The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1885-11-24
WICHITA.
A Thriving Kansas City in which Rock
Island Has More than a Passing
Interest.

| IuteEtsts
wichita is on the boom. The city is
actually growing more every day. and is
on the high way to place among the
first cities of the west You walk out
over the central portion of the city on a
Sunday afternoon, and pursue the same
course week later and visible change
is noticeable. Where there were only the
foundations of a structure the week be>
fore, the outline of substantial build.
ing is seen, while everywhere the ground
is broken for other business blocks and
residences"
There are very few people in Rock ISL
and who do not know of Alex Steel He
was for many years a hardware merchant
here and lis two sons. George and Wills
liam, were with him in the business.
Something less than year ago, the boys
got the western fever. They took the
immortal Horace Grseley's advice and
struck out for the wild west and headed
for the state of grasshoppers and prohi
bition. They landed in Wichita, then Il
small, but growing city They established
themselves there. and are now enjoying
the same respect and prosperity as mer-
chants there that their father did here. 1t
was the older Of these two who addressed
the above remarks to an ARGUS reporter
this morning. He is back at his old home
to spend Thanksgiving week.
What is the population of your cityy'
| asked the scribbler.
"At present we have Is. 900 people but
the next census will show I. large increase
in our population"
ANY prohibition in your town2'
"Well. should say So There is prohi-
bition everywhere in Kansas, but the joke
of it is, it don't prohibit worth cent. "
Are the saloons running in violation
to the law as they are in Iowa?'
mot a bit of it. They don't carry on
an open business, but if man wants a
drink he don't have to go far to get it.
Liquor shops are held in the most un
thought of places. Old shops and sheds
and other out of the way buildings are
resorted to. Once IN a while saloon
keeper is arrested, fined heavily and sent
up for ninety days or such Il matter. Dnr>
ing his confinement friend takes charge
of the ranch and runs it. About the
time he is discovered the original offender
has served his sentence and is out and
takes the place while the other man goes
to jail. They have to license to contend
with, and they can afford to pay heavy
penalty, with the profits they make =.
Then too, large quantities are sold in the
drug stores. A stranger must sign Ger
titlcate to get it, but apcrson well known
has no difficulty in procuring the fiery
fluid without any ceremonies.
What is the popular sentiment on The
law2'
| The general opinion seems to be that
it is humbug and believe if it were to
come before the people again it would be
defeated"
SIS St. John as popular in Kansas as
sver?'
II should say not. He was in our town
the other day, and the papers barely men
| toned the fact that he was in the city.
His star has set, and he commands no
more respect in Kansas than he does
| ~ nh al in I,n ITnita1 Stuina Rnt
the latest Office in Kansas under the press
ent law is that of probate judge. lie
gets a-fee of five cents for every certifi>
cate of the sale of intoxicants he exam :
ines. He can make $50 day as easily as
one. The druggists make good deal out
of it Also
Has the boomer excitement sub
sded?"
mot altogether. Wichita is to some
extent the home of the invaders, and they
seem determined as ever. While the pres
ent administration course on this subject
is upheld by the law abiding class of pco>
pie, the boomers are down on it. They
bolted Arthur for his conduct toward
them, and they thought Cleveland would
act different"
How are crops about Wichita?"
''Splendid the yield has been immense
and the city is reaping the benefit Our
town is so located as to catch the farmers
trade from all the surrounding country,
and having four railroads, we feel that
there is every reason for a continuance of
growth and prosperity"
"How is the city fixed for pleasure re-
sorts?"
1--WE have several nice parks for sums
mer pleasure and recreation, and in the
winter we have the roller Kinks and a
handsome theatre. Such attractions as
Keene, Raymond and the like are booked,
and the house is always packed"
AT this moment the reporters attention
was called to a representative of a morn>
ing paper pursuing dog with tin can
tied to its tail, and he started out to see the
fun, thus bringing the interesting CONVEX,
sation to All abrupt close.
Queer Crafts
e al. I Il, 81, Ill