The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1873-07-17
Correspondence Of the Eagle.
FROM VALLEY CENTER.

ALLEY SENTER. July IA, 1910.
EDITOR EAGLE: AS almost every
one seems 10 have something to say
abont Wichita, thought it would not
be inappropriate for one who has been
casual observer of its growth and
prosperity. from its infancy up to the
present time, TO say few words more
in regard to it.
When first came to Sedgwick coun-
ty there was not single house where
Wichita now stands. Cattle were graz
ing on the prairie, and from the gen.
eral appearance of things no one would
dream that to-day there would be
standing upon that ground young
and prosperous city, with upwards of
three thousand inhabitants: with
churches, schools aud banks. and two
well edited papers TO represent it;
that ii would be the terminus OF the
Wichita and Southwestern railroad
that it would be the commercial center
of the great Southwest. and the prin-
cipal shipping point of the Texas cat
tie trade. Aud this great change has
been wrought in a little over three
years. 1t is marvellous, perfectly mar
vicious. But there are other changes
which have come over Wichita. great
err than these. In the beginning it
seemed as though lawlessness and
crime would rule. and that the princi-
pal companions of the majority Of the
male inhabitants seemed to be deadly
weapons. Saloons seemed to be the |
chief places of resort. Almost every
day you might see from one to dozen
young men lounging around stores and
saloons, on boxes and barrels, with a
couple Of revolvers and bowie-knife |
strapped around them, and their hair
dangling down about their shoulders. |
These have all disappeared. And
why! where have they gone? To the
first question | will simply say, that
they found that the people were get
ting too darned honest" for them. To |
the second l will say, God only knows
some of them may be dead others
perhaps are in the penitentiary. But
it is sufficient to say that they are 10
more to be seen in Wichita. Men of
brains, men of intellect, men of true
christian ability, are taking their
places. And while they are serving
God and trying to do good to their fell
low men, they are driving crime and
corruption before them like chaff be-
fore the wind. These are some of the |
greatest changes that have come over
Wichita. and it is these changes that |
will cause the Queen City to continue |
to prosper. and to swell the numbers
of her inhabitants from thousands to |
an hundred thousand. But we do not |
wish to make it appear that Wichi-
Ia Is entirely free from guilt at the |
present timc-far from it. But every
thing is being done that can possibly |
be done to exterminate the wrongs that |
are now in it. Good men are now in |
the majority, and by the blessing of
Providence we hope they will remain |
so. Let the ever watchful eye of the |
EAGLE guard the city zealously, and
let it soar majestically over the city |
and county, and whereverit sees crime
or corruption among its officeholders
or people, let it pounce upon them and
tear them from their dens and expose
them to the full view of the public.
There seems to be good many of
the farmers who continually keep cry
ing down Misunderstanding she
would sink" and that she would 'bust |
up" and good many more as foolish
and unmanly expressions. To that
class | will simply put this question:
Did you ever see any town or city of
the age of Wichita THAT afforded any
better market, or as good! or did you
ever know of any farmer taking pro-
ducc to Wichita, to have returned with
it without having been offered good
price for it? | venture to
say not. Then if you have no other
objection to the prosperity of Wichita,
| hope you will use your utmost en-
deavors, and solicit the help of your
neighbors, and do all the good that you
can to promote her interests and wei
fare. appeal to the farmers gener-
ally (heing one mysclf), for the growth
and DrOsuerity of Wichita ia the life of |
the county. OBSERVER.