It may be that some towns in the back woods portions of a few states are about the same today as they were 30 or 40 years ago, and that a person who lived there back in the 80s, or a little later, would find that the town now looks about the same were he to return. The same old buildings and other improvements are there, if, perchance, they have not rotted down, the same trees are there, but, of course, they have grown some. Some of the buildings may have been re-roofed, and some absolutely necessary repairs may have been made. In those towns, it is evident that the local paint dealer has had a scanty trade during all these years. There is a run-down, weather-beaten appearance about the place. It appears that progress is an entire stranger to the town. Not so in the city of Coldwater, and in most every other Kansas town. Here, the Old has largely given way to the New. Progress is written on every thing which is a part of the town. There is an up to dateness about our towns. Each year some new improvements are made, and new comforts, new conveniences and better conditions of living are evident.Let us suppose that Mr. A. lived in Coldwater some 40 years ago, and that he was here long enough to become well acquainted with the town. But, like some other people, Mr. A. returned to his home "back east," and continued to live there until a few weeks ago, let us suppose, he returned to Coldwater. No doubt these are some of his musings after he looked the old town over.
"Where are the old town wells and the dozens of windmills which used to be scattered over town?"
"What has become of the numerous old buildings which I knew so well - the Presbyterian and Methodist church buildings, the old store buildings, the hotel buildings and the court house?"
"The old school building - where is it, and the old mill?"
The old wooden sidewalks - they too, seem to have disappeared. And, where are the livery, feed and sale stable's which used to do such a flourishing business?"
"What has become of the old time picnics, barbecues and reunions which everybody enjoyed to much?"
"And how I miss a greeting from the men and women whom I knew so well, 30, 35 and 40 years ago. So many, they say, have passed on and so few are left. Their children, at least some of them, are now "carrying on," and it almost seems like a new generation of people live here now."
"But such is life in the big, pulsing and growing West. Here, the Spirit of Progress reigns supreme. This, indeed, is the state where people are not content to live in a circle."
"Where are the wagons and the buggies, the fine teams of horses and miles which were so common when I lived here?"
"Here I find every modern invention which adds to the comfort and the convenience of the home and the farm and practically all of them have been added since the town of Coldwater was started."
Also see:
From "Longhorns" to Pure-bred Cattle
The Western Star, October 8, 1926.Comanche-co. 40-odd Years Ago and Now
The Western Star, October 15, 1926.
Thanks to Shirley Brier for finding, transcribing and contributing the above news article to this web site!
This website is being created by HTML Guy Jerry Ferrin with the able assistance of many Contributors. Your comments, suggestions and contributions of historical information and photographs to this site are welcome. Please sign the Guest Book. This page was last updated 11 June 2005.