Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-05-06
A FORTUNE EASILY MADE.
Land Speculation in the West Which Yield
Immense Returns.
Kansas Times

In Kansas city oftener than any other
city, perhaps, instances occur of where
large fortunes have been made from real
estate thought to be worthless. The most
notable case, as well as the most romatic,
Is that of Rev. David Walk, a minister of
the Christian sect, who in 1873 purchased
five acres of ground for $780, which he
sold Saturday to Messrs. J. S. Ford and
FL. 2. Jacques for S66, 800. The property
is located at Ninth Olive streets and at
the pulpit in one of the principal churces
in memphis. The circumstances leading
to the purchase are interestingly related
by Mr. Walk. my health had been fail
ing for some time," said Mr. Walk, ''and
to recuperate it decided to take trip
through the West. Being, like most min
listers; dependent on my profession for a
livelihood and conscious that the time
would come when [ should have to give
up preaching, [ also determined to look
out for place near some thriving city
where L could retire from" the ministry
and get my living from the ground. The
first places [ visited in Missouri were Car
rOlton, Springfield and Bolton. At each
the people of our church offered to give
me home if / would locate with them,
and at Bolton the church proposed to
deed fifteen acres of ground to me and
build residence on it if I would accept
the passionate there.
"When l left home [ had no idea of
visiting Kansas City, but being so near
1t decided to come here before accept
ing either of the propositions. I accord
lngly did so and found the people desir-
Gus of having me take charge of little
church then being established. AS l lik-
ed the looks of the town [ accepted the
charge and prepared to bring my family
here. Driving into the country with
friend one day to see if [ could find
tract of land to my liking. came upon
cOrnfield, five acres of which were for
sale. [ bought the property the next
day and after thirteen months I moved to
Cincinnati, where I took charge of the
largest church in our denomination. Two
years later [ went to indianapolis and
after four years to New Orleans, where I
am now pastor of church. It was while
at Indianapolis that l leacned that nv
land was likely to make my fortune. [
received several letters from capitalists
in Kansas City, Offering to take the prop
erty off my hands. The first offer which
was made three years ago, was $4,000. A
little while later somebody offered $4,000
ing me $4,000 for the property. My re-
ply was, on postal card to the effect
that [ had no desire to sell and that I ex-
pected some day to turn my acres into a
good garden. In few days [ received a
pleasant note from the gentleman, asking
me what kind of vegetables [ expected to
raise on ground worth $500 an acre
You came to Kansas City then, did
you nOt?" Yes, [ cams back for the first
time since my departure in 1879 and was
not little surprised to see a city on all
sides of my whilom cornfeld. [ had
been here but few days when received
an offer of $4,000, which I refused. The
bids kept jumping up $500 at time until
a few weeks ago [ received a half dozen
of 100000. [ came on to Kansas City last
week and Saturday, as you know, sold out
for S66,500. [ have said nothing of the
it has cost me to keep possession
of my little tract. Preachers salaries are
not usual exOrbitant, and it WIS often hard
for me to support my family and pay the
taxes, small as they were. But l did it
and have now competency"
Mr.. Walk is a tall, robust, cIerical-look-
ing gentleman, on the right SIDE of fifty
andif appearances go for anything Will
enjoy the fruits of his timely investments
for many years to come. He said he
should not attempt to increase his fortune
but would make q safe investment, where
the interest would be sufficient to support
his family. Messegs, Ford and Jacques
will plat the property and place il upon
the market