McINTOSH IS BOOMING AND READY TO TAKE OVER THE COUNTY SEAT

In last week’s edition we printed short sketch of the history of Watauga as taken from an old newspaper from that town. This week we are answering many requests in re-printing something of a history of McIntosh. The following is taken from the McIntosh globe of 1909. Remember?)
McIntosh is the metropolis of the Standing Rock Reservation and the logical point for the County Seat of Corson County. First, it is centrally located and second it has the goods to show. There are a score of reasons why there should be the County Seat and which are generally conceded by the voters. If it is located here it will be an even break for either end of the county, and it will cost only those at the furthest point in the neighborhood of a dollar to come and transact business at the County Seat. Who could kick on that? And while here they would be afforded the best accommodations and comfort.
McIntosh is the division point of the C. M. & St. P. railway company, which is a permanent fixture; and it has the making of one of the best towns along the extensions. Aside from being a good railroad town it is surrounded by an unusually good farming territory and everybody will agree with us when we say it is the main essential to the making of a thriving city. Almost invariably you will find that all the large cities thruout the union are backed by an exceptionally good agricultural country and a town that is favored in this respect and has the advantages that McIntosh has is bound to be a splendid city.
See what McIntosh is today and then stop to consider that the surrounding country has not yet been opened to settlers. It would surprise you the amount of business that is being done here already. Few western towns have had as substantial a growth from the start as this place has had. Every building here is a building and not a shack, and every place of business carries a good up-to-date stock of goods which means that customers come from beyond the reservation to do their trading.
The railway company is continually making extensive improvements about their yards here and which is all of a permanent nature. At the outset the company erected a commodious freight and passenger depot and one of the largest eating houses that you can find along the line, same is in charge of both a day and a night shift. In addition to the present extensive yards are several miles of side tracks will be laid and preparations are being made to construct eight more stalls for the roundhouse. The present one is a substantial brick structure which is boarded up on the outside, making it double thruout. For water supply a natural waterway has been dammed creating a large reservoir east of the city from which the water is pumped into the supply tank by means of a powerful steam pump at the roundhouse. Water mains have been laid thruout the yards and along side of the station buildings for fire protection and pressure thru these will be furnished at the round house in case of a bad fire in the city. Thus the railway company has provided themselves with a complete waterworks system of their own.
The building which the Globe now occupies was the first private building in McIntosh in which W. L. Chapin first conducted a restaurant and later put in a stock of general merchandise, and subsequently succeeded in securing the post office appointment which he has held since and the efficiency with which it has been conducted assures him the postmastership as long as he is inclined to keep it. Immediately upon the plating of the town less than a year ago he procured a lot and erected a substantial building and occupied it with his post office and enlarged stock of goods. He has enjoyed a large prestige.
In the meanwhile J. A. Achambault erects a commodious building 24x120 and stocks it with an extensive stock of merchandise and clothing, placing E. W. Smith as general manager. Mr. Smith was for six years Indian agent at the sub-station at Bullhead.
Before fall the town had taken quite a growth and four lumber concerns had built yards here.
S. J. Smithberger was also one of the first to locate here and he erected a fine two story house, the first floor of which he leased to E. G. Rinderneck for a pool hall and the second floor, which was built for a rooming purpose, he occupied himself.
The First State Bank building which was completed last fall is a structure that any city several times the size of McIntosh would be proud of. This institution is capitalized at $25,000 and is doing a large business with an average deposit of $50,000. Loans and discopunts average at $60,000. J. W. Harris, president with C. W. Coyne as cashier.
The First State Bank which is about to be opened for business is being promoted by J. E. Davies and will capitalize at $15,000. It will commence business in a temporary building but a fine brick building will be erected in the near future.
The City Drug Store is owned by C. H. Maas of Bowdle, S. D., and is strictly up to date. Besides carrying complete stock of drugs he can supply anything in the line of toilet articles and anything in notions and other side lines. Mr. Campbell, the druggist, is ever at your services.
The Lawein hardware company is owned by C. L. Lawein of Glenham, S. D. and is in charge of Otto Lawein who recently moved here with his family. In addition to their stock, which is general hardware they carry a full line of farm implements, wagons and buggies.
The Kersten Hardware Co. recently erected a large two story building on main street and carries one of the most complete stocks along the line. This firm also conducts a furniture department in connection and can furnish you with anything in that line.
Attorney N. B. Bartlett is to build a new office building 24x24 on a main street lot shortly.
The Prichard Laundry which was established here this spring is enjoying a good patronage and Mr. Prichard expects to increase his plant before this fall.
Mentz’s Quick Lunch restaurant is a regular city cafe and everything in the line of fixtures and equipments is of the best that money can buy. Mr. Mentz was for many years in the restaurant business at Farilbault, Minn., where he disposed of his interests to come here and erected a $1800 two story building. He has put into his business here over $5000.
Mr. E. Reckamp of Minneapolis just recently purchased the McIntosh restaurant of A. E. Bennett and will conduct a bakery in connection. This is located in Israel’s new two-story building which is equipped with lodging rooms above.
Speaking of hotels we also have the Golden West Hotel.
The firm of Wade and Clark conducts a first class livery and feed barn with a dray and transfer line in connection.
Louis Agaard is proprietor of the west side feed and livery stable and also has a dray and transferline.
J. H. Davis is manager of the O. L. Brandson real estate co. which has secured offices over the First National Bank.
E. G. Rinderneck, proprietor of the McIntosh Pool Hall is ever at your service. He has erected a commodious building this spring for his pool hall and conducts a clean respectable business. B. G. McBride has his barber shop at this place.
The McIntosh Ice Cream Parlor is conducted by Charles Hartinger, who erected a substantial two story building here this spring.