Advertisements for W. W. Gavitt Medical Company, Topeka, Kansas
Date: 1902
These images show advertisements for the W. W. Gavitt Medical Company located at 5th and Madison Streets in Topeka, Kansas. The first image is an advertisement for Gavitt's System Regulator, advertised to cure "all blood, stomach, kidney, and liver troubles." The second image is a group of advertisements for three different businesses owned by W. W. Gavitt: a business of investment bankers and brokers, a medical company, and a mercantile company. The W. W. Gavitt Medical Company manufactured "standard and proprietary remedies."

Albert C. Morton to Hiram Hill
Creator: Morton, Albert C.
Date: February 27, 1858
Albert Morton wrote from Quindaro, Kansas Territory, to Hiram Hill in Massachusetts. Morton predicted a good property market for the coming spring, despite the "hard money matters" which had been the situation during the winter. He reported that the Shawnee lands would open soon, to have them paid for by the end of the summer, and that Hill's land investments in Manhattan were "in good standing". Morton added that Samuel Simpson has been busy lately, traveling back and forth from Quindaro to Lawrence.

Albert C. Morton to Hiram Hill
Creator: Morton, Albert C.
Date: August 3, 1858
Albert Morton wrote from Quindaro, Kansas Territory, to Hiram Hill in Massachusetts. Morton had recently returned to Quindaro in order to vote on the Lecompton Constitution as submitted by the English bill. Having arrived there, he found the place to be "dull". Morton described many empty houses and buildings, left behind from settlers selling out to return home; money had also been lost in investments and bridges were washed out in floods. However, the Town Company had invested in a flour mill, which had commenced operations. Morton also discussed matters of buying and selling land warrants with Hill.

Business directory, Coronado, Kansas
Date: Between 1880 and 1889
This image shows a photographic business directory titled, "Coronado, the Railroad Town of Wichita County, Kansas." There are 25 photographs of business buildings with a list of the businesses below the pictures. Business number 2 (pictured on the top row, second from the left) is listed as "A. J. Wright Drugs, Stationery, Perfumes, Holiday articles." Other businesses listed include a bank, hardware stores, grocery stores, general merchandise stores, a church, livery barns, a contractor, a barber shop, lumber yards, a law office, a hotel, a meat market, and a blacksmith.

C. E. Blood to Hiram Hill
Creator: Blood, C.E.
Date: February 9, 1859
C.E. Blood wrote from Manhattan, Kansas Territory, to Hiram Hill in Massachusetts. Blood told Hill that, by mistake, a house had been built on one of Hill's town lots. He offered to trade lots with Hill, maintaining that both were of equal quality and value, and told him that the house would serve as the printing office of a new newspaper, the Manhattan Statesman.

Charles A. Wright to Hiram Hill
Creator: Wright, Charles A.
Date: April 14, 1856
Charles Wright writes from Lawrence, Kansas Territory, to Hiram Hill. Wright describes his recent experiences buying and selling cattle obtained from Missouri counties. He also mentions his purchase of town shares in Manhattan, Kansas Territory, and comments on the recent emigration rush, which was increasing demand for land, filling hotels, and causing rent to increase. Wright feels optimistic about the future of peace in Kansas, having heard a story about Governor Reeder's feeling for the same.

Charles Chadwick to Hiram Hill
Creator: Chadwick, Charles
Date: August 24, 1858
Charles Chadwick wrote from Quindaro, Kansas Territory, to Hiram Hill in Massachusetts, regarding economic conditions in town. Chadwick asked that Hill promptly pay his debt to Abelard Guthrie, a fellow Quindaro investor, who was on the brink of bankruptcy. He added that Clinton County, Missouri, had voted not to invest in the Parkville and Grand River Railroad that fall, which had damaged the possibility for a boom in economic activity for the coming fall. Chadwick reported that heavy rains had hindered transportation on local rivers, but was optimistic that October might bring some money to the town through land sales. No news had been heard from Causin, the Washington attorney who was assisting Hill to retain some disputed lands.

Charles Chadwick to Hiram Hill
Creator: Chadwick, Charles
Date: August 30, 1857
Charles Chadwick wrote from Quindaro, Kansas Territory, to Hiram Hill in Massachusetts, concerning several 40 acre lots which were marked off shortly before Samuel N. Simpson left town. It appeared to Chadwick that those Simpson had purchased were purchased on the behalf of absentee investors, such as Hill, even though they had not been divided or designated in the name of any others. Chadwick presumed that Abelard Guthrie would allow Hill to have the land he thought was being purchased in his name upon payment to the Town Company. Chadwick also reported that prices of land were staying up in Quindaro, and that business development continued.

Dr. H. C. Perdue's Neosho County Advertiser, Erie, Kansas
Date: Between 1887 and 1889
This pamphlet titled The Neosho County Advertiser was published by Dr. H. C. Perdue, M. D., in Erie, Kansas. It contains approximately 50 pages of descriptions of medical cures and other advertising. Descriptions of Dr. Perdue's Ague Cure and other medical treatments are on pages 2-28, and other advertisements are on pages 29-49, plus the inside and outside of the back cover. Besides information on Dr. Perdue's medical practice, there are numerous advertisements for drug stores. Drug stores listed in the advertisements (and their town locations, all in Kansas) include: Palace Drug Store, Erie; Ira Steinberger Drug Store, Erie; New City Drug Store, Erie; Dr. C. E. Steadman, Druggist, Osage Mission; I. N. Wherrett General Merchandise and Drugs, Vietsburg; M. Devine, Druggist, Osage Mission; Baldwin House Drug Store, Thayer; W. R. Kramer, Druggist, Chanute; John McCarthy, Druggist, Galesburg; and Mrs. Samuel Whelpley, Druggist, Morehead. Druggists listed as references for Dr. Perdue include Charles H. Eaton and J. T. Brown, both of Erie. Other businesses and professions advertised include attorneys, real estate agents, merchants, banks, doctors, clothing stores, millinery and dress making stores, grocery stores, jewelry stores, candy stores, cigar stores, meat markets, bakeries, livery stables, abstracters, tree nurseries, buggy harness stores, carpenters, hardware stores, fur dealers, barber shops, lumber companies, monument dealers, dry goods, dentists, hotels, and furniture stores.

Erastus D. Ladd to Hiram Hill
Creator: Ladd, Erastus D
Date: July 14, 1857
Erastus Ladd wrote from Lawrence, Kansas Territory, to Hiram Hill, in Massachusetts. Ladd enclosed with this note a map of Lawrence along with a list of Hill's properties in West Lawrence. He also alluded to a "town site question", which may refer to questionable business practices on the part of Samuel N. Simpson, during the development of Quindaro, Kansas Territory.

Farms and ranches for sale by the Level Land Realty Company
Creator: Level Land Realty Company
Date: Between 1909 and 1910
This pamphlet lists the farms and ranches for sale by the Level Land Realty Company in Bird City, Kansas. Included are photographs and descriptions of the properties that are being sold. The company is managed by A. Weaver & Co., Bird City, Kansas.

Fred Mosher and Co. photograph
Date: Between 1900 and 1909
This photograph shows two men sitting in a horse-drawn buggy outside the Fred Mosher and Co. real estate office in Rexford, Thomas County, Kansas.

George Seanor Robb
Date: Between 1917 and 1918
A portrait of George Seanor Robb, Purple Heart and Congressional Medal of Honor winner, from Assaria, Kansas. He entered the Army in 1917 after graduating from Columbia University and teaching briefly in Great Bend, Kansas. Robb was assigned to the 369th Infantry Regiment, an African American regiment comprised of New York National Guardsmen from Harlem. On the night of September 29th, 1918, George was wounded while leading an assault near Sechault, France. In 1935, he was appointed to Kansas State Auditor and served until 1961. He was elected to the office twelve successive terms.

George Seanor Robb and Stanley T. Adams
Date: Between 1954 and 1956
A photograph of George Seanor Robb and Lt. Stanley Adams, both Congressional Medal of Honor winners. Robb from Assaria, Kansas, entered the army in 1917 after graduating from Columbia University and teaching briefly in Great Bend, Kansas. He was assigned to the 369th Infantry Regiment, an African American regiment comprised of New York National Guardsmen from Harlem. On the night of September 29th, 1918, Robb was wounded while leading an assault near Sechault, France. His actions that evening displayed such heroism that, along with the Congressional Medal of Honor, Robb was awarded the Purple Heart. In 1935, Robb was appointed to Kansas State Auditor and served until 1961. Lt. Stanley Adams, from Desoto, Kansas, was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor during the Korean War. Then Sergeant Adams led his platoon into a fierce battle with 250 well-armed North Korean troops. He was hit in the leg by a bullet but continued only to be knocked down four more times by the concussion of exploding grenades. Adams got up and charged the Communist positions, swinging his rifle butt and using his bayonet. After nearly an hour of hand-to hand combat, the Chinese retreated, leaving behind more than 50 dead. Adams remained in the Army until 1970, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. He later held an administrative position with the Internal Revenue Service in Alaska.

Governor Clyde M. Reed correspondence, tax matters
Creator: Kansas. Governor (1929-1931 : Reed)
Date: 1929-1931
This is the third file of four including subject correspondence relating to tax matters. Topics in the correspondence cover but is not limited to the Kansas Intangible Tax Law, fiscal year tax evaluations, and real estate taxation. This file is part of a bigger collection of Governor Clyde M. Reed correspondence. See also Unit Ids 450971, 450972 and 450974.

Governor Clyde M. Reed correspondence, tax matters
Creator: Kansas. Governor (1929-1931 : Reed)
Date: 1929-1931
This is the fourth file of four including subject correspondence relating to tax matters. Topics in the correspondence cover but is not limited to school property tax, tax legislation, and real estate property tax. This file is part of a bigger collection of Governor Clyde M. Reed correspondence. See also Unit IDs 450971, 450972 and 450973.

Grain Belt Realty Co. land buyers drive down Main Street, Colby, Thomas County, Kansas
Date: 1909
This photograph shows a large group of land buyers from the Grain Belt Realty Co. driving their cars down Main Street in Colby, Thomas County, Kansas on October 13, 1909. This image also provides a nice view of several businesses along Main Street.

Henry F. Parker to Hiram Hill
Creator: Parker, Henry F.
Date: August 25, 1858
Henry Parker wrote from Lawrence, Kansas Territory, to Hiram Hill in Massachusetts. Parker described the situation in K.T. as "dull. . .every man you se [sic] here Looks blue and no Business and allmost [sic] Every Family are Sick". He told Hill that the Cincinnati House was the only property of his that was occupied, all other of Hill's homes and buildings were vacant; many people were selling their property. Parker closed his letter with a mention of the recent election to ratify the Lecompton Constitution under the English bill.

Henry F. Parker to Hiram Hill
Creator: Parker, Henry F.
Date: November 15, 1858
Henry Parker wrote from Lawrence, Kansas Territory, to Hiram Hill in Massachusetts. Parker reported that currently he was only able to collect $33.33 in rent from Hill's tenants, a small fraction of what was owed. He added that many settlers were leaving for California and hopes for gold mining in the West; many homes and businesses were vacated. Parker closed by stating "I am sick of Kansas if Business is to go as it has the Last year".

Henry J. Parker to Hiram Hill
Creator: Parker, Henry F.
Date: May 2, 1858
Henry Parker wrote from Lawrence, Kansas Territory, to Hiram Hill in Massachusetts. Parker included a list of accounts paid and received on the first page. He looked forward to Hill's visit to K.T. in the fall, but was afraid he would be disappointed as "everybody has the blues"; the scarcity of money was taking its toll on the community. However, Parker said many new houses were being built, though the builders themselves were paid in town lots or lumber instead of money.

Hiram Hill to Erastus D. Ladd & S.B. Prentiss
Creator: Hill, Hiram, 1804-
Date: July 13, 1857
Hiram Hill wrote to E. D. Ladd and S. B. Prentiss in Kansas Territory, requesting that they send a new drawing of the West Lawrence town shares when they are available, and asking about the prospect of selling town lots there. Hill also inquired about a share of Emporia stock that he had given to Mr. Whitney to pass on to them. He answered their questions regarding maintenance of his rental properties, and confirmed that only "necessary repairs" were to be completed at his expense.

Hiram Hill to his brother
Creator: Hill, Hiram, 1804-
Date: April 10, 1859
Hiram Hill wrote from Lawrence, Kansas Territory, to his brother. Hill traveled to Lawrence to settle various business matters, but found himself preoccupied with repairing rat damage to the foundation of one of his homes. He had found renters for all of his buildings himself, as he was not inclined to trust anyone to do the business for him since "they are a promising set of cutthroats". Hill would not travel to Manhattan or Topeka but would stop in Quindaro before heading back to Massachusetts.

John W. Robinson to Hiram Hill
Creator: Robinson, John W
Date: August 17, 1857
John Robinson, President and Agent of the Manhattan Town Association, wrote from Manhattan, Kansas Territory, to Hiram Hill in Massachusetts. Robinson responded to Hill's interest in investing in the town, describing the town's current situation, climate, and development rate. He provided specific and dramatic examples of increasing property values, and assured Hill that there would be no land speculation; he would only sell lots to those investors who were willing to build.

Kansas and Colorado
Creator: Kansas Pacific Railway Company
Date: 1877
This Kansas Pacific Railway pamphlet is printed in Swedish and is directed at Swedish emigrants. The item promotes agriculture, land sales, and settlement to Swedish emigrants in the area around Saline and McPherson Counties, Kansas. The subtitle reads: A concise description of the land, its livestock and agriculture in the vicinity of the Kansas Pacific railroad.

Kansas and Colorado
Creator: Union Pacific Railway Company
Date: 1877
Written in Norwegian, this is a Kansas Pacific Railroad company advertisement to emigrants from Norway describing the great and abundant land available for purchase in the area around Saline and McPherson Counties in Kansas.