Progress & Resources of Virgil, So. Dak.

The aim of this booklet is to denote the principal points of development of a thriving South Dakota town, showing its remarkable growth in societal, religeous and business circles. The progressiveness and loyalty of the business men have made this publication possible.

Recorded history tells us that the town of Virgil came into existance in the early eighties soon after the Jim River extension of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad was built from Mitchell to Aberdeen. Various obstacles however contributed toward the retarding of its progress until some years later.

The town is one of the many good towns on the main line of the Milwaukee railway line which was completed in 1885. This division extends from Sioux City, Iowa, to Aberdeen, South Dakota, through the heart of the finest farming country in the world. Virgil is in the southern part of Beadle county, seventeen miles from Huron, the county seat, 112 miles from Pierre, the state capital.

The railroad station was started soon after the completion of the road, but for many years there was little development and few settlements, so there was little demand for a town more extensive than the conventional country store and post office. Therefore all through the first fifteen years of its existence the little town in common with many other Dakota towns was nothing more than a trading post and made very little progress.

During the years elapsing between 1890 and the Present time Virgil has experienced a slow but steady growth. While it has never made a wonderful record for advancement its progress has been sound and substantial, and by reason of the fact that it has a choice territory of the finest farming country in the world surrounding it, there is every indication that the place will, at no distant time, become a more prosperous and progressive little city, above the average in size and importance.

The town is prettily situated in the midst of a grand, boundless rolling prairie farming country, noted for its beauty and fertility, profusely decored with thrifty farms, costly farm residences, barns, school houses, churches and other improvements of every description. Such elegant farms and farm homes would astonish the down-easterner who has been spending half his days in making faces at western resources and western enterprises. The country here is composed of that same splendid farm, hay and pasture land which has furnished homes of plenty and prosperity for thousands of people from all the civilized quarters of the globe and made the state of South Dakota, in common with such as Illinois and Wisconsin famous throughout the civilized world.

The commercial exports of this locality are cattle, horses, hogs, hay, seeds, wheat, corn, oats, barley, flax, potatoes, butter, eggs, poultry and fruits.

With reference to cereal products it is true that, while here, as elsewhere, some things do better than others, there is no cereal, vegetable or fruit grown in this latitude of the United States that will not grow in this vicinity. Of course, the vast majority of people are engaged in farming, dairying and stock raising, and this must always be the principal occupation of those who make their homes here. More than 70 per cent of the land is now under culitvation, and the wonderful crops of corn and small grain annually produced in this country can feed by no means an insignificant portion of the world's population.

In this section of the state of South Dakota lies some of the finest farming land in the middle west, being of the great prairie type of land. The Jim river drains a territory of about one hundred miles in width and about one thousand in length, being the longest unnavigable river in the world, flowing through North Dakota and traversing the whole state of South Dakota from north to south. There is pracitcally nothing grown in the world that will not grow with a lesser or greater degree of success in this fertile region. The rain fall of the country is sufficient for the needs of the grains grown here, both large and small; and it usually comes at the time of the year it is most needed, and as to well water for the needs of humans and animals, there is a great abundance furnished by the great artesian system. It is in the heart of this valley that Beadle county is located, and it is partially due to this fact that Beadle county has become the widely known county that it has.

It might well be said that as long as Beadle county remains so largely an agricultural section of the country, just so long will the entire population be dependent upon the farmer for general prosperity. Indeed it has already been demonstrated that upon the farmers prosperity depends the prosperity of the town and villages as well as the entire rural population. It goes without saying that the farmers of Beadle county are enjoying a high degree of prosperity.

Beadle county farmers are largely out of debt, own an abundance of personal property, and scores of them are riding in automobiles and have money in the bank. The pictures of fine farm homes in this booklet are only a few of the many that stand as everlasting monuments to the culture and refinement of the community.

The entire section of country in the midst of which Virgil is conspicuously located is emphatically a stock and dairy country, and even in the few years it has been in a state of productiveness the country has become one of the greatest cream and butter producing sections in the west. Tons upon tons of cream is being annually converted into a very superior quality of butter by the local dairymen, and shipped to the great eastern markets. The vast amount of cream that is shipped out every month has created a marked demand for the opening of a local creamery. A pracitcal creamery man who understands his business would find something to his interest by writing to W. H. Mann or W. C. Denison of Virgil, S. D.

The underlying cause of the great cream and butter industry in this locality is the fact that plenty of pure water, nutritious grasses, cheap hay and a climate that is perfectly adapted to stock, besides the finest shipping facilities in the world, have contributed to making the business of stock raising and dairying a most profitable one. Many farmers already have fine herds of good cattle, and the quality of live stock is constantly improving. The great demand for the dairy and creamery products of South Dakota in the great eastern markets is evidence of the future greatness of that industry in this vicinity, where its inducements are supremely atractive and promising.

While the early pioneers of Beadle county, beliving that they had passed north of the corn belt, did not plant corn with much confidence, that cereal has now become one of the principal crops of the country. Corn never fails to ripen, though the immense stalks often reach the heighth of eight and ten feet, and the well-filled ears not seldom grow to the size of twelve inches. The corn is always of good quality, finely developed and generally overruns the standard in weight. There are farmers in this vicinity who are worth from $25,000 to $75,000, and the foundation for their wealth is corn, hogs and cattle.

But while corn has become a favorite crop, there is a great deal of wheat raised. Oats and barley have become very popular as feed-producing staples, and an increased acreage of both is produced every year. In fact there is no section of country in the world where oats and barley do better than they do on the land in the vicinity of Virgil.

Travelers in this part of the country, as well as visitors at the state and county fairs, continually express their surprise at the wonderful displays of corn made by this county, as well as what they see in the fields and in the markets. In its market at Virgil a great amount of the grain marketed is corn and of the finest variety. Scores of farmers in this locality are annually growing crops of from 1,000 to 3,000 bushels of corn. In at least one case a Beadle county farmer, Mr. J. T. Berry, residing some twelve miles from Virgil last season gathered over 6,000 bushels from his own farm.

But while corn has become one of the staples of this county there is yet a good deal of what raised. Oats and barley have become very popular as feed producting staples, and an increased acreage of each is produced each year. In fact there is no section of the country in the world where oats and barley do better than on the land in the vicinity of Virgil.

While this town has not had an opportunity to develop in some lines of industry as it will later on, it has built up a grain and stock market which excels all of its competing points. Its three monster grain elevators, as well as its rustling stock shippers are kept busy almost day and night during the shipping season of the year taking care of the vast amount of grain and stock that is brought here to market. The writer has made a careful investigation of the grain and live stock shipping industry of Virgil and upon the basis of this information he places the annual grain shipments alone at not far from one-half million bushels, while the stock shipments have now reached the immense amount of over 125 cars a year. It is considered doubtful if there is a town this size in all northwestern South Dakota where this amount of stock and grain is marketed every year, and where better prices are paid. The town has therefore every reason to congratulate itself on the fact that it has a set of active and enterprising grain and stock dealers, who are doing much toward the general advancement of the community.

As a desirable market and trading point it is everywhere admitted that Virgil has no superior, even among the larger towns and villages throughout the country. Although a small place and still offering many openings for many lines of business most of the leading branches of trade are represented among the retail establishemtns of this place, and the stores all carry large, and complete stocks, and prices are constantly at the lowest level consistent with reliable quality. This is particularly true with hardware, harness, groceries, dry goods, drugs, paints, and farm machinery. In all these lines the Virgil merchants have made a reputation for good choice goods and fair prices. Good prices are always paid for butter, eggs, poultry and cream by the respective dealers who handle them, which is also the case with grain. Accordingly the town enjoys an extensive retail trade among the farmers residing within a considerable distance in the surrounding country, often drawing trade from some of the larger towns nearby. The nearest competing points are nine miles in either direction, north and south, while the trade territory to the east and west is almost unlimited. The fact that the town has such a large territory from which to draw its trade is sufficient reason to believe that the town will, from now on, witness a rapid growth.

The idea of raising the best blooded cattle and horses is rapidly crowding itself on the minds of the Beadle county farmer, especially in the vicinity of Virgil, where some of the most successful fine stock breeders are located. Among those that might be mentioned are: F. E. Matzke, owner of City View Stock Farm, a notable success in Herford cattle, Chester White swine and White Plymouth Rock chickens; W. H. Barnes, breeder of Percherson horses; R. H. Vearrier, Percheron horses and Polled Angus cattle.

In this connection it is proper to state that the raising of sheep and hogs is an industry which has attracted surprising attention throughout the county, and has been marked with wonderful success. Sheep and hogs can always be depended upon to bring dollars to the farmer's purse in this locality, where an abundance of pure water and the best of feed is exceptionally well adapted to the well-being of the animals. The extensive packing houses of St. Paul, Sioux Falls and Sioux City are close by, and the farmer is always sure of top prices for his swine product, as well as for his beef and mutton. For sheep the dry climate wards off these diseases to which the sheep of other states ande localities too often fall a victim. Already many farmers have large herds of sheep, and there are not a few who are ready to declare that there is more money in sheep than there is in anything else to which the South Dakota farmer can turn his attention.

The soil in this vicinity differs in some respects from that of other localities, but it possesses in a high degree the essential elements for producing all sorts of cereals, fruits and vegetables. It requires no artificial fertilizer to produce excellent crops, though the prudent farmer has discovered that it pays well to use his animal manure on his land even in this rich and productive district. A peculiar feature about the soil here seems to be that it absorbs moisture very rapidly and yet is capable of resisting unusual draught. Water, both in quality and quantity, throughout the entire region could hardly be more desirable. The supply is inexhuastible, good water being obtainable anywhere at a depth of from 25 to 250 feet, and wells of that depth never fail. The water is of good taste and is considered of the very best quality for both man and beast.

Beadle county forms an important part of the famous Jim River Artesian Basin, in which artesian wells are found by the hundreds all over the county. These never failing flowing wells with a high pressure can be had anywhere within a depth of from 300 to 1,200 feet, and the possession of such a well is always considered a valuable asset to the farmer, dairyman, or stockman. Hundreds of the fine stock farms throughout the Jim River Valley have one or more of these flowing wells on their premises, and in many cases they not only furnish the water for the farm and household purposes but also power for driving cream separators, corn shellers and other stationery machinery.

So far as the climate is concerned, the writer is firm in the conviction that, all things considered, it is the most favorable of any on the American continent.

True, the summers are usually very warm, but there is always a mild breeze, which keeps the atmostphere comparatively cool and agreeable, and it is seldom that the heat of summer becomes to intense to permit outdoor work. On the other hand, the winters are quite mild and agreeable as a rule. Though sometimes very cold and stormy, they are mostly open and more congenial for both health and comfort than they are in the eastern states. In short this climate is so favorable to the well-being of humanity that many people troubled with asthma and other pulmonary diseases came here and found permanent relief.

Fruit raising has been a sadly neglected industry all over the state of South Dakota in common with the entire northwest.

The pioneer settlers had the impression that fruit was one of the impossibilities among the products of this country, and the suceeding population seemed to imbibe the same conviction. The industry is becoming annually more popular. Already several good young orchards are in existence in different parts of the county, and nearly every farm in this district has its own apple orchard promising results in accordance with the amount of cultivation and attention given it. A large variety of apples, plums, cherries and all the different kinds of small fruits thrive in this climate and soil whenever properly cared for. According to reports from several practical experiments with strawberries, this fruit yeilds enormously, in several instances returning a cash revenue of $1,200 per acre on a single crop. Present conditions point to a large and profitable commercial fruit industry for this section of the country in the next few years.

It appears that the general agitation for good roads which has been carried on throughout the state for several years has materialized into usefulness in Spink county. As a result of it there is not a county in the state which has better roads and more mileage of good roads than this county. There seems to be a consensus of sentiment both among the farmers and the people of the towns, that good roads are among the most important matters to be looked after. In many of the townships of the county a regular organized effort is made by modern means and methods to get the public highways in the best possible condition - get the roads good and keep them good. The subject of state roads is one that has been very diligently looked after and it is stated by men who should know, that the county has been specially fortunate in securing a large amount of state road mileage. A great deal of this road travuses the tributaries of Virgil in all directions.

Virgil has a population of not far from 300 industrious, enterprising and progressive people. The population of the county is about 18,000. The inhabitants of both town and county are greatly varied in point of nationality, religions and political sentiment, education and occupation, but the inhabitants in and around Virgil are quiet, well-behaved, sober, industrious and lawabiding class of citizens. The majority of the inhabitants of the county as well as this locality are American born decendents from the Swedish, German, Danish and Norwegian, but there is also a large proportion of English Americans. Of the foreign born population the majority are Germans and Scandinavians, but they are all progressive in their ideas and practices, adapting themselves readily to the American methods of industry and society, and they have distinguished themselves for their fine farms, splendid farm homes, schools and churches and for their model citizenship. Most of them are stanch Christian people, and a more honorable and prosperous class would be hard to find.

With a clean, peaceable and honorable class of citizens, the society is all that could be desired. There is no aristocracy and every man is regarded as good as another as long as he conducts himself in harmony with the prevailing standard of society and observes the laws of the land as a good citizen should. Those who refuse to do this are promptly taken care of and dealt with according to the most practical and most judicial methods.

Virgil is conspiculously located on the C. M & St. P. Ry., 46 miles from Mitchell, 82 miles from Aberdeen, 117 miles from Sioux Falls, 183 miles from Sioux City, the leading commercial cities of this locality. This road transacts all the freight and passenger traffic at this point. The company maintains a small but convenient station house and exercises every possible means to accommodate the traveling public, and the rapidly growing traffic, which has been trebled in the past five years. The road operates four finely equipped passenter trains daily and an adequate number of freight trains to handle that portion of its traffic to the satisfaction of its patrons. The agent at this point is R. L. Gunn, a gentleman in every sense of the word. Mr. Gunn spares himself no pains to be courteous and accommodating to the traveling public. He has been with the road about six years, and nearly one he has been agent at this point. He informs the writer that the freight traffic at Virgil is not only growing but is much heavier than at many of the larger points along the line. As a side line he has become an extensive breeder of Plymouth Rock chickens and owns some very fine birds of that breed.

There are several churches and religious organizations at Virgil and its immediate vicinity, but chief among them are the Methodists and the German Lutheran denominations. Each one of these has a fine church building of its own and both of them are located in the town. Pictures of these buildings are presented in this booklet. The Methodist church and its auxiliary organizations are exercising a wonderful influence for good in the community. The society was organized some fifteen years ago and its fine church building was erected five years later at a cost of $2,500. The work of the society is being conducted by the Rev. Lloyd Reising, a theological student at Dakota Wesleyan University. He has had charge of the work here only a few months but seems to be giving general satisfaction both with the general public as well as with the congregation. The membership of the society is not large but much interest is taken in its services and welfare among the entire community. Regular meetings are held both mornings and evenings every Sunday. A very fine Sunday school is conducted under the auspices of the Methodist society which has a regular attendance of nearly 100. An Epworth League chapter holds meetings each Sunday evening and a goodly number of young people have identified themselves with this society.

The German Lutherans also have a large and growing society. They own a church building valued at $2,000 in which they hold services every alternate Sunday, conducted by the Rev. B. Leish, of Wolsey. Many of the leading Germans of the surrounding country, as well as in town, are members of this church.

The German Reformed denomination recently started a congregation and already have a substaintial membership but they are temporarily dependent upon the City Hall for a church home. It is their determination to build a suitable house of worship of their own during the present year and as many of their congregation are in good circumstances financially they will no doubt be successful in their undertaking.

Every business man of Virgil and a large number of other citizens take great interest in the farmers' institute movement. In fact there is as much interest around -- everybody is proud of the institute record that has been made in the past few years and the men behind the movement have the best of reasons to feel proud because Virgil has the reputation of having one of the largest and most enthusiastic institutes in the country, regardless of size. Each year the business men of the town contribute liberally toward the premiums offered at the institute, and the large hall in which the meetings are held is crowded every session. The 1915 session was held February 22 and 23 and extensive preparations were in progress at this writing to make the meeting even a greater success. Mr. F. E. Matzke, the president of the local association, stated to the writer that from the present interest his meeting would be the most successful ever held in this town.

In this booklet appears the picture of the Virgil public school building which was erected some years ago at the cost of $4,000. The structure is larger and more elaborate in point of capacity than its appearance would indicate. It is a neat and substantial structure two stories and basement, with two large and commodious recitation rooms. The present enrollment of the school is 56 and the total expenditure for school purposes last year amounted to $1,629.81. The instructors this year are Miss Inger Wagness in the upper department, and her sister, Miss Olene Wagness, in the primary department. Both teachers are giving the finest possible satisfaction in their services, in fact the patrons seem almost extravagant tin their praise for the work these two are giving. The Misses Wagness have been engaged in teaching ten and six years respectively, coming to the Virgil school from Hand county. The school district is incorporated as an independent district and in excellent condition financially, having a surplus of $1,600 in the treasury at this writing. The board of directors is composed of W. H. Mann, pres.; Ben Peterson, vice-pres.; J. C. Long, sec.; and I. A. Tillery, treas.; Oscar Peterson, C. E. Payne and Frank Matzke. The enrollment of the school is rapidly increasing and and an additional room will have to be added in the next year or two.

W. H. Mann Company's Elevator

Three Immense Grain Houses

Nothing in Virgil points so unmistakably to future prosperity as the extensive grain and shipping establishements in operation here. One of the largest and most important of this kind along the Milwuakee is owned by W. H. Mann Elevator Company of this place. They are extensive dealers in all kinds of grain, are the owners of the largest plant at this place, and handle an annual output of about 75,000 bushels of grain. The company's elevator is conveniently equipped with all kinds of machinery to handle the grain inexpensively and in addition to the grain they also handle coal. The company is incorporated with a capital stock of $10,000. Its plant is valued at $6,500. It is one of the best conducted elevators in the state and gives general satisfaction to its farmer patrons which make it an adequate equivalent to a farmers elevator at this point.

J. F. Anderson Lumber Company's Elevator

The J. F. Anderson Lumber Company also own an extensive elevator at this place, run in connection with their lumber business. They have one of the finest and most substantial elevators in this part of the state. They have a storage capacity of 30,000 bushels aned their annual shipments amount to 75,000 bushels. Mr. Paul Thompson is their manager, and with his personal populatiry the business will continue to prosper. the Andersons have been engaged in business here for fifteen or twenty years. While their principal business is lumbering, they started the grain house beofre there was any other hbusiness of the kind in town with the desire to give the farmers of the locality a local market for their grain. The business proved a big success from the start and has continued to prosper.

The Clumbia Elevatgor Company, of Aberdeen, also have one of their many plants located at this place, which is operated only through the busiest seasons of the year. Their elevator is small and of limited capacity, but does considerable business through the shipping season.

Home of W. H. Mann

State Bank of Virgil

In the line of banking Virgil has many good reasons for congratulations if not rejoicing. The town has one of the most substantial and most skillfully conducted banking houses in this part of the state. For a town of this size there is none better. The writer has had opportunity of making careful inquiry into the merits and standing of the State Bank and is fully prepared to state that while larger cities, having banks of larger capitalization may lead in some unimportant respect, yet in point of safety and solidity, careful management and scrupulous integrity, there is not a bank in the state that surpasses this bank. The bank is incorporated and is conducted under the supervision of state officers appointed by the governor. Its capital surplus and undivided profits amounted at the time of the last quarterly statement to $14,670, at the same time its deposits amounted to $49,699. The volume of business being transacted by the bank is best shown by its loans and discounts, which amounted to $40,319. The bank is well equipped with modern furniture, fixtures, vaults and time lock safes, is located in its own fireproof building, and is an institution in which Virgil people take just pride. The officers are: W. T. McConnell, pres.; W. H. Barnes, vice-pres.; W. H. Mann, cashier; and A. H. Mann, asst. cash. The president is a wealthy capitalist and is president of the First National Bank of Wessington Springs, while the vice-president is a highly successful farmer who owns about 2,000 acres of land within three miles of town. The cashier is also at the head of the Mann Elevator Company elsewhere mentioned in this publication. Besides doing a general banking, they also handle insurance and real estate.

Lumber and Building Material

This branch of business in Virgil is handled by two large concerns. The J. F. Anderson Lumber Company of Mitchell and the John W. Tuthill Lumber Company of Sioux Falls, both of whom have established extensive institutions at this point.

The Anderson people are pioneers in this business here. They handle all kinds of lumber, coal, tile, wood and building material, and have one of the most complete and best equipped yards ever established in a western town. Three immense sheds are constantly filled with select stock of lumber which is always kept in fine condition. The headquarters of the company are at Mitchell and is one of the most reliable firms of that place. Mr. Paul Thompson, local manager of the Virgil yard is an ideal young man for the place. Through his careful management the company's business is rapidly increasing. He has been with the company nine years, four of which have been at this place.

The John W. Tuthill Company, the big wholesale company of Sioux Falls, has one of its many splendid yards located at this place. Their Virgil yard is one of their best plants and is constantly supplied with a fine line of fine building material of all kinds in which they enjoy a large and increasing trade. The Tuthill yards are everywhere appreciated by their patrons for the fine quality of lumber that they carry, and for their finely established business methods and square dealings, and these principals are among the leading feature of the Virgil yard. The yard is conducted under the management of Jay C. Long, an experienced lumberman whose services have become highly popular with the people of the town as well as the patrons of the yard. Mr. Long is diligent and careful in the administration of his daily duties and also takes much interest in the public affairs of the community.

Hardware, Furniture and Harness

This line of business in Virgil could not be better represented and in better hands than the Virgil Hardware Company, a company of practical business men incorporated for the purpose of transacting a general hardware, harness and furniture business, with a capital stock of $10,000, with Geo. Fox, pres.; Geo Rhu, vice-pres., and Mrs. G. W. Fox, secretary. The company is well organized and is doing a splendid business. The entire business is in the hands of Mr. Fox, a thoroughly experienced business man, who has been connected with the hardware business for years. He is counted as one of the best harness makers in the state. Mr. Rhu, one of the principals in the firm, is an old experienced hardware traveling salesman. The Virgil Hardware Company owns the fine building pictured over their names in this book. It is 22x70 feet and is constantly filled with a choice line of light and heavy hardware, tools, cuttlery, silverware, pumps, and plumbers' supplies, household and office furniture and a complete line of harness and saddlery goods. In his long experience as a harnessmaker Mr. Fox has gained some superior ideas in the making of work harness, and he is having all his harness goods made to order at the factory with these improved ideas. He also does all kinds of repair work. The company handles a full line of engines and oils and is making preparations to gain the leading part of the oil business in this territory this season. There is not a business enterprise anywhere that is a finer success than this company.

Later - Since the above notice of the Virgil Hardware Store was put in type the establishement was sold to the J. F. Anderson Lumber Co., under whose management the store will hereafter be conducted in connection with their extensive grain and lumber business.

Hardware Store of J. F. Anderson Lumber Co.

German Lutheran Curch, Methodist Episcopal Church

A Rustler Winning His Way

The distinction of being a genuine rustler, although quiet and unassuring, falls gracefully upon the shoulders of Foster Black, the well known pusher who is doing things on the inside of Black's general merchandise store. Mr. Black is one of the honored and successful pioneers of this county. He came here as a boy with his parents in the early 80's and spent many years in the battle against the hardships and privations of pioneer life, but with his characteristic determination he overcame all opposing obstacles until he was safely landed in a prosperous and successful business. Mr. Black's advent in business life was about nine years ago as junior partner in the mercantile firm of Dennis & Black. Five years ago he bought his partner's interest in the store and thus became sole owner. Mr. Black carries a complete stock of general merchandise, handling about everything in dry goods, notions, furnishings, work clothing, groceries, fruits and provisions. He not only carries a very complete line of goods but the fact that he has no extravagant rents or other expenses to pay often enables him to undersell the big stores of the larger cities. A noteworthy fact in connection with Mr. Black's business is that it shows an increase of $5,500 within the past two years, and has more than doubled during the past five years. Mr. and Mrs. Black take considerable interest in the social welfare of the community and have always been leading officials and workers in the local Odd Fellow circles, besides giving close and careful attention to business.

Residence of Foster Black

The Lion Drug Store

Owned and personally conducted by M. C. Magruder, assisted by J. C. Tripp, both highly experienced men in the pharmacy profession. Mr. Magruder deals extensively in all kinds of drugs, medicines, stationery, books, school supplies, paints and oils, and also does a general prescription business. Special care is given at this establishment to the purity and quality of all their drugs and paints and Mr. Magruder is fast establishing a reputation for carrying a very excellent line of all the various goods he handles. He is a professional pharmacist of seven years' experience and was several years identified with a drug store at Brookings before he came to Virgil and started in business for himself, three or four years ago. A distinguishing feature of the Lion Drug Store is its neatness, completeness and well kept condition. In spite of the fact that it is daily visited by more people than any other business place in Virgil, the interior is always in apple-pie order. The proprietor has also distinguished himself as a progressive and enterprising sprit in the community and is doing much good work for the up-building of the town and towards the general pecuniary advancement. Besides conducting a highly successful drug business he is also proprietor of the local hotel, elsewhere mentioned, is a hoted breeder of pure blood White Wyandotte chickens and wild game for sale, and for nearly two years has been postmaster of the town. While the post office business requires a great deal of his most careful attention, he has been successful in taking care of it to the general satisfaction of its large and increasing patronage. The Virgil post office is a domestic and international money order office, handles the U. S. postal savings business and, through the medium of the one country delivery line, with w. M. Thomas as carrier, supplies a daily mail service to nearly 100 families throughout the surrounding country.

Denison's Bldg, Occupied by Magruder's Drug Store and Denison Hall

Residence of Ben Peterson

In the line of machinery Mr. Ben Peterson, an experienced man in this business, supplies the demand in every respect. He sells practically everything made in the line of machinery and implements needed on the farm in harvesting farm products. He carries a full line and makes a studious effort to furnish the farmers with what they need in the line of farm implements to carry on their operations in a most satisfactory manner. Mr. Peterson has been in business about nine years and in those years, in spite of many adverse conditions, he has been wonderfully successful and his business during the past year was more than four times what it was the first year he started. All this doubtless is due to his extensive experience in his business, and thoroughly understanding the methods of handling it. Mr. Peterson is one of the pioneers having come to this country in 1882. For many years he lived on a farm and he still owns a valuable piece of land inside the corporate limits of a neighboring town.

Important - After the above sketch of Mr. Peterson's business was put in type he sold the entire establishment to G. W. Healy and son, who have taken immediate possession and will continue the business the same as it was so well conducted by the former owner. Mr. Healy with his family came to this locality from Union county twelve years ago. They are live men who have made a splendid success of farming and will be just as successful in their new undertaking.

The Virgil Hotel, operated by M. C. Magruder, is one of the neatest and cleanest hotels on the road. Mr. and Mrs. Magruder spare themselves no pains nor any reasonable expense to make their patrons be comfortable and at home, and their house is one of the most homelike hotels that the writer has ever visited. The house does an exclusively transiet business, but the traveler who visits the town need not go away hungry nor for the want of a good place to sleep. The hotel is a credit to the town and to the people who manage it.

In this line of industry in Virgil, August Jensch, proprietor of the local blacksmith and machine shop, has become fully established in business as well as in the confidence and respect of the people. Mr. Jensch came here from Menno, six years ago and started his shop. Beginning small he has steadily worked up until now he has a large and paying patronage. He does practically everything in the way of general blacksmith and machine work, plow work, horseshoeing, general repairing, and is now preparing to do auto work and deal in auto supplies. He has a good workshop 24x36, well fitted with tools and power machinery to do all kinds of work carefully and promptly, and they say he is one of the best blacksmiths in the state.

This is one of the busiest of all the busy business places in the little town, and is also one of the best conducted. The billiard hall changed hands a short time ago and the new proprietor is Mr. S. W. Ingle. Mr. Ingle lives at Huron now but he is making arrangements to move his family to Virgil with the intention of making this their permanent home. For years he was employed as conductor on the Northwestern Railroad but the first of this year he decided to apply the accumulations of his toil into getting a start for himself and this accounts for the recent change of management in the Virgil billiard hall. Mr. Ingle will give his personal attention to the business and make his best efforts to conduct the establishement in a respectable and orderly manner. He keeps the place neat and clean, and permits no disorderly conduct. He has four well equipped tables constantly at the disposal of the public, and in connection with his regular pool and billiard business he sells soft drinks, confectionery, fine cigars, tobaccos, and makes a specialty of serving hot or cold lunches and meals during all regular business hours of the day. Mr. Ingle appears like a pleasant and agreeable gentleman, seems disposed to be reasonable and fair-minded in all his dealings and his movements have made a favorable impression among the rest of the business men of the town.

In connection with the billiard parlor Mr. Elmer Peterson, an experienced barber and hair dresser of exceptional ability, operates a barber shop. Although he has but one chair Mr. Peterson takes good care of his trade. He does all kinds of barber work in the best workmanlike manner and his services give the very best of satisfaction.

Retail dealer in general merchandise, is at the head of a small but complete and up-to-date establishment. Dry goods, groceries, work clothing, tobaccos, fruits and provisions in goodly quantity and quality are constantly on sale at his establishment. Mr. Elfrink has been here but a short time but has already worked up a successful business, but he owns several hundred acres of land out in a neighboring county, which requires his attention and on that account he will probably not remain here long for he expresses his conviction that he will close up his store before spring and give his attention to other interests.

H. B. Heckenlible, proprietor of the livery and dray line, informs the writer that he has a first-class draying outfit to handle that line of his business. In his livery business he operates an up-to-date auto besides several well equipped teams, which are always ready for service at a moment's notice. Mr. Heckenlible is wide-awake, industrious and enterprising, always prompt and careful in the transaction of his business and is rapidly growing into a highly profitable undertaking.

There are two reliable and competent men engaged in the real estate business at Virgil, and it goes without saying that the person who is unable to find a satisfactory piece of land or town property among the extensive listings of the Virgil dealers is certainly a peculiarly constituted individual.

Wm. C. Denison, who handles both town and country property, informs us that the opportunities for profitable investment in Beadle county real estate has never been anything approaching to what they are at this writing, and there are scores of other good men in this locality who share Mr. Denisons's opinion. For years the price of farm land has stood still in this part of the country and today Virgil and vicinity are within 100 miles of land that sells right along at $100 to $125 per acre. There is every reason to believe, as Mr. Denison espresses it, that the land around Virgil now selling at $50 per acre will go up to $100 within the next five or six years. On the basis of this condition Mr. Denison, in common with many other successful men, are looking for unusual activity in real estate movements beginning with the present year. Mr. Denison has a large list of splendid listings in this and adjoining counties. He also owns considerable property in the Red River Valley of Minnesota, which he is now ready to put on the market at favorable prices. Mr. Denison has been located in Virgil for over fifteen years and most of the time has handled real estate. Six years ago he purchased the Virgil townsite and since that time has spent much time and money in builing up the town. He owns several of the best buildings in the place. Picures of two of them appear in this booklet. Town lots can be purchased of him at $50 and up. Denison's Hall at this place is said to be one of the best in the state. Mr. Denison's local activities are doing good work in promoting the best interests of the town and county and are highly appreciated by his neighbors and many friends.

J. E. Shaw, dealer in real estate, located at this place for the past five years, is known to be one of the most successful real estate rustlers in this part of the state. Mr. Shaw has made many of the best deals ever made in Beadle county. He now has a fine list of local holdings for sale at prices that are sure to double in the next five or ten years. He also handles choice lands in northern Minnesota. He gives special attention to exchanges, and always has some desirable propositions to offer. Parties who have property to dispose of in this manner will find Mr. Shaw a good man to see. He also writes fire, hail, life and casualty insurance, having the exclusive management in Virgil for some of the leading companies. Mr. Shaw's operations in this locality have given him a reputation for honesty and square dealings, and as a man of the highest integrity. He give the closest possible attention to business, looks to the interests of his patrons as diligently as his own and is a first-rate fellow to deal with.

Residence of Wm. C. Denison

Residence of F. J. Halbur, Contractor

C. E. Payne

Practical and experienced contractor and builder, came to this locality from Doland, Spink county, about a year ago. Mr. Payne has spent the best years of his life in planning and erecting business buildings, town residences, farm houses, barns and all kinds of structures in both town and country. His operations have covered an extensive territory and it is stated by those who know that many of the best buildings in this and adjoining counties have been both planned and erected by Mr. Payne. Sometimes during the building season of the year he employs a large force of men in his contracting business and his work amounts to many thousands of dollars every year.

At this writing Mr. Payne is preparing to open a new restaurant and eating house in Virgil, which will be largely conducted under the supervision of Mrs. Payne, who has had considerable experience in this line. While the restaurant will be open to the general public, Mr. Payne informs us that it will be mainly devoted to the boarding of his own hired help.

F. J. Halbur, the enterprising contractor and builder, whose neat little home is illustrated over his name in this booklet, has the reputation of being a hard worker and a very capable as well as honest mechanic. Mr. Halbur informs us that he has lived in Virgil six years and during that time has seldom found it necessary to be idle. Even during the time of the year when most men of his trade are idle he nearly always has something to do. Mr. Halbur does a general contracting and building business, doing work either by the day or under contract. His twenty-two years experience in the business enables him to prepare plans and estimates, and in many cases where he works on contract he furnishes material and undertakes to complete a building from the ground up. During the time he has lived in Virgil he has done a great deal of building for the farmers of the surrounding country among whom he has a fine reputation both as a man of integrity and as one who thoroughly understands his business.

Buildings on Farm of Claus Upperman

Civic and Benevolent Orders

Virgil Lodge No. 151, I. O. O. F. and Good Hope Lodge No. 142 of Rebekahs, are so far the only civic or benevolent organizations in existence in the town. The membership of these orders is, however, quite large and is composed of most of the leading men and women in the town and surrounding country. Regular meetings are held once each week and unusual activity is shown in them. Both organizations are doing good work in maintaining the existing high standard of society among the people of the community. The officers of Virgil Lodge No. 151 are: Wm. Tillery, N. G.; C. E. Payne, V. G.; Jay C. Long, Sec.; I. A. Tillery, Treas. Officers in the Rebekah lodge are: Edna Peterson, N. G.; Erma Fox, V. G.; Mrs. Jay C. Long, Sec.; Mrs. C. E. Payne, Treas.

Many Successful Farmers

The vicinity of Virgil is noted for its fine farms, its well-to-do farmers and its splendid farm homes. As they are the pride of the people all over this country it is to be regretted that only a few of them can be admitted to the limited space of this publication.

City View Stock Farm

Residence and Buildings on City View Farm

Operated by Mr. F. E. Matzke, embraces a fine half section within easy view of the town to the west. the land runs to within half mile west of the railroad station. The half-tone illustration in this booklet conveys a reasonably correct idea of the principal buildings on the place, but while no pretense is made that these are any better than hundreds of others to be found all over this county, the farm is destined to become, under the present management, one of the finest in South Dakota, both in point of buildings and as to productiveness and the excellence of its products. This has become a foregone conclusion since Mr. Matzke's attitude and abilities as a high class farmer and stockman became known, soon after he took charge of the farm, two years ago. Mr. Matzke, who is a great believer in progressive farm methods, conducts his farm in strict accordance with modern pricniples. Under his management the place is to be largely devoted to the breeding of full blood Hereford cattle and Chester White hogs. Already it has a herd of 50 head of fine cattle, and the herd is headed by Bonnie Lad No. 355367, which cost Mr. Matzke $500 less than a year ago. This animal is a descendant from Bonnie Brae 8th, the animal that was twice champion at the International Stock Show in Chicago. Mr. Matzke's herd of Chester Whites also springs from high class stock, being headed by one of the celebrated offsprings from the noted stock farm of James Fisher at Eastman, Wis., known as one of the greatest Chester White breeders in the United States. Mr. Matzke takes great interest in the farmers' institute movement and is president of the local institute association.

But Mr. Matzke's possessions do not end with a fine farm and fine stock, for he also has one of the champion housekeepers, to which fact the writer can positively testify from the fact that the day on which the writer visited at City View Farm Mrs. Matzke had prepared a dinner fit for a king, while her home was a model of the housekeeper's skill.

Residence and Buildings on Fairview Stock Farm

Fairview Stock Farm

The magnificent possession of Mr. W. H. Barnes, almost borders on the town limits of Virgil, but the beautiful homestead of the place is situated nearly four miles northeast of town. Here Mr. Barnes and his charming family occupy one of the finest farm homes in the county, and the illustration of it presented in this publication hardly does it justice. The picture presents only a few of the many buildings on the farm and only a very small portion of the great number of cattle, hogs and horses that abound upon it in seemingly unlimited numbers. Mr. Barnes is a believer in blooded stock and he has considerable of it on his farm, but his greatest admiration seems to be fine farm horses and he has made a noted success of breeding the Percheron variety.

Fairview Stock Farm consists of about 2,000 acres of Beadle county's finest farm land, and we venture the assertion that there is not a better conducted farm in South Dakota. Mr. Barnes has made the subject of stock farming a study all his life, and by the use of thoroughly progressive methods he has been wonderfully successful. He is now not only the owner of this finest of the finest farms but has considerable money in outside interests. Among them being considerable stock in the Virgil State Bank, of which institution he is now vice-president.

Residence and Buildings on Golden Willow Stock Farm of R. H. Vearrier

In his travels over the country looking up the fine stock farms in the vicinity of Virgil the writer was urged by many peple not to overlook the fine blooded stock ranch of R. H. Vearrier, which is located within six miles southwest of Virgil and little more than that distance from Alpena. Although as yet comparatively new, this splendid place gives promise of becoming one of the finest farms in this part of the state, and with the start it now has the time is not far off. The place is composed of something over a section of choice quality and beatifully laying farm land, and about 400 acres of it are now under the plow, although Mr. Vearrier operates nearly two sections, most of it is pasture and hay land. The place is well improved with buildings, water and fencing, while the most progressive methods of agriculture are in vogue. During the past few years Mr. Vearrier has given his most careful attention to the breeding of high class cattle, hogs and horses, and he now has a very fine herd of the celebrated Polled Hereford cattle, Percheron horses and Mulefoot swine. His breeding stock in these varieties are all registered or eligible to being registered and they are a magnificient lot of animals to look at. With the start he has in these animals Mr. Vearrier will, in another year or two, be in a position to furnish breeding stock to a large number of the farmers of this locality who are rapidly beginning to realize the advantage of fine stock upon their farms. Mr. Vearrier is a thoroughly practical farmer and stock breeder, having studied the business for many years, and there is not a man in this part of the country better situated and qualified to make a splendid success of his present undertaking.

New Business Openings

There are several splendid openings in Virgil for new business enterprises, and the reader of this booklet, who may be looking for a good business location, should not "pass up," this immensely prosperous locality. Among the new business institutions most wanted here are: A jeweler and watchmaker; a newspaper, a dentist; auto garage; doctor; a lawyer, a photography gallery; exclusive clothing and shoe store; a cement block factgory. Each one of these would find exceptionally favorable inducements here. For any further information on this or any other subject concerning Virgil, the reader may write to M. C. Magruder, Virgil, S. D., who will give prompt attention to all inquiries.

In conclusion the writer realizes that there is much more that could be said in praise of Virgil, the surrounding country and the splendid people we have found here, but the limited space available in a work like this requires us to be brief. Accordingly the writer reluctantly brings these pages to a close.

February 15, 1915.

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