The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-05-17
NORTH SIDE NEWS.
Fire Steamer VIII Be Located
in First Ward.
Chief Wilmarth Investigates
Station No. l.
PREPARING REPORT.
Will Ascertain Cost Of Altera-
lions Required.
Additions Must Be Made to Sta
tiOn No. /.
PREPARING REPORT.


headquarters of the North side, this
morning and spent most of the time in
vestigating conditions in this station in
preparation to a report to the board of
city commissioners stating the cost of
giving the North side an engine COM
pany
In his annual budget report to the
mayor and city council last year Chief
Wilmarth saw the conditions in North
Topeka and recommended to the city
at that time that a fire engine and
company be stationed in the First
ward. The large mills. and manufac-
turing interest in the First ward war
ranted the additional fire protection
and the fire chief realized that steam
err should be on the spot in case of 4
fire in this district
However. the city council did not
care to spend tn, money at that time
and the recommendation of the fire
marshal was filed for future reference
taken office the matter has been before
them continually. The disastrous
Forbes fire Saturday was a signal for
,tion and a majority of the commits
sioners have stated their position on
the matter-they are in favor Of 1t.
Mayor Billiard, a resident of the First
war; and the commissioner who is at
the head of the fire and police depart
ments, is naturally the prime mover
behind such an addition to the fire
companies on this side of the river.
Mayor Billiard has taken up the matter
with Chief Wilmarth and with a view
of figuring out the cost, the alterations
to the present fire station and the prob
able construction of new engine
house. the fire marshal was Investigate
ing this morning.
It is probable that one Of the steam
ers from the headquarters station No.
2 will be transferred to this section of
the city. The Aarens engine is now
located in the No. . engine house ana
is in excellent condition, having been
rebuilt a short time ago.
In installing a fire steamer il is
necessary to have extra room in the
present station; have gas connections
with the engine boiler in order that the
water may be kept hot at all times Of
the day and night: and have extra
horses and enginemen for the manipu-
latiOn of the steamer. With all these
things in view Chief Wilmarth is pre-
pairing a report to the city commits
sioners ar once.
From the sentiment in the city COM
mission at this time there is no fear of
such proposition losing in this body
The North side has always needed a
steamer according to Chief Wilmarth
and he has made recommendations of
this fact to the city council. With the
ldINelOuS CROWN or the First ward.
the additional property value. the new
industries and buildings. a good steam
or protection will naturally attract
trade and industries to this part of the
city.
z. z. OHnger. secretary of the Civic
club. who is soliciting funds for the
purchase Of the Taylor tract where the
aviation meet is scheduled for June T.
and 9, reports that only $4,000 Of the
amount required has been raised and
that the remainder must be secured If
the meet is held. However, he also
states that from the disposition shown
this morning there will be no doubt but
what the sum will be acquired.
T. J. Borman, president of the Com
mercial club. which is looking after
the meet. seems also to feel assured
that the meet will be held on the Tay
Tor tract and is making arrangements
accordingly.
The following from the Kansas City
DroVers Telegram is self explanatory:
J. 3. Harrington of Silver Lake,
Kan, is one of the pioneer farmers up
along the kaw valley in that part of
the state. He has lived there forty
years. Mr.. Harrington has heard
great deal about other valleys and
spots over the country where bumper
crops are raised, and all that. But
there IS no richer spot on the map
than the Kaw river valley" he said.
THAT part of the state has never been
advertised or doomed. but just the
same we have a farming territory up
along the Kaw that is immense. Any
thing that grows anywhere outside of
the tropical countries will grow there
There is a great deal of talk occasion
ally about potato crops. Well, We sell
dom hear anything about the potato
crops of the Kaw valley. Trainloads
OF potatoes are raised there each year
and shipped out in all directions over
the country. The potatoes are planted
earlier than any other crop, and long
before the corn is put in. This year
the potatoes were planted in March.
They do not come up as soon after
planting as corn, and so require
little more time. Corn planting is now
in full blast. OF course the bulk of
the planting has been done, and the
balance Will go in now in a hurry.
The land is so rich along the valley
that corn makes a fast growth when it
starts. SO it makes but little differ
ence as to when it is planted, provid-
ed the season is right. In recent years
when the valley was flooded, some
farmers down in the flooded parts
planted corn late in the summer and
then made good crop. This year we
are banking on good corn crop. sure.
1t is being planted under very favor
able conditions. and that is a good
sign and first class start anyway. SO
far as cattle and hogs are concerned
both are scarce, and there are really
no cattle at all on feed
The Forbes Bros. have not yet made
arrangements for the handling their
business, which will be necessary as
the company's elevator was DESTROYED
by IRE Saturday afternoon. They are
also undecided as TO what will be done
about rebuilding. The cause of the
nre IS stu mystery. None of the
as to how il originated. At present
the Billiard mills are handling the city
trade.
Community Comment
A woman from Germany is ,-ieitirg
a Topeka womans relatives in Chi
cago. This is her first visit in Amer
ica. and her impressions written in