The city of Cedar Vale is located on a gentle undulation, slightly elevated above, and between the valleys of the Big Caney river and Cedar creek, in Chautauqua county, on the southern tier of Kansas counties. Along the cliffs on the south side of Cedar creek, the graceful cedar grows in great abundance--and from this combination of cedars and valleys the name of the city was derived.

Cedar Vale is without exception the best city of its size in state. It is a bold statement to make, but we make it without fear of contradiction. No other city of 1,000 population can compare with it in any respect. It stands without a rival.

It is our wish in placing this Souvenir before the public, to impress upon those persons who have never had the pleasure of being a visitor in this city, the fact that Cedar Vale has no counterpart in the entire state--it has no peer--it has no equal--it is unsurpassed. From whatever standpoint you may view it, it will bear the closest inspection and evolve safely from the ordeal. There are larger cities that have more refined, intelligent, cultured people, but they only exceed in quantity, not quality. It is as if a city of say 20,000 had been boiled down until all the dross was eliminated and only the best preserved--its best business houses, best residences and best class of citizens. In some of its appointments it will even surpass cities of upwards of 25,000, reference being especially had to its new opera house, new Odd Fellows' hall and the handsome interiors of its two banking institutions.

Municipal ownership of utilities is here demonstrated by the fact that the city owns and operates its own waterworks. It has a very complete system, with stand pipe at a sufficient altitude to afford a pressure for fire protection that fully meets all requirements, with a full quota of hydrants on each business corner, and sufficient mains and pipes to carry the water into business and private houses. The supply of water is obtained from the river and is of extra good quality. The plan is giving excellent satisfaction, the cost being reduced to a minimum. This is something in which the citizens fell considerable pride, and they are justly entitled to it. It was no small undertaking from a financial standpoint, but the little burg is full of enterprising and progressive people and you can't hold them back. They have confidence in its future and are willing to back their confidence with capital.

This same confidence and enterprise was displayed by J. M. Dosbaugh, a successful young business man and banker of Cedar Vale, when he built and equipped a telephone system over the city and carried the line to Hewins, eight miles distant. There are now 75 subscribers and more will be added as soon as the work can be arranged. It has proved a great convenience to the people and is appreciated. Everything connected with the plant is modern and includes the latest inventions or discoveries in electrical appliances.

An electric light plant has just been added to the enterprises of the city of surprises. It was built by W. R. Babb, Jr., and its present capacity is 100 lights, which will soon be increased to 200. At present it supplies only the business portion of the city with incandescent 16-candle power lights. The dynamo is of multipolar type, 110 volts; the motor power is obtained by a gas engine. As soon as the work can be accomplished the wires will be extended to the residence portion of the city.

Several massive business houses give the visitor an impression of stability and at once convince him that large mercantile interests are centered here. These building are of stone and brick, built in a thorough and substantial manner--but notwithstanding their great size they are taxed to their utmost capacity by the immense amount of business transacted within their walls. Some idea of the magnitude or this business may be inferred from a view of the principal business street, where for several blocks may be seen vehicles of every description, lining the thoroughfare on both sides; this same condition exists also on a number of side streets running out of Main street. Everything in the way of business is crowded to its greatest capacity, and without doubt a number of the smaller frame buildings will have to be replaced by larger ones of modern structure and of more substantial materials. Such changes are in contemplation and the dawn of the Twentieth Century will witness a great impetus in building operations.

Several modern mansions are scattered throughout the residence portion--homes that are very homelike in appearance and artistic in design is the almost invariable scene that meets the eye in wandering about the different parts of the city. Many new ones will be erected the coming season, as there is a great dearth of dwelling houses in Cedar Vale. Everything points to a prosperous and steady growth for this wonderful little city.

Among the more prominent buildings is the city school, which contains eight class rooms, presided over by two male and six female teachers. It is a three-story structure, very unique in design, affording the most perfect conditions for ventilation and light, two very desirable attainments in school architecture. It can perhaps be most accurately described as three wings attached to a tower, in which tower are located the stairways to each floor. The building is heated throughout by steam.

Realty values in Cedar Vale may give some idea of the high esteem in which the city is held by the denizens thereof. The owner of a 25-foot business lot refused $2,000 for the land without any buildings--it is held at $3000. Residence lots in desirable locations range from $500 downwards. This feature of stiff prices of real estate probably has no equal in cities under 5,000 to 6,000 in any portion of this western country. There is no element of boom in these figures--there is a steady and continuous growth, but nothing pertaining to the ephemeral order of the balloon period which existed in so many Kansas cities nearly two decades ago. This is simply another expression of the confidence of the citizens in their city. They think it is worth the price.

The country adjoining contiguous and tributary to Cedar Vale is divided into good farming lands and stock ranges. There are a number of excellent farms which are very productive. The city is distant only two miles from Cowley county, which is a good wheat producer, and it in turn is bounded on the west by Sumner, the banner wheat county of the state, so that this section is within the confines of the wheat belt of southern Kansas--the yield per acre is good but the acreage is somewhat limited in extent. There are also raised good crops of corn, alfalfa and other farm products.

Yet it is more on account of the excellent quality of cattle that this section of the country is famous. Perhaps in another part of the world can you find within as limited an area, so many different varieties bred up to such a high standard of perfection. There are thoroughbred registered cattle in Herefords, Galloways, Shorthorns--animals ranging in value from $500 to $1,500 per head--more particular reference to some of these being made in another part of this book. A great many hers of high grade cattle may be found in portions of this contiguous territory. There are also breeders of thoroughbred racing stock, harness horses. Berkshire hogs and standard bred chickens.

As a cattle shipping point this county has a record, one station alone shipping annually 75,000 carloads, making it the heaviest cattle shipping point in the world.

The Osage Indian reservation commences eight miles south and for nearly seventy-five miles pay tribute to Cedar Vale. Vast herds of cattle are pastured throughout the entire reservation, which is an ideal cattle country. Every three months the Osage Indians receive nearly $100,000 from the United States government, a considerable portion of which finds its way to Cedar Vale and is expended among its merchants.

From an educational standpoint, Cedar Vale is able to compete for honors with any city of its size in the state. The faculty of the city school is composed of capable teachers, who take great pride in their work and are much esteemed by the parents who have children under their care.

The high degree of intellectuality is not confined to those immediately identified with educational work, for there are among the prominent people of the city those who are artists of no mean calibre. Artists who can give expression and touch to the instrument that stamps them as pianists PAR EXCELLENCE--artists who can manipulate the bow of the violin and strings of the mandolin and bring forth music fit for the gods--artists whose vocal attainments are successfully recognized and appreciated--and yet others who are famous for their elocutionary and histrionic ability. Then, too, there are artists who with crayon and paint brush can execute fine portraits or reproduce scenes from nature, and for some the camera has its charms and has been used very artistically.

And a still higher order of intellectuality is being cultivated by quite a large and growing circle of earnest men and women, who are making quiet research into the doctrine (which so many of our greatest scientists have accepted after thorough investigation) the doctrine of psychology or occultism, and these are striving to attain that higher plane to which their teachings point.

Viewed from the orthodox standpoint, Cedar Vale is not as overburdened as many towns in the state. Three denominations have their church buildings--Methodists, Baptists, Christians. The Episcopalians meet semi-monthly, the Catholics once a month. A very handsome edifice will be erected by the Episcopalians early in the coming spring, for which the greatest credit is due the Ladies' Guild, they having raised the sum of $800 for the building fund by entertainments of various kinds.

Officers, Mrs. J. P. Talder (President), Miss Lena Goodell (Vice President), Mrs. C. W. French (Secretary), Mrs. Eva W. Dale (Treasurer)
Members, Mrs. L. C. Adam, Mrs. McD. Stapleton, Mrs. A. T. Baird, Mrs. P. N. Whitney, Mrs. J. R. Marsh, Mrs. Wm. Council, Mrs. Austin Brown, Mrs. Abbie Cox, Mrs. E. Cleveland, Mrs. C. D. Murphy, Mrs. J. M. Ennis, Mrs. C. R. Pollard, Mrs. Mary Waters, Mrs. F. Kenesson, Mrs. D. King, Mrs. C. G. Johnson, Mrs. C. H. Cary, Mrs. R. W. Rochford, Miss Bertie Council, Miss Ollie Curtis, Miss Cora Curtis, Miss Rena Cleveland, Miss Francie Whitney, Miss Carrie Kenesson, Miss Clara Kenesson and Miss Nellie Study.

The Methodists have in contemplation the erection of a new church in the near future. While the churches are few in number and small in size, an inverse ratio exists in regard to fraternal organizations, which are quite numerous and of great strength in membership. The Masonic order is here, as elsewhere, represented by the prominent men of the city and country. With the usual characteristic of leading in social matters, the members of the lodge ushered in the new century with a grand ball and banquet, which will long be remembered--it being the first ball in the new opera house and the first ball of the Twentieth Century. The members and guests were attired in evening dress and the ball room presented a gay appearance--it was a sight that would have done honor to any large city--the beautiful dresses, entrancing beauty and lovely forms of the lady dancers as they tripped the light fantastic, made a fairly scene. Cedar Vale can turn out more pretty girls to the square inch than any other city on this or any other continent.

While the Masons take the social prestige, the Odd Fellows have distanced all others in enterprise, and through their pluck and push Cedar Vale can boast of one of the best Odd Fellow' halls in the state. It is a two -story, solid stone building of large size, the entire upper floor being set apart for lodge and ante-rooms, reception parlor and dining hall--the lower floor is used for business purposes and brings a good rental. The Odd Fellows are deserving of great credit for the confidence they have shown in the future of this city, and they are naturally proud of having such a fine hall in which to commence the Twentieth Century.

The A. O. U. W. and M. W. A. are very strong numerically, as also are several other orders--in all there are thirteen different fraternal organizations doing business in Cedar Vale.

One Particular characteristic of Cedar Vale that calls for special mention is the quality of its sidewalks and the large area covered by them. They are built of stone--a peculiar sandstone that hardens with age and will last for centuries. The entire business portion and most of the residence part of the city is laid with this stone walk. Altogether there is five miles laid and the work is still progressing.

In the foregoing pages we have referred to a few of the chief characteristics of Cedar Vale upon which we base the claim of its being without a compeer in the state or in the United States. It is progressive and up-to-date in all details, its citizens have unbounded confidence in its future, and that same element of confidence has resulted in building up a city of which they have every reason to be proud, and insures a future of which they will be yet prouder.

It is now conceded by all nations that Uncle Sam leads the world in most everything, and when you simmer out the details it generally results in the fact that Kansas is in the lead of all other states. So, having shown conclusively to every person of ordinary intelligence that Cedar Vale leads all other small cities in Kansas in enterprises of every description, there remains but one inference to be deducted, and that is that "CEDAR VALE IS THE MOST ENTERPRISING LITTLE CITY ON EARTH."

In the smaller cities of the west the hotel accommodations are too frequently neglected--they are almost invariably styled first-class, whereas the only thing about them that is first-class is the quantity of gall that is developed by the proprietors in charging first-class rates for an inferior article. But when you stop in Cedar Vale and put up at the Baird House, you feel that you are getting value received, and realize that you are eating at the best table, attended by the best service and surrounded by the best accommodations to be found in southern Kansas. The regular bus meets all trains and carries you to the hotel, where you are greeted by the gentlemanly manager, Archie Baird. As soon as you enter the door you feel that your troubles are ended for the time being--every wish being seemingly anticipated--every effort put forth to make your visit as agreeable and pleasant as possible. Evidently the motto of the Baird House is "Nothing too good for our guests," an for this reason it is exceedingly popular among commercial travelers, and especially known as a good place to Sunday in. Travel the state from one end to the other and you cannot find any hotel that enjoys a better reputation--the reputation of being up-to-date and one of the very best to be found anywhere.

This is the oldest banking institution in the city and among the oldest in southern Kansas. It is one of the three largest private banks in the state. In 1884 the Cedar Vale Banking Company was organized with John Dosbaugh as president. In 1890 it was changed to Dosbaugh's Bank, under the ownership of John Dosbaugh. In 1895 J. M. Dosbaugh was admitted to partnership with his father. The capital stock is $25,000, surplus $2,500.

John Dosbaugh is one of the prominent men of this section and has always been ready to help any legitimate enterprise. He is also one of the foremost cattle breeders, confining his attention to Galloways, of which he has a very fine herd, many of which are registered.

J. M. Dosbaugh, although quite a young man, has become very largely identified with the progressive action which has been one of the marked characteristics of Cedar Vale for several years. He will soon have completed one of the finest residences in this section of the country. He also is owner of the telephone systems of Cedar Vale and Sedan and has been active in securing and assisting in the establishment of an electric light plant in this city.

The banking institution which these gentlemen manage has the confidence of the community. The business is conducted in their own magnificent building, which was erected in 1899--of which we show both exterior and interior views--and no other banking house in the state is more complete in every appointment than is this one. It is one of the many institutions in which Cedar Vale takes great pride on account of its solidity in every respect.

With the dawn of the Twentieth Century, a new era was inaugurated into the banking interests of Cedar Vale. The increased business activity in the mercantile and cattle industries of this section required an increase in the monetary interests, and a number of the leading cattlemen residing in or near the city, together with some of the citizens, became stockholders and took out a charter for The Cedar Vale National Bank, which opened its doors for business on December 1, 1900. This institution owns the corner of Polson's block. It has a very fine interior, as shown in the engraving--one of the most attractive and best furnished banking institutions in the west. The president, J. J. Willson, is a wealthy cattleman, owning 3,340 acres of good farming and grazing land about three miles from the city. He handles from 1,000 to 3,000 head of cattle. He came here from Illinois about twenty-five years ago and is one of the enterprising men of this vicinity. The vice president, L. N. Guthrie, has about 700 acres of land and handles about 300 head of cattle. He has a fine city residence, has lived in this section for nearly thirty years, and is one of the enterprising citizens of Cedar Vale. His son, William, manages the farm, on which there is also a fine residence. J. T. Bradley is one of the directors and is also interested in the banking business at Sedan. The cashier, J. P. Tabler, is mayor of the city and until his appointment as cashier was manager of the Long-Bell Lumber company's business at this point for about ten years. He has lived here about thirty years and has held either city or township office for about twelve years. He owns a modern and very handsome residence built in 1900 and not entirely completed at the time our view was taken. One of the prominent directors is J. H. Leedy, who has an elegant home and farms 435 acres about two miles from the city. He also has about 300 head of high grade Shorthorn and Hereford cattle and from 200 to 300 thoroughbred Polan China hogs. Mr. Leedy was born in Ohio, came to Kansas from Indiana in 1870 and has been a resident of this particular section since 1892. He is an energetic, successful business man and full of enterprise. Another director is Wm. McCarty, who owns 780 acres of land about four miles out. He usually has from 100 to 300 head of cattle and is breeding Herefords--has a good bunch of pedigreed cows and some fine young registered stock. His son, Wm. McCarty, Jr, resides on the farm and has general management of it. Mr. McCarty has a nice residence in the city and has retired from active business. Locke Lemert, another of the directors, is owner of about 1,100 acres of good farming and grazing land and has about 300 head of cattle, headed by a thoroughbred Durham bull. He has a city residence and the farming interests are supervised by his sons, who are very successful young men. J. R. Marsh, also a director, came from Emporia in 1869. He selected the site on which Cedar Vale now stands; he also named it, built the first building, started the first store, was its first postmaster, proved up the first farm, brought in the first mill, has built or bought thirty-four residence properties and owns five business places. In all matters of enterprise and public spirit Judge Marsh is a leader. The board of directors of The Cedar Vale National Bank is a strong one and enjoys the entire confidence of the people. The banks of Cedar Vale are a bulwark of strength and no other city of its size can compare with them in any degree whatsoever.

This mercantile institution has the largest department store in southern Kansas. It is a partnership company, the members of the firm being L. C. Adam, H. L. Cox and J. B. Whartenby. The business is carried on in two large stores, but has outgrown its present dimensions and a large, new building is to be erected on the corner of the block, which will make one of the finest business houses to be found in any part of this section. There are usually employed abut twenty-five salespeople, clerks, book-keepers, cashier, live stock and grain buyers. In addition to the general mercantile business, the firm deals very largely in the purchase of live stock and grain, and have their own elevator at the Missouri Pacific railroad yards. L. C. Adam, the senior member of the firm, is numbered among the most enterprising business men of the city. He has been in Cedar Vale fifteen years and engaged in active mercantile pursuits during that time. At the present time he is largely interested in cattle raising, wintering 1,000 head of Texas cattle, and with his brother, A. I. Adam, is also wintering 300 natives. In partnership with his brother he also owns the Hewins homestead of 1,150 acres, and individually has a 600 acre farm on Big Caney, below Hewins. H. L. Cox has lived here about thirty years, coming with his parents from New Hampshire when two years old; has been connected with mercantile business in Cedar Vale for seventeen years; has been associated with L. C. Adam for twelve years; has a fine city residence and is an active promoter of anything pertaining to the advancement of the city's interests. J. B. Whartenby has recently become associated with this firm, having for eighteen months previously been manager of the Cedar Vale Mercantile company's business. He located here in 1883, coming from Zanesville, Ohio. During the past fifteen years he has been actively engaged in business. Has a ranch of 1,000 acres southwest of the city on which has been found mineral, gas and coal, which will be developed at an early day. Mr. Whartenby has always been ready and willing to help any enterprise for the benefit of the community. The staff of employees are as capable and energetic people as can be found in any part of the country, courteous in deportment, obliging in disposition and in every way ready to forward the interests of the firm.

This is a joint stock corporation, capital $20,000 fully paid up, and was organized about four years ago. The annual sales of this company will average about $75,000. The principal stockholders are G. R. Dale, C. D. Murphy, A. H. Baird, J. H. Bartgis. The building shown in the engraving is 25X128 in size, built of solid stone--it is owned by this company. A full line of general merchandise of every description is carried in stock and ten clerks are employed in conducting the business. With the commencement of the new century they adopted a strictly cash business and are meeting with success under the new regime. C. D. Murphy, who owns nearly one-half of the stock, is a commercial traveler for a St. Louis clothing house. He has lived in Cedar Vale about thirty years and has taken an active part in the building up of the city. A. H. Baird, who owns over one-third of the stock, is the manager of the Baird House and one of the active promoters of Cedar Vales' interests. G. R. Dale, another stockholder, is one of the first settlers of this section and has been identified with mercantile affairs for a number of years. He is now the principal fire insurance agent here. J. H. Bartgis is manager of this dry goods department and is a son of one of the early homesteaders. He is also interested with A. H. Baird and others in zinc and lead mining in Arkansas.

GLADSTONE HOTEL -- This is the only one dollar a day house in the city. It is owned and managed by T. C. Pierce, who is familiarly known to the traveling public and his friends as "Uncle Tommy" Pierce. He is originally from Buffalo, N. Y.; is own cousin of the celebrated Dr. R. V. Pierce, but has lived in Kansas for sixteen years. The hotel contains fifteen rooms and has a good patronage.

AUSTIN BROWN has been postmaster in Cedar Vale since Aug. 1, 1897; was formerly in the dry goods firm of Brown & Stapleton. Mr. Brown came to Kansas from Iowa thirty-five years ago. Has lived in Cedar Vale since 1881. Has 120 acres of good farming land and forty-five head of high grade cattle--usually feeds about 200 head.

McD. STAPLETON -- Among the early settler in Kansas was McD. Stapleton, who first settled in Wyandotte when the town was in its infancy. Later he went to Cambridge, and in 1883 located in Cedar Vale. In 1881 he formed a partnership with Austin Brown, and the firm of Brown & Stapleton, dry goods, was the strongest business house in the city. Mr. Stapleton now has an extensive stock of hardware, furniture, carriages and agricultural implements. He takes an active part in the city's administration and is one or the solid men of the county. He owns some of the best business lots and also has a number of very fine farms.

P. P. HOHLER is from Ohio, has been in Kansas twenty-one years. Came to Cedar Vale from Sumner county in 1884 and opened up a drug store--the first and oldest in that line of business in the city. He has a fine residence, which is shown in one of our engravings.

W. F. RYDER, whose home is in Cedar Vale, is a member of the King-Ryder Lumber company, which is now moving its plant from Thomasville, I. T., to DeRidder, La. The firm operates a number of big saw mills and planing mills.