Wichita eagle., 1886-09-10
The City Council Sized up the Santa
Fe on the Depot Question
Last Night.
The Company Asks for More Ground, and Some
Members Fear They Want to Get the
City on the Hip Concerning
the Union Depot
Question.

and ChivingtoIs present. His honor, the may
Q OK, soon:appeared
1 Councilman Healy stated that he accom-
panied by Councilman Allen, had on We'd.
e nesday last made a trip to Topeka for the
S purpose of seeing Mr.. Smith, vice-president
and general manager of the Santa Fe road
Z concerning the erection of respectable de-
pot by that road in this city. They had q
talk with the official, and ths history of the
actions of that road toward this city was re-
viewed. He stated that Mr.. Smith was not
aware until informed by him that the Santa
re addition had been plated without any re-
gard to the streets and alleys
of Wichita, which greatly damaged
adjoining property. Other things were
mentioned in which the company had aimed
to hurt the city and impede its growth, taat
, the official disclaimed knowing anything
about. In fact he seemed to be utterly igno-
rant of the state of affairs existing between
the city and the company. Mr. Smith said
that the company desired a deed given them
by the city for strip of land on Fifth avenue
between Douglas avenue and First street
which was about fifty feet wide and six hun
dred long. They now occupied that land
with their tracks but had not a title that
would allow them in safety to build depot
They desired to erect a passenger depot inn
mediately north of Douglas avenue and put
their freight department a short distance
south of the avenue, which would
be accompanied by number of necessary
1 cxxfoboc bo noc,,pioI
more than what they wished a deed for from
the city. He said that if the land asked was
granted they would commence Immediately
the erection of fine passenger and freight
depots The former wonld be Of St Louis
pressed brick with stone trimmings, while the
latter in all probability would be made of
stone.
Mr.. Healy said that Mr.. Smith did not
give any idea as to the plan of the depot or
commit himself concerning its cost.
Councilman Carey then asked Mr.. Healy
who the ground belonged to- The latter an
swered that it belonged to the city 'All the
parties along the line, he continued, ''have
given them there consent that the city should
give them that ground.
Mr.. Carey then gained the floor and said
that he had met Mr.. N. A. English some
time before the meeting, and had invited
him to the council meeting for the purpose
of gaining some information from him con-
erning the matter, thinking he would be
good authority on the subject, as he had had
some dealings with that company in that
part of the city.
Mr.. English was present and being called
upon said, 1.-The Santa Fe company has never
fulfilled q contract made either to the city of
Wichita or to a citizen of Wichita. l gave
them lots near their track for Sl25 piece, |
which for the entire amount of land was Civ
ing them 81, 800 at the then price of lots with !
depot one hundred feet south of Douglas |
avenue. They failed to do that as well as
some Other things specified in the contract |
They have no right to a deed to that street |
nor have you any right to give it to
them"
Mr.. Healy then said, 1.-THE company now
asks for what everybody thinks they now
have. Mr. Smith, however, sees that they
have not title that would make them safe
in building depot Oh it SO he asks for it."
English interrupting Mr. Healy said that
Robinson, Smiths predecessor had told him
that Smith was the cause Of the depot not
already having been built. That freight
depot had been placed there and those
switches constructed according to his plans"
Judge Campbell was then asked
for his opinion on the sub
ject and stated that he believed he saw
what the Santa Fe company was after. They
see that probably the city council will some
time want union depot, and having granted
the grounds on which to erect depot, the
with the union depot scheme. He thought
the matter looked very suspicious and tho
former dealings of the city with that compa-
ny warranted caution in future contracts.
Mr.. Carey stated the he desired to call spe-
cia attention of the members of the council
to or finance 164. "On reading that no
said, you will see that the road has not
treated the city as it agreed to or should
have done. It gives them the right
to construct their track from Third street.
Since have been on the railroad committee
have looked over the matter. They have
kept promising, promising and promising,
but do nothing. Mr.. English said well when
he statei that they do not make their prom
ise' gool. They want you to make the title
good, but will not carry out this contract
any better than they have ordinance 164 1t
Is trick on their part in wanting more ter
ritory. When a man breaks promise with
ME once l watch him ever after. This thing
should not be acted upon until the next
meeting, when we will have more time TO
think about it. Think over it calmly and
quietly aad you will be better prepared TO
act wisely on it." /
Make an examination for yourself and
see if that crossing at Third street is a good
one. When told them about it they did
not fix it
and Allen going to Topeka They can go up
there OF on to New York if they want to;
but don't remember that the city council
sent them up there to confer with the officials
Of the Santa Fe railroad about the depo.
they have repeatedly promised to build but
have not"
Mr.. Healy-"Mr. Carey says good enough
as far as he goes VIII explain how Allen
AID come TO go to Topeka. Last week l
met Mr.. Nickerson who mentioned the depot
matter to me and he proposed that couple OF
the councilmen go up to Topeka and see Mr..
Smith about it He issued passes for US and
we made the trip We did not make blow