Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-24
SANTA FE OFFICIALS.
NET AT THE DEPOT AND SHOWN
THE CITY.
What President Strong and Others
Had to say Concerning
Wichita.

Yesterday special train from the south
| oyer the Santa Fe brought Mr.. W. b.
| Strong, president of the Atchison, Topeka
& Santa Fe; A. A Robinson, vice-president
and general manager; A. w. Snyder, vice
president and general manager of the Gulf
| California & Santa Fe: Mr.. Severy and
| Burr, directors of the Santa Fe, arriving
at the Douglas avenue station at 2:45. They
were met by A. w. Oliver NJ w. Levy,
O. Davidson, n. F. Niederlander, A W.
Thomas and Mayor J. P. Allen, who had
made arrangements to give the officials a
. drive over the city, knowing that they
| were anxious to observe the wonderful de-
veloprnents in Wichita in the last four
months. Most of the visitors had honored
the city with visits before, but President
Strong knew less from personal observa-
tions than any of them, he not having en-
joyed drive over the city before.
The company was out about two hours.
going west on Douglas avenue to Main,
and north on Main, taking in the Burton
car works, the bold packing house and
other enterprises in that section. They
were told of the wonderful growth of the
West Side, as they had not time TO drive
over and were ready after seeing the north
part Of the city to believe reports concern
ing factories and large business concerns
overithere. Returning to the depot at the
end of two hours they were quite willing
to give expressions of surprise at what
they had seen.
President Strong seemed to be the most
surprised of any of them, as it
was his first personal investigation.
While having in his mind an extensive
knowledge of Wichita he was not prepared
to see such business concerns producing
the results. He impressed those with
him as knowing almost in detail the fig
ures concerning the city's development.
business done as shown by the best author
ity and in no small degree had prepared
himself to see something of wonderful
city. Referring to what he had seen he
told one Of his Wichita friends that Wich-
tia had finer buildings than Topeka,
showed more enterprise than that city
and, in fact, Wichita is the most promis-
ing city on the great Santa Fe system
The business streets, the business move of
every one and the general appearance
did not escape his notice and were
additional sources from which he could
draw correct conclusions concerning the
city's real merit when compared with
others with which he is intimately con-
nected
Concerning new depot building for
Wichita, Mr. Strong said it was no longer
question but that the company should
put up an extensive building. The build
ing at Topeka, he said, is entirely too
small and Wichita called for a larger and
more extensive buildinp than that CITY
He spoke in most favorable terms concern
ing the question. For some time the com
pany has had an architect at Topeka draw
ing plans for the building, and they will
be completed and ready to be seen
by the board of trade in few days 1t is
thought that yesterdays observations will
increase promptness on the part of the
company in giving the city good depot ia
cilities, and will also have good effect in
giving the city building in keeping in
every respect with the citys Importance
and in keeping with the company's bust
ness with the city.
Vice President Robson also expressed
himself as very much surprised at the
city's growth, and thought Wichita far
ahead of Topeka in buildings, business
and everything that goes to make up
a great commercial center He looked
upon Wichita as one Of the most promis-
ing cities in their line and deserving of
special consideration in the matter of the
Improvements. Others of the
party voiced similar sentiments
They left on their special train about )
O'Clock, all seemingly having been very
entertained