The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-04-09
NEW SOAP FACTORY
Genseke Bros, of Streator, ILL.,,
to Locate Here.
WILL BUILD A BIG PLANT
Involving an Outlay of Prob
ably $4,000 Cash.

Wichita is not to stop with the building
of its numerous and handsome new whole
sale houses, its model ice plant, its fine
residences, its new mill, the proposed new
brick blocks, and possibly a new street
railway system, the opening Of the Whit
taker plant, starting of the Burton car
works, etc, but there is every indication
that the city will secure an immense soap
factory before the closing of the summer
months. Messrs Herman and Robert Cen
seke, Of Streator, H., have been in the
city this week with a view Of locating,
and last night a reporter for the Eagle
learned from a reliable source that they
had decided to come to Wichita and put
up large soap factory which will be
credit TO Kansas. Genseke Bros. are old
and reliable manufacturers of toilet and
laundry soap. and have been located at
Streator, H., for number of years. They
were induced TO come here by Oscar
Smith, of the real estate firm of Smith &
Allen, and were delighted with the sur
roundings as soon as they stepped from
the cars. All week they have been looking
the packing houses and securing informa-
ton pertaining to the soap business. They
have figured on the cost of raw materials,
fuel, freights, taxes and everything enter
ing into expense and cost Of production,
and then they took a retrospective glance
at the immense field in the southwest, and
never overlooked Wichita's advantage as
a distributing center. After weeks in
vestigation, the thoroughness Of which is
evidence Of their business tact and ability
the Messrs Genseke have decided to es-
tablish themselves here. Thy will rturn to
Illinois soon and dispose of their property
there, which, they say, will be an easy
matter, and will remove to this city
soon as the arrangements can be COM
pleted.
1--WE are delighted with your city," said
Mr.. Genseke the other day. ''This excel
lent climate, fine looking country. beauti-
ful streets, and the business push of your
people surprised us and we have become
convinced that this is a good place for us
to locate. We shall return to Illinois and
bring our wives out Immediately. They
can go buggy riding in this country almost
every day in the year and enjoy life as
they go along. Back east fine roads for
driving are an uncertain quantity. We be
lieve we can make money here and get
comforts out of life as well"
'Genseke Brothers are coming" said
Oscar Smith to a reporter for the Eagle
last night at the Carey. "They are not
sensational, spurty fellows, but have taken
their time to look into the merits of Wich-
tia. They believe in the city already as
firmly as we believe in 1t. They are
wealthy firm and will bring money and
influence to the business interests of the
city"
1t is said that everything has been decid-
ed on, with the exception of the selection
of the grounds for their building. Several
sites are being considered. The building
for the factory viii cost in the neighbor-
hood of $4,000, and will, it is said be one
of the most modern structures for the pur-
pose in the United States. The equipment
in the way of machinery will be the latest
to be found, for the making of all kinds
of soap, including fancy toilet soaps es-
pecialiy. It is estimated that fully $4,000
will be expended IN the plant, and a large
number of men will be employed. The
new enterprise is considered a great catch
for Wichita.
c. II. Westgate and s. ]. Herr, both of
Mendoza, ILL.,, were at the Carey last night
and they, also, are here with a view of
locating. They will invest in Sedgwick
county arms, providing they can find
something that suits them. Both are well
pleased with the country. Mr.. westgate
and Mr.. Herr are acquainted with Genseke
Bros, and recommend the firm very high
ly in every way. They say the firm will
prove q great big help to Wichita