“When Senator Atchison concluded his remarks, the sale of town lots began, and thirty-four were sold that afternoon, at an average of $63.00 each. Most of those that were sold were some distance back from the river, and speculators were not present, so far as it could be determined, and lots that were sold were bought mostly by owners of the town. Prices ranged from $35.00 to $200.00.”
At this meeting the projects of building a hotel and establishing a newspaper were discussed, and as a result, each of the original 100 shares was assessed $25.00, and in the following spring the National Hotel, corner of Second and Atchison streets, was built. Dr. J. H. Stringfellow and Robert S. Kelley received a donation of $400.00 from the town company, to buy a printing office and in February, 1855, the Squatter Sovereign, which subsequently did so much for the pro-slavery cause, was born.
The town company required each settler to build a house at least sixteen feet square upon his lot, so that when the survey was made in 1855 many found themselves upon school lands. Among those who put up homes in 1854 and 1855 were James T. Darnell, Archibald Elliott, Thomas J. C. Duncan, Andrew W. Pebler, R. S. Kelley, F. B. Wilson, Henry Kline and William Hassett. The titles to the lands owned by these residents remained unsettled until 1857, when titles to all lands within the townsite and open to settlement were acquired from the federal government, and subsequently the title to school lands was secured by patents from the Territory, and in this way the town company secured a clear title to all lands which they had heretofore conveyed, and re-conveyed the same to the settlers and purchasers. Dr. J. H. Stringfellow, proprietor of North Atchison, an addition to the city of Atchison, employed J. J. Pratt to survey that addition in October, 1857. It consisted of the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter of section 36, township 5, range 20. Samuel Dickson, who was the proprietor of South Atchison, had that addition platted in May, 1858, and John Roberts, who was the proprietor of West Atchison, had his addition surveyed in February, 1858, a few months before Samuel Dickson surveyed South Atchison. C. L. Challiss’ addition was surveyed about the same time. Other additions to the corporate limits of Atchison have been made, and are as follows: Branchton, Bird’s addition, Brandner’s addition, Bakewell Heights, Batiste addition, Florence Park, Forest Park, Goodhue Place, Garfield Park, Highland Park, Home Place, Howard Heights, LaGrande addition, Lincoln Park, Llewellyn Heights, Lutheran Church addition, Mapleton Place, Merkles addition, Parker’s addition, Park Place, Price Villa addition, River View addition, Spring Garden, Style’s addition, Bellvue Heights, and Talbott & Company’s addition.
Atchison was incorporated as a town by act of the Territorial legislature, August 30, 1855, but it was not incorporated as a city until February 12, 1858, after which the charter was approved by the people by special election, March 2, 1858. In the fall of 1856, Atchison had obtained a great many advantages over other towns along the river, by a judicious system of advertising. The Squatter Sovereign printed a circular November 22, 1856, which was scattered broadcast. The circular was as follows:
“To the public, generally, but particularly to those persons living north of the Kansas river, in Kansas Territory:
“It is well known to many, and should be to all interested, that the town of Atchison is nearer to most persons living north of the Kansas river, than any other point on the Missouri river. The country, too, south of the Kansas river above Lecompton, is also as near Atchison as any other Missouri river town. The roads to Atchison in every direction are very fine, and always in good repair for wagon and other modes of travel. The country opposite Atchison is not excelled by any section of Missouri, it being portions of Buchanan and Platte counties, in a high state of cultivation, and at a considerable distance from any important town in Missouri, making grain, fruit, provisions and all kinds of marketing easily procured at fair prices; a matter of no small consideration to settlers in a new country.
“The great fresh water lake, from which the fish markets of St. Joseph and Weston are supplied, is also within three miles of Atchison.
“Atchison is now well supplied with all kinds of goods: groceries, flour, corn, meal, provisions and marketing of all kinds are abundant, and at fair prices. To show the compatibility of Atchison to supply the demands of the country, we here enumerate some of the business houses, viz: Six large dry goods and grocery stores, wholesale and retail; six family grocery and provision stores, wholesale and retail; one large clothing store; one extensive furniture store, with mattresses and bedding of all sorts; one stove, sheet iron and tinware establishment, where articles in that line are sold at St. Louis prices; several large warehouses sufficient to store all the goods of emigrants and traders across the plains, and to Kansas Territory; one weekly newspaper—The Squatter Sovereign—having the largest circulation of any newspaper in Kansas, with press, type and materials to execute all kinds of job work; two commodious hotels, and several boarding houses; one bakery and confectionery; three blacksmith shops; two wagon makers, and several carpenter shops; one cabinet maker; two boot and shoe maker shops, and saddle and harness maker shops; one extensive butcher and meat market; a first rate ferry, on which is kept a magnificent new steam ferry boat and excellent horse boat, propelled by horses; a good flat boat, and several skiffs; saw mills, two propelled by steam and one by horse-power; two brick yards, and two lime kilns.
“A fine supply of professional gentlemen of all branches constantly on hand equal to the demand.
“A good grist mill is much needed, and would make money for the owner.”