The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-08-06

CROWDS VISIT DEPOT
Thousands Listened to Band
and See Fine Structure.
FLOWERS IN PROPULSION
Covered Walls and Hid Corn
ers of Many Rooms.

The crowd that attended the public
opening of the new Frisco depot last even
ing was the largest that has ever attend
ed such an affair in the history of the
city and the occasion was a success IN
every detail Never has such a crowd
gathered together since the days Of Wich-
ita's successful street fairs and then so
many people were not packed together in
so small a space. The number of people
hours of eight and ten was variousIy esti-
mated at between ten and twenty thou
sand people.
AT one time during the evening the solid
mass of people filed Douglas avenue
from Washington avenue to the Ro, X
Island tracks. The large open space we I
of the new station was packed and within
the depot and along the platforms the
people occupied every foot of standing
room. But when one viewed this multi
tude he did not see nearly all who attend
ed during the evening, for these who at
tended the opening kept coming and going
and fast as one would leave another
would fill his place
Although the crowd was so large it was
well behaved. Every one had pleasant
time but there was no TOwdyism. Old
men and women younger men and their
wives, or best girls, girls and boys in
groups came to listen to the music, to in
spect the new station and to partake of
6a of
crowd was closely packed together and
was a record breaker in size, but there
was no crowding and crushing. A party
of young people would appear and slowly
work their way TO the station, pass
through the various rooms, taking a glass
OF lemonade or punch and out into the
open air again where they would linger
while perhaps TO listen to the concert
by the band
The new station was decorated through
out with potted plants and flowers which
combined with the newly painted walls
and ceiling. the oak wood work and the
new fixtures and furniture. to make a
beautiful and attractive place The rails
ed band stand was constructed in front Of
the street entrance of the new station.
Within this entrance was artisticallv
decorated with sprigs Of various plants
and formed into an alcove OF the recep-
ton room, where the ladies served punch
and ice cold lemonade free TO all who de-
sired it. In all the windows. in the cor
ners and the stairs and on the desks were
placed potted foliage plants while from
the chandeliers were suspended wrea his
of foliage.
Early the people began to arrive at the
depot They came in family carriages, in
automobiles, in traps and buggies, In the
cars and afoot.
Policemen had to go before the street
cars and drive the people back from the
tracks so they could pass
Every person in the large crowd enjoy
ed the entertainment and the expression
was everywhere that it was one of the
most successful openings ever held in
Wichita. The new station was planned
for appearance and convenience and ev-
erything was in first class shape The
lnness Union band appeared at their best
and for two hours furnished an enter
tanning concert. consisting of operate and
descriptive selections. which they eXecut-
ed in a skillful and artistic manner. There
was an abundance of refreshments and
although a large crowd continually press
ed around the alcove in the reception
room where they were served the supply
did not give out and all were served.
To Division Passenger Agent B. F.
Dunn. Commercial Agent II. c. Conley
and NJ. II. Rudolph. local freight and pas
senger agent, who ged the entertain
ment. is due in a great measure the sue
cess of the public opening. They were
ably assisted in the evening entertainment
by Mrs. 3. F. Dunn. Mrs II. c. Coniey.
Mrs NJ H. Rudolph. Mrs NJ. G. Bufiing-
ton, Mrs. j. w. Gander. Mrs Ed Carter
Miss Ellen Dunn. Miss Harriet Wells and
Miss Mabel Eldridge.