CROOK COUNTY JOURNAL'S ANNUAL NUMBER. 25 and always sociable and jovial, and well liked by everybody with whom they' come in contact. The employes feel as free when with them as they do among themselves. The storekeeper, the blacksmith, the cotta ger, the common laborer, the proprietois, all meet on one common ground, and, in truth, the great Hay Creek ranch is one grand harmonious home.. Among the choicest breeds owned by this company are Spanish Merinos, Delaines, and Rambouillettes. It is worth the while of any one to visit this great ranch, and to the sheep man it is like taking a year's course in the sheep industry in a day. Everybody is welcome here. ELKINS AND KING. It is not difficult to account for the steady growth and development of large cities noted as commercial centers. The secret of their maintenance, prog ress and prosperity lies in the facilities at hand, both natural and acquired for sup plying the requirements and demands of its own and contiguous territory with rapidity and despatch at the least expense, Their solid finacial standing, and favorable conditions prevailing, enables large com mercial points to buy and manufacture goods at the least possible figure. The same rule applies to single firm or commer cial house. These premises are true with the well-known firm of Elkins & King, Crook county's leading hardware and imple ment house. The senior member of the firm, C. M. Elkins, began his business career in Prineville as village blacksmith in an unpretentious building at the corner of A and econd streets. By unvarying industry and strict attention to business he gradu ally enlarged his stock, still maintaining ings occupy 7,000 square feet of ground space. About one year ago Mr. W. F. King be came a member of the firm. His thorough business ability and ever present readiness to please customers has added much to the facilities of the firm in handling its large trade. The phenomenal success of this house is largely due to its ability to purchase to C. M. ELKINS. the best advantage and in quality a su perior grade of stock, and its customers receive the benefit. They carry the cele brated Oliver chilled plow, the "Mitchell" and "Bain" wagons, the Piano and McCor mick mowers, rakes and harvesting ma chinery. These implements need no further recommendation than the name of the manufacturers. The entire stock of this firm is of the very best known to the trade, and their customers throughout a selectii it. In the matter of pumps, pipes ana ....mgs, a complete line is con stantly on hand, as well as a competent plumber, and the work is guaranteed. A carload of stoves, ranges and heaters, to suit all persons, places and conditions. The firm is fully alive to the rapid prog ress and development of Central Oregon, and has placed large orders of grass seed, including alfalfa, red clover, and bromus, for the early spring trade of 1901. No business firm enters the twentieth century with fairer prospects, and the name of Elkins & King is regarded as synonymous with fair dealing and busi ness integrity both at home and among vho'esalers everywhe.-e. J'JiGfc WM. C. WILLS. Is o: e cf the residents of Crook county who ;s a citizen of the state of Oregon in the broadest sense of the word. Judge Wills is decidedly a self-made man. He was born in South Bend, Indiana sixty-two years ago and has resided in Oregon for forty-two years, first locating in Jackson county, where he followed the changing fortunes of placer mining, and worked at the carpenter trade. Judge Wills was o:ie of the original dis coverers and locators of the famous Virtue mine in Baker county in 1864, where he was folowing the fickle Godess of Gold. He left mining in 1866, engaged in furni ture and cabinet making business in Dallas for fourteen years, and during that time held the office of recorder of the city of Da l las, Justice of the Peace, Councilman, etc. In 1866 he was married to Minerva Jane Y. aymire of Poik county. In 1880 Mr. Wills removed to Crook cou ty where he has since engaged in stock raising and ranching. His wife died in the year 1SS2. 'I 1$ IN J , L. ' , , . .... I-; J" ffrifnnir r n 11 5 inPL In&arf ii;rin....:' '---,!? .n r in PRINEVILLE HOTEL his blacksmith and wagon shop, first to stoves and tinware, then to hardware in general; next to farming implements and machinery, and, finally, by adding a com plete department of groceries and pro visions, until now the firm has the largest hardware and implement trade of any house in Oregon not having railroad communica tion. With the constantly increasing trade, Mr. Elkins erected additional stores and warerooms until at present the firm build- f ESIDENCE OF EX-JUCCE M. E. ERINK. the large scope of country tributary to Prineville fully realize that all goods pur chased from Elkins & King are of superior quality and sold at reasonable prices. The several departments of the business in which this firm is engaged, deserves special mention. In building materials. Including doors, windows, glass, paper, paints, varnishes, stains, etc., their stock is always large enough from which a customer can make la 1836 Mr. Wills became a member of the State Board of Equalization and was made president of that board. He has been coun ty judge of Crook county since 1898. Judge Wills is a faithful member of the Prine ville Lodge A. F. & A. M. HAWKINS BROTHERS. Hawkins Bros, own and operate a saw and planing mill. It has two sites, one of