The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-08-08
FAMINE OF BREAD
Bakers 60 on a Strike at
Blackwell.
EXCURSION A BIG SUCCESS
Visitors JoIlifled and Made
Merry in the Busy Burg.

A bread famine and a big excursion
struck Blackwell at the same time Sun
day. The throng Of visitors got every
thing else they went after but bread
| and that article was not in sight at any
of the hotels. Some Of the visitors at
tributed this to Syl Dixon's -four train
which they thought had taken all of the
flour from the Oklahoma towns, but ii
was finally traced to the fact that the
bakers had gone on q strike late Sat
hrday evening and put a sudden stop to
| the great preparations which the city
| was making for the entertainment and
feeding of the guests. At the popular
hotel Maine, where most Of the excur-
sionists stopped, an amusing scene was
created In the dining room when every
! one was calling, not for piea but for
bread. Walters were kept busy explain
| ing and apologizing. The menu was as
fine as ever could be expected, with this
| exception. and the lack was taken with
the greatest of good cheer after the ex-
PLANTATION had been made.
The Santa Fe excursion from this city
to Blackwell was one of the greatest
| successes Of the year. It was run to
celebrate the completion of the Santa Fe
railroad into Blackwell, and to give the
people along the new road, a chance to
see one of the most successful attempts
at town building ever seen In the west
The train left Wichita at 8 o'clock in the
morning. About 100 people boarded it
here, but each town along the line added
its quota to the crowd and by the time
the train reached Blackwell It was
crowded with a happy class Of excur-
sionists, old and young. 1t was a fine
train consisting Of ten coaches, and all
were finely equipped and admirably han
died. 1t was in charge Of the prince of
jovfal conductors, Mr.. c. z. McMurphy,
who II considered a specialist in the ham
ding Of big excursion trains. The trip
was made without the slightest accident.
and everybody returned happy and we'll
repaid for their days visit to Blackwell.
The hew track from Hunnewell to
Blackwell Is in fine shape, considering
the short time 1t has been built, and 1t is
going to be put In first class condition
within few days. The road taps as
pretty section Of country as ever the
eye OF man gazed upon. Immense land
srapes and fields teeming with the fruits
ofthe harvest stretch out before the eyes
of the tourist. Thousands Of wheat
stacks dot the broad fields, and the corn
growing high and luxuriant, Is taxing It
self 20 reward the toiling husbandman
with the greatest that nature can do for
him. THE bottom lands along the Chi
kaskfa are wonderful to behold. AS they
lead into the beautiful city of Blackwell
one cannot help but wonder how nature
could ever have shaped itself so perfectly
The excursionists all marveled at the
scene. as the train sped along through
the valley. and again as they watched
the broad expanse of country dotted with
abundant crops. large herds and pretty
homes.
Arriving at Blackwell. the excursionists
were greeted with sea Of smilinns faces
and a brass band. The band In beautiful
uniforms played lively airs and led the
procession up the main street to the
central corner of the city, and such a
mob of people was never seen before In
Blackwell. The street was crowded for
the entire length from the depot to
town and thereafter the streets Of the
city were thronged the rest of the day.
Refreshments were on hand in abund-
ance, and the crowd was happy.
On every hand could be seen the won
derful Improvement Of the new metropolis
Of the Chicaskia valley. Large stone and
brick buildings werG in course Of con-
struction and some of the streets were
piled full OF brick. stone. lumber and lime
Colonel BlaclSwelrs new opera house Is
already under way. besides an immense
granite building on the street leading up
from the new sSanta Fe depot, and
large brick block towards the north end
OF the main street. Hundreds of dwell
ings are being erected as investments.
With all of the building that has been
going on this year, the builders have
not yet caught up with the demand, as
II is said that there are yet families who
are living In caves until they can get
house. 1t is said that Colonel Blackwell
has built nearly hundred dwellings for
the people. and his income from them
and his brick buildings IS now about SIS
n day. There are said TO be in the neigh
borhood Of 1900 people who are actual
residents Of Blackwell. and Mrs. Roy
williams. one of the teachers in the pub
lie schools, informed q reporter for the
Eagle that the enrolment Of school chill
dren last winter was over zoo More
school room will have to be arranged for
the coming winter. There are six solid
blocks Of business houses already Occur
pied and more in demand. Some OF the
store fronts are beautiful and the show
windows Hastily decorated IN city style.
The city has an excellent system OF wa
ter works, and electric lights viii doubt
less he a future consideration. The city
Is not in debt. and everybody has plenty
Of cash which they dispense with a law
ish hand. Blackwell is truly a hummer.
The people have faith in It. and faith
will make II grow. especially when sup
ported by such excellent natural condi-
tons Nearly all Of the goods sold In
Blackwell are bought in Wichita, and the
business men are rejoicing over the i'm
proved railroad facilities to this city
The visitors were amused with a lively
gane Of baseball between Wellington
and blackwell. in which the latter ware
defeated by 8 score IT - TO ~ The
wichita ''rooter'' helped Blackwell q
good deaL
The train arrived AZ Wichita on the re-
turn trip at Il o'clock. and everybody