The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-09-22
IN NORTH topeka
Farm Land Brings Big Price
for j. I'll. George.
Sale Recalls Fictitious Boom of
"ChicagO Heights.
WAS AN ADDITION" To CITY
Was Advertised Years Ago IN
Chicago by Promoter.
After He Left George Came
Along and Bought 1t.

w. S. George of North Topeka is
receiving a visit from his son, j. h
George of Missouri. The son recently
has consummated the sale of 157 70
acres of farm land near here. at the
reported rate of $50 an acre.
Nothing startling in that? But
wait. The land makes up the bulk of
what was once known as Chicago
Heights" Herewith, story.
Twenty years ago, man with |
brains, a twinkling eye, and two |
trousers pockets devoid of holes, en- !
deavored to pursuade a portion of the |
earths population that real estate was
a fine investment. He had more |
knowledge of mans weaknesses tnan /
he had an ambition to assist MIN IN /
guarding against those weaknesses
He died last summer in Topeka. TWO |
decades ago, he started the playful
little game called a Boom" Before
he got thru he had clearly borne out I
the fact that it is always customary
for some one to make money out OF |
every land BOOM"
Whe he first started his wonderful |
investment scheme, he could easily |
discern that Topeka was a thriving, |
fast-growing city. People could sure
ly be persuaded of that. Anything, /
|
vestment would surely bring results.
He proceeded to set forth in eastern
papers the great advantages of a Lately. |
opened addition" True, the "addi-
ton was eight miles from the city.
But the great gullible public to whom
he appealed, was 500 miles away.
That made all the difference in the
world.
Chicago newspapers in those days
| carried on an inside page large "ad''
| asking for bids for the building of
several thousand S-room houses. By
some curious circumstance, the op-
posite page bore an 'ad'' of lots for
sale" And there were lots for sale.
all laid out in their respective streets
as beautifully as an artist with inn
agination could arrange them The
| plots of 1.-The superb city on the hill
| magnificent view-high and dry-im-
| mediate suburb with all the advan-
tages of both city and country-and so
| forth and so on We're sent to all
prospective buyers. Eighty thousand
| dollars, more or less, was the net re-
| suit for the promoter.
He had obtained the land for the
proverbial song because of a cloudy
| title.
The Chicago building advertisement
was so successful that the labor unr
ions sent out warnings to carpenters
and other workmen, telling them to
stay away from the Kansas fake
| The promoter moved TO lSXdS WIFI
| his pile. There he pulled in Mexican
silver dollars by means of lottery
| similar to the classical one of Louis
| lana. But President Diaz took it all
away.
Which brings things back to the be-
ginning of the narrative. Years ago,
after the promoter had disappeared,
the last of the lots were vacated by a
Especial act of the legislature Then
Mr.. George came along and bought up
=,
ways got possession of the $50 acres
of the fictitious town of Chicago
HEIGHTS" He's sold 157 u. acres of it.
Personal Mention.
Ruth Button 919 North Harrison
Istreet, entertained some of her girl
friends of the Santa Fe offices Thurs
William Bohnsack of Eudora is
looking over the ground in North TO
peka He plans to move here soon.
CaIia Ccwnerthw ait of Silver Lake
underwent an, eye operation Thurs
Victor council No. a. Knights and
Ladies of Security, had a meetlns
| Thursday night in Barrett hall. There
was a large attendance, many coming
from south Topeka. Refreshments
were served. c4
Jessie Reed from north OF Grant
Vile was in Topeka Friday.
Y V. Taylor and family have moved
to North Topeka, locating at 1924 Lo-
gan street.
D. K. Ferguson and wife nave
moved into a house at ITO West Cor
don.
The repairing in the front OF h IL
BARS store is nearing completion
Mark Blackler and Lem Purdy OF
Elnlont were in North Topeka Friday
morning.
g. A. Frisbie of Oskaloosa, treasurer
of Jefferson county, has returned from
a months visit to Boulder and Den
yer. Colo He was in North Topeka
Friday morning.
R K Rean of Fillmore was in To
peka Friday on business.
Joseph Williams of Granville wa:
in North Topeka on business Friday
morning.
C. o. Shultice of Kiro was in Nortf
Topeka Friday morning.
Il Guy Noel of Colorado is visiting a
4 the home of his mother, Mrs. w. A
Yantz, of Rochester, Kan.
III Mrs. Edward Thomas of Rocheste
4 and son, Guy, leave for Ellis Saturday
J. c. GRADER, s33 North Quincy, i
L seriously ill.
III There will be a meeting of Redme1
Friday night in their lodge hall, 100
/ North Kansas avenue. HuIled corr
/ and venison will be served. All Red
men in the city are invited to b
present.