The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1872-08-23
From the Atchison Champion.
EXCURSION TO WICHITA.
A Grand Success---Splendid Time

The excursion to Wichita proved a
magnificent success. by previous
arrangement with the officers Of the
AtchisOn, Topeka and Santa Fe rail-
road, special train, composed Of the
beautiful engine e. j.. Peter, q baggage
car and Two handsome coaches, under
the control of ID. S. Sherman, conduct
or, the engine in charge Of James Grif-
fifth, pulled out from the depot of the
Missouri Pacific at 8 O'Clock on Tues
dav morning, bound for Il grand cXcur-
sion to Wichita, the metropolis of the
Arkansas valley.
The party was composed OF about
one hundred and fifty ladies and gentle
men, including many of the prominent
citizens of our city. The weather was
delightful, the scenery rich and charm
ing, and the train sped on its way over
the magnificent landscape, now along
lovely and fertile valley, now crossing
the high prairies where enrapturing
views of the surrounding country were
obtained, now past thriving towns
and beautiful cities, and finally emery
ing into the broad, grand, open valley
of the Arkansas river, in which lies the
live, energetic, cnterprising and -four
ishing young city Of Wichita.
A special committee consisting of
Messrs. Murdoch, Smith, Thomas and
MartsOlf, representing the hOspitable
citizens of Wichita, met the excursion
lists at Burlingamie, and furnished them
with tickets to the ball and assign
mcnts to quarters.
Upon their arrival at Wichita at 9p.
m. the eXcursionists were welcomed by
a large delegation of citizens, and a
welcoming address was delivered by
Judge Atwood. Carriages and Omni-
buses were provided in profusiOn, and
the entire party was conducted to
hotels and private residences, where
refreshments were Hospitality and
abundantly served. After supper all
were conducted to Eagle Hall, a mag
nificent apartment in Greiffenstein's
splendid new stone block, where a
grand reception and ball were given by
the citizens.
The dance continued until two
o'clock, when the pleasure seekers
were escorted to their lodgings. In
the morning carriages were again pro-
vided, and the eXcursiOnists driven
about the city to visit the places of
interest, and across the magnificent
toll-bridge that spans the Arkansas
river, thence to the depot, where the
crowds assembled to witness their de-
parture were addressed by Hon. A. e..
Otis and Hon. John NJ. Price.
Both speeches wesc well received
aud warmly applauded. Mr.. Price
was enthusiastically applauded as the
coming man for Governor of Kansas.
Three rOusimg cheers were given for
him and hats thrown into the air, some
of which it is supposed have not come
down yet! =,
The train pulled out at 10 a. m. amid
the cheers and waving of handkerchicfs
of the thrOng, and was soon out OF
sight and hearing, speeding its way up
the beautiful valley Of the Little Ar
kansas, thence along the Cottonwood,
| then across the NcoshO valley, into
that of the Kansas river, where, at the
Topeka depot, in the evening, supper
having been ordered, an enthusiastic
rush" was made from the train to the
dining hall of the railroad company in
the building.
The train stopped there for an hour
to give complete time, and then pur-
sued its way across the river and bot.
tom and over the prairies by moonlight
At Grasshopper Falls a brief halt
was made and everyone that was not
weary enough to be DOING by this time
was amused by the trifling appearance
of the toy engine that stood upon the
narrOw-gauge track. This is very
thriving and rapidly growing town
and it was justly remarked by mem
Der OF our party, that it is one Of thu
bast towrs in Northern Kansas. The
bridge was crossed below the dam
affording an opportunity to see thu
falls of GrasshOpper creek, now swol
len bv the recent rains--hOwever, be
fore the departure from Atchison. a
the weather during the excursion wa
unexceptiOnable, as well as the scenery
the reception and entertainment, ant
everything connected with the who'll
affair.
The entire party expressed them
selves as being greatly delighted AM
entirely satisfied with the trip, and tn
generous hospitality Of the people o
Wichita. all that human ingenuit
could invent or suggest. was showers
so profusely upon them as to absolute
" put them to the blush. A NOR
generous reception and entertainment
were never bestowed upon royalty
, The train furnished bv the A.. I. 4 :
+. railroad company was first class, an
all the appointments of the tri
throughout were unexcelled. The eN
cursonists regard it rs a very prop
tious occasion for both cities and tn
: great railroad connecting them.
In this connection il is well to e,
plain matter that has given offense (
some. The A., I. 4 5. +. compan
5 could only afford to detach from til
. regular trains necessary to its bushes
two cars, and these two cars coul
only carry about one hundred and fift
: people. A list was made out Of me
chants. business men and promineI
: citizens Of the city. and it was found
r. number over three hundred. All coul
not be invited. The council and boar
: of trade committee Was therefore, con
r PEELED to cut down the list. Doubtlc
( some names were left off that shou|
not have been others put on who cou
Just as well have remained at HON
and who would probably have bee
glad to do so if they had thought al
one else wished to go worse than the
o did. II was impossible, however,
avoid appearing to slight some, and
: overlook others. But We believe Il
Il committee tried to do their duty. al
i if they made mistakes they were n
Intentional. Undoubtedly some mi
takes were made. and some cifizel
overlooked or not invited who Dug
y 20 have been invited. But those TIL
?. apparently forgotten should remeT
e Der the great difficulties in the way
= the committees. and they will, we a
10 sure. look upon the mistakes MAJ
i with generous charity.