Volume 13 , Issue 36

Major Andrew Drumm

This feature appeared in our 2001 November issue of Vol. III, that Bonnie Haas wrote up and sent to the "OkieLegacy."

by Bonnie Haas -- "I was interested in the bit about Major Andrew Drumm since my friend Dr. Joyce Bender and I have researched his contribution to the development of Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri. (Major Andrew Drumm: Cowman, Businessman, and Visionary in THE CHRONICLES OF OKLAHOMA, Spring, 2001, pages 18-35.)"

"We found references to Drumm or Drumm City as a part of Burlington. Some even stated that the name was changed from Drumm to Burlington. In the 1906 Woods County Atlas the Drumm post office was located in Burlington!

"Just recently I found three references in area newspapers that prove to be interesting, however. The first is from the May 11, 1906, Ingersoll Reveiw -- Drumm City, the proposed new city on the D.E. & G. R.R. about 11 miles south of Kiowa, will soon boom up on the map of Woods County. The foundation of an elevator is dug and work on the superstructure will commence as soon as building material can be procured. J.R. McGinnis, the Ingersoll merchant, has contracted to have one of his store buildings moved from its present location to the new town and will open a good store in same.

"Another business firm of Ingersoll also contemplates to move to Drumm City. The Metz Lumber Co. shipped two cars of lumber to Burlington, but it is said will establish a permanent yard at Drumm City, so as to get the business at that point and not be too close to their yard at Ingersoll. Several of the wealthy farmers in the vicinity of the new town contemplate to invest money in houses in the new town. -- quoted from Kiowa News Review.

"Another article from the Byron Review, May 25, 1906 -- We understand that the new towns Burlington and Drumm have consolidated the D.E. & G. people taking the Drumm townsite. The business men that were to locate in Burlington are against the consolidation and will now move into Driftwood and will try to do up the Drumm town.

"And from the Ingersoll Review, May 18, 1906 -- (From a collection of news from Driftwood, Burlington, Keith and Drumm.) . . . James M. Young, president and general manager of the new R.R. has been in Drumm recently, conferring with those people and has had a switch surveyed. J. B. McGinnis of Ingersoll, has his store building at Drumm about completed. The Burlington Bank building has been moved into Drumm, and the work on the depot goes on. Now if you know where the town will be tell us, it's up to you. We have been mingling with the town boomers and R.R. officials for the last two weeks and know less all the time, and have about decided to call a convention of little boys and let them settle the matter.

"According to the 1906 Woods Co. atlas -- 11 miles south of Kiowa would be right at the Salt Fork River. One hundred years ago the river could have been on either side, since the course frequently changes. Few witnesses are around to give us a true account. At any rate, Drumm City (wherever it was) is a disappointing legacy for a man who truly was ahead of his time. His lifetime of adventures exhibited a talent for being in the forefront in the industries of railroading, cattle and banking. I find it amazing that after eighty years the children's home (Drumm Institute) which Major Andrew Drumm established is still in existance in Independence, MO. But, that is another story. "   |  View or Add Comments (0 Comments)   |   Receive updates ( subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

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