The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-04-18
BEAUTIFUL HOMES IN WICHITA.

The time for identifying lawns and
residence property finds the Wichita peo-
pie, as a rule, giving the attention de-
manded A number of gentlemen IN some
way seized the topic yesterday for an all
round talk. and it was generally admitted
that the appearance of residence property
was observed closely by visitors from east
ern cities especially. and it was quite I'M
portant that Wichita should ever lead
western towns in this mark of attention
and the day had come when to lead west
ern towns was not all Of it. 1t was be
lieved the city in this particular should
even lead the old eastern towns, which
would not only give the visitor favorable
impression of Wichita as a rustling COM
mercial city, but also establish the fact
that IL is a city of pleasant and beautiful
homes. One of the gentlemen gave his
opinion as follows:
When we represent the many advantages
of the west to an eastern brother, we are
accustomed to furnish evidence of such
character as appeals TO the male members
of the family, and in their character of
bread winners, the importance we attach
to that phase l will not underestimate.
Since there can be no stronger reason
given than the independence we are striy-
ing for Is so much easier secured in the
new energetic west than in the older and
slower east, and our advantages of educa-
ton, morals and society are such as VIII
quite satisfy the average easterner, but IN
some things we are behind the east, and in
things that women highly appreciate. IN
this line wish TO point out that IN find
ing new homes in strange lands,
there is an important point gained,
when the women of the family are
satisfied or attracted by the new locality,
which brings me down to the immediate
home surroundings, house, grounds, lawns,
or yards of Wichita. They are largely as
they ought not to be, that is they are not
as a rule well kept, although there is an
Improvement in that direction and few
are very good indeed If it were
difficult or impossible TO have well kept
lawns, flower beds and other effects of
the landscape gardeners art, there
would be an excuse, but the fact
IS that there is no spot in this
country, with more or greater natural ad-
vantages in that direction than Wichita,
and it would seem that all that is required
is to have our people awaksned to the
great good they can 50 cheaply bring
about"
Continuing he added: owe lack emu
lation in that matter and If we only had
one moderately large piece of ground de
corated in the best, style of the art and
maintained in that condition, the desire for
beautiful grounds would grow, and it would
soon result in our having the most beautiful
homes in the west. Our new court house
grounds are large enough, and If those
grounds were graded, laid out in walks,
lawns, flower beds and maintained to the
high standard that our climate and soil
would justify, we would at once prove to
all strangers as well as many Of our own
people, thatw could easily be as beautiful
as we are great as city. To do this
would not be expensive, as the additional
cost above ordinary efforts would not be
great. and that cost would be borne by the
county including Wichita, and we would
have an example that would inspire our
people to make our homes so beautiful
that it would attract the ladies as greatly
as our material advantages attract their
husbands and brothers"
He reached the conclusion: Let US
beautify our homes and surroundings"