The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-12-09
CONTRACT IS CLOSED
Street Railway Matters Look
More Promising Than Ever.
GATES Is TO BUILD IT
City Authorities Receive Tele-
graphic Assurances.


the Church people in Boston, followed By
additional dispatches from J. Holt Gates,
contractors, of Chicago all of which con-
tanned information that the street rail-
way people would be on the ground Mon
day ready for business.
The kilograms gave the definite infor-
nation that a deal had been coasum-
mated within the past forty-eight hours
between all interested parties and J. Holt
Gates, of Chicago 20 build the road.
There has been many bitches in the
past that were very intricate and al one
time it looked rather doubtful whether
the Church people would be able to pull
through and save their franchise and the
large deposits made with the city 20 bind
their agreements and the fulfIlment of
all stipulations prescribed in the fran
chise granted by the city council The
members of the railway committee have
been called upon by the many citizens for
some explanation of the cause of delay in
the building of the road and reconstruc-
ton of the old road bed. The questions
that We're put to the railway committee
began TO harass them and it was finally
make some kind of move in direction
that would bring matters to a climax, and
on the Srd Of December a letter was writ
ten and mailed 10 II. B. Church. of Bos-
ton, Mass, which contained the follow
ing information:
Wichita, Kan, Dec. 8, 1893.
"Mr. II. B. Church, Boston, Mass:
Dear Sir-It is with much regret that
1 have to write you in reference to the
street car system that you have been
promising us from time to time Now.
we nave given you every opportunity TO
save your ten thousand dollars from be-
ing forfeited, and have at all times made
the most favorable statements in your be-
half TO the mayor and councilmen that
you were about to commence work on the
system l have concluded to reverse my
reports in the future and take steps to
have the money forfeited to the city
We are severely censured by the business
men Of this town for footing along indef-
nitely with your people and not accom-
plishing anything. I have only this to
say, that unless work is commenced in
earnest by the 18th of this month, 1 will
have the city attorney prepare an ordi-
nance and have it passed by the council,
declaring the franchise repealed for non
compliance with the terms of the same.
and the bonds and cash declared forfeit
ed TO the city.
There are two other parties anxious
10 go into a contract with the city 10
build a street car system and a light
plant. The one man that you have at
work here on the system will not fulfill
the requirements of the law
Yours truly, J. F. REESE.
Chairman Street Railway Com"
The above letter seems to have mad
its effect, as considerable correspondence
and many kilograms have passed bet ween
the Boston Office and the company's
manager at this end. and yesterday no.
-tice of the consummated deal came in the
form of kilograms 70 Mayor Ross and w.
@. Church. manager of the company's
plant in this city. The following teIe-
gram was received by Mayor Ross yes
terday:
"Finlay Ross Mayor:
''Have closed contract with Church peo-
PIE today. Can he an Wichita Monday
as YOU require, but would be advantage to
all to have another week, as cannot posi-
bly, get any material by Monday. Work
will be prosecuted when we get started.
Advise If satisfactory
CSigned:) -. HOLT GATES"
Another telegram was received by Chair
man Reese, of the railway committee OF
the city council worded as follows:
y. T. Reese. Wichita. Kan:
Have closed Church contract today.
Everything satisfactory. VIII start work
Immediately, but must have little time
to set things in shape. See Mayor Ross.
y. HOLT GATES
Councilman Reese and Mayor Ross held
a consultation late yesterday afternoon
and after talking the matter over conclu- /
ded not 10 make any reply to the tele-
grams from J. Holt Gates. recognizing
the fact that the city Of Wichita was not
doing business with Mr. Gates or any
other contractor. The city recognizes no |
one in connection with the railway fran /
chise but II. 3. Church. and not receiv- /
ing any authentic information from that !
gentleman, decided to ignore any other |
person IN connection with the franchise |
granted. L vas, however decided 20 phone |
W Q. Church. the company's manager. |
and inform him Of the receipt of the ,eIe- |
grams and the disposition made. Mr. |
Church informed the mayor that ne had !
received a telegram from II. s. church OF |
Boston, stating that she contract had been /
closed wita J. Holt Gates satisfactorily. |
and that Gates would start Tor Wichita ~ |
once and crowd construction.
Mayor Ross and ". .. Church held
lengthy conversation over the telephone |
and after much criS-cross talk back and
forth. the mayor suggested that Church
tell mis- people thst II they came 70 WIcl- /
TIA by Monday with bills ~ ladinE signed
ny a railroad company, showing that car
loads az railroad materials were enroute, /
il would nave some weight with the city
government n considering any further
concessions.
II. &. Church was teleSraphed oy Man
ager Church, stating che mayors views.
and 9ater Councilman Reese called az tie
office OF the railway company and he'd a
very animated conversation with u. .
Church and when ne lef. an Eagle -
porter called upon ne manager and he
sad:
i believe sc have at last 81 The rail-
road question settled. our people nave
6naTy sstried the contract matter VII
J. Hole Gates. 81 Chicago. and Sc vi
be here sunday night ~ Mo1day morn
irE. and work Hiil 40 ahead rapidly n
she reconstruction % tne rasiroad.~ zEe
further added tha- che Bac}stller syral- I
cafe OF Keene. y 81. Wl.s1h had some
Interest In she cd company. nd been
settled with bv an agr4~ne1- whica would
b, carried our and 81 the property Woula
gsow revert TO ts,s new organization ana {
as the difficulties thzI na6 confronted re
CAurch people 7oa.d IL vipsd ou- 1lr