Remembering Brimson

newspaper article from grandma graces book--rather lengthy, will type in segments. deb

Story by Teresa Oyler
Feb 1 1987

The village of Rolyat in northwest Grundy County was just like any other little boomtown at the turn of the century.
The railroad brought it to life and eventually caused it to dwindle, but before it di Rolyat had medicine shows, dog and pony shows, Chautauquas adn hootenannies. And there was always a poker party or game of craps around the corner somewhere. On Sundays, or when it was convenient, the villagers would have church meetings in boxcars that had been sidetracked.
In the business district, there was a hotel, saloon, jail, brick plant, pickle plant, two newspapers, a horse drawn hearse, a post office and numerous other businesses. The biggest population Rolyat ever had was 200. But everyone seems to remember it as a lively 200 with basket dinners, Halloween pranks, and treks on the "Whiskey Jim" passenger train (nicknamed after men who traveled out of town to buy whiskey).
Probably no one remembers Rolyat today but a committee is out to make sure people remember its successor, Brimson. The committee is in the process of gathering information for a book on the history of Brimson. The committee, headed by Minerva Brown, meets every other Thursday night at the Brimson store and has meetings scheduled with a publishing company representative.
Mrs. Brown said anyone who would like to submit their family history should do so by March 1. Histories can be sent to Minerva Brown, Harold Peery or Verlin Meek. Mrs. Brown said the family histories aren't limited to people who are still in the Brimson area or who have always lived in Brimson. Current Brimsonites are also welcome to contribute. If someone can think of a family that has no descendants, they are welcome to write their history.
Mrs Brown said the book is definitely not a money making project and anything that is left over after costs will be contributed to a worthy cause in the Brimson area. Mrs Brown said the committee's main purpose in doing the book is to make people aware of Brimson's rich heritage and the need to preserve it for the future. One example is Brimson's name. Most people don't know how "Brimson" came to be.
Rolyat was Brimson's original name. It was Taylor (which was the township name) spelled backward. Rolyat was established in 1898 and Brimson was named after the General WG Brimson May 3 1901. Brimson was an official with the railroad and the way the story goes, he actually wanted the town named after his daughter, so they used the family's last name.
Another place name came from the editor of one of the local newspapers. Mr. Booster had just stepped out of the local saloon and headed toward a creek. He started across the plank used for a bridge, but lost his balance. Several onlookers said as Mr Booster began to fall he grabbed his ever present derby hat and pulled it over his ears with both hands before he hit the water. Since then, the creek was called Booster Branch, after Mr. Booster who edited the "Brimson Booster." Most people who have lived in Brimson at one time or another agree there probably isn't a child in the area who hasn't played in Booster Branch.
And there probably wasn't a person who didn't ride the OK (Omaha-Kansas City) train. There were local runs as well as cross country trips, Brimsonites could go to Trenton for a few hours, do some shopping and catch an afternoon train back.
For those who were traveling to Brimson the community put in a river bridge and a hotel. In a newspaper account, county court officials said the Grubtown River Bridge was built at a cost of $1400 and it was built so people who wanted to go to the other side for hickory nuts or pawpaws wouldn't have to wade the creek or "Coon" a log. But the bridge also helped travelers. Grubtown was actually a short distance from Brimson and was an even smaller community.
The Brimson Hotel was one of Brimson's earliest buildings. When it went in, community members said visitors wouldn't have to bother a private family or sleep in a barn anymore. And that was a real sign of progress.
Brimson hasn't grown much since then. In fact, it doesn't have as many things as it used to. But it still has Booster Branch, a slightly smaller group of lively people, a few Halloween pranks and lots of memories of when Brimson was a boomtown.
to be continued...