The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1904-02-28

houses that are to be found over there
are commanding large circles of trade
and are furnished with as good and COM
plete stocks as are 10 be seen anywhere.
One of the chief factors that attracts
the public's attention to the West Side Is
the vast increase that has taken place in
property values during the last three
years. in that time property has advanced
Joe per cent and a portion of it 20 per
cent. The magnificent stride and rapid
upbuilding may be partly accounted for
by the depreciation in valuation ten or
fifteen years ago. In the aggregate, real
estate has advanced . per cent in the
last year, and it is safely IS mated that
there viii be an equal increase within the
year of 1904.
FRIENDS UNIVERSITY.
Another feature that adds 10 the solidity
and beauty of the West Side is the fact
that it has some of the finest educational
and sectarian institutions that are TO be
found in the west. Among the leading
educational institutions located there is
Friends University. This college has been
in success sful operation for five years,
and has been undergoing advancements
continually. At present there are about
go students in attendance. Somewhat OF
a wonderful history, filed with unrivalled
developments. is connected with Friends
University and deserves noting. James
VI. Davis gave the Friends church this
school property on conditions that they
pay all Of the expenses and taxes and
conduct the school successfully for six
years and then raise $4,000 cash endow
ment. huge thing to undertake. At the
end OF five years the university had
raised $500 endowment and were en-
tirely out Of debt Then Mr.. Davis made
a full warranty deed of the property. in
Guiding % lots, TO the university. They
are now selling the lots at the rate OF
about $ 100 worth every year. which they
put into further improvements. This
spring they contemplate making some ex-
tersive changes and will add to the build
ing. Libraries, laboratories, dOrmitories
an dother equipments The school being
personal property of the Friends church,
il influences many church people to move
to Wichita Friends University is an in
stitution of which the whole city Of
Wichita is proud and one in which she
has good reason to have pride.
THE MASONIC HOME.
The State Masonic Home Is also situated
on the West Side and is ne of the finest
OF its kind in the state. Not only do the
Masons feel highly elated over the home,
but all Of Wichita is ready to speak with
one asserting voice that it is an institu-
ton which has scarcely an equal for the
unlimited amount of good it does. Herr
the aged and infirm find a good home
Here homeless children are taken in and
given the best Of attention. But the value
of this home which has for its object
nothing but philanth-opical aims, can
not be related in this short article. One
thing sure it has done much for the
west Side. and Wichita is to be congratu-
lated upon having within her bounds such
q worthy institution And when one con-
efGers that this city was chosen as the
site best suited for such a home out Of
the numerous other places in Kansas, it
is thing TO be looked upon as an honor
and one of the valuable assets of the city.
In charge of the home are Mr. and Mrs
James Snedden. who are devOtinS their
lives to its success.
WICHITA HOSPITAL.
The Wichita Hospital is another insti-
tuition which adds to the dignity of the
West Side. It has been in operation some
thinE Ike five years and is one Of the
best equipped hospitals in the state. 1t
has n fine body of surgeons and nurses,
and has also a school for traing nurses.
1t las been largely patTonized and is
gaining steadily q firner prestige and a
broader popularity.
MT. CARMEL ACADEMY.
# one would raise the ire Of a West
slider L. hlm fail to say something good
of Mount Carmel when is a flower whose
fragrance is an incense in the educational
garden Of the Peerless Princess. Wichita
feels deep interest in this academy and
its value to the city is inestimable. The
Sisters have equipped this school with all