Lights in Buffalo, Mo.
Lights in Buffalo, Mo.
“On Saturday of this week the voters of Buffalo are called upon to exercise their right of suffrage on the proposition of granting to Jas. [James] A. Bonner the right to construct and operate an electric light and power plant here. We consider this special election the most important in the history of Buffalo, as upon the disposition of this proposition, to a great extent depends the future growth and progress of the town. The franchise is a reasonable one and if granted it means that Buffalo will put on the appearance of a wide-awake, progressive city and other and better improvements can be looked for. If defeated the public will get the idea that we are divided, that personal rather than public opinion and welfare controls our actions, that the success of any public enterprise is doubtful and that future growth and improvements will be slow, because nobody likes a town where civic pride and enterprise is dead.
“We have heard it hinted that a few citizens would like to see the proposition defeated; that they are misrepresenting the terms of the franchise and their work is the result of personal grudges. While this may be true, we are inclined to disbelieve it and only by active opposition by such persons on election day could we be convinced that we have men with such diminutive souls as this. We believe that the people will vote ‘yes’ and that the returns will show that while we may have our little political and business differences, in matters of public welfare, we are a unit.
“The official ballot is published in today’s Reflex. Read it carefully so that you can vote promptly and correctly.
“The following are designated places at which the election will be held; 1st and 2nd wards, at public school buildings, 3rd ward at W.J. Blakey’s business house.”
Buffalo Reflex, March 2, 1911.
Later the same year:
“The people of Buffalo are now enjoying the convenience and satisfaction given by a first-class electric light plant.”
Buffalo Reflex August 10, 1911
The photograph of the Bonner Mill is courtesy of the Buffalo Reflex and can be found in Reflexions: a pictorial history of Buffalo and Dallas County, Missouri compiled and published by the staff of the Buffalo Reflex. Another book of interest is Reflexions II: a pictorial history of Buffalo and Dallas County, Missouri.
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