Excerpt of the book "Writer and Engraver's Picture of Graham County's Progress Since Its Organization" (1906)

B. F. Poston

(pages 57-58)

Benjamin Franklin Poston was born in Kentucky in 1836 and moved at an early age with his parents to Missouri. Though he was in Kansas for a short time in the early fifties he did not locate permanently in the state until 1875, when he moved to Concordia. Here he bought a 240 acre, well improved stock farm adjoining Concordia on the east, and engaged extensively in stock raising. He invested somewhat in other properties, owning half interest in drug store in addition to a fine residence. In 1887 Mr. Poston sold his interests in Condcordia and came to Hill City, where he bought the General Merchandise Store belonging to Minnier, in the Wheeler market building. He also bought a large farm lying two miles south of Hill City. In 1892 he sold his stock of merchandise to the Wonder brothers and invested his money in cattle. In the winter of 1893, while enroute to the Kansas City market with four car loads of cattle he was in the long-to-be-remembered Linwood wreck. In the car which Mr. Poston occupied were eighteen men, nine of whom were killed out right. Mr. Poston was seriously injured, having two fingers, four ribs, his nose and his glottis broken besides being seriously cut and bruised. He was taken to hospital “Margarette” in Kansas City, Kansas, where he was compelled to remain two months. When he was able to return home he began proceedings in a damage suit against the Union Pacific railroad company. After two years of litigation the supreme court rendered a decision allowing Mr. Poston $8000 in addition to interest for two years, amounting to $10,000. He continued in the cattle business until 1898, when he sold his stock and invested in Graham county lands until now he owns some 2000 acres of well improved wheat lands. He rents all but 600 acres which is planted in wheat and which he himself farms.

Mr. Poston’s home property, built two years in July, is the most elegant in Hill City. It has twelve rooms with all modern improvements and cost $5000. Mr. Poston has served the township as Justice of the Peace for three years and his official acts have been most satisfactory. There is no man in Hill City more highly respected than is Mr. Poston. He has taken great interest in the upbuilding of the town and is in every respect a genial and obliging gentleman. Mr. and Mrs. Poston were married twenty-eight years ago next July. Of his family of one daughter and two sons the youngest son Perle, is at home. Ben, the other son, is a mail clerk out of Kansas City, and the daughter is married and lives in Missouri.