office and five teams and drivers at the yards, and in the busy season this force is increased. Mr. Leavitt is a former resident of Illinois and was business manager and treasurer of the Waldron Paper Company of Waldron, Illinois, for five years prior to coming here, He handles a full line of Colorado, Wyoming, Missouri, Iowa and Illinois coals. Mr. L. introduced the celebrated Jackson Hill coal, of Ohio, in 1887, and to-day he has a large sale all through the State. He owns a quarry in Wisconsin and also owns and operates a sand pit.

     RUDGE & MORRIS COMPANY, Jobbers and Retailers, Hardware and House Furnishing Goods, 1120 and 1122 N Street.--This house was established in May, 1886, and in February, 1892, was incorporated, with a capital stock of $30,000, all paid up. The two buildings occupied contain a floor space of 28,400 feet. A $35,000 stock is carried, of shelf, heavy and builders' hardware, and house furnishing goods. They handle the Granite and Perfection Ironware and Japanned Tinware, and are agents for the Garland and Quick Meal Stoves and Leonard Refrigerators. Fourteen clerks, salesmen and other employes are actively engaged. Mr. C. H. Rudge is a native of Youngstown, Ohio. He first entered the hardware business in 1876, coming to this city ten years later. J. F. Morris also claims Youngstown as his native place. He entered the hardware business there in 1872, being a director in the Morris Hardware Co. He came here also in 1886.

     J. E. R. MILLAR, Ticket Agent Missouri Pacific Railway, 1201 O Street.--The popularity of a road is always governed largely by the class and character of men it employs for dealing with the public, and the ever popular Missouri Pacific has gained new laurels in this city through the gentlemanly accommodation and extensive experience of their passenger and ticket agent, Mr. J. E. R. Millar. This gentleman, a native of New York, came to Lincoln sixteen years ago. His early life was spent at Weston, Missouri, and he came to this city from Atchison, Kansas, his railroad experience dating from 1875, at which time he opened the office here for the Atchison & Nebraska road. One year later he began as agent for the United States Express. Later on he gave up the tickets. When the Pacific Express Company came in he was joint agent for both companies until the consolidation of the Wells-Fargo, and has continued in the employ of those companies ever since. Two years ago he assumed charge of the Missouri Pacific's uptown office. He is a K. T. Mason.

     TODD'S SIGN WORKS.--A good sign is to a business house what a new suit of clothes is to a man. If anyone will carefully notice the number of handsome boards and windows in Lincoln bearing the inscription "Todd," he will learn that there is a man at the corner of O and Twelfth Streets, up stairs, who can make any. kind of a sign. Mr. Todd is a native of Indiana, coming here from Des Moines, Iowa, in 1871, but returned in 1876, to come again in October, 1890. In March, 1991 (sic), he established his popular sign works. Mr. Todd is also the inventor of a sign painter's square, for laying off letters, which has already met with a flattering reception, and promises to revolutionize this art. Mr. T. saw much of the war with the 33d Iowa Infantry.

     POSTAL TELEGRAPH-CABLE COMPANY in Connection with the Commercial (Mackay Bennett) Cables, G. H. Shepard. Manager, 118 S. Eleventh Street.--The telegraph system in America had for years been monopolized by the Western Union, but at present it is meeting with an active and aggressive competitor in the Postal Telegraph-Cable Company, who have over 5,000 offices in the United States. In this city they began operations eight years ago, and the office has been under the popular management of Mr. G. H. Shepard for the past two years. This gentleman is a native of New York City, and fourteen years experience eminently qualifies him for his position. About four years ago he came to this city, and has made his office exceedingly popular. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen lodge and has from six to eight operators under him.

     P. McNICOL. Meats, 327 South Eleventh Street.--There are few foreigners who are so universally liked as Mr. P. McNicol. He came from his native land, Scotland, to America six years ago. Three years later he took up his residence in Lincoln. One year ago he began dealing in meat and has conducted a very remunerative and profitable business since. His premises are 22x50. With the assistance of one employe and a delivery wagon, he satisfactorily supplies a large circle of customers.

     J. H. McGUIRE, Manager Western Union Telegraph Company.--The Western Union offices in this city are most thoroughly equipped, and under the careful and efficient management of J. H. McGuire. Twelve operators are employed under the watchful care of a chief, A. E. Carlton. They use fifty-six wires and their receipts and the number employed ranks them second in the State. J. H. McGuire was

born in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. He has been twenty-three years with the Western Union, and was chief clerk for the superintendent of this district at Omaha, for several years prior to coming here in July, 1891. He is a pleasant gentleman, a member of the Masonic Order.

     JOE FRAAS & COMPANY, Groceries, 134 South Tenth Street.--A grocery that is very popular with the residents of South 10th Street and vicinity is that of Joe Fraas & Co. This firm began operations something over a year ago, moving into their present quarters in August, 1891. Besides the two employers they employ one clerk, and their store room, 25x80, is filled with a $1,500 stock. Mr. Joe Fraas and Paul Pingel, the proprietors, are natives of Mecklenburg, Germany. The former came to America five years ago and the latter has been a resident of this country for the past nine years. They have built up a good trade by honest and upright dealing. Both are members of the A. O. U. W. lodge.

Main building 265 feet front. Probably no school in the United States is more widely known than the Western Normal College; certainly none are more extensively advertised This school was located at Shenandoah, Iowa until December 2, 1891, when fire destroyed all the buildings. Many cities, from all parts of the United States, fully realizing the great value such an institution would be to them, held out flattering inducements to secure its location when rebuilt. Lincoln was finally chosen as the place best suited for the work of the school, for the following reasons: Railroad facilities, geographical location, capital of a great state, educational center of the West, highly moral and Christian people, and because such magnificent buildings and equipments were offered that placed the Western Normal College in its new home far beyond all competition. The college, while a Nebraska institution, is national in its character, and enrolls students from all parts of the Union. President Wm. M. Croan has lately associated with him in the business, Prof. W. J. Kinsley. This history would be incomplete without giving a short sketch of the gentlemen who head this gigantic enterprise.
     The above autograph is familiar in every part of the Great West. The gentleman who answers to that name is probably the largest advertiser in the country. Mr. Croan is a native of Madison County, Indiana, where his boyhood and early manhood was spent in clearing and preparing for cultivation a rugged Indiana farm. His spare moments were well occupied in securing the rudiments of an education. At seventeen he taught his first district school, after that he attended the Anderson Graded and Normal School at Anderson, Indiana. Anderson was four miles from his home, and he made the round trip of eight miles each school day during his three years tutelage in the Anderson institution. Not only did he go this distance, but he also did much work on the farm mornings and evenings. Hence, in his youth he was schooled in hard work and early learned to be independent; to make his own way and fight his own battles. As a student he was studious and scholarly, making rapid and thorough advancement in his course. He taught and earned money enough to defray expenses at the Northwestern Christian University at Indianapolis. After leaving college he taught in the graded schools of the county for a time. He was editor and proprietor of the Anderson Democrat for five years. He was recalled to the educational work by being elected county superintendent of the schools of Madison County. The Indiana official reports from the educational department indicate that he was enthusiastic and successful in this capacity. During his administration Madison County had a reputation for high professional standard and for general educational enthusiasm. Prof. Croan resigned the office of county superintendent in

the early spring of 1884, and moved to Shenandoah, Iowa. where he had just purchased the entire property of the Western Normal College. When he took possession he found only sixty-five students The name and fame of the school advanced from that time. The Iowa Normal Monthly says: "Prof. Croan accomplished a work at Shenandoah which not one man in a thousand would have done. The enrollment the last year there was something more than forty-three hundred." On the night of December 2, 1891, a dire calamity came upon the Western Normal College. Fire, in its fury, took possession of the entire structure and routed students, faculty, proprietor and president. Apparently the destruction was total, but a second thought reminded us that only the hull was gone, while the kernel containing the germ of life, was secure. The best part of the college was in the minds and hearts of its thousands of students and the inhabitants of this western country. Negotiations for rebuilding in Shenandoah were soon ended, as other points offered so much more in the way of equipments and accommodations. Prof. Croan had magnificent offers from forty-seven different cities to relocate the college with them. Lincoln was finally chosen as the place best suited for the work of the school on account of its railroad facilities, geographical location, capital of a great State. educational center of the West. highly moral and Christian people. and because such magnificent buildings and equipments were offered that placed the Western Normal College. in its new home, far beyond all competition. The bonus given Prof. Croan at Lincoln is the largest ever given in the United States. This at once shows the value placed upon his rare executive ability The syndicate backing Prof. Croan is the strongest ever organized in Lincoln. We expect to hear that in a very short time the Western Normal College, Lincoln, Nebr., will he the largest institution of the kind in the world.
      Prof. W. J. Kinsley, the secretary and treasurer of the school. has had a wide and varied experience for so young a man. He was born in Blackstone, Massachusetts and received his education in the schools of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, finishing at the Providence, (R. I.) Bryant & Stratton Bussiness (sic) College, and the College of Commerce, Philadelphia. Pa. He was for two years at Providence, Rhode Island, a bookkeeper for the Allendale Company, manufacturers of cotton goods. His training in penmanship was started under Prof. E. M. Huntsenger, now of Hartford. Connecticut, widely known as a fine penman and successful teacher, and finished under the world-renowned, artist-penman author and teacher, Prof. H. W. Flickinger, of Philadelphia. He was the second person to graduate under Prof. Flickinger, in twenty years. Prof. Kinsley taught in the celebrated Eastman Business College, Poughkeepsie, New York, and was called from thereto take charge of the penmanship and commercial departments of the Western Normal College, then located at Shenandoah, Iowa. This position he held for six years at a large salary, and succeeded in building up departments that attained national reputation. He has recently acquired a third interest the Western Normal College, and is the secretary and treasurer of the institution. In addition to his experience as a teacher, he has been a bookkeeper, commercial traveller (sic), partner in the boot and shoe manufacturing business, and the printing, publishing and stationery business, has written a work on penmanship "A Series of Lessons in Plain Writing" which has been sold the world over, and a work on book-keeping. and has been frequently consulted on matters in expert bookkeeping.

     C. M. LOOMIS, Builders' Hardware and Supplies. 905 O Street.--Among the recently established enterprises that have entered upon a successful career, is the one conducted by C. M. Loomis. He began business in July, 1891, but desiring a better location and more room, entered his present conveniently located apartments, 25x100 feet, in the November following. The stock is well assorted, $7 000 being represented in hardware, stoves, tinware, scissors, pocket and table cutlery, and mechanics', butchers' and blacksmiths' tools. Cuttering, spouting and all kinds of tin work is done at low rates, and three employes are kept busy. Mr. Loomis hails from Michigan, and although he has been in Nebraska five years, yet the limit of his resdence (sic) in this city is one-fifth of that time. He belongs to the Royal Arcanum and Knights of Maccabee orders.

     A. JESSEN, Meats, 815 South Eleventh Street.--An excellent example of what enterprising foreigners may accomplish under the inspiration of American freedom, is found in the meat market of A. Jessen. at 815 South Eleventh Street. In 1886 he began business in this city, moving into his present quarters, 24x60 feet, in May 1890. He has two employes. Mr. Jessen is a native of Denmark and came to America ten years ago, locating in Lincoln at at (sic) that time.

     CHICAGO BAKERY, True Bros., Proprietors, 809 South Eleventh Street.--Lincoln has several good houses engaged in this line, and among them the Chicago Bakery holds a prominent position. Established in August, 1891, it is modernly equipped and supplied with all conveniences, the plant having a capacity of 3000 ten cent loaves per day, and eight experienced bakers are employed. They also furnish fancy cake, ice cream, fruit, ices, pastry and wedding supplies, and besides their large city trade, do considerable wholesaling. Messrs. C. A. and W. H. True are both natives of Des Moines, Iowa, the former coming to Lincoln six years ago and the latter three years later. They run four wagons.

     NEBRASKA CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC.--Few people in the State of Nebraska and the West in general realize the unusual and superior advantages afforded them by the Nebraska Conservatory of Music. Here is the largest conservatory building west of Boston, and supplied with all the accessories and advantages of superior instructors and experienced management. The building, which was constructed especially for this purpose, is a massive brick and stone structure, 100x142 feet, and four stories high. It is heated throughout by steam and lighted by gas, has dormitory department for lady pupils, dining room, etc., also class and study rooms, library, parlors, studio, etc., and a concert hall with seating capacity for 500. Mr. and Mrs. O. B. Howell, director and assistant, respectively, are instructors of large experience, and educated under the best masters. The Nebraska Conservatory of Music has been such a

success that Mr. Howell is now erecting a five story (including high basement) Brown stone building immediately across the street from the present one, and when completed will be one of the finest buildings in the State, and the best arranged conservatory buildings in America. For catalogues and general information write the director O. B. Howell.

     WILLIAM H. WOODWARD, Attorney and Counsellor at Law, Rooms 51, 52 and 58, Latta Block.--One whose success in the practice of his profession has placed him among the recognized legal lights of this city, is Wm. H. Woodward, a native of Illinois, who came to this city in 1885. His legal education was acquired at the University of Indiana, he having graduated from that institution in 1873 since which time he has been continuously engaged in professional labors, and during hit seven years residence in this city has gathered about him a lucrative clientage.

     CHAS. SEIFERT, successor to George Seifert. Harness, Saddles, Etc., 133 South Ninth Street.--Twenty years ago this business was established by George Seifert. and from a small beginning in a small town it has grown into one of the leading houses in its line. in one of the leading cities of the West. Chas. E. Seifert, the present proprietor, is a son of the original owner, and has had years of practical experience, having had entire charge of the house for some time before becoming its proprietor. Two workmen are employed, and the two floors of the building. 23x40. are filled with a $6.000 stock, His native city is St. Joe, Mo., and he came to Lincoln with his father in 1872 becoming proprietor of the business, May, 1890.
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