Wichita eagle., 1888-10-13
WACO PAVING.
Meeting at Board OF Trade Rooms Last Evening
Petition Produced and Signed--Dis-
cu=sion OF Question.

prGS6lSutS. III tuGS1 WHO were pTSScut
were seen some of the leading properly
owners. The question was discussed in
rather informal way. The evenings in
vestigation commenced with the chairman,
Mr.. Sherwood, calling on Mr.. Alexander
TO read letter received from Street Com
missioner Jos. II. Fitch, Of Chicago, on
the concrete paving. At the close Of the
reading Mr.. Sherwood stated that he had
been giving the matter daily consid-
Grafton and the result had been TO
increase his convictions and zeal
for the proposed improvements
He favored the meeting taking some steps
forward in the matter. with view at least
OF getting a definite answer from ali the
property owners on the avenue.
Mr. Alexander stated that he had talked
with Mr. Garrison, of Chicago, who was
familiar with paving as with sewer build
ing He was shown samples of the rock
used for the paving of joplin, Missouri.
The samples are on exhibition at the board
Of trade rooms and Mr.. Ciarkson seemed
TO be of the opinion that it would be
equally as coed as granite aud was much
surprised that it could be put down on
Wichita streets for the amount quoted
He reported Mr.. Clarkson as being in
clined to think it was the proper material
to use
Mr. Geo. L. Rouse inquired what part
of the avenue was most likely TO
offer the most resistance to the proposed
improvement to which Mr.. Sherwood re-
piled there would be but little opposition
between Seventeenth and Park streets.
He thought most of the opposition from
Park TO Third would be overcome by an
explanation of advantages and cost.
Mr.. Rouse then remarked that Waco
would if paved be one os the finest streets
in the city. He thought his property
would be enhaced by far more than the
cost of making the improvement. In his
opinion Thirteenth and Seventeenth streets
would make good northern terminus
NO question that eastern Peep e would
not recognize US as city without single
paved street"
This was followed by a gentleman who
stated that the measure would meet with
telling opposition between Elm and Pine
streets. He thought the scheme was not
good one for a poor man. Mr.. Sherwood
stated that he knew it would increase the
value Of property much more than the
cost Of improvement, and in that way be a
business investment. This called out
remark from Mr.. Smith, who stated that
paving streets at Council Bluffs had de-
creased the property in value.
Mr.. Rouse asked the question why il is
that people in cities pave streets. He in
CURED if they did it for fun. He wondered
if it is possible for all cities to make mis-
takes. Referring TO it being a hardship
on poor men he said that rich men did not
want to throw away their money any more
than poor men; in fact, by reason of the
principle Of saving money most rich men
became rich, and a good business invest
ment might help peer man as well as a
rich one.
J. c. Richey stated that in the boom
days Waco avenue was not thought Of
Very little property changed hands until
there was a talk about paving and then
values doubled IN a few days The affair
proved a false alarm, or at least the avenue
has not been paved as yet, and the fellows
who started it knew it would help values
and got a good thing because they knew
their business.
Mr.. Alexander interrupted with the re-
mark that since the present agitation
there was more inquiry for property on
Waco than on any other street in the city.
He knew of number of prominent men
who were talking of building or living on
the avenue if paved.
Mr.. Rouse suggested that the first
street energetic and business like
enough to pave would get more
benefit from it than the second street sim
Harry improved, and in turn the second
would get more advantage from it than
the third, and so forth. He predicted
values on the part of Waco paved would
double in value in very short time. In
addition it would be credit TO the city.
That might be small argument to some
who cared nothing for themselves and
merely looked with both eyes on their own
interest without any city pride. At any
rate they ought TO be willing to help the
city when by SO doing they would greatly
help themselves.
Sherwood then remarked that lit was
quite certain that Waco avenue would be
paved from Seventeenth street south TO
some point. And it would be business to
take in as much as possible, for the work
of issuing bonds for many blocks would be
but'little more than only for Que block.
He then presented the following petit
ton:
To the Mayor and Council Of the City OF Wichita:
Your undersigned residents and prop
erty overs adjoining Waco avenue ueti-
tons praying that you cause Waco avenue
to be paved from Seventeenth street 70
street twenty feet on each side OF
center street and cause each side OF said
street for said distance to be curbed and
guttered. all TO be done under the laws of
the cities of the irst-class. made and pro-
vided in such cases, and we Will ever pray,
etc.
The petition was signed by the follow
inv Waco property owners:
Daniel Sherwood. L T. Sherwood. Mary |
E Rouse, Geo. L. Rouse, ". H Stern
burg, A J. Russell, c. W. Conkling, V. Z /
AppIeby, J. c. Richey, J. D. Alexander.
The petition viii be circulated industri- |
ously today among the property owners, |
and the matter be made ready 70 90 be- |
fore the next regular meeting Of the coun- /
Gil for action. 1t would seem safe to say
that those in opposition to the scheme VIII 1
also come before the city council with a 1
remouStrance, asking that the measure be !
allowed To die a natural death in case il is /
not thought best 10 murder it in embryo. .
The interest taken IN the matter is almost /
as great as that on any other matter of /
public improvement. confined mostly, !
however, to those wao are property own /
ers on Waco, which. however, includes 1
number of citizens on other streets !
aud avenues who have commenced 4
10 investigate and agitate the /
question The interest outside I
Waco avenue seems 70 be sort of echo |
and spirit manifested TO see what viii /