The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-08-26

they shouted and sang. and 1t was a glo-
rious moment TO the man who stood among
them. alone. the man who had been true
to his Office and had saved the people. Then
the mayor said no one should go 10 bed
hungry that night, and asked the people
to follow him and he would look after
them. Out in the arkness and down the
street the crowd followed their leader.
Several bakeries were visited and each man
was given several loaves of bread. Then
they disappeared silently down the streets
and everything was quiet. 1t was the pass
ing of a crisis.
This is the story of the formation Of the
Belt Railroad and Stockyards Company and
ID is evident that Mayor Caven is the man
who deserves very great credit for this
work. which Is an honor TO himself and to
the city. AS to the results which arose
from this undertaking there is only one
word which seems TO fit the purpose-stu-
pendous. Nothing has paid so well or been
Of so great value as a single enterprise.
Starting with a stock of 30 cents on a dol
lar, each year saw a rise in the percentage.
In 1879 and 1880 the cash dividends were 10
per cent. on the face of the stock and in
1881 stock sold for s1.5O. One of the ear
lest stockholders paid $4,000 for $4,000
stock. and by 1899 had received $4,000 in
dividends: two years later he sold his
stock for $4,000 cash.
The burden upon the city's finances was
at once materially decreased. During the
first six months OF 1877 over 50. 400 was ex-
pended every month for the assistance of
the Door. After the men were working
upon the road. namely. by July. only s5l
was paid for that month, and during the
succeeding months the rate was small.
During the last six months of the year
about s1.7O0 was expended, about one-third
Of one months expenditure before the men
were relieved by this employment. In 1880
the Belt road paid a tax TO the city of
So. $3.50 and to-day if the bonds were sold
an immense premium would be brought TO
the city, but they are too valuable to dis
pose of.
AN IMPORTANT ENTERPRISE.
The Belt Railroad and S~tockyards Com
pany stands fifth in Importance in this
country. being exceeded in receipts for
packing and shipping only by Chicago.
Kansas City, Omaha and st. Louis, but if
Indianapolis had the cattle market of the
great West which Omaha necessarily con-
trolls there would be a different tale to re-
late. TIL central position of Indianapolis
and the great number of diverging rail-
roads make it an advantageous place for a
shipping and receiving depot. The stock
yards cover an area of 1876 acres, thirty-six
of which are under roof. The yards are
capable of accommodating $1,000 cattle, 25,-
600 hogs and 10000 sheep, besides having
room for horses and mules. For the first
year QS7S) the receipts were:
Hogs, $50. 639; cattle, 1885; sheep. 6,107;
horses, 5,912. Shipments-Hogs, 264. 095; cat
tie. los, H.; sheep. 1887: horses. $40.
For 1899 the total receipts were a decided
increase, as will be seen by the reports:
Receipts-Hogs. 1.545,ss1; cattle, $3.50;
sheep. 65,1O6; horses, 2s.455. Shipments
Hogs, 645.5S7; cattle, 44,652; sheep, ALBA;
horses, 25,2f7.
1t will be noticed that some of these fig
ures are not as large as the first year; like
every other market the cattle market fiuc-
tuates. For instance, Dec. 2, 1890, shows the
largest receipts for one day since the for
nation of the company; again, the largest
receipts for one week was that week ending
Dec. s, 1856, and the largest receipts for one
month were taken in during December, 1898.
The officers of the company are Mr.. S. E.
Rauh, president; Mr.. julius A. Hanson, vice
president; ]. H. Holiday, secretary; III. d.
Lane, auditor, and Harry c.. Graybill, traf-
fc manager.
Four years ago auction and sale barns
were built for horses and mules, and since
that time there has been a great increase
in the business, it being roughly estimated
that nearly 10000 horses nave passed in
trade through these stables. There are
four sale days each week. when mules and
th~oroughbreds are sold on the same day;
teaming and coaching horses are likewise
disposed of. -Four large firms manage this
enterprise, namely: Messrs. Blair, Baker
& Walter; Warman, Chamberlain, Black &
Co.; Indiana Horse and Mule Company
Cronk Horse Company. The advantage OF
having four days sale each week gives the
Eastern, Southern and European market
sufficient time to make UP their shipments.
The transportation facilities are excep-
tional, and better horses can be pur-
chased in this market than in most cities.
Likewise there is little illness caused by
sudden climatic changes. The quality OF
horsefesh was noticeable in the first horse
show of Indianapolis, which took place this
year and was a success in every way.
A growth of twenty-three years with
every prospect of a continuation presages
what the future always brings to the well.
neutrality-suspicious. and success.
Recently new stockyards have been erect.
ed by a new company and are doing a fine
business. Their accommodations for traf-
fc are Of a high class, and their reports
show extensive transactions. The great
advantages of being situated on the Bel,
road nave given this new concern an i'm.
mense opportunity in this line of bust.
ness.
The Belt road is the clearing house for ar
enormous trade that never can be alb.
sorbed by or controlled by the old com.
pany, and must increase indefinitely as the
country grows. The fact is apparent tina,
the benefits of the Belt road are in their
infancy.
Each in All.