Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-02-13
PRATT PLUMAGE =.
o the Editor of the Eagle,

To the Editor of the Eagle.
To write or not to write, that is the ques-
ton, for since my last all enterprises OF
great pith and moment have their currents
turned away, and, so lost the name of action
that there is little of interest to write about
Our young bloods have organized an anna
teur base ball club, and have improved q
portion of the fine weather of the past few
DAYS in practice on the national game. A
roller skating rink is in full blast each eve
ming, in Doanes building, and the early
hours of night are rendered hideous to dwell
lers thereby, with the monotonous roars,
broken by spells with "sickening thuds" as
the unskillful occasionally strike the 'center
of gravtation" with more force than ele-
gance.
The public conscience has been somewhat
ouickened and the moral atmosphere
little cleaned by a series OF pro-
tracted meetings, conducted in the ''good old
way" Mt Ryan's hall, and though but few
have "professed and confessed some good
has been accomplished, evidenced By our
city dads having passed an ordinance to
suppress gambling and to prohibit gaming
houses, measure which meets with de-
cided approval from our citizens, for, while
but few of these robbers roosts have in
fected this city, here, as in all other towns,
there are some, and the "black legs are
getting too bold. The citizens of Pratt are
Justly proud of their record, SO far, as
peaceable, orderly and law-abiding people
and the fact reflects great credit on the town,
which was for months without an officer
authorized to command the peace,
yet notwithstanding that fact. we
have II city not yet ten months
old, containing 700 people, and no one has
been shot or stabbed or otherwise injured
BY violence, no robberies, burglaries or
thefts committed, but the law has reigned
supreme.
Many new residences are being commenc-
ed and town lots are being sought after with
avdity, and every sign of the times points
to another year of rapid growth in our city.
Col. Tom. Simpson, the genial and tircless
secretary of the town company, having re-
Gently returned from a visit of recuperation
among the scenes of his nativity in Ohio, is
again at his post, welcoming with his CHEEKY
voice and frank, cordial greetings, all new
corners, and making them feel right at home
in less than no time. And it is but a just
tribute to worthy gentleman to say that
Col. Simpson possesses qualities of head and
heart, and marked individuality, which
inspires every one who meets him
with respect for the man, and confidence in
his word, respect and confidence nowise
misplaced, and the people of our city who
know him best, feel that to his faithful and
untiring efforts, the city owes its present
prosperity, and hattering prospects in very
marked degree.
Our streets are very fortunately laid off
on ground sloping from the center of the
town like very gradual inclined plane to
all points of the compass, aifording superior
natural drainage, and thus are at all times
and seasons, exempt from very deep mud,
but this trying ordeal, especially to the
daughters of Eve, has been obvated by u
bran new line of sidewalks on Main street
extending in an almost unbroken stretch for
a quarter of mile on each side of the street
and presenting an agreeable prospect to the
passenger afoot.
Our citizens, as one man, are preparing to
rise up and plant trees in their yards and on
the streets fronting their lots; most COM
mendable enterprise, and one which made
Wichita "city of beauty and joy for
ever"
Green, of Kingman, has thus early in the
new year found it necessary to put another
daily stage on his line from kingman TO
Pratt to meet the rush of travel coming to
this rich and inviting region, beside which
the much wanted Oklahoma country is like
unto desert waste, and the writer knows
whereof he speaks, having several years ago
traversed through Oklahoma when working
as government surveyor, and is pleased to
zee that late issues of the EAGLE set this
matter, as to the nature of the country,
right before the people.
But this discussive letter is already too
engthy and begging indulgence for its lack
IF interest, must be closed. G. III. 4.