Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-01-03
NEW YORK TRIBUNE ON WICHITA
a Genuine Growth in Commerce and
Manufactures.

Manufactures.
Editorial in New York Tribune of the 18th nit
| An article in Harper's Weekly, which
is frankly devoted to the exploitation OF
the town of Wichita, Kan, tells an in
teresting and characteristic story OF a
boom. We grow so used to the miraculous
growth and development which occur in
the west, that we cease to appreciate the
fact that they are something more than
commonplace happenings. That a town
which had only 20 inhabitants IN 1870
should now have nearly 10000, with two
colleges housed in handsome buildings.
beautiful theater, daily newspaper
printed on a perfecting press from
stereotype plates, and all the other char
acteristics of highly civilized COM
munity, would be regarded in any other
quarter of the world as a development
amazing beyond belief. But in the
American commonwealth, which is
growing. as a young lad does, SO fast
that it hardly knows itself, we have to
be told that such things are coming to
pass within our own borders.
Perhaps the most interesting phase in
the history of this boom is connected
with the influence exerted by newspa-
per, and its peculiar effect. 1t should be
understood, to begin with, that for a
time Wichita h Il the reputation Of be-
ing one of the worst places in Kansas,
and was not unjustly treated in this re-
spect. The next station was known on
the railroad as ''the first station beyond
perdition." In 1882, only six years ago,
the systematic effort to build up the
place and improve its character began.
This was led by Marshall II. Murdoch,
editor of the Wichita EAGLE. who, in
order to make it clear beyond dispute
that his efforts We're disinterested, re-
Trained from investing 3 single penny in
land, leaving his only share in the in
creased prosperity of the town to be de-
rived through his newspaper.
He sacrificed the opportunity to
make large fortune. but
as an inevitable consequence secured an
almost unbounded influence for his pa
per. Its word was law in local affairs.
The people respected it because they
knew that no selfish or corrupt motive
lurked beneath any Of its utterances.
The popular trust and confidence in it
were shown in a singular way. 1t had
been from the outset the organ of the
boom. It had carried 10 the central and
eastern states accounts Of the natural
of Wichita that had attract
time arrived when the editor became
convinced that danger point had been
reached. Men We're beginning to lose
their heads. Prices We're reaching a
dizzy figure. \ few months more, and
there would have been an orgy of specu-
lation, such as other towns have passed
through, followed doubtless by crush
ing reaction and long stagnation.
Then il was that the newspaper dicta-
tor, for such he is represented as being,
rendered his unique service. His paper
one day with an article that
carried CONSERVATION among the real
estate SPECTATORS. many Of whom were
hiS personal friends. 1t declared that
the boom must END. II did END, and it
was soon seen that it was well to have it
end. The growth of the town went on
even more rapidly than before, but It
was a solid growth. The places of the
spectators were taken by investors,
and merchants, bringing
real business with them. and often a
great deal of it. Four years ago,
when the boom was under full
Roadway, the town had no more than
1000 people, and row, when it is q
thing of the past, it has nearly 10000.
the present rate of increase being appar-
emily nearly 10000 a year.
There is an obvious lesson in this for
new towns. where the boomer confirm
ally boometh his boom. Ii IS that q CITY
Is not built up by the transfer OF corner
lots, but by genuine growth in com
mcrce and manufactures, and by a de-
Of the arts of civilization.
These are not hastened. but rather re-
tarded by these speculative deliriums.
which must come to an end, and which,
unless checked in time, viii surely leave
a legacy Of exhaustion and depression
behind.