Published by permission from the historical society.

Transcribed by Mrs. McElroys' MMS class.

Mulvane Co-Operative Union

J. T. Dale and J. L. Nessly, owners of the Udall Mill, decided to start a mill in Mulvane. The Mulvane Mill was consolidated with the Udall Roller Mill in 1895, and A. A. Rucker was added to the company in 1896. Both mills had the latest and best machinery and combined capacity of 400 barrels of flour per day. They had all the local trade between Wichita and Winfield and between Douglass and Norwich. Their wholesale trade covered the country south and extended as far as Galveston. They shipped large quantities of flour to the east and north. Only one other mill in southern Kansas had as favorable a reputation as these two mills owned by this company. Their heavy business was shown by a Santa Fe freight bill of $354.34 paid between Feb. 6 and March 6, 1896. Their facilities for shipping were first class, and they were eager to fill either home or foreign orders with very little delay.

The first electricity produced in Mulvane was manufactured by the steam engine at the mill. The churches and business houses were the first to receive electricity. There was really no great alarm when the electricity went off; everyone knew a mouse had gotten on the big belt and threw it off. Someone would go down and replace the belt and electricity was soon restored.

The mill changed hands several times in the early 1900’s and was purchased by the Mulvane Co-Operative Union in 1921. Directors elected to the board were C.W. Bloomenshine, president; L.F. Wagoner, vice president; D. O. Schaper, secretary; M.L. Howard, treasurer; W.M. Carl, director; F.C. Kersey, director and Louis White, director. B.H. Hurt was the manager when the Co-Op took over; he was replaced by J.R. Haley before the end of the year. The assets when purchased were $16,776.65.

The end of 1921 found the assets to be $24,276.85. They had their bad times and good, and soon began on an upward swing. The 50’s found business good and the new elevator was built in 1955. A warehouse was added in 1958; the office building in 1960. Steady growth has continued; a liquid fertilizer plant and feed mill were added in 1964, a Propane bulk plant and Anhydrous fertilizer plant in 1966, a blender plant in 1968, and a new drier and dust collectors were added in 1971. We hope the Mulvane citizens have noticed a big improvement in the amount of chafe falling in town. A steel bin was added in 1974, a tire shop in 1975 and the Mulvane Co-Op Union bought the Garvey Elevator of Peck in 1976.

The old elevator and warehouse burned down in April, 1971, and was replaced by a new building which serves as a warehouse and storage for the feed mill. Present total worth of the Mulvane Co-Op (1977) is $1,918,585.65. This is the largest industry in Mulvane and has remained in business in the same location.