Wichita eagle., 1890-02-25
CORROBORATIyE DETAIL.

| To the editor of the Eagle.
! The eulogistic remarks of Captain
James S. Wise concerning Wichita, re.
ported in last Fridays EAGLE, may ap-
pear strong, but in my judgment his views
are within reasonable limits. Captain
Wise is as well known and highly re-
spected on all the steamboat lines of all
! western rivers from head waters to the
gulf, and among the people of Cincinnati
as Captain William Mathewson is in
Wichita. The estimation in which he is
held in his own city is most correctly un-
derstood by mentioning that he has faith
fully served as treasurer of Hamilton
county number of years, and whether
speaking of the present or future of Wich-
ita the opinion OF such man is certainly
entitled to great weight. However that
may be, l am anxious to 90 on record, and
surround my own views with a few per-
sonal recollections.
have before me at this moment a busi-
ness card which reads: Empire House.
w ichita, Nan; Harry Sheldon, manager. "
1t was handed to me when | was leaving
that hotel in the summer of 1872. And |
also quote fro m a letter dated Wichita,
August, 1872, in which, writing to my best
half at Cincinnati. say: 1T would not
take long to count the population or num-
ber of houses, but there is something
about the people-business people of
Wichita-that assures me this is an
embryo city; for example. what
better indication could stranger
have when he finds a newly
printed bill of fare giving iced tea and all
The etceteras and a snow white napkin at
every meal, IN the hotel Of place not two
years old."
l distinctly remember that during the
same visit | happened along on the east
side of Main north of Douglass Ave. and
found two or three of the present nabobs
of Wichita helping each other in the con-
structiou OF one story frame building
which was then regarded as grander en-
terprise than either the Sedgwick, Eletch-
er or Zimmerly Is now. And the corner
referred to, or either corner of Main and
Douglas Ave, with only ordinary improve
ments would sell for $1,000 cash to-day.
Instead of aiming TO scoop my friend Capt.
Wise respecting the gilt of prophecy |
stand right at his side IN saying there are
facts and good business reasons for believ-
ing Wichita viii increase in wealth and
population more rapidly in the next FIVE
years than in any five years
of her past history. Capt. Wise
knows where l have business and
residence property in Cincinnati and be
ready TO sell the same at the present cash
selling prices OF property and would in
vest the proceeds OF same in inside Wich-
ita property at present cash selling prices.
Could | say In0res Tom Corwin, the
greatest orator of his time next TO Henry
Clay. III responding 20 toast az grand
banquet given him in New York said:
Cincinnati has her hogs and her lawyers;
her present or future therefore cannot be
denied" and the same remark is equally
true Of Wichita today.
! observe you take an interest IN looking
at autographs of famous men and II
affords me great pleasure 10 send with
this an autograph letter received from
Mr Corwin, who for more than twenty
years next preceding the presidency Of
Abraham Lincoln, was amoog the most
distinguished of American statesmen and
first in influence and talents amid the
brilliant galaxy of patriots and orators OF
that time y. Bird.