Wichita eagle., 1888-01-29
THE STOCK YARDS
Reopen Tomorrow For the Recep.
ton of Stock With Ample
Accommodations.
The Yards Thoroughly Equipped with All
the Modern Facilities ard Conven-
iences-The Directory, Officers and
Management Of the Best
Yards in the West

! The Union Stock yards are again ready
for business and tomorrow the yards
will be open for the reception of stock.
The company have certainly shown com
mendable zeal and energy in the rapidity
with which they have sought to retrieve
the loss wrought them by the disastrous
confagration which completely DESTROYED
last October their large and excellent
property.
The Union Stock Yard company was
formed February 10, 1887, with capital
stock of 500, 600; the following gentlemen
being incorporators: j. o. Davidson, w.
| X. Carlisle, \. A. English, w. r. Du-
laney, Talton Embry The directors were
the same as the ineorporators; and J. O.
| Davidson was elected president; c.
G. A. Walker. treasurer, and Talton En-
| bry, superintendent They asked no bonus
from the city but with entire faith in their
enterprise depended entirely upon their
own resources. The present most favora
bic site, at the crossing of the Santa Feand
the Fort Scott was chosen and then i'm
mediate preparations were made for con-
sfruction Of the sheds.
On May !, this was commenced, it con-
tinued during the summer and by Oct. u,
the work was completed and looked upon
with pride by every Wichitan. Seven and
half acres were under roof. The yards
were well supplied with water
scales, stalls, feed and storage
quarters; in fact everything was
complete and the yards were the best
not only in the state but in the whole
west. The first shipment of cattle, was re-
celved and on the night OF the 18th of
October. three days after it was declared
open; the structure was set on fire by some
unknown parties and WAS entirely con-
Sumed by the flames. On the morning OF
the 10Th, instead of the magnificent stock
yards there was but its snIouldering
ruins.
The sympathizing citizens Immediately
offered to donate money enough to rebuild
the yard in consideration of the fact that
the company had at the first asked no
bonus from the city. This they refused to
receive; but offered to rebuild upon the
condition that the city would furnish them
"A market for stock received and the super
lntendent further guaranteed that the
yards would be ready for the reception of
stock in the early spring. AS is well known
the people did their part by securing the
great pork packing establishment of Jacob
Dold & Son for Wichita
Having received this assurance the com
pany went to work Immediately, and in
three days after the fire the
contract for material for the
new sheds had been let. The capital stock
was increased and the directors seeing the
great demand that was about to be made
on them to meet the new demands, pur-
chased a large tract of land adjoining the
present yards. With, then, the same di
rectors and officers as before the new yards
were three weeks after the destruction of
the old ones, commenced. With
true Wichita energy and industry
the work was kept up, and was
stopped only on account of the severe
weather. Finally they were completed
last week far enough to be opened tomor-
row.
The sheds as they now stand cover three
and onehalf acres of ground, but early in
the spring the work will be resumed, and
the same area as before covered. They can
now accommodate one hundred and TWEEN
ty car loads of stock. The sheds are sup
piled with water from the water works and
completely fitted with all the latest and
best Improvements. Besides these advan-
tages the yards have the added advantage
of situation and ease OF access, having
track connection with all the railroads
running into Wichita
They are now beyond any doubt the best
arranged and most satisfactory yards in
the state; while when completed they will
stand without rival in the west.
The fine three story stock yards hotel
near the yards themselves, was not injured
in the least by the fire, and in it at present
Mr. w. NJ. Pray is keeping an excellent
house. This beautiful building has in the
second and third stories forty good
room, besides parlOrs. kitchen, dining |
and other rooms needed in a first-class |
hotel. On the lower floor are thirteen |
office rooms.
In this building will be the commission |
firms, seven in al, which are prepared to !
conduct well and legitimately the business
that may be entrusted to their care.
There are too store buildings upon the /
a large livery and feed barn, which will be !
run in connection with the yards.
The men at the head of this enterprise |
are all men of wealth and influence and |
some of the best known finan-
cers and business men of Wichita. Those |
in charge are also thoroughly familiar
with the details of the business. Mr.. Tai
ton Embry, the superintendent, although
A young man, has had a very extended eX-
perience, having been almost all
his life connected with the
Covington or Louisville, Kentucky.
Yards. He is a live, energetic man and
has the confidence Of the directory and all
with whom he has had any business rela-
lions. Mr.. l.. {. Sharp has recently ar
rived from the east to act as yard master
He, too. comes very highly recommended
He has been for the last SIX years yard
master of the Covington yard and before
hat at the Cleveland. Ohio yard. He is"
SAYS Mr. Embry. 1.-The best man in that
capacity in the United States" The
of the interior OF the yard
will be in him and there is no doubt but
hat it will be in excellent hands.
!