The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-02-25
ON THE NORTH SIDE
Petition for Indian Creek Dixie
Is Complete.
More Than the Required Two
Fifths Have Signed.
COST LESS THAN $4,000
{ hartman of Drainage Board
Thinks Cost VIII Be Lowered.
Matter Will Be Acted Upon
Monday Night.
COST LESS THAN $4,000


Monday Night.
The petition asking that the district
north of the city which is affected by
the overflow of Soldier and Indian
creeks be formed into a special benefit
district for the purpose of construct
ing dikes and making other improve
ments along the streams, has been
signed by more than the required two
fifths of the taxpayers of the territory.
1t has been circulated the last two
weeks, accompanied by a blue print
showing the work proposed to be done
and the estimates of the cost. AS far
as can be learned the petition was
signed by all to whom it was present.
ed except two persons.
The first estimate of the expense,
made by v r. Parkhurst engineer for
the North Topeka drainage board, was
about $4,000. This included the work
to be done along both Soldier and In
dian creeks as well as the right of way
for the bikes. However, w. Dransfield,
chairman of the committee who has
been pushing the matter, is of the
opinion that much. of the right of way
will be donated and thus lower the
original estimate to a considerable ex-
tent.
The petition will be presented to the
drainage board at its meeting Monday
night. 1t is very probable that the
board will order the special benefit
district to be created and the engineer
to resurvey the district to ascertain
the exact cost of the work
The excavations for the base of the
concrete wall which will be built west
of the Melan bridge were begun yes
terday. The plans of the structure
called a retaining WALL" show that
it will be practically impossible for a
current to undermine it and cause it
to fall over.
The specifications call for piles
twelve feet long to be driven ten feet
into the river bed with two feet of the
piling extending from the bed level.
The timbers will thus project two rect
into the concrete of the base or foot
ing'' which will be four feet high and
extend above the water level about
two feet On top of the base the wall
proper will be built eight feet high,
nearly on level with the Spring line"
of the Melan bridge. From the top of
the wall to the top of the dixie riprap
will be laid.
at will take a terrible current to I'M
dermine the structure" said S. Dolman,
Of S. Dolman & Son, who are in charge
of the work THE piles will be in the
earth of the river bed ten feet with the
remaining two feet covered by the con-
crete To undernninee the wall the cur,
rent would have to scopr out a channel
ten feet deep, and cause the piles TO
fall
Metal ladder fire escapes will be
placed on the outside of the Union Pa
cific hotel at the east and west ends OF
the upper story hall of the building in
compliance with the new law requiring
such measures. 1t is also probable that
a rope ladder will be placed in each
room of the building. The hotel is
owned by the Union Pacific railroad.
Mark Putnam is the landlord Accord
~ H.. !, h0n m
ordered by the official in charge of the
hotels and dining rooms of the railroad
company at Ogden, Utah, and he thinks
that the orders for the rope ladders
have also been arranged. 1t VIII pc
some time before arrangements for the
installation of the fire escapes can be
completed, but ladders will be put in as
soon as possible.
The $500 gate to be placed at the
Evelyn street entrance to Garfield
park will be erected next week. The
Topeka Bridge and Iron company, who
have the contract for the work expect
to start work either Monday or Tues
day and say they intend to push the
matter as fast as possible.
The gate will consist of two brick
and concrete pillars which VIII De
placed about thirty feet apart on either
side Of Evelyn street at the edge OF the
park The pillars will be about six and
one-half feet high. These will support
the swinging iron gates
'Come home at once There is i'm
portant news for you This was the
message received by Mr.. and Mrs. l.
H Sipes of 81 Quincy street While
they were attending the Fraternal Aid
meeting at the lodge hall about 9
o'clock yesterday evening. Mr.. and Mrs
Sipes hurried home. When they ar
rived they found the house dark. Then
the lights were turned on and scores of
assembled people yelled Surprise" and
showered rice upon them. All of this
was done in honor of Mr. and Mrs.
Sipes' forty-second anniversary of their
wedding which occurred yesterday. The
party was planned by the children and
neighbors of the parents. The guests,
numbering about one hundred, includ-
ed the members of the Fraternal Aid,
Victor Council No. 1. who came over
to the house after Mr.. and Mrs. Sipes
a body. A two course luncheon was
served. All who were present report
an enjoyable time.
Mr.. and Mrs. Sipes were married at
Palmyra, Indiana, February "a, 1867.
They came to Franklin county soon
Topeka about ten years. Their daugh-
tiers are Miss Ella Sipes. bookkeeper at
the Central Sash and Door company;
Mrs. A. H. Brill of Kansas City, Kan
sas One son, Dennis SipeS, is secretary
for the Central Sash and Door COM
pany, and another is VIM. Sipes of st.
Marys.
An enjoyable surprise party in honor
of Mr.. William West was given at the
home of his parents, near Kilmer, last
Saturday evening. Among those pres
Howard Kannar, Mr.. Vernon Wilson,
Mr. Charles Birnbaumer Mr.. Robert