The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-11-21
JOHN B, CAREY DEAD
WiChita'S Former Mayor Pas
SeS Away in California.
BUILT CAREY HOTEL IN '87
"MuSt be Honest With Our
Selves" His Life Motto.

:
city, Charles Carey, received the sad
news by wire Sunday night. No funeral ar
engagements have been made, but it is
thought the remains will be taken direct
to Clinton, III.
John 3. Carey was born in the South
Of Ireland. June q. 1893. and was at The
time of his death Il years of age. Early
in life he came TO America. together with
three brothers. the lads all being at
tracted to the new and bounteous land
across the Atlantic These three brothers
were Christopher Carey, who was in the
civil war and died shortly after return
ing from the war. and William Carey
and Joseph Carey. The latter two broth
ers were residents Of Cleveland, Ohio
and both have died within the past year,
a circumstance which Ioosened John B.
Carey's hold on life. for he loved his
brothers dearly. From Cleveland, Ohio,
Ex-Mayor Carey moved u Blooming
ton, Illinois. He remained but a short
time there, moving 10 Clinton. At Gin
ton he met and married Miss Bennett.
His first wife is buried at Clinton, with
two Of their children. The third, VIII
Carey is living in Chicago. From Gin
ton, Ill, Mr.. Carey moved to Maroa,
where he, as before, prospered, being en-
gagged IN the lumber and live stock bust
ness. Here al Maroa he married Miss
Mary Elizabeth Myers in 1865. They
moved from that place 10 Wichita, in
1874. Mr.. Carey at once went into the
lumber business and prospered here
while his family Of boys and girls grew
up about him, each as he reached the age
Of manhood developing some business
trait or talent which reioiced the faith
er's heart. Mr.. Carey's business career
IS well known 70 these citizens. The
Carey Lumber company was known all
over the west and prospered and grew
under progressive, shrewd business man
agement 10 great pr portions. It after
ward became the Rock Island Lumber
company.
At two different times Mr.. Carey served
as councilman and later as mayor Of the
city, when he was chosen by big lpopu-
lar vote. He was elected in 1891. The
Carey hotel, which is known wherever
Wichita is known. was erected by him
IN 1887, and was a demonstration of how
certain he was of the future of Wichita.
he had and has large business property
interests in Wichita, and in California
HIS residence was always here. His
original investments in California were
made about the time OF the boom here.
The last time he was in Wichita was in
the fan OF 1896. He has been in California
since. He was member Of the Knights
OF Pythias. the Odd Fellows, and had
taken all the Masonic degrees.
Those Of the family who survive Mr..
Carey are Mrs. John B. Carey, William
P. Carey. Chicago; Charles Carey Wich-
tia; Lulu Dowden, Wichita; Edward
Carey, san Jose; Joseph G. Carey, Chi
cago; Elizabeth Carey. san Jose
Mr.. Carey was man Of shrewd bust
ness judgment. He had fun faith in the
future commercial greatness of Wichita.
but he at the same time was not misled
by the excitement of the boom period. He
distinguished between business and
speculation. Foreseeing the result OF
speculation he governed his actions &C
cordingly- While he did not speculate,
neither was he wanting in faith in the
future OF Wichita He evidenced his
confidence by holding good property
which now belongs To his estate. In his
private letters TO his family here he con-
tinuaIy expressed his confidence. and as
the times grew better and he received en-
couraging news Of Wlchitas advance
ment. he signified his pleasure and re-
newed his hopeful predictions. HIS love
for the city was indicated in one Of mis-
letters. in which he indicated his wish
u be able 10 return 10 Wichita that he
might end his life here. He had been in
poor health for two years past and real
lzlnE his declining condition. his thoughts
were unon Wichita, the place he looked
upon as his true home. 1t was here he
wished he might be when the end came.
Nj Carey had the opinion that bust
ness methods should he strictly applied
IN the administration of city affairs as
well as private concerns. Thus he had
an ambition 70 be mayor OF Wichita In
1891 he was elected mayor by an over
whelmiug vote. Business men. laboring
men, Democrats. Republicans. rich men,
poor men. practically all classes Of men
had decided 10 make John =. Carey
mayor. that he might put those business
methods IN vogue. When inauEurated
as mayor he announced his policy. which
was 10 be one Of economy. All bills were
10 be paid out Of the genTal fund on
hand. and not q be left 81 add 20 the
bonded debt No Iaborer was 10 so with
out his pay. He was not only % be paid
but n be paid promptly. While there
was 10 be economy il was such economy
as was consistent with progressive city
government
Mayor Carey's administration followed
that % Mr.. G. ". Clements. The idea OF
Mr.. Clements administration was 10 give
employment as could be done 10 lsho-ing
men by the city. The city had passed
through the boom. which was followed
by the building boom, and there We're
many mechanics GA. q employment i I
was argued that 10 give them employ (
ment IN paving streets. building sidewalks /
snd. other public Improvements would tide
them over shat critical period, and the /
city would then adius, itself 20 It's prop /
e. conditions. Thus the administration % (
Mr.. Clement was one OF unusual puoiic 4
Improvements. Mr.. Carey's a6uinistrl- I
tl7n vas on a different line. He was not I
in sympathy with the idea that il would /
serve any. useful purpose in the long run I.
70 engage men on pubic works aecausa I
they could md no work 10 do in private /
enterprises 50 his administration was I.
one OF economy and he would not willing !
y build a sidewalk without money 70 pay /.
FOR it. Tbs view Mr. carey stuck 10 F.