Wichita daily eagle., 1886-04-16

"nAcu fnases Tue amount inVestoo IN properly
on that street to s5l, 500, was made viz: The
opera house property, which was held by an
association Of gentlemen who took It from
the original incorporation, and which they
sold yesterday to Mark Oliver and Hiram
Imboden for $25.Oo0 cash.
Mr.. Kimmerle got his lot for building on
it, and now sells it for $11,50O. This is the
way fortunes are made in Wichita real es-
tate; and fortunes yet await the plucky spec
ulstor. Influences which make great cities
are eliminating in favor Of the vigorous
young giant at tie confluence of the Big
and Little Arkansas rivers, to an
extent that double discounts all rivals in
the state. For years this city has been an
astonisher to all beholders and every one
admitted that it was a live city, but not
until this spring has our city demonstrated
its commanding position as . commercial
center. Its realty is doubling and
doubling until now no one Ia able to ap-
pro1imats its valuation. This property ID
not hampered by any bonded Indebtedness
worth speaking of. With but little debt and
. small rate of taxation, We can favorably
compare finances with any other city in the
state, and invite the critical attention of in
vestors in all parts Of the United States.
The manifeat destiny Of Wichita is now
attracting capitalists from all parts of the
country and they are arriving by every
train. The wholesale trade is developing in
obedience to the demands Of the surround
ing territory. 1t commands the attention Of
railroad corporations because of its situation
with respect to great and fertile region
where new avenues of commerce are daily
opening and to all of which this city holds
the key.
A city does not grow without adequate
causes. Men do not build fine residences
and big business houses for mere show. The
record of building improvements last year
sstonished ali comers, but that this record
will be oversbadowed this year tnerc Is not
particle Of doubt. Iu fact, there are as
many buildings underway now as were built
all told last year. The architects ara ss
busy rs they can be on new plans, and all
the schemes hear under contemplation are
enough to make ne doubt my ability TO
keep track Of things this year.
Terry & Dumont are at work on the plans
of Robert Blacks house, corner of Hydrau-
lie and Douglas avenues. This will be among
the very finest yet built in this city. The
front elevations make fine show It will
be 4Sx63, two stories high and contain
twelve rooms, with heaters and bathrooms,
ond all modern improvements. These arch
itects are also making plans for fine house
for W. X. Carlisle on North Emporia ave-
nue., and one for Mr.. Fegtley on South
Main street.
The bids for an additional story on
Mr.. Hartwich's block, on Douglas avenue,
have been opened. and the result sent to Mr..
Hartwich at st. Joe, Mo. D. H. Downing's
bid is the lowest.
Architect Kellogg is at work on the plans
of H. NJ. Patterson's three-story brick block,
to be built on North Main street, just south
of Robson & Millcr's new building.
l heard that Hacker and Jackson, and
others, contemplated tearing down all those
frame sheds and shanties on the south side
of Douglas avenue, between Fourth and
Exton's building, and build fine brick row
in their stead. So it goes. Go where you
will, and talk to whom you may, you hear
of big building schemes, and the Santa Fe
railroad have come to recognize the inevita-
BILE, and are going to join the procession
and build US the finest depot on the road.
Superintendent II. X. Nickerson has been
here the past three days, and has been
figuring around very slyly. cav him
and Mr.. n. A. English going of together
yesterday afternoon and I followed them
away down the yards to see what they were
up to. 1 met Mr.. English aiterward and
asked him what was up. He said Mr.. Nick
erson enjoined secrecy, therefore be would
not tell. l met Mr.. Nickerson and he asked
me if the train had arrived on the Rock
Island yet. In reply TO my question as to
what the Santa Fe was going to do, he said;
ave have begun track laying at Mulvane."
"Yes, but" said "whas are you going to do
here'" "well guess we will have to build
. d epot though l can't tell you much about
it yet. The board Of directors will proba-
bly, come to some understanding about il to-
day. Two years ago when nobody knew
what this town would amount to the Santa
Fe entered into an agreement with the Fris-
CO and ever since the Santa Fe's
hands have been tied so they
could do nothing. II il no small affair; the
yard will al have to be torn up and changed.
which will cost abou. $4,000. Anyhow,
the Santa Fe will build depot
Some think this 10 scheme Of the Santa
Fe to get property that some other company
might want.
1 was talking with E. F. Burnett, special
agent of tie Santa Fs. He says he
vas in California lately. and although there
were q great many going there, IT Is not -
lively as Kansas. In all his travels be says
be finds no place like Kansas and no place
ike Wichita
W. B. Hutchison says the way things are
lone in this city with respect to opening out
'treets is IN outrage on the poor man, and
ne is about right For insAAnce, . man
buys . block Of land and sells . lot here
md there. After awhile the dwellers therein
petition TO have some of the streets at the
Of which tie addition lies. opened
,p, AID the council opens It, paying him for
he land. Nov the opening Of this street
benefits him almoss solely, enhancing the
ralue of his property, and don't benefit the
general public, especially the poor mar, aI
,articie. The way they do in eastern cities
s to assess benefits against the man BY
whose property . stree: j. opened, and they
make him pay for il instead Of paying him
The opening Of . street through one Of
hoec new additions enhances the value Of
he whole property often more than The
shole thing cost The poor man has Ill |
hese burdens TO bear. II must be borne in !
mind that TIE laborer, whether b owns . |
oos ct land or pays dollar TN directly. = |
lwsys . taxpayer indirectly. Il ~ 70 J