The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-12-05
TO THE NEW TOWN OF BILLINGS
Successful Excursion Saturday The
Now TOWNS GRAND PrOspects.

Enid. O. T. Dec. 4.-The excursion to
the new town of Billings over the Enid
and Tonkawa railway last Saturday was
a success in every particular. Mr.. H. c.
Graves and Mr.. Kirchner, accompanied
by the Billings cornet band, came to Enid
Friday afternoon to advertise the excur-
sion. The train left Enid at 1O:3o a. m,
Immediately after the arrival Of No. 8
from the north. About 100 people went
from Enid and surrounding towns. A
number OF others Joined the excursionists
at Crcpper and CARRIER Arriving at Bill
inSs At 1890 the eXcursionists were met at
the depot by several hundred residents of
Billings. They formed a procession, head
ed by the Billings band, and marched up
Main street to the main four corners Of
the town, where there had been erected a
beautiful band stand After a choice Sc
lection by the band, Mr.. II. c. Graves
delivered an address of welcome. after
which an intermission was taken for din
ner. Every lady and gentleman in the
fair young city seemed to be a member
Of the reception committee. and all We'd
to see that every stranger IN the city was
entertained and made to feel at home
Billings is the terminus Of the Enid
/ and Tonkawa railway and is located in
the famous Red Rock valley. thirty-five
miles northeast of Enid. thirty miles
southeast of Pond Creek. twenty-seven
miles northwest of Perry and eighteen
miles southwest of Tonkawa Although
hut one month old, Billings has a pop
Ulation Of from coo to 100 people. and is
increasing daily. The own is located
on as beautiful a piece Of land as can be
found in the west. sloping gently In all
directions. The surrounding land is most
y undulating prairie with just enough
dcpresSions to make it the most beau
tiful as wei as the most desirable for
farming purposes. The soil IS a dark
brown loan. As to its fertility the album
dant crops raised since the opening Is
the most satisfactory test. The wheat
through this section was very fine this
year. running singh as 60 bushels to the
acre Corn, oats and other cereals did
equally well. The surrounding country is
wen wajered by the Red Rock. Black
Bear and Salt Fork and their tributaries.
At present the buildings are all frame.
but the foundations are in and material
on the ground for several brick blocks.
The Citizens Bank is now building a two
story brick 5oxl00 feet. and Mess-s. Pal
mer. Goldstein. Cochran and Gum ana
W, NJ. and T. NJ. Graves will each build
25Nloo feet Joining this block as soon as
he brick can be burned Billings al
ready has about 81 residences. > general
stores, 3 hardware, drug. 3 doctors. ]
barns, : feed yards. 3 saloons. grist mill
IN construction, 5 elevators in construc-
lion. olacksmiths hotels. res;au-
rants. 3 coal dealers. 10 grain buyers.
lumber yards. 8 meat markets. / rniln-
merry. ? harness and . barber shops. Al
though most branches Of business are
well represented. the merchants are al
doing a good business and there is plenty
Of room Tor others.
BILLINGS offers excellent inducements 10
investors. Property IS OF the rise. Any
information regarding the town and coun-
try Will be cheerful,y furnished by
MessTs, TayIor and kirchner or Il. c.
Graves.