Beatrice the Pretty, Bustling, Growing Capital of Gage County

While the wonderful prosperity of Nebraska is constantly referred to as far as the productiveness of farms  is concerned, only those who have traveled appreciate the prosperity which prevails in the cities and towns of the state.

Take for instance the town of Beatrice which may well be called a city.  It is the county seat of Gage County and numbers about 10,000 population.  It is not a crude western town, but a beautiful city of churches, homes, schools and thrifty business.  

More than most towns of the west, Beatrice may be called a manufacturing center.

Beatrice like Omaha, and the other western cities, has had her days of adversity; in fact, the very enterprise which made Beatrice so progressiver, also made the city peculiarly vulnerable to the disasters and set backs of 1893 and 1894.  Like Omaha, Lincoln, and other cities of the state, however she has emerged from a period of depression and now with her experience as an asset, is moving forward to her new and permanent development.  What Omaha is doing on a large scale.  Beatrice is doing on a smaller scale -- steadily developing her resources, increasing in population and in business.

It was said above that Beatrice is peculiarly a manufacturing center for a western town.  This truth is indicated by the successful operation of a large flouring mill, canning factory, a creamery and numerous small concerns of considerable importance in the aggregate.

The largest amount the manufacturing institutions of Beatrice, and, in fact, one of the largest in the state, is the Dempster Mill Manufacturing Company, which has developed into an important concern and which is still rapidly growing.  This company manufactures wind mills, iron pumps, well drill machinery, gasoline engines, wood and steel water tanks, grain drills, corn cultivators and a large variety of special machinery of this sort.  It is not a new enterprise having been incorporated in 1886 and being even then the outgrowth of a smaller business established in 1878 by Mr. C. B. Dempster, now president of the company.  Those not familiar with Beatrice will probably be somewhat surprised to learn that this company uses a capital of over half a million dollars, and employs over 600 people.  It is, therefore, a concern which would be reckoned large in any city; it certainly speaks well for Beatrice as a manufacturing center, that this institution has had so large a growth and enjoyed such prosperity in Beatrice.

Mr. Dempster's company is not merely a large and successful enterprise, but it is an unusual enterprise for the reason that it is run on the co-operative or profit-sharing basis.  Indeed, Mr. Dempster frankly attributes a large share of his success to his adoption of the profit-sharing plan in his enterprise, it is not only successful as a device for securing the utmost energy, loyalty and best effort of the employees but it serves to create a spirit of harmony and good fellowship which make the relations of employer and employee most pleasant.  In addition to the extensive factory at Beatrice, the company has branches at Memphis, Kansas City, Omaha and Sioux Falls.  An idea of the size of this plant may be gained from the fact that it covers more than two blocks of space.  It is approached by three railroad lines in Beatrice.

Beatrice not only has very attractive residence streets with comfortable and even luxurious homes, but the public spirit is shown in the attractive public buildings among which are the court house, public schools and a number of churches.  This is also one of the few towns in Nebraska, outside of Omaha, enjoying the luxury of well-paved streets.   It is doubtful whether any western town of equal population has as many blocks of paved streets in good condition.

At the present time the advantages of Beatrice are attracting a considerable increase of population, the business opportunities and school facilities being particularly influential.  Among the other public improvements that are coming to Beatrice this year will be a handsome new station, to be build by the Burlington Railroad.

One of the unusual attractions of this promising and prosperous city is the Blue River.  Rivers are not so plenty in Nebraska that every town can boast of one ---- attraction, and Beatrice does not fail to make the most of this stream, which affords the people the opportunity for an alluring park with excellent boating facilities which the river make possible.

Business and social intercourse are the two objects of a strong organization known as the Beatrice Club, which occupies well furnished apartments.  The club is largely devoted to the usual recreations and indulgences of social clubs, but it bears constantly in mind the business development of the city as its chief object.  Its membership is strong and active and much of the progress of the city is due to the co-operation among the citizens, which this organization has brought about.

At the head of the educational institution of Beatrice stands her High School, while the other public schools and the numerous church edifices give evidence of the vigor of the moral, religious and educational life of the community.

The banking facilities of Beatrice are looked after by four banks, while four hotels and five newspapers amply supply the wants of the community in those particulars.  Two of the newspapers, by the way, are dailies -- The Morning Sun and the Evening Express, the patronage of both papers being apparently considerable, but hardly such as their enterprise would seem to deserve.

While it is hardly possible in a brief article of this sort to discriminate between individuals who are largely contributing to the development of Beatrice, it is proper in mention some particularly.

At the head of the Beatrice Club, for instance, is Mr. G. W. Johnson, who is engaged in the real estate business and who is considered to be one of the men of enterprise and push contributing to the progress of the city.

The bar of Beatrice ranks as a strong one and numbers among it members some men of state reputation.  Among these Mr. R. S. Bibb, who has taken prominent part in democratic politics of the state while devoted to his profession, does not forget to co-operate with the business interests in promoting the public spirit and enterprises of Beatrice.

Another prominent member of the bar is General L. M. Colby, who is as well known as a military man as he is a lawyer.  For a good many years General Colby has been recognized in the state as a man of force and ability.  Among those who actively interest themselves in the welfare of the town may also be mentioned.  Mr. F. W. Cook president of the Beatrice National Bank.  In fact, it is characteristic of the towns in the west that the bankers are looked upon as leaders in organizing and promoting the business interests of the community.  Among the more prominent merchants active in the towns affairs as well as their own is Mr. J. T. Hardin.

In real estate, Fulton & Powers are among the most energetic and enterprising.  Mr. Fulton's popularity is attested by the fact that he has been selected by the democrats as a candidate for sheriff this fall.  It will be remembered by the readers of the World Herald that R. Fulton gained an unexpected and undesired reputation as a master in manly art some time ago in an encounter which he had with a burglar.  In the midnight encounter with the aforesaid burglar he not only broke the burglars nose, but crippled his own fist in the energetic warfare.  Possibly this may have attracted the attention of the democrats to him as an available man for sheriff.

Among the newer comers to Beatrice in the business line may be mentioned Mr. P. Pearson, a hardware merchant.  Another business man whom the democrats have nominated this fall is Mr. J. A. Klein, a merchant, who is candidate for county treasurer.

As a hotel town, Beatrice has a most excellent reputation.  Among the hotel proprietors, H. E. Markle of the Markle Hotel is a very popular host.  Among the newer enterprises of Beatrice may be mentioned the Blue Valley Fruit and Grocery Company, which has entered the wholesale business in the line indicate.  In this connection it may be said that Beatrice is quite a center for poultry, eggs, etc., one of the large concerns in this line being conducted by H. Fishback.

A visitor in Beatrice is quite apt to be introduced to Mr. H. Koons, who is a jeweler, hustler and all around enthusist of Beatrice.

Among the other merchants that the inquiring visitor is apt to meet may be mentioned Mr. Palmer and J. S. Dohner.

The accompanying views are elected at random from a number of characteristic buildings in Beatrice and may be considered as merely representative.

Omaha World Herald - October 15, 1905