Wichita eagle., 1888-04-22
WICHITA PRESENT AND FUTURE.
Brief Review Of the City by an Unbiased,
Competent Critic
SaIina Republican. 18th.

salina Republican. 18th.
One week ago, last Thursday dawned
a pleasant day, as far as sunshine and
temperature were concerned, but it
brought with il the Wichita trade mark
wind. The writer has visited Wichita
three different times and has succeeded
in striking three different wind storms.
1t did not blow hard enough, however,
to prevent us from taking the drive we
had planned.
Wichita, hkA kAmany other new towns,
which have phenomenal growth, is
city of magnificent distances" There
is no doubt but that the enterprislng
dealers in reality become too ambitious
and like the New England farmer want
ed all the land that ''jined him. Dur
ing the boom OF two years ago, Wichita
laid out additions that it will take
long time to populate very thickly
with people, but it is our honest
opinion that there was not a suburban
lot bought during the highest prices OF
the boom that will not double in value
within a few years. 1t is only question
of chang on" In the outskirts of the
town the amount of building going on is
wonderful and the legend ''for rent is
seldom seen.
After half swing around the circle,
starting from the Hotel Carey and
driving by way of College Hill, we
arrived at the new town of Burton
.c
which Wichita secured away from
Kansas City, not later than last summer,
and has already built large town
within short distance of the heart of
the city. The company have erected
five mammoth shops, through which
same time, The shifting and belt
ing were all in place and a great
deal of the heavy machinery, at the
time of our visit, and workmen were
then at work on some of the cars. We
see by the EAGLE, since returning home,
that the works began operations last
Tuesday. The capacity for the present
will be twenty-four cars DAY complete.
and they have contracts now on hand
which will take them two years to fill at
lent that all kinds of freight cars Will be
manufactured; such is not the case: only
the Burton palace stock car will be made,
which is the latest improved car for the
carving of live stock. From the shops
been built for the homes of the en-
ployes. 1t contains its stores, hotel.
public hall and hundreds of neat and
ha
works we drove toward the city and
passed the mammoth packing houses
being erected by Jacob Dold & Son,
of Buffalo and Kansas City. An army
of workmen are at work on the foun-
dations and brick laying had commenced,
Both Mr. DOld and his son were busy
overseeing all departments of the labor
In conversation with the famous pork
packer, he said, Il am not building this
for fun, it is to keep my boy out of mis-
chief and Judging from the size of the
plant, if his boy gives 1t much attention,
it will accomplish the old gentleman's
purpose. Near the packing house are
the stock yards. We did not inspect
them closely, but they are all ready to
commence business.
On the opposite side of the river is
the watch factory, which Is built of
stone and will give employment to two
hundred OF more hands and is expected
to be in operation in a short time.
The Crawford Grand opera house, re-
Gently completed, the largest and
handsomest structure in the state
devoted to the drama was opened by the
Conrad opera company, few weeks
ago. 1t is very fine building, furnished
with all the modern Improvements and
will seat 1,400 people. No doubt its
capacity will be tested this week Satur-
day. when Booth and Barrett appear for
a matinee and evening performance.
The Hotel Carey, which was opened
last January is as palatial caravansary
as will be found outside the large cities.
1t is 125 room house and elegantly fur
nished In Mr.. Charlie L. Slough, its
genial manager and part proprietor. we
found an old friend, who formerly kept
the Lake House, at famous Chautauqua
Lake. n. Y. Mr.. Slough is a thorough
hotel man and is making many friends
by the excellent manner in which he
handles the reins of the Carey. The
Carey is not the only first-class
hotel of which Wichita boasts.
The Occidental, now under the per-
sonal management of Mr. A. NJ. DEM
ming, who recently took a lease of the
house for term of years. He Is making
extensive improvements and Judging
from a glance at his register, the house
is doing a splendid business.
This brief review would be incomplete
without a mention of the model home of
the Wichita EAGLE, which, under the !
careful guidance and watchful eye of
NJ. NJ. Murdock, has probably done more
towards advertising Wichita than any
one source. The mechanical department
is supplied with every modern improve
ment from web perfecting press down.
Mr.. Murdock's private sanctum, which !
was furnished by the business men of
Wichita, already has national reputa- |
ton, so we will not enlarge upon It's ele- !
gance and sumptuousness.
We visited many of the banks, stores (
and wholesale houses. and no matter /
where we went. everybody appeared to /
be busy. which is the best evidence of !
thrift and enterprise that a stranger can /
have.
The great secret of Wichita's wonder |
full growth is the unity and hberalIty /
with which her representative business 4
men take hold of a new enterprise. If /
an industry wants 10 come there ana /
thev are satisfied ii VIII benefit the city, /
they all pull together and Immediately /
get there without a factional strife as TO 1
where it shall be located, etc. Once /
secured. each section Of the city Is then
given an opportunity to bid for the loca-
ton. Wichita first, last and always"
is their motto. and it's the only motto On
which a city can be built.
DO KIND DEEDS NOW.