The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-02-23
THE NEw SANTA FE DEPOT AT DODGE CITY

THE Santa Fe"-Mr. E. Wilder, To
The Clergy Rev. J. D. Krum. Dodge
The Press''-W. Y. Morgan, Hutchin-
Kansas''-Lieutenant Governor a. NJ.
Harvey, Topeka
Observation-Disclosures F. L. Martin,
A bail at the rink was held and largely
evening and the mandolin club furnished
music for the young folks who did not at
tend the banquet while Beeson's orcheS-
ira played at the supper.
The Phoenix club added much to the
pleasure, throwing open it's newly furnish
S4N T93Ins 70 me g4ests o. he Glty m
..,r, MASTER las r Ed ? +. MADISON.
crease until its common stock sells at $50
and may it always have as competent
those who have met here this evening
and as faithful and honest employees as
thoSe IN its service at Dodge City.
The opening of this magnificent hosiery
and elegant depot to the west of it marks
material development of this city. And
in the name of its citizens I bid the
strangers within our gates, who sit with
US around this banquet table, welcome to
the new Dodge City, that now assured of
permanenee looks forward to her future
with confidence that it holds in store a
increase our material wealth and add to
the comfort and happiness q our citizens
There are some here this evening who
can recall Dodge City in the early days.
They remember the narrow town of low
frame buildings which stretched along
the north side of the Santa Fe track at
the foot of the hill The streets filled with
freight wagons loaded for their journey
of hundreds of miles across the plains.
and other wagons loaded with buffalo
bones brought in to be shipped to the
eastern market. The walks were lined
cowboy, the desperate and the gambler.
The noise OF clanking spurs mingled with
the clinking of the gamblers dice, and
an occasional shot rang out that told of
another victim to be laid to rest in his
final resting place on Boot Hill. Such
was the Dodge City of 1872 to 1888.
seeker began and the cowboy and the
herds retreated before the white-topped
changed in the twinkIing of an eye to the
center of an agricultural district Like
peared and We're replaced by magnificent
brick business blocks. Dwelling houses
covered the hills and enterprising real es-
tate agents sold corner lots on the Hodge
man county line. The streets were filed
were crowded with busy, bustling throng
and their pockets were all well lined with
from eastern friends upon mortgages up
on real estate. And everyone talked ex-
travagantly of a great commercial city
world. This was Dodge City from 1884
to 1889. But the apparent prosperity was
based upon lse premise that western
Kansas was distinctively farming coun-
The scene shifts again We see the same
town the buildings are all there, but the
people are gone. The streets are deserted.
The farmers have given up the battle and
only the most stout-hearted remain. The
man who sold corner lots on the Hodge
man county line has found a new field in
Oklahoma The per cent of the people
who talked about leaving. if they could
get away is very. large. and altogether the
future looks dark and cheerless. Such
was the Dodge City of 1892 to 1896
This banquet is in honor of the opening
of this house and depot. We are CRATE
full to the Santa Fe Railway company for
their erection in our city and proud of
fl1AiT~ n o n L.
We are Particularly happy to know that
the hotel is to be conducted and managed
Our first toast is in his honor. Gentle
men, join in the toast in honor of
Our Host" May he live long to enjoy
the good things which he eXcels all the
world in preparing.