Lincoln County Bachelors
Part I
Lincoln Beacon, Feb. 20, 1896
Walter H. Anderson
A young bachelor of Yankee extraction is a staunch Methodist and Leaguer and schoolmaster withal. Walter is of medium size has a fine forehead, black curly hair, and given to blushing furiously. If any sister proposes to him let her remember that he has a little hobby which is to the effect that "between right and wrong there is no dividing line" and if she doesn't propose "just right" the fat is in the fire. In oratory and "argefyin" Mr. Walter has not rival in the city. With proper treatment would make a good husband.
Greer M. Arthur
A native of Pennsylvania is as fine a catch as ever was caught. Greer is a striking blonde (strawberry) above the average in height and at present may be found behind the counter of Mr. Grubb's dry good store, but while he is a good clerk, he is also a good housekeeper and can make very excellent bread. This is an accomplishment rarely found in the sex and should be well considered by the ladies matrimonially inclined. As he is a trifle bashful sealed proposals might receive the most attention.
Frank Aufdemberge
Is of German descent and at present employed in the store of Mr. Behrmann. He is very pleasant to look upon and has undoubtedly received many proposals this year already. Is a polite clerk and would make a good husband.
Algie Berry
We claim him as a resident of Lincoln and what's more we're going to have him, too. At present the gentleman languisheth in the hospital at West Point with a broken nose and head but he is our own Algie if every bone in his body is broken. Ladies, which of you will secure this prize and live in beautiful Fort Riley and walk beside our stalwart soldier boy forevermore? Algie will be home in June and then ' and then ' words fail us.
John Berquist
A fine representative of the Danish race may be found at the general store of Thos. Thompson. He may be found quite as often, however, spinning across country on his beloved bike. He is a good mechanic and a good man, and will probably be "landed" early in the season.
Ed. Crowe
Is well known to the Lincoln friends and is considered a confirmed bachelor. Let us see what '96 may do for this benighted brother. As a hero he ranks first having passed through a nearly fatal explosion of yeast and being plastered from head to foot with the same, yet survived. He is a great traveler and journeys often from the "Grand Central" to the green fields of Natoma. He is said, by the best authorities, to be quite wealthy, is tall, good looking and witty, and "writes pieces" for the Sentinel but he is a wary fish and will be hard to land.
Charles Cheney
Here we have a handsome blonde with a firm belief in Spiritualism and Francis Schlatter. Is of a retiring disposition and dabbles in politics. Republican proposals considered first, last and all the time. Is about 35 and doesn't care who knows it. Is fond of spinsters and bookkeeping.
Ed. Dunham
Is at present a student at the Wesleyan University of Salina. He has a decidedly theological bent and being a leader in the Methodist church will likely be a minister of that persuasion. Any lady who would like to be a missionary and live on Greenland's icy mountains or India's coral strand will do well to consult Mr. Dunham on the subject of matrimony. It is rumored that he is engaged, but we cannot believe all we hear, even in Lincoln.
Martin H. Davis
Is a quiet young gentleman and identified with Wm. G. Hoffer in the publication of the Sentinel. He is a printer by trade, has great perseverance and tact, and is quite handsome, plays crokinole dutifully and with enough resignation to prove that he would make a very patient, loving husband. He is a trifle lonesome in Lincoln and something ought to be done for him this year.
Nick Barley
Another wary fish. A gentleman of quiet tastes and industrious habits and may be found at the Grand Central ' at meal time only. He thoroughly understands farm work and the care of cattle and any lady owning a ranch or a "good bunch" of cattle would do well to propose to Mr. Barley. It is rumored that he is already engaged, but it may be only a rumor.
John Brumbaugh
Hostler and farmer, is a very useful member of society and may also be found at the Grand Central. His home is near Sylvan Grove but Lincoln may claim him as he has worked here so long, and we have him on the list.
J.R. Burt
College student from Barnard. We have not seen the gentleman but hear that he is very nice and a good student. He would undoubtedly be glad to hear from the ladies this year on the all-important.
Vincent Brann
A young bachelor, but entirely eligible. Is a teacher in the Lincoln schools and a close student and thinker. His motto is "Keep a goin'," but he might be induced to stop "goin' "long enough to listen to a few whispered words of love from some fair maiden, and we would not be surprised to see him wearing a new ring on his left forefinger, before the leaves fall again.
J.D. Brockett
Is not a bachelor but looks very, very eligible. Belongs to Lincoln's 400 and rides the bicycle, plays crokinole and sells lumber. Is a regular attendant at the M.E. Sunday school and sings in the choir. Is tall and lithe and slender, has fine black eyes and elegant moustache and is altogether lovely.
Henry Elrod
Here we hare a fine specimen of physical health, a dealer in cattle and an all around businessman. Is a blonde and we presume would be pleased to listen to the pleadings of some dashing brunette whom he might be induced to love, honor and obey.
Welford J. Helton
Principal of the Lincoln High school is quite a young bachelor but a very wise one. He is a graduate of the Weaubleau College of Missouri, and stands high in his profession, has a claim in Oklahoma and expects to go thither in his prairie schooner as soon as school is out. Now, who will be schooning along beside him in this schooner remains to be seen. Whoever proposes to the handsome professor should present him with a mariners' compass as a betrothal gift, as it is currently reported and generally believed that he, in company with Vincent Brann, were lost on the prairie between Lincoln and Sylvan Grove and wandered about all night "on the wild moor" and only at daybreak did their weary eyes behold the domes and spires of Vesper town. The professor has a chin which indicates a great decision of character and if he says "yes" there will be a breach of promise case on hand if you don't "pony up."
Charles B. Hall
A young man of sterling integrity and Christian character, who has done much missionary work in the county. Came to this county from Toulon, Ill., several years ago. When leaving that place he was presented with a fine Oxford Bible by the Y.M.C.A. of that town as a token of the high esteem in which he was held by that society. He is a printer and may be found at The Republican office most of the time. Charlie is not much of a ladies man but might be induced to smile a little more on the sex this year.
Alonzo R. Hall
Another member of the 400 is an energetic young businessman having risen from the ashes within a year and may be found on Main street in his furniture store. He is very tall and stylish and has a fine Roman nose and is a regular attendant at M.E. Sunday school since Jan. 1. Three weeks ago last Sunday he answered a question correctly without looking on the book. It is reported that he prefers music teachers and Episcopalians, but this may be only a wild rumor. Proposals will be referred to his mother.
Harry D. Hall
Third and last of the three eligible Hall brothers we have Harry Hall who may be found behind the counter of M.A. Logan's Pennsylvania store, and the memory of man runneth not back to the time when he was not behind the counter. He is a superfine dry goods clerk, plays the guitar, is an expert wheelman, and is an all around desirable party. They say that he prefers little women who are good elocutionists and ride the wheel. If any such may chance to dwell in Lincoln let them profit by this hint and hie away to the Pennsylvania store.
Melvin J. Hibbs
A college student and teacher of printing in that institution of learning is considered a very handsome man by those best capable of judging masculine beauty. Is of the brunette style and is said to admire curly-haired blondes. Mr. Hibbs is a school teacher and a hypnotist and lucky will be the blonde maiden who comes early enough to avoid the rush and secure this prize.
Bert Hedrick
May be found at Biggs and Richardson's barber shop and some day when he calls out "next" he may be astonished to find a maiden right beside him who will plead to be "next" through life, and those who know Bert believe he will say "Yessum." We would be pleased to describe the young man but we have never beheld him, and can only wish the very best for him that leap year has in store.
Jesse Hutchison
Photographer by profession resides in the northern part of town. As a photographer of landscapes and dwellings he is very proficient. He may be found at the gallery of his brother George Hutchison where he is assisting in finishing and retouching photographs. As we have not seen him we cannot describe him but the ladies may go and see for themselves.
William Hutchison
Is a good musician and something of an actor. Two years ago was a valuable assistant of the Rev. Case who gave stereopticon shows through the county, and about the same time convulsed an audience at the I.O.O.F. hall by conducing a mock trial. Those who were present will not soon forget that trial.
Clyde Harris
Marshal Baker will please station himself at the entrance of J.W. Behrmann's store and keep the throng of ladies from crowding to suffocation the department presided over by Clyde Harris. Clyde is what giddy girls would call "cute." He is an A-1 salesman. He is a valued member of the M.E. church and is most exemplary young man. It is entirely useless to put him on our list as he will be overwhelmed with proposals any way.
John Lerch
Is considered the handsomest young man in the M.E. church and is not at all spoiled by his beauty. He is prominent in the League and is all good works. It is said that he has been looking forward to this year with a great deal of pleasure. May he be rewarded for faithful watching and waiting.
Charles Linker
Assists his brother in the gentleman's refreshment rooms on Main street. He is a native of Ohio and has lived in Lincoln only a short time. He makes his home at the residence of his brother John Linker. We cannot describe him but understand he is quite a handsome blonde.
Joseph Linker
Brother of the above mentioned is a farmer but makes his home in Lincoln with his brother. He, as well as his brother, is a Catholic.
D. Harley Moss
Is rather a youthful bachelor but a very desirable party in every way. He is a Christian, a good scholar, a fine cook and in partnership with another young man raised, last summer, the dear only knows how many thousand bushels of corn on the Buzick ranch and at present is junior partner in a thriving livery business. Dear girls, will you another summer allow Harley to get his own supper after a hard day's work?
Will E. Menoher
Of the firm of Menoher & Pilcher, editors and publishers of The Lincoln Republican, is supposed to be a confirmed bachelor. Other Lincoln bachelors have astonished the natives, why should not he? This gentleman is a very early riser and no other inhabitant is on the street early enough to see Mr. Menoher come down town. He is a lawyer and a University graduate. Is a Methodist and teaches a class in Sunday school. Ladies, will you longer hesitate?
William Medcraft
Is not exactly on the town site, but he gets here as often as possible when at home. He is now a student in the Wesleyan University at Salina where he excels in deportment and mathematics and expects to remain in school until he graduates and then ' ah ladies, that is for you to decide.
Gus Miller
When you go to the post office, just turn your north eye towards the east window of Dr. Bryant's drug store and there among the ticking clocks and watches and the blaze of jewels sits a very prince of bachelors with a "magnifier" in his right eye and a busted main spring in his left hand. After these tidings are issued may Gus not wind the regulator more than once before some kind maiden has settled his weal or woe.
Chris Munch
Clerks in the grocery department of Shire Bros. Store and is widely celebrated by the children as the inventor and manufacturer of a merry-go-round at Xmas time, the same being displayed in the store windows. Mr. Munch is a Dane, and speaks English fluently. He makes his home with Mrs. Ed. Harris, who will have a bone to pick with any girl who comes after him, leap year or no leap year. Mr. Munch has on several occasions desired to discontinue his present occupation and go into the millinery business but the Shire Bros. have on these occasions persuaded him to bide a wee longer. It is also said that more than one fair maiden of Lincoln buys groceries in very small quantities and goes back often to bask in the sunshine of Chris' smile. May it be the lot of some favored daughter to get a life lease of that smile and live happy ever after.
James Mitchell
A colored gentleman who has lived long in our midst may be found at the Hotel Windsor and is also janitor of the M.E. church. He is an accomplished musician, is a member of the Church of Christ and is said to be in love with a certain colored lady of Lincoln who will do well to grasp the golden opportunity of this glorious leap year and land Jim high and dry.
BACHELORS, PART II
Includes these surnames: Hall, Hanson, Kelly, Kilmer, McReynolds, Pontius, Roenigk, Ryan, Schellinger, Shire, Stewart, Strawn, Stover, Stubbs, Thompson, Webber, Wood
BACHELORS, PART III
Includes these surnames: Allison, Anderson, Arthur, Brunt, Crawford, Frink, Hull, Joslin, McElheney, McMichael, Smith, Thomas, Trump, Watts, Wilcox, Wilson, Wingett, Yenser