L&T Publisher Earl Watt
Rex Petty and I are on a mission. We are trying to pinpoint the location of the famous Seymour S. Rogers hand-dug well, 88 feet deep.
Any true-blue Liberalite knows the story of Mr. Rogers and his homestead where he had a general store and a hand dug well.
As travellers passed through, they found it difficult to locate a water source on the wide-open prairie.
Rogers decided to see if he could find water underground, so he started digging.
When he reached a depth of 88 feet, he discovered water and established a well.
Instead of using the well as a profit source for his operation, he gave the water away free to those making their way across Southwest Kansas, often hearing the response, “That’s mighty liberal of ya.”
Travellers would cross paths along the dusty trails, and when asked where they could find water, they would be directed to Rogers’ homestead. “There’s a liberal fella who doesn’t charge for water there,” would be the reply.
The generosity of Rogers established a trade route through his location, and he along with Addie Mason established a post office in the general store under the name of “Liberal.”
But after 140 years, the location of the well is being lost to history.
Recently it was stated that R.E. Griffith from Garden City capped the well at a home located on Elm Boulevard near 2nd Street and Western Ave.
Others believe it is located on the south side of 2nd Street.
We need your help to solve this mystery and locate the well before it’s lost forever.
If you have any information, please email
