The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1889-05-29

1889 began, or are in process Of construction
/ have no doubt that nearly or quite one
thousand buildings will be erected in
Muncie in this year Of 1889 I hear you
say boom. / say no, there is no boom on
nom. That there will be one later on have
no doubt. 1t is at present growth simple
and honest, but rapid. Rapidly as the
buildings are going up, there are none
empty; and not only this, but 1t is almost
impossible to find one If you want to rent.
Hundreds of men now working here can
not find houses; therefore they can not
bring their families here. have no doubt
that ii some enterprising fairy would try
her hand at building five hundred houses
some fine night she could rent them all at
good prices within week A large share
OF the houses now building cost from $3.50
TO 5000. Such houses rent from fifteen TO
twenty per cent of cost of house and lot
AS the city grows such property must adj
vance in price, thus securing another large
per cent on the investment. More houses
is the great need of Muncie to-day. In my
Judgment no better-payng enterprise could
be engaged in by Vermont people who
wish safe and profitable investment than
to form strong building association to buy
lots and build houses thereon in Muncie.
These houses could be rented at once, and
many could be sold in short time, il de-
sired, at large profit, for many of the work
men in the factories wish TO own their
homes. An association, by contracting for
built cheaper than by the single house;
then, by selling out at the single house price
a good profit would be made. But to rent
and hold awhile would pay larger return,
Tor great advance in prices must come soon
have referred to Muncie as Muncie the
beautiful, and / confidently call upon any
of the Vermont party who have been here
10 bear me out in my statement. If they
were not all as well impressed with the
place as | am it was because they did not see
90 VNaH sl az Irs,N l. Il
equally well impressed, and none who were
able hesitated to invest. Prices of real es-
tate are firm and high on the principal
streets in the thckly-settled portion of the
city, but on the outskirts the company
property and few tracts of inside property
held by individuals can be bought, as it
seems to me, very cheaply, especially when
one considers that these same outskirts
must soon become the center Of population
| for owing to the lay of the land and the
situation of the factories, the growth must
| be mainly to the south and east, though |
have no doubt that later on the country to
the north and west will be largely built up
with superior class of houses.
Nowhere could there be more favorable
site for large city, Lying nearly level at
! good elevation above the White river,
which is quite rapid stream, and in a loop
OF the river, good sanitary arrangements are
easy of attainment. Muncie ia liberal and
progressive city. 1t has excellent sew
ers, water and fire systems; the streets are
graded to a nicely and are either paved or
macadamzed or graveled. A great deal of
attention has been paid to adjoining the
streets with shade-trees. Nearly every rod
| of its many miles of streets, aside from its
main business streets, is set on both sides
with naples which thrive nicely. This ap-
| plies, OF course, to the older part of the
city. What that now is the newer part will
soon become. Muncie has fine sidewalks
as rule, and what are not now all they
should be will soon be improved, as a large
| force OF men is constantly employed on the
streets and sidewalks.
Munce has a courthouse that is much
finer than any building l ever saw in Yer
mont, and feel sure l have seen the best
Vermont has. The high school building is
much finer than those at Montpelier and
| Burlington 1t stands in the center of an
rounding it, adorned with nicely-kept trees,
| flowers and grass. The courthouse also
stands in the center of whole square and
is approached from all sides by broad
walks, and well-kept grass and flowers
occupy all the space not taken up by the
walks. The many arches of light spanning
the business streets keep them almost as
light as at MONDAY The crowded condi-
ton of the streets and stores indicates that
it is good point for trade. The business
blocks will not average as well as those of
Montpelier and Burlington, though there is
One-the Anthony block-tiner than any in
either of those places The hotels are not
all on an average with Montpelier or Bur-
lington, and one of the needs Of the place is
a fine, large hotel, similar to the Pavilion or
Van Ness. Still, the Kirby house is very
nicely fitted up and a well-kept hotel.
Now | really have said much more than
at first intended and have only touched
upon the subject, but if you wish / will try
to keep you informed as to events in the
future. To my friends | send greetings,
Yours respectfully, GEORGE NJ FLETCHER,