The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-08-24
WAS ONCE
FINEST IN TOWN
First PaIatiaI Residence of
Wichita Is Doomed.
TO MAKE ROOM FOR BLOCK
Which Is to Be Built on North
Market.
TO MAKE ROOM FOR BLOCK

Just north of the sedgwick building,
on Market street. stands q small cottage
which will be torn down in a short time
10 make room for a two-story business
block to be erected by n. L. Webster Of
Chicago. The cottage is one of but five
rooms. and was built In 1870 by Chris
Kimmerle. At that time it was the finest
residence in Wichita, and was regarded
as a palace by the gentry roundabout
It was small but well built, and on its
front porch the people of the city often
gathered 10 spend a social evening. There
was not another house in the country
that would compare with it in size: most
of the buildings were of split cottonwood
logs or rough lumber, while this one was
of the regular siding and the finishing
lumber was planed- II was also painted,
something very few buildings had at that
time except, possibly. a coating Of white
wash, or, perhaps. a printing coat But
this building was painted with three
coats and made a very fine appearance.
1t was so located that it could be seen
from almost any point in the city and
was the admiration OF all newcomers.
When the house was finished the news
spread about the surrounding country,
and whenever the cowboys and ranchmel
brought cattle to Wichita they rode past
the house just TO see what a modern
mouse looked like.
At the present time the house is devoid
Of all sembIance of paint, and is as black
&c 3 faA ,olo II Aoc
been repaired. but not many years would
pass before it would have TO be torn
away, for the studding is rotten wher-
ever nail has punctured it. and this al
lows the weather boarding TO creak and
the building 10 sway when there is high
wind.
For, as the town grew, dilapidation and
decay crept on the building which had
once been a cynosure. Other residences
were OF more pretension and style. The
old structure was forgotten and neglect
ed. Its foundation weakened in spots,
and it became one of those characters
tic western houses which afford room be-
meath it for dogs and cats and adventur-
Gus boys. AS early as the boom its shin
giles had begun TO curl up and the NOR
tar 10 slip from between the bricks Of its
chmneys.
When IL goes II viii be the last OF old
Market street and its going may be said
to mark the end of an epoch in North
Market street now so rapidly building
up in business blocks. Across the street
from IL was the famous old caIaboose.
built OF two-by-fours. In its neighbor
was the ark of Father Bliss. a peculiar
little shack. with curved roof, upon
which Father Bliss piled innumera bic
buffalo skulls and horns and empty tin
cans, in pursuance Of his doctrine that
it was a sin to waste anything. On the
corner Of First and Market streets stood
the home of w. P. Campbell, then a
judge, and afterward Tiger Bill
Below it was row Of carpenter shops,
the first forerunners Of Market streets
future business proportions. When IL
goes the last Of its kind viii have disap-
peared from the thoroughfsre. Market
street is growing rapidly as one of the
busy avenues. \ half dozen buildings Of
brick are announced for it this fall. and
more are in contemplation for next
spring