The daily sentinel., 1902-09-16
MONUMENTS
To Stratton in Colorado Springs.
Good Car Service. Public Play
Spots and Free Music Are
Results of His Efforts.

Far outshadowing the mere name
of multimillionaire is the reputation
of w. S. Stratton as a benefactor of
Colorado Springs, his only rival in
this line being General Palmer, the
founder of the town. He made lib
eral contributions to educational in
stitutions and private donations reach
ing into the hundreds of thousands.
Public parks, summer band con-
certs, extended and improved street
car service, are some of the results of
his work.
For years the rapid transit company
of Colorado Springs, operating anti
quated cars on small uneven tracks,
was the laughing stock of thousands
of tourists who visited here each sum-
mer. Eighteen months ago Mr..
Stratton acquired possession of the
company, secured a sweeping fran
chise from the city council for the ex-
tension of the old lines and the con-
of new network of rails
through all parts of the city, under
the name of Colorado Springs & Su-
burban Railway company. To date
the corporation has expended upwards
of 81, 600, 600 in the purchase of new
equipment for the entire system. now
all parts Of the city. The
two street car companies are now con-
solidated into the Colorado Springs &
Interurban company, destined at no
distant date to build and operate a
system of electric trolleys from the
Springs to all points of scenic interest
in the Pixies Peak. region. At no
time in the previous history of the
did the street car system
bring sufficient returns to justify To-
cal capitalists in taking hold, Mr..
Stratton assumed ownership in accord
ance with the demand of the public
sentiment.
Cheyenne Park, just below he en-
trance to Cheyenne Canyon, SO named
by it's founder, w. F. Dixon. but
changed to Stratton Park by the resi-
dents Of Colorado Springs, was pur
chased over a year ago by Mr.. STRAIT
ton at a cost of several thousand dol
lars and converted from rude water
right tract into a paradise of trees and
lawn with band stands, rustic bridges
and benches for over 5, 600 persons 1t
is estimated that upwards of $50, 900
has been expended in the purchase and
improvement of the Dixon land into
Stratton Park. Every second night
in the summer, and upon afternoons
each week, the Midland band. en-
ployed at the owners expense, tenders
a concert to the thousands of residents
of the Springs, Manitou and Colorado
City.
Before the naturalization of his
desire to give the people free city
park, Mr.. Stratton contributed heavi-
ly toward the city exchequer for the
payment of the Midland band at
North and South Parks, the two city
squares located in the business sec
tion.
Colorado College of which Mr..
Stratton is trustee, has received one
lump sum of $50, 600, with various
other gifts, approximating a total of
800, 600, At no time has the college
been obliged to call upon him for
help, his ready purse being always
open. 1t is understood that the at
tempt of the college to secure a
81, 600, 600 endowment fund was a pet
scheme of Mr., Stratton, who has been
deeply interested in it's attainment.
At all trustees meetings he was an
earnest advocate of offering to the
pupils, especially those in poor finan-
cial circumstances, all possible advan-
tages. The local chamber Of com
merce possessed in Mr.. Stratton one
of its staunchest supporters. The
city council and board of county COM
missioners have often consulted him
in reference to plans for some contem-
plated Improvement in the city or
county roads and land.
The new mining exchange erected
by Mr. Stratton at a cost of $3.50, OOO
is one Of the finest institutions of its
kind in the world. The handsome
tiled call room, with large seating
gallery upstairs, occupy one portion