The Headlight

Falmouth and Butler, Ky. May, 1898

This issue of The Headlight is devoted to giving a description of the advantages offered by Falmouth and Butler, Ky., to outside capitalists and investors. Owing to the hearty support tendered liberally by the business men and citizens of the city, our showing is very complete. We wish to express our thanks to the press and the people generally who have contributed to the success of the effort.

Butler Graded School

The Butler Graded School is a fine organization of great value, offering educational advantages which compare favorably with the best schools of the state, and of exceptionally high standard for a town of this size. The school is governed by a board of six directors, comprising the following gentlemen: W. H. Harding, Chairman; Edward Yelton, Secretary; T. H. Talbott, Treasurer, and H. H. Marshall, A. J. Grant, W. Holmes and C. F. Peoples. There are now 256 pupils enrolled, occupying four rooms, with three teachers and a principal. The latter position is capably filled by Mr. B. L. Frye. He is a native of Ohio, and was educated at Lebanon and Delaware, being a graduate of the institutions at both places. He has been teaching in the schools of Kentucky for the past six years, half of which time has been spent as a principal.

Prof. B. L. Frye

His service covers three years at Alexandria, one year at Cold Springs and two years in Butler. Mr. Frye is a man of high intellectual attainments. He was admitted to practice law at the bar of Kentucky January 10, 1898. He is a member of the Masonic, Odd Fellows and K. of P. fraternities.

People & Voiers

Every branch of a commercial enterprise must have its leader. Some representative must set the pace, and the faster the pace, the greater the public benefit. Butler possesses a general store which is called, and truly is, "Headquarters for everything." It was established twenty-four years ago by C. F. Peoples, of the present firm, and eight years ago Mr. W. T. Voiers became a partner.

Success has marked teh progress of this institution from its foundation and some idea of the magnitude of the present proportions of the business may be obtained from the statement that they occupy 8100 square feet of floor space, embracing two stories and basement 30 x 90 feet.

Their stock comprises everything that could be desired by a purchasing public and includes groceries, provisions, dry goods, notions, clothing, hardware, stoves, tinware, agricultural implements, buggies, harness, saddlery, etc., etc. They also conduct an undertaking establishment which is under the supervision of Mr. Voietrs, who is a professional embalmer and funeral director.

Mr. C. F. Peoples was born in Clermont County, Ohio, in 1859, and came to this county in 1869. Was engaged driving a huckster's wagon for four years and located in Butler in 1874, after having conducted a country store for a year. The success of his present business is largely due to his early and continued efforts. He has a wife and seven children, his son Jacob, 20 years old, being a valuable assistant in the store.

W. T. Voiers

Mr. W. T. Voiers was born in Trumble County, Kentucky, May 11, 1866, and came to Butler ten years ago. His first two years here were occupied as principal of the graded schools. He is the present State Senator from the 26th District, being a Democrat in politics. In May, 1894, he was united in marriage to Miss Lillian Shaw, daughter of R. F. Shaw, a prominent merchant of Butler. They have one child, a son.

R. F. Shaw

R. F. Shaw was born near Alexandria, Campbell County, Ky., Aug. 2, 1840; came to Butler in 1861 at the age of twenty-one years, engaging as clerk for his brother-in-law, Richard Wheeler. Severing his connection with this firm he opened a small store in a one-story frame building which in 1884 gave way to his present large two-story brick building with a floor space of 8,800 square feet, and is a model structure for general merchandising. It is a general store in the true sense of the word, as everything is kept in stock, such as dry goods, groceries, boots, shoes, hats, caps, furniture, tinware, stoves, etc., besides an elegant line of undertaking goods.

Mr. Shaw is the veteran leaf tobacco dealer of this section of the country, having prized and shipped the first hogshead of tobacco put on the Cincinnati market. He is one of the best judges of the many handlers of the weed and enjoys a high reputation as a straight and honest packer. In addition to his mercantile interests he is a manufacturer of bent wood stirrups which are shipped to nearly every state in the union.

Mr. Shaw was married to Miss Lizzie Wheeler, April 20, 1864. Three daughters were born to them, all of whom are now married and living in his home town. Mr. Shaw is considered one of the best and safest business men in the state; is a prominent Mason, having connected himself with the order in 1864.

E. B. Bradley

Mr. E. B. Bradley was born in Harris (Harrison?)County, Ky.; came to Butler in 1880 as U. S. Gauger; was married to Miss Bertie Shaw, eldst daughter of R. F. Shaw, Sept. 27, 1882, and holds a very confidential position in the management of the large business interests of his father-in-law. He is an Odd Fellow of high rank and enjoys the confidence of all classes. He has a pleasant family of four boys and possesses one of the prettiest homes in Butler.

C. C. Hagemeyer & Co.

The above firm are proprietors of the Butler Mills, comprising flour, lumber and planning mills, being the largest institution in this section. They employ about sixty hands. The mills came into the possession of the present firm in 1881. The officers are as follows: C. C. Hagemeyer, President and Treasurer; C. F. Peoples, Vice President, and C. P. Hagemeyer, Secretary. The capacity of the flour mill is 100 barrels daily, and their brands, the "Climax," "Imperial," "Monarch" and "Diamond" are well known and largely used throughout this section and in Cincinnati and Southern cities.

The saw mill is supplied with timber from the hills of eastern Kentucky, rafted down the Licking River. They have a capacity for a daily cut of 25,000 feet, and are large shippers to all points North and South along the L. & N. Railway. The planning mill is well equipped with the latest and best woodworking machinery, and they are in shape to furnish anything in the line of manufactured lumber which goes into a house.

Mr. C. C. Hagemeyer was raised in Cincinnati, but has been in the lumber business on the Licking River for thirty years. Until 1881 he was located two and a half miles south of Butler, being engaged at that time as manager of the immense plant of the Licking Lumber and Mining Co.

He was instrumental in organizing the company of which he is now the head.

They have branch plants at Cynthiana and Covington, Ky.

Butler Deposit Bank

This solid and ably managed banking institution was established October 3, 1892, and has since been doing a very successful business. Mr. T. H. Talbott, the cashier, is an able financier of a number of years practical experience in the banking business, having previously been connected with the First National Bank, at Owenton, for four years. He came to Butler from Owen County in 1892 and through his efforts the Butler Deposit Bank was organized.

Mr. J. M. Thomasson, the president of the institution, is a sound business man, solid in finance and executive ability.

They conduct a general business on a conservative, yet liberal basis, enjoying the confidence and patronage of the entire community. The bank is located in a neat brick building, constructed especially for banking purposes.

Wesley M. Rardin

Mr. Wesley M. Rardin, senior member of the law firm of Rardin & Rardin, is one of the ablest lawyers in this vicinity. His brother, C. A. Rardin, became associated with him about ten years ago, and they have an extensive practice in this and surrounding counties.

Mr. W, M. Rardin was born in Campbell County, Ky., September 28, 1858 and came to this place in 1874. For seven years he taught in the public schools of this and Campbell counties and was admitted to the bar August 23, 1881. Since 1887 he has been practicing in the Kentucky Court of Appeals.

Mr. Rardin was Republican nominee for Congress from the Sixth District in 1890; National Republican Elector in 1892 and Republican choice for State Senate from this District in 1897.

On May 13, 1885, he was united in marriage with Ida May Yelton and they have three children. Is a member of the K. of. P. and I.O.O.F.

from Headlight: Sights  and Scenes Along the C. & O. Route. Since the C&O doesn't go thru either Falmouth of Butler, we have no idea why they ran this.