The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1871-02-17
WICHITA AND TOWANDA.

Towanda is situated ten miles west of
Eldorado, on the Whitewater river.
The town was laid out last fall, by
Isaac Mooney, and contains at the pres
ent time, eight houses: one dry goods
and grocery store, one lumber yard,
meat market, blacksmith shop, and one
gunsmith shop the only, one southwest
Emporia.
Mooney and Baker are proprietors of
the store and have large trade, E. G.
Richards keeps good stock of lumber
on hand for which he has ready sale.
The Whitewater is a large, finely
timbered stream, and a town at this
point will command the trade Gas it
does now) of several other fine valleys
the principle of which is Dry Creek.
Mr.. Richards is intending to open a
hardware and tinware store in a short
time. And about ten other buildings
will be erected in the spring.
Wichita is the big town of the south
west. Contrary to the reports in circu-
lation we found business as lively as is
usual at this season, and much better
than many older places. During the
winter the merchants have had a good
local trade, as the country is thickly set
tied for many miles In each direction,
there being house on every quarter
section.
The Texas cattle trail passes through
the town, and during the driving season
which will commence soon, money is
exceedingly "fush." Many improve
ments will be made during the coming
summer. VIM. Griffenstein the origi-
nal proprietor of the town has the brick
on the ground for large brick hotel,
the building to be two and half stories
high. Many fine brick buildings have
already been erected.
These business men here all work to-
gether in theinterests of the town which
insures its rapid growth.
The general Quitting store of j. E.
Price & Co., is doing good business,
Mr.. Price has gone east to purchase a
large stock for the Texas trade, and will
be able to furnish goods at wholesale s.
retail. Sol. II. Kehn Sc Co., have the
leading dry goods store, their stock is
well selected and makes quite display.
G. M. Garrison is well prepared for the
trade in harness and saddles. We saw
some very fine specimens of workman
ship in his store. The old firm of Van
Trees and Smiths defunct, and the firm
of Baldwin and Smith take their place
in the practice of law, and real estate
business.
We formid the acquaintance of DR..
E. D. Hilliard who has recently located
here for the practice of medicine. The
doctor but a short time ago retired from
the army where he has served for near
ly ten years in the capacity of surgeon,
the last part of his service being with
the 7th U. S. Cavalry, Gen. Custars reg
iment. His long experience has already
procured him good practice.
The Harris House is good hotel they
have good board and good rooms, J E.
Ledford is proprietor, and Charley Jen-
ison clerk. III. J. Riemers formerly a
resident of Emporia, is still in the jew
elry trade and has connected a news
paper and stationery stand with his
business. Henry Baltic is engaged in
the furniture business.
A company has laid out town on
the opposite side of the river which has
been named Elgin. 1t is really nothing
more than an addition to the city of
Wichita, as the parties composing the
company are all Wichita men. There
is no doubt but that large portion of
the business of the town will be tran
sacted at Elgin, as the country is thick
ly settled on that side of the river. Al
so much of the trade of Sumner county
will come here.
j. E. Martin of Wichita is the general
business manager of the company, and
will put up a good building there soon,
several other parties are intending to
put up business houses.
The Vidette is fourishing, and the
Tribune is probably there by this time.
Two papers will do well there, for the
citizens of that country are reading and
advertising people.