Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-01-01
INDEPENDENCE.
The Past Year Has Been n Good one
Some of the Improve
meufS.

The growth of Independence during the
year just closed has been marked by OK
traordinary public spirit upon the part of
It's citizens. There has been no especial
activity in real estate circles. But the
reports OF the banks show a greater circu-
lating medium that at any time within the
past decade. The greatest growth in this
city has been in the way of construction Of
buildings, and the ways and means pro-
Vided for q system {, sewerage. without
which the town could never rank as a
resident city. The certainty of a sewerage
system. and five miles of extension of
water mains, and the prospect OF better
lighting facilities, have given the city an
impetus which 1t has not enjoyed in years.
Real estate dealers believe. from the
number of new homes which have been
planned. that the coming year will be a
good one. Rental prices nave been strong
for the past twelve months, and there IS
now a dearth of good rental houses close
Of the city during the past year has been
altogether towards the west and south
east. Street improvements have been IN
the directions indicated. and the buildings
erected awe been built along the principal
streets indicated.
The real estate men of the city claim
that the increase in population has been
private schools of the city. The city stands
without d peer in the state in point of
excellent schools. During the past year
the need of a central high school building
was felt. The school board at once called
upon the taxpayers for the necessary
bonds and ,I these saa were voted. As a conse-
pie avenue, is centrally located, and the
structure Is q credit to the city. In this
building will be located the public library.
with its thousands of volumes, and the
assembly room will also be n public feat
ure. The erection of this handsome build
ing is one of the most notable in the build
ing. line. As a structure it is imposing.
II is expected that the building will re-
l!eve the overcrowded condition of the
schools of the city.
The letting Of thu contract fOr tho nav
ing of the public square with asphalt was
an event Of Importance and carried with
dollars: With well paved streets and beau
tful homes, Independence people are
ready to throw out some inducements to
residents of other places TO come here and
Independence is in good condition as to
municipal matters. The taxes have been
the city and many street improvements
have been made. New crossings of vitrified
brick have been built, ten miles of new
sidewalks have been constructed and the
municipal force has done about all hat
was expected of it.
The forthcoming annual report of the fire
losses during the year 1895 amounting to
$4,000. The largest loss was at the Nichol
fire. But few dwellings AVE been visited
was sustained by fncfpient blazes which
were extinguished with little or no loss.
The fire department has made a good show
ihS,. handicapped as II was with made
Guate water facilities: It is expected that
the water mains will be extended FIVE miles
during the coming year and better protec-
ton VIII be afforded than ever before.
During the year there has been but one
business failure in Independence. that of
a secondhand store. which failed with
liabilities of 800. The merchants of the
city have never done a better business.
There is not a business house empty in
the city and there has been a reaching out
OF to the side streets.
The Independence Commercial CIub has
been a factor in the development of the
city. It is composed of strong business
men who have only the business interests
of the city at heart. 1t has inaugurated
a system of salesdays. which has had a
tendency to bring many farmers to the
city to trade. The club and the citizens In
and brighter hopes for a year Of pros