morinii though not long with
us ib certainly in this class and ho
bus mado a decided winning' of his
elfotls hem. The wilier found this
gentleman :i ilenMint, energetic In
I'hidu.il nl'd 1 i' kindl. gave all tho
infi 1 mill inn uMiueeted.
if ftp is handled dr, jrooils, clothing",
i not isms and (rorcilc!-, all of which
Real estate is on a sound basis and buyers and Investors rocognlzn ourlJiM ppitthe ptoplo ! Is'tulh l'latto
town and county as excellent points. We offer a home to the merchant I1111' J'1 triKio loimory.
,. 1, , , , . I,, , . , . , vr , Uiiiv-vi arc down to as low a point
artisan, railroad man, laborer, tanner, Irrigator and stock raiser and Norih ),,,, j (,nem finding penults and tho
Platto attracts tho sturdy, progressive element. Real estate transactions ywdw nio wi-ll displayed and up-to-
show considerable activity; farm lands are moving; now homes are pohv; IdHte. A .uf store at Kearney also
up fast and contractors are among the busiest men In town. Tho reel es
tate and land field present unusunl opportunities for progressive thv:lop
ment as North Platto will grow very rapidly the next ten years and w hn'r
the natural advantages, the railroad payroll and other features that wil'
bring this good town to the front with a rush.
Great. Indeed will be tho reward of those who cftst their lot with us nnd
invest in city property or farm lands.
a dollar should go outsldo this com
munity for anything needed In the
dry goods, clothing, notion or grocery
line as long as this storo is with us,
as competition lias no terrors for this
gentleman atid all business is dono on
honor.
All demands of customers aro mot;
prices aro fair to both parties and ono
o( tho largest stocks in tho county Is
kept. The stum-re deal Is always
working and Mr. Morian keens his
trado and adds new names to tho list
right along. Thero Is no trouble In
making satisfactory selections hero
as all goods are standard and high
giade.
AVhothor the purchase bo largo or
small, the scrvlco Is tho bi'st, and the
limit of value is always given. This
store keeps io the ft out with tho
now ideas in business and their
methods command the confidence and
good will of our folks.
Mr. Morian Is always on duty huro
and makes a fau)iable Impiesslon on
our peoplo by bis honesty and enter
prise. Mr. Johnson resides out of
the oily and Is a Hist lins merchant
and a winner In tho general mor
liiaudihu lino.
The gentleman Is an honored 0. A.
It. veteran and served faithfully all
1 liiivtmr f;i ol 111 Ips ivmiwil, lu nvcolliwl tlirniurh 1,ho trrenl, con Hint and was in
.'..i...,. ............ ............ -,v v. .....,.. ........ rt- rt' " : 1 r
.mil the bargains you get hero aro tho the urst call or tno immortal Lincoln
1 one at clu.lor aro operated so tho
gouulnu kind and Just as represented
This Is a favorite trading point for
1 economical folks and thoso who want
the limit of value for tbolr money ns
Mr. Morian makes a dose study of
the wants and wishes of patrons. Not
for 75.000 troops.
He came to Iowa In 18(1(1, homo
steaded in Nebraska in 1809 and has
bad an oxlensho limning and busi
ness experience. Ho is a loal booster
and we're glad bo's with us.
SCHOOLS.
Every resident of our city takes pride in our schools nnd our educa
'tioual advantages mako a strong appeal to parents. Our peoplo lay the
greatest stress on moral training and education and liberal appropriations
aro gladly made, every dollar being expended on progressiva and thoroughly
sound principles. Upwards of $100,000 represents our Investment In schools
and equipment; tho board or education enjoys the full confidence of the
taxpayers and Is making nn excellent record for nconomy and careful,
Ulcient administration. Our school buildings nro handsomo, well appointed
structures, tho best of methods are In use throughout our High school and
tour graded schools, and tho young are given ovory opportunity. Tho
schools of the county glvo the youth of tho mral districts all the advan
tages that nro to be had In rural districts anywhere. Tho high school
lanks with tho best nnd Is on a par with Institutions in much larger places
than North Platto. It is on the accredited list or Institutions or higher
learning nnd graduates can enter without examination many or tho largest
colleges nnd universities of tho country. Our scholars shine In athlotlcs,
though not nV the expense or mental attainment. Tho school spirit Is ex
cellent and wo havo nn earnest, enthusiastic, competent corps or teachers.
Our boys and girls mako a fine showing at tho state university and rortunato
indeed nro those whoso training has been received at our schools.
CHURCHES.
Tho religious atmosphere or a city Is or no llttlo Importance, both ns
3 its effect locally as well as for Its value as a keen Inducement to thoso
who contemplate moving to ,lt from other localities. Wo havo seven
ihurches whoso spires point tho way to tho higher, better llfo; a spirit or
broad, Mberal Christianity pervades our peoplo and an appeal to tho relig
ious or charitable sentiment or North Platto rolks Is never mado in vain.
Our church buildings havo no superiors anywhere ror a town or this bIzo,
aud pulpit utterances aro characterized by scholarship and practical holp-
I rulnoss. Wo havo with ub tho Baptists, Roman Catholics, Christian, Episco
pal, Adventlst, Lutheran, Methodist and Presbyterian, all maintaining
pcUvo parishes and holding regular services in their edifices with resident
Interior View of the McDonald Clothing-Store.
Bert M. Reynolds, Architect.
Mr. Reynolds is our architect and his
work here and elsewhere proves that
he is a capable gentlemen indeed in his
profession. His designs show that he
is an expert in his calling and he is
thoroughly versed in all that pertains
to architectural and building affairs.
He draws plans and specifications for
all classes of buildings and cheerfully
supplies estimates when so desired.
Mr. Reynolds has had n thorough
academic as well as professional train
ing as he is a graduate of the Wesluyan
University, Lincoln and also took
technicnl nnd engineering courses at
our University.HIis course of study, we
would note, at the Wesluyan comprised
eight years.
Mr. Reynolds designed the Baptist
church. Dickey's Sanitary Laundry,
Maxwell school, Hershey school.
Morsch building, Lock gorngo,
Hoxie residence and other im
portant structures and has no less than
four big contracts on hand now. We
have no busier man in this part of the!
btato and his reputation extends far
beyond North Platte and Lincoln
county.
We would point out that he practiced
his profession for some time in Lincoln
before casting his lot with us.
Mr. Reynolds was tho first to ii ply I to send complete nlnns and description
the diagonal nystem of lighting in j " a invention. There is no doubt that
l,i i, I, is,.,,. .i ,i...,. :. .... .1 ..i.i ' ufiin- runny tuura ineri; win not uo n
S,tW.,,trTo5dim,e revXtlSz'i'Strr "nywho" WUhUt
chool building conatiuctlon Th oHi!"rf',t"-,.l... .. , .. ,
are so arranged that the light comes And this will be no small feather in
from tho left and rear, th- proper mI i lh" V "f Mr. Reynolds.
scientific way, we would n(ld, and th . This pentlrmun enjoys the beat of
editor of the Scho l lt .ir' .li unml, Oicr,Un lini: lit-rw unci It a very agreeable
leading publicati in in i' field in ;h i divldu-il to come in contact with, in a
country, has requeitrd Ah. Reynolds IiujIih-xs or ocial way.
George E. Prosscr,
Cleric of the District Court.
In securing dnta of tho records of our
various county officials for the Homo
Industry & Improvement edition of tho
Tribune wo made tho acquaintance of
Mr. George ProBser, n elenn cut. nlert,
pleasnnt gentlemun, who received the
writer courteously and made a favorable
impression on him.
Mr. Prosscr has been with us since
'8(5 and long ago demonstrated his moral
worth, competence and proven relia
bility in every lino of work in which he
was ever engaged.
He has always done his part as nn
energetic, public sniritod citizen and
his personal and political friends aro
numbered in tho hundreds.
Mr, Prosser wan for some time in the
mercantile field and insurance business,
wus also connected with tho lund office
and his services were always satisfac
tory. Before his election to his present
oifice, ho waH deputy county treasurer
and no man has a better knowledge of
county nllairs from every angle.
He is serving his third term as Clerk
of the Court and it is not too much to
say that he is well adapted in every re
spect for tho work. He is prompt,
thorough, and always accomodating in
his mothods and the public interests
aro given his best and most zealous
efforts.
Mr. Prosser keeps up to date, Is rock
bound in integrity and honor, and his
efllcincncy and excellent standing with
all classes of our community are gen
erally admitted.
He never falls to do his part when
there is anything atirring to help North
Platto and Lincoln county.
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