Summit to Linn

In 1877 the railroad, pushing its way further into Washington county, passed through this section. A box car was placed at about the same location where the depot was later built. The station was called Summit because it was the highest point rail­road surveyors found on this branch of the Missouri Pacific. When an attempt was made to get a post office here, the postal authorities refused to grant it because there were other offices in the state with similar names. It was necessary, therefore, to select a new name. Sometime in 1877, amass meeting was held in the box car. Theodore Bedker, homesteader on what is now the Herman Pfeiffer farm, presided at the meeting. About twenty men attended. Ed Collins, later Linn's first mayor, was a young boy at the time and attended with his father. No one knows for sure just why the name Linn was chosen but, according to legend, one of the railroad officials, a man by the name of Linn, jokingly asked them to use his name. Everyone appeared to be willing, so the vote was unanimous. Shortly thereafter Linn secured its post office. For some time after the naming of the post office, the settlers continued to call the town Summit. It was a gradual change-over but, eventually, it was generally conceded that Linn was the name of the town. Economic Growth In 1881, among others who came mostly by train, was C.F. Schwerdtfeger grandfather of Emil Schwerdtfeger, Alvin Pfeif­fer, Leroy Alexander, Herman Lehman and Julia Mildfeldt, and great grandfather of Harold Schwerdtfeger. He had sold some of his land near Chicago for one hundred dollars an acre; and he bought his first quarter section in Kansas for a dollar an acre. Mr. Schwerdtfeger saw the great possibilities wrapped up in Kansas prairie and he bought about six hundred acres from early settlers who were discouraged and ready to move on. As time went on, he bought considerably more land. A man of vision, Mr. Schwerdtfeger encouraged the establishment of a town by giving a building lot to any person interested in starting a business. It was logical to build along the railroad, but it was unheard of in those days to place a budding on the-slant; hence the irregular front of our main street today. The first store, and probably the first business in town was the Cummins store, opened in 1881 on the site now occupied by the Linn post office. Religion Most pioneers brought with them the Christian beliefs in which they had been reared. It is not surprising, then, that they soon established congregations in the settlement. The first church services were held in the homes of members and in schoolhouses: and the pastors were often circuit riders who served several congregations in the area. Although people of varying religious convictions arrived almost simultaneously, records indicate that the first sermon preached in the area might have been that of a Methodist minister. Rev. Jacob LeVan, a circuit preacher who arrived in Washington county in 1870. Rev. LeVan. his wife. and four children came from Guthrie Center, Iowa in a covered wagon Progressive Roots Linn was known as a rather progressive little city and could have been incorporated before the turn of the century if the citizens had so desired. The issue of incorporation was brought to the voters in 1900 but the more conservative people, reluctant to bring on tax increases, were able to block the issue. It was not until 1911 that there was a great clamor for cement sidewalks and better streets, that Linn voted to incorporate. In those years before incorporation, Linn was governed by an elected citizen's committee consisting of a president, a secretary, a treasurer, a collector, and a street commissioner. Linn Fire Department It was not long before the early settlers learned that the lush green prairie grass that was so inviting on their arrival would turn dry and brown as the season advanced. Eventually the billowing green carpet would present a real fire hazard. Added to the fact that the dry vegetation itself was quickly combustible, was the fact that the wind was usually stirring 'a little or a lot' so a big fire could easily be kindled. From the very beginning, the settlers worried enough about fires to organize a bucket brigade. Each householder kept a bucket on hand for each member of his family who was big enough to pump and carry water; and everyone knew just what he had to do in case of fire. An account, taken from the Linn Digest of 1889, tells of a citizen's meeting held at the fire department headquarters (in Higgins' and Raven's office) for the purpose of electing a fire chief and other officers. Washington County Co-operative Creamery Company and Hoerman Packing Company The creamery industry in Linn and the vicinity dates to 1887 when Henry Lindeman came here from Chicago and started a creamery located where Mrs. Emma McGregor's house now stands. He took in whole milk and skimmed it at the creamery. in 1908, Mr. Hoerman inaugurated a trucking system to pick up the farmers' produce. At that time, trucking was done with team and wagon. He was one of the pioneers of the wide network of trucking used today by packing plants, creameries, bakeries, and other businesses throughout the country. Dairy History In 1921, dairying seemed to have great possibilities in Washington county. A survey was conducted by the county agent who found that Holsteins were the preference of most farmers. After several educational meetings with dairy specialists from Kansas State College, 25 or 30 farmers went on inspection tours to other areas. Then a meeting was held to discuss community breeding and joint ownership of bulls. In March 1922, farmers signed contracts, and 93 head of cattle were brought in from Wisconsin. Henry Hatesohl of Greenleaf, himself a Holstein enthusiast. along with a specialist from the college, they selected and bought the animals. Thirty-four men signed contracts for these animals. Thirty-four of which were purebred and the others were high-grade cows and springer heifers. The arrival of the cattle was the inspiration for a community dairy day. At first this affair was called the Linn Community Dairy Day but later it was spoken of as the first Black and White Show. Linn hosted many such shows. As the organization grew, it came to include stockmen from several counties; and sometime in the early thirties the State Dairy Association organized the North Central Kansas Black and White Show. ** Information taken from the Linn Kansas Centennial, 1877-1977