Historic and Descriptive Review of Nebraska

NEBRASKA'S ENTERPRISING CITIES.

way reaching the fair grounds and all the principal parts. The company are energetic, have the latest style of tracks, motors and cars and stand ready to extend their lines whenever the population may so demand.

EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES.

In no other way is Norfolk's rapid advancement better or more aptly illustrated than in the wonderful growth of her public school system. In 1881, only ten years ago, one teacher was all the instructor necessary for the children attending school in the district. In 1882, what is now known as the Lincoln school. building, containing four rooms, was erected, and it was thought that the building would meet the wants of the district for at least five years to come. Such was not the case, however, for in 1885 the growing demands of the schools for room necessitated the erection of the Grant school building, also containing four rooms. It was not long until this building was more than filled, and in 1888, to accommo-

date the overflow, the board had two frame buildings erected--one, a two-room building on the grounds of the Lincoln school, the other a one-room building at the Junction. The additional room thus provided did not long prove adequate, and in 1890, to meet the demands that were ever growing, the people of the district voted $25,000 for the erection of a high school building. The building was completed and occupied the present year, and is to-day not only one of the handsomest but also one of the best and most complete school buildings in the State. Illustrations of both the high school and Grant school buildings are given in this issue, and for lack of space must stand in lieu of the more complete description they merit.
At the present time every school room in the city is occupied, with the exception of one at the Junction--now the fourth ward of the city--and it is expected that by the time the winter term begins, the attendance in that portion of the district will necessitate the em-

ployment of another teacher. And this does not tell all the story, for it must be borne in mind that there are two Evangelical Lutheran parish schools in the city which take a number of children who would otherwise attend the public schools. Even leaving these two private schools out of the question, it is certainly a remarkable record of educational growth in ten years - from one teacher and a mixed school to one of the finest systems of graded schools. requiring the employment of a corps of eighteen teachers and the use of five buildings, with an attendant increase from less than 100 children of school age to nearly 1300 at the present time.
The North Nebraska Fair, held annually during September at Norfolk, has been always well managed, and each year has shown greater success than the preceding one. As fine a display of agricultural products is to be seen here as probably is at any exposition in the land The grades of animals competing for the premiums prove again north Nebraska to be second to no live stock country between the Atlantic and Pacific. The liberal prizes offered in the speed department attract a fine field of fast horses.

Was erected in 1885 and the wings added in 1887. It is eligibly located two and one-half miles northeast of the city facing south and commanding a magnificent view of Norfolk and the Elkhorn Valley. The building has a frontage of 314 feet. and fifty feet of depth. The two wings are ninety feet deep. The institution was opened in February, 1888, and has now 208 patients, the limit of its accommodation. It has water works, perfect sewerage, electric light plant, steam heat and five boilers furnishing motive power. The one hobby of the officers of the institution is cleanliness and perfect order in all departments. Each patient has a room to him or herself.

     Standing alone in this respect is the great sugar plant of the Oxnard company. Norfolk secured this plant over twenty-one other competing towns, by giving a bonus of $150,000. The main building is 100 x 500 feet, from which the engine house is separated. There are nine engines, with each a capacity of 125 horsepower. The smoke from the flues is carried oft by a smoke stack rising 190 feet into the air. The beets are stored in an immense shed by themselves, connected with the main building by a railway. The present capacity of the factory is 550 tons of beets daily, meaning an out put of 100,000 pounds of sugar daily.
     Norfolk is a good location for a starch factory, glucose works, twine mill, woolen, linen, or paper mill, canning factory, oatmeal mill, linseed oil works, pickle factory.
     In addition to the sugar factory there are in operation a roller mill, brick and tile works, two planing mills, foundry and architectural iron works, harness factory, three cigar factories, a creamery, candy factory and bottling works.

From a retail business, point of view, Norfolk has always been a good town. An evidence of this is found in the many large and handsome brick store buildings that line her business thoroughfares, but the best and most eloquent testimony is seen in a volume of trade that increases rapidly and steadily from year to year, while the radius of Norfolk's trade territory has marked an ever-widening circle. This is largely due to the sagacity and business foresight of her host of enterprising and energetic merchants. who are ever alive to the importance of extending their trade in every manner possible. Very large stocks are carried in almost every line, and for this reason many people come from adjoining towns to trade at Norfolk, because they can find in the stores here many articles that they wish but cannot obtain at home. Almost every line of retail business is well represented, as will be seen from the business firms herewith subjoined, but there are openings for houses in special lines, that are well worth investigating. The wholesale field is yet almost an untried one, but is particularly inviting, while manufacturing establishments of any kind located here are certain of securing a good patronage. Two wholesale houses now established and all small factories, as well as the great sugar industry, are receiving a remunerative patronage from all portions of the territory tributary to Norfolk.

REPRESENTATIVE BUSINESS FIRMS AND MEN OF NORFOLK.

THE NORFOLK NATIONAL BANK.-- A true exponent of the thrift of any community is the success and degree of prosperity of its banking institutions. A conspicuous example is the Norfolk National Bank, which is the oldest bank in the city, dating back to 1872, when it was known as C. P. Matthewson's Bank, having been made a National Bank in 1885; capital. $100,000.00; surplus profits. $20,000.00. N. A. Rainbolt, president, is from Iowa; Alexander Bear, vice president, from Richmond, Va.; W. H. Bucholz, cashier, was born in Iowa and has had ten years' experience in the business. He is a Mason, and as cashier has shown splendid management and that he is fully aware of the responsibility resting on his shoulders. E. W. Zutz, assistant cashier, is a native of Germany. In conclusion, we do not exaggerate. when we pronounce the Norfolk National as ranking among the livest and most enterprising banks in the western States.

BIRCHAR, BRIDGE & CO.. Proprietors of the Norfolk Roller Mills.--Among the industries of Norfolk which deserve favorable mention in our work, we notice particularly the Norfolk Roller Mills. These mills, since their establishment twenty years ago, have ever maintained a high reputation, so much so that they have no competition, being the only mills of the kind in Norfolk. The mills are worked by waterpower and are fitted up with the best

NEBRASKA'S ENTERPRISING CITIES.

and most improved machinery and other appliances, all of which combine to make them the equal of any in the West, or elsewhere. Ten employes are required in the prosecution of the prosperous business. The choicest family flour is manufactured here, of which the firm ships thousands of barrels to all parts of Nebraska and the neighboring States. The mills have a capacity of 160 barrels of flour per day. Birchard, Bridge & Co., are gentlemen well-known and respected, and their long experience and general reputation entitle them to be regarded as one of the representative firms of the State.

     P. H. SALTER, M. D., L. R. C. P. & S., Edinburgh; Office, Cotton Block.--One of Norfolk's best known physicians is Dr. P. H. Salter. He was born in Ontario, Canada. The doctor's office consists of three handsomely furnished apartments in the Cotton Block. He studied medicine in Scotland, taking there the degrees of L. R C. P. & S., Edinburgh, and L. F. P. & S., Glasgow. He also graduated in 1885 in England. The doctor has practiced with eminent success for three years in Norfolk, and is identified with the Masons. For one year he was surgeon on an ocean steamer (to India), after which he practised three years in Canada, thence removed here. Dr. Salter has from his earliest days shown that he fully realizes the grave and serious responsibilities resting on a doctor.

     EDWARDS & BRADFORD LUMBER CO., of Sioux City, Iowa; W. A. Emery, Manager.--The marvelous strides taken by the Western States of recent years in every branch of material progress has created an active demand for strictly reliable concerns. Among such in Norfolk is the branch establishment of Edwards & Bradford Lumber Co., headquarters at Sioux City. Iowa. They can always quote prices for all kinds of hard and soft lumber that cannot be duplicated elsewhere. Mr. W. A. Emery, manager at Norfolk, is a native of Minnesota, and has had many years' experience. His management has been of a first-class order, he being an authority in this branch of trade.

     DR. KIRBY.--No member of the medical profession in this city is more esteemed by its residents than Dr. Kirby, who was born in Iowa, and graduated in 1876 from the Eclectic Medical College. The specialty for which he has of late become celebrated are his electric baths, which, during the summer season, average forty per diem; also we would draw the attention of our readers to Dr. Kirby's treatment for the cure of the morphine, alcohol and tobacco habits, in connection with which (as well as for various other diseases, such as rheumatism, nervous diseases, etc.,) he uses the electric baths.

     JOHN ZWIGHT, Wholesale Liquors, Corner Fifth and Main Streets.--The wholesale liquor trade is an important factor in the growth and progress of metropolitan commerce, giving employment in its prosecution to large capital and able merchants. Such a representative city house is John Zwight's, corner Fifth and Main. He established here June, 1890. His premises are 30 x 60 feet in extent, and are fully equipped with all the modern facilities and conveniences. A large, comprehensive and complete stock, including a fine line of whiskies is carried. This well-known wholesale and retail liquor house are agents for the celebrated Pabst Milwaukee beer. The business is both extensive and prosperous. Mr. Zwight is a native of Wisconsin, and formerly was in the business in Dakota. He is an I. O. O. F. and K. P. His success is well deserved, as is also the confidence reposed in him by all with whom he has business transactions.

     QUEEN CITY REAL ESTATE, IMPROVEMENT & TRUST CO. H. O. Whyman, Secretary and Manager.--The wonderful growth of Norfolk and of the tributary territory has had no counterpart elsewhere in the West. Investments made here have paid, and there are numerous openings awaiting the capitalist and the business man. The Queen City Real Estate, Improvement & Trust Co. has a capital of $500,000, having been organized two years and is one of the most powerful corporations in the State. They have developed a trade of great magnitude, dealing in rich agricultural lands, desirably situated city, business and residential property, vacant lots, cheap suburban lands by the acre, adapted for sub-division, etc., and those acting upon their accurate knowledge of the market can rely on securing bargains. Mr. H. O. Whyman, secretary and manager, has been well-known in our city many years as one of her go-ahead men. He is also secretary of the Norfolk Electric Railway Company and the success of the above real estate concern must be ascribed to his management, which he has had since the start. Mr. Whyman brings to bear the highest qualifications, coupled with influential connections. The company have carried to a successful issue many important transactions and are among the most popular and enterprising concerns in the city and county.

     W. H. ENDERLY, the City Meat Market.--An intelligently conducted enterprise is W. H. Enderly's, who has been founded nearly three years. He employs two to four hands and does a strictly cash business. He does a large and prosperous business in fresh and salt meats, game and poultry in season. All goods sold here have become justly well-known, on account of best quality, freshness and moderate prices. Mr. Enderly was born in Iowa. He is well worthy the success he has achieved with his market.

     LOUIS C. MITTELSTADT. Lumber. Etc.--Mr. Louis C. Mittelstadt has been established here three years. He has had seventeen years' experience in the business, and formerly was in Minnesota. He employs four hands, and deals in gang sawed lumber, lath, shingles, pickets, doors, sash, mouldings, stairs, stair railing. hamsters, stair posts, southern pine, hardwood lumber, red and white cedar fence posts, the celebrated Ash Grove lime, domestic


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