CUBA

Cuba was laid out in the spring of 1884, although in 1866 homesteaders first came to the area. Cuba it is said chose its name after a visitor who had traveled to the Caribbean shared stories of the fight for freedom from Spain. The town of Cuba moved twice before settling in its present locale. The first building was a school which comprised a log cabin with a dirt floor and a sod roof. Cuba moved locations in the early 1870's because town learders decided it needed a new school with a better location so the town moved two miles west. In 1884 the B & M Railroad ran a line a few miles south, so the town moved again.

THE REPUBLIC COUNTY PILOT

March 26, 1885, page 1

Cuba, Its Location. Its Business Men. WHO THEY ARE And What They Are Doing.

     Cuba is a flourishing village not yet one year old, situated in the eastern part of Republic county, on a branch of the B. & M. R. R. It is eleven miles from Belleville, the county seat of Republic county, nine miles from Knowles on the east, seventeen miles from Hubbell on the north and about the same distance from Clyde on the south. It is well located and has every advantage of making one ofthe best towns in the county. Its business interests are represented by an honorable, energetic and intelligent class of citizens who have weath and brains enough to manage their own affairs.

     Cuba has a population of over 400 industious, educated people and has as good a society as con be found anywhere in the west. It is surrounded by one of the most magnificent farming countries in the world, and tilled by a class of brave and honest farmers, the most of whom settled here in the early days of Kansas, and who had the nerve and backbone to resist the many trials and tribualtions that so often entrap the early pioneer.

      OUR MERCHANTS

     With pleasure we make mention of the following gentlemen who are engaged in business:

     NELSON DANNEFER - Was the first man we called on. He carries a good stock of general merchandise, consisting of dry goods, boots and shoes, hats and caps, and is doing a good business. His building is 20x50.

     KENNEDY & SISSELL - Have a story and a half building size 22x50, which is well filled with a large stock of dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes, and in fact, everything tta is usually kept in a first class store. They are also enjoying an excellent trade.

     A. KASL - Has a building on the east side of Main street, size 20x38, filled with a general stock of dry goods, groceries, etc. Al is a No. 1 fellow and deserves the excellent trade he is having.

     PLUMMER - Is a fine gentleman and is carrying one of the largest stocks of dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes; hats and caps, notons, etc., in town. His building is 24x60, and with good goods, square dealing and a welcome to every one, he merits a share of the public patronage.

     TAGGART BROS. & SHIMEK - Are ;arge amd extemsove dea;ers om dru gppds. grpceroes. ready-made clothing, boots, shoes, hats, caps, and should you be one of the large crowd that throng their store you will be as kindly waited upon as though you were the only customer. Their line of goods is complete.

     DRUG STORES

     GOELLER & BOYER - Came to this place last fall and had so much confidence in our prosperous little village that they immediately concluded to erect a building and go into business; and our citizens should feel proud of these gentlemen for taking such an interest in the town. The size of their bulding is 24x84; the first story being built of stone and the second of brick with a basement the same size. The first floor is occupied by themselves with a large and fine stock of drugs consisting of everything that is usually carried in that line of goods, and we do not hesitate to say that it is one of the finest finished store rooms in th county if not in the state. The second story is used for a hall. The whole building cost about $6,000.

     J. J. LANE - Runs the City Drug Store. He carries a fine line of drugs, medicines, chemicals, fine soaps, brushes, combs, perfumery and fancy toilet articles. Prescriptions carefully compounded. E. C. Thomas is his druggiest, and is a fine gentleman and thoroughly understands his business.

     FRANK SLOPANSKEY - Carries a large stock of drugs, medicines, paints, oils, varnishes and fancy articles, patent medicines, pure brandy, wines and liquors for medical purposes only. He also has a fine stock of jewelry. Prescriptions carefully compounded day or night. Give him a call.

     DR. D. M. CARPENTER - Has just completed a fine stone building with basement, size 25x60, and is filling it with a large stock of pure drugs, medicines, etc. He merits a share of the public patronage.

     HARDWARE STORES

     LANG & ARBUTHNOT - Are one of the enterprising hardware firms of this place, who carry a large and well selected stock, consisting of all styles and classes of goods usually kept in a first class hardware store, Mr. Lang is a tinner and always stands ready to attend to roofing and spouting. Good goods and good work, he says, is what tells the story.

     J. W. SHAFFER - Is another one ofout excellent hardware men. He carries a full line of hardware of all kinds, including carpenters and masons tools, forks, spades, shovels, etc. Anyone needing a food cook or heating stove will dowell by calling around and getting his prices. He is enjoying a good trade.

     JOHN KUTCHRA - Hsa a building on the east side of main street, 24x60, all enclosed and when completed will put in a large stock of hardware of all kinds.

     BANKS

     BANK OF T. E. SEYMOUR & CO. - Is a solid institution; is the oldest bank in town and are doing a fine business. They do a general banking business, attend to collections and make prompt remittances. Their safe is of the Hall make and weighs 3.000 pounds. Mr. Seymour attends to the business and will be found to be a gentleman in every respect. They can be found at the drug store of Goeller & Boyer.

     BANK OF CUBA - This bank has been here only a short time, but during that time has done a fine business. Mr. J. B. Edson, the gentleman who i the proprietor, has purchased the building and put it in good shape for the business. It is 25x35. A counter runs through the center of the building with a railing on top, which is filled in with beautiful stained glass. The safe is of the Macneal & Urban make with a Sargent time lock, and weighs 5,500 pounds.

     FURNITURE

     INGRAM & BAIRD - Are our boss funiture dealers. They keep a fine line of everything that is usually found in a furniture stre, including undertakers goods, carpets, etc. Repairing done with neatness and dispatch. Give them a call.

     LUMBER YARDS

     Cuba has two good lumber yards which are both doing an excellent business. The yard of J. J. W. Harris is located south of the steam elevator. They carry a large stock of lumber, sash, doors, blinds, mouldings, building paper, lime, hair, cement. plaster paris, etc.

     TEMPLETON BROS. - Of Chicago, also have a large stock of sash, doors, blinds, lime, hari, ement, and a large and well selected stock of lumber and shingles with which to supply the multitude. Their yard is north of the depot. Mr. Bunce is manager of the yard.

     CIGAR MANUFACTORY

     JOSEPH H. KYSELA - Fine cigar maker and dealer in smoking tobacco, pipes, etc. He is located next door to Shimek's dry good store, and is enjoying an excellent trade. When you want a fine flavored cigar. Give him a call.

     JEWELER

     WM. WRIGHT - When you have a clock or watch that needs repairing take it to the above named gentleman. His is a first-class jewelr and will give you satisfaction every time. He can be found in Joe Shimek' store.

     HARNESS SHOP

     CHARLEY WOKAL - Manufactures heavy double and single harness; makes a specialty of light and fine work. Saddles, blankets and everything usually found in a first class harness shop. Opposite PILOT office.

     AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS

     LANG & ARBUTHNOT - Have a large stock of implements consisting of wagons, plows, harrows, stalk cutters, etc. THey have just completed a warehouse 25x44 on the east side of Main street and filled it with everything that belongs to the implement trade.

     REED & SONS - These gentlemen have just come to town and gone into the implemet business. They are putting in one of the largest stocks in the county and propose to sell as cheap as the next one. We bespeak for them a liberal share of the public patronage. Located on lot south of Kutchra's new hardware store.

     HOTEL

     THE ELLIOTT HOTEL - Of our city is the only one in town C. N. Elliott, the proprietor, is up to the wants of the traveling public, and never leaves anything undone with which to please his guests. The tables are always furnished with the best the market affords.

     ELEVATOR

     LITTLE & CO. - Of Lincoln, are the owners of a large steam elevator, the capacity of which is about 18,000 bushels, and is ar-- conveniently for receiving and shipping. They also handle oal and brick. Wm. Gibson has charge of the business and is the right man in the right place.

     GRAIN DEALER

     MASON, GREGG & BRO., - Are dealers in all kinds of grain. We understand these genlemen are talking of building a large elevator this spring. Mr. D. D. Bayley has charge of the business and will be found to be a gentleman in every respect.

     RETAURANTS AND BOARDING HOUSES

     MR. OLIVER - Has opened up a restaurant one door south of the Elliott hotel, and is prepared to satisfy the hungry any hour in the day.

     R. ETHERTON - Keeps a boarding house and knows how to cater to the wants of his customers. Give him a call.

     J. C. ADAMS - Runs a first-class boarding house. When you want a square meal call on him.

     BUTCHER SHOPS

     G. M. SHROUF - Is proprieter of the Bonanza meat market which is located on the east side of main street. He pays the highest market price for beef, pork, poultry and game, and sells as cheap as the cheapest. Give him a call.

     SIMON & LISHER'S - Shop is located two doors north of Shimek's store. They pay the hisghest cash prices for hides, tallow and lard, and keeps constantly on hand a good supply of fresh and salt meats.

     BARBER

     ERNEST WACHTEL - Is the boss barber and hair dresser. Whe you want a neat clean shave give him a call.

     LIVERY AND FEED STABLE

     WM. BAKER - Is proprietor of the Elliott livery and feed stables. He keeps good stock and fine rigs to let out by the hour or day with or without drivers. Prices reasonable. Give him a call.

     GEO. WALTON - Keeps a feed and sale stable in the southwest part of twon. The best of care given to farmers teams.

     COAL DEALER

     A. SMITH - Has a good supply of coal constantly on hand. Office with D. D. Bayley.

     MILLINERY

     MRS. A. J. SAVAGE - Has an excellent stock of millinery and desires the favors of her old friends and as any new ones as can make it convenient to call.

     MRS. C. O. PLUMMER - Keeps on hand a large stock of the latest and most stylish millinery. Give her a call and examine her goods.

     BLACKSMITH AND WAGON SHOPS

     DAVIDSON & BROWN -  Carry on a large blacksmith and wagon shop, situated in the south part of town, in which they do all kinds of machine repairing, horse shoeing, and in fact, any kind of work which can be done with iron or wood.

     J. ALEXANDER - Attends to all kinds of wagon and carriage repairing. Satisfaction guaranteed.

     PHYSICIANS

     J. B. BOYER - Physician and surgeon; office in Goeller & Boyer's drug store.

     H. W. STEPHENS - Physician and surgeon; office one door south of the PILOT office.

     Tony Shelstzbaum is our accommodating station agent. He is also agent for the Lincoln Land Co.

     Samuel Thompson is our live stock dealer. Law Norton is buying for Mr. Thompson at this place and is an accommodating young man. He always pays the highest prices going.

     Shimek & Walker, real estate and loan agents.

     Dan Davis is proprietor of a first-class billiard hall.

     Frank Urban runs a No 1 billaird hall and has two good tables.

     J. C. Hofins, attorney at law

     J. F. Petrik, Notary Public

     Dr. Stewart, dentist

     Frank Sager. Justice of the Peace, Office in Dannefer's store.

     L. Hendricks, plasterer

     H. H. Smith, painter

     J. C. Adams, city dray No. 1

     W. V. Miller, drayman

     John Gibbony is township trustee and assessor.

     Patrick Kane, brick layer and stone mason, cistern builder, etc.

     C. Mapes, feed and grist mill

     Abe Hall, Wm. Farlow and David Lawrence are carpenters.

     F. A. Smith is our accommodating postmaste.

     Mrs. Warren, dressmaker.

     Mr. Koetek, shoemaker

     Donald Cummings, carpenter