USA > Kansas > Sedgwick County > History of Wichita and Sedgwick County, Kansas, past and present, including an account of the cities, towns and villages of the county, Vol. I > Part 9
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Wichita always has been a grain market. Even during the time of the Indian it was the camping spot for him and the feeds were made here. Later on when the trading post was started up on Chisholm creek it was the halting place for the prairie schooners as they crawled westward over the dreary plain lands. With the advent of the Santa Fe trail and its tributary trail from Texas, through Wichita northward, Wichita became a market. In a few years, by reason of the hundreds and hundreds of wagon trains which made this city the terminus of their trip, it became known as the greatest wagon market in the world. When the
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Santa Fe railroad was put in, wagon loads of grain were hauled from points sixty miles distant from Wichita. The grain was ground, loaded and shipped to the North. By reason of this Wichita secured a very wide reputation as a center of some im- portance. Later when the Frisco system came, the ground grain was loaded and shipped to St. Louis, Mo. Old-timers can easily recall the long rows of grain wagons which came lumbering to Wichita from every direction, piled high with grain. At this time when a few of the citizens of the then rather diminutive town had aspirations for a New York on the Western plains, a bunch of them got together and founded what was called the Wichita board of trade. Now this wasn't any more of a board of trade than a quartette is an orchestra, yet it did good work for the town. It was more of a commercial club than anything else and did good work while it lasted, but after a brief existence -kersmash it went.
The grain business continued to pick up, new firms came in, new capital came in, and a new tone was given to the market. Along at the close of the 90's men in the grain business knew that the point to either put up a fight for the grain center of the Southwest or to lose out entirely had been reached. There was nothing of the coward in these early men and the matter of the grain organization was talked of seriously. The twentieth cen- tury dawned, yet no definite arrangements had been made, al- though favor for this new project had grown. The promoters of this new commercial entity met in 1902 and made plans for the arranging of shares and operation of an organization known as the Wichita board of trade. In 1903 the first fourteen shares of the fifty shares of stock were sold for $25 per share.
CHAPTER VI. THE COMMERCIAL CLUB.
By
CHARLES H. SMYTH.
The Wichita Commercial Club had its origin in the Coronado Club in 1897. A few Wichita business men met at the home of J. H. Black, to talk over the need for a commercial organization. There were present at that meeting Charles Aylesbury, Charles G. Cohn, Mr. Wright and several others. They discussed the net cessity of a commercial club for the purpose of working unitedly and intelligently for the good of the town. These gentlemen arrived at the conclusion that a meeting of business men of the city should be called and invitations were issued to meet at the Coronado clubrooms, which at this time was a social organization with clubrooms in the old Levy home, corner of Second and To- peka. The meeting proved to be one of the best attended and enthusiastic ever held in Wichita, and an organization was per- fected. Directors were elected who at their first meeting elected as their president Charles G. Cohn, and the Coronado Club went out of existence and merged with the Commercial Club. Mr. Cohn served as president ten years; his successors in office were O. P. Taylor for one year, Frank C. Wood for two years, and Charles H. Smyth, the present incumbent, for two years. His term of office expires January, 1911. His assistants are H. E. Case, vice-president; V. H. Branch, treasurer; John McGinnis, secretary. What has the Commercial Club done for Wichita ? Very much. One of the first things after organization that de- manded their attention was the grain and milling business. A Mr. Caldwell, with whom was associated Mr. Stevens now in the city, was invited to come to Wichita from Louisville, Ky. In a short time $100,000 was subscribed by the adjacent towns and city. Political and financial conditions in the country at that time elim-
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inated Mr. Caldwell from the movement, nevertheless this was the beginning of our enormous elevator and milling interests. The Watson Milling Company and the Kansas Milling Company were both brought to Wichita by the Commercial Club.
The directors about this time found that something must be done to encourage the packing industry and it brought about the opening of the old Whitaker plant, that had lain idle a long time, by John Cudahy. The Dold packing plant was burned out and had not the Commercial Club gotten busy with encouragement the plant would never have been rebuilt. Necessarily, the club to a wonderful degree is responsible and proud of the present day packing industries and stock yards. The Orient railway came knocking at our doors. The Commercial Club immediately interested itself, raised money and assisted Mr. Stillwell in every possible manner. Through appeals and assistance financially, the great shops now under construction, to eventually cost $1,250,000 and employ 2,700 men, were made possible. The present build- ing when completed will cost $400,000 and employ five to eight
hundred mechanics and laborers. About February 1, 1911, the shops will be opened for work. Among many other things done by the club, it has encouraged and helped the interurban and the proposed extension of the Midland Valley railway from Ar- kansas City to McPherson, Kan., to a connection with the great Union Pacific. It has pushed the Peerless Prophets jubilee that brings so many persons to Wichita once a year; it has organized the Trade Trip organization that does so much to advertise Wich- ita. It originated the transportation bureau that has done so much in the way of reduced rates to and from Wichita and im- proved train service, and has brought many minor manufactur- ing concerns that have located with us. You will find at the head of all these strong business men and city builders, and every one a member of the Commercial Club.
The latest and crowning accomplishment will be the com- pletion of a hundred thousand dollar clubhouse at the corner of Market and First streets. In July, 1908, the directors had a meeting to determine what should be done in relation to new clubhouse quarters, as their lease with the National Bank of Commerce on the present clubrooms had expired. Mr. Sim made a proposal to fit up rooms in his new building. While discuss- ing this proposal Judge Dale asked, "Why not build a new club and get a home of our own?" The suggestion of a new
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clubhouse was all that was needed. It was known that the old Baptist church property was for sale and on instructions from the directors to purchase the same H. J. Hagny in less than thirty minutes returned from the Kansas National Bank and advised the gentlemen he had purchased the property through Mr. Chand- ler, a member of the Baptist church board. The building is 150x 140 feet, five stories and basement. On the first floor are the ladies' reception and dining rooms, lounging room, living room and offices. On the second floor are the dining rooms and kitchen. On the third floor, billiards and games. On the fourth and fifth floors are sleeping rooms. On the roster of the Commercial Club are the names of a good many men who have done and are do- ing things for Wichita. Among them are Charles Aylesbury, F. A. Amsden, O. A. Boyle, J. H. Black, C. H. Brooks, V. H. Branch, Tom Blodgett, C. M. Beachy, H. E. Case, Charles G. Cohn, L. W. Clapp, Henry Comley, D. M. Dale, C. L. Davidson, J. O. David- son, W. C. Edwards, T. G. Fitch, Dean Gordon, P. V. Heally, J. D. Houston, Dr. J. Z. Hoffman, R. L. Holmes, H. J. Hagny, Ben Eaton, W. P. Innes, E. B. Jewett, Thomas P. Kelso, Henry Las- sen, M. M. Murdock, R. L. Millison, B. F. McLean, L. S. Naftz- ger, John L. Powell, George L. Pratt, Charles H. Smyth, J. H. Stewart, C. W. Southward, Henry Wallenstein, H. V. Wheeler, H. J. Allen and others.
HOME OF THE COMMERCIAL CLUB.
No city ever grew largely without the aid of a strong com- mercial organization. The modern city that outstrips her neigh- bors is not always the one of favored location and rich surround- ing territory. Wichita prizes its commercial club. It is the boost- ers within a city that makes it great. It is the aggressive, never- give-up spirit of the merchants, the jobbers and the manufac- turers which brings a city into the limelight before the eyes of the world. From the beginning Wichita had some sort of a com- mercial organization. There were not always handsome parlors, equipped with tables for games and easy chairs for reading. The early day commercial organizations held their meetings in wooden shacks, where the members sat on nail kegs and cracker boxes. But the spirit of acquisition was there in the tiny wooden quar- ters just as it now permeates the atmosphere about the clubrooms of any of the three Wichita commercial organizations today. It
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is the same spirit that is now prompting the business men of the city to reach out for new trade by means of a trade extension excursion. Forty years ago Wichita was nothing. Today it is a city of about 60,000 inhabitants, growing at the rate of 5,000 to 10,000 persons each year. New industries of all sorts, brought in through the influence and assistance of the commercial or- ganizations, are largely responsible for this rapid increase in population.
Foremost among the Wichita commercial organizations is the Wichita Commercial Club. It is an institution builded of big men, who play for big stakes and usually win. There was never a really big job tackled by the city of Wichita in which the Com- mercial Club failed to take an active part. It was twenty-one years ago that the old Coronado Club was organized. It was not prompted by any commercial instinct. In fact, it was to be a purely social club, where the "big boom" sufferers might while away a few hours of idle time each day. But no true Wichitan ever had time to waste in the comfortable luxury of a social club- house. There were some who were not completely winded by the hard jolt landed by the bursting of the boom. And these, after a few years of listless existence, began to awaken and to regain something of the old-time spirit, which went after things at the drop of the hat, and brought them home on broad, tri- umphant shoulders.
The Wichita Commercial Club was the result of this unrest. In 1896 the Coronado Club went out of existence and a live, hustling commercial organization was formed. Years passed and the club grew, taking the city along with it. In 1904 the old Levy home at the corner of First street and Topeka avenue be- came too small for the organization. At that time the National Bank of Commerce was planning to build a new home, so the Commercial Club engaged the two upper floors of the new build- ing. When the club entered this new home six years ago it had less than 200 members. The new quarters were considered com- modious and beautiful. But the city began to grow faster than in any previous period of her history and the membership of the club increased by large bounds. A new modern club build- ing was being talked of before the organization had worn the new off its present quarters. A year ago plans for the new clubhouse were commenced. A fine location was secured on the northeast corner of First and Market streets. On that site is
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being builded a five-story, fireproof building, which, when fully equipped, will be the finest clubhouse in the state.
Within this year the Commercial Club will occupy its new home. As it steps out of the old shell into new raiment it will likewise broaden and lengthen to fill a greater need. For there was never a time in the history of the city when the sinew and courage of a strong commercial club was needed more than at this time. The membership of the club now approaches 400. The officers and directors are strong, vigorous business men who have succeeded in spite of adversity and builded a city that is the pride of Kansas and the metropolis of the Southwest. These men are: Charles H. Smyth, president; Howard E. Case, vice-president ; V. H. Branch, treasurer; John McGinnis, secretary.
The directors are : Frank C. Wood, L. W. Clapp, H. J. Hagny, W. P. Innes, C. L. Davidson, F. A. Amsden, V. H. Branch, J. O. Davidson, Henry Lassen, C. W. Southward, C. H. Brooks, H. C. Case, Charles G. Cohn, T. G. Fitch and Charles H. Smyth.
THE WEST WICHITA COMMERCIAL LEAGUE.
By J. B. COVAULT, SECRETARY.
The youngster among the Wichita commercial organizations is the West Wichita Commercial League. It is an infant in age, but a good husky fellow in strength and size. It is distinctly a west side institution, but has never yet refused to come over the river to help boost Greater Wichita. The West Wichita Com- mercial League is less than two years old. In one year it reached a membership of 130. Now there are 160 names on the club's roster. Roomy club quarters are maintained at 1005 West Doug- las avenue. Enthusiastic meetings of the members are held here every month. Things of vital interest to the west side are the chief business of the club, but nothing of city-wide importance is overlooked by the league's active membership.
To the West Wichita Commercial League goes the credit for landing the largest manufacturing institution coming to Wichita in a good many years. This factory, secured only two months ago, is the American Paper Manufacturing Company. This con- cern has secured ground in the northwestern section of the west side and will erect a half-million-dollar strawboard plant during
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the coming twelvemonth. The league's committee on new in- dustries worked long hours and burned the midnight oil many nights in landing this big institution. Public-spirited men of the league donated their services and finally, when a suitable site could not be found at a reasonable price three men donated eighteen acres of their own land to make sure of the mill. Since its organization in June of 1908 the West Wichita Commercial League has done much to enliven the civic pride of that section. Streets are cleaner and better kept; yards are neater and more attractive; interest in making the west side a cleaner and more beautiful place in which to live has increased tenfold through the efforts of the league. Aside from the big paper mill the club has landed several other business institutions for the west side during the past year. The officers are constantly on the lookout for op- portunities and few get by them. At recent meetings there was much interest shown in the Orient bond election and every mem- ber of the club worked hard for the passage of these and the Ar- kansas Valley Interurban bonds.
"More car lines, more pavement and more factories" is the slogan of the league for the coming year. West Wichita has grown marvelously during the past five years and the facilities of a few years ago have been outgrown. Several miles of new paving have already been contracted for and two car line exten- sions are in prospect for the next few months. With the com- pletion of the $100,000 concrete bridge across the Arkansas river, giving West Wichita better connection with the east side; with the extension of the street railway from Seneca on West Doug- las to the city limits on the west ; with her half score of churches, her high elevation and general lay of the land on which she stands, West Wichita is destined to be the attractive place to the future homeseeker in Greater Wichita. West Wichita has in- stalled a sewerage system which will add greatly to its sanitary condition. There are many other things of interest concerning West Wichita about which we would like to speak, but it is im- possible for us to do so at this time. We would suggest that you write the secretary of the West Wichita Commercial League, telling him what you want and he will put you in touch with the proper committee that will give you the desired information. Will say, however, if you are looking for a location to engage in the manufacture of an article of some kind, or if you are looking for a place for a home where you can spend the remainder of
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THE COMMERCIAL CLUB
your days in peace and ease, come to Wichita and you will find just what you want in West Wichita, the garden spot of the Queen City of the Southwest.
The officers of the league, who are giving their time and ener- gies to make the city grow at capacity speed, are: W. S. Hadley, president; William McKnight, vice-president; J. N. Covault, secretary ; G. T. Riley, treasurer. A strong board of directors stands behind these officers ready to lend its assistance when nec- essary. The directors are: John Harts, James Murray, Fred Farmer, Wallace C. Kemp, Jesse L. Leland, George Cole, W. E. Davis, Charles T. Lindsay, O. Martinson, L. F. Means, H. Shap- cott and H. D. Cottman.
CHAPTER VII.
THE WICHITA WATER COMPANY.
The people of Wichita may be assured that when the present improvements are completed that they will have one of the most up-to-date water systems in the country, and not only will they be guaranteed the purest water for drinking and domestic pur- poses, but an ample supply for fire protection. During the past year the American Water Works and Guarantee Company, own- ers of the Wichita plant, have expended an enormous sum of money, the greatest in the history of the company, on extensions, reinforcing lines and other improvements. An entire new sta- tion has been built. A new 100-foot brick stack has been added, in addition to two 250-horsepower boilers. Two new 5,000,000- gallon pumping engines have been installed, bringing the pres- ent pumping capacity of the plant up to 20,000,000 gallons per day. The present well system is also being thoroughly over- hauled and many new wells are being added.
In addition to the foregoing, more than twenty-five miles of cast iron mains, the greater part of which will be reinforcing lines of large diameter, have been authorized and are being laid. A new twelve-inch reinforcing line is being laid north of the pumping station into the Riverside district. Pipe is on the ground for reinforcing line up Waco avenue to the stock yards and packing houses. Probably the most important reinforcing line that is to be put in will be an additional sixteen-inch main from the station direct to the heart of the business district; this in addition to many miles of smaller lines which will be put in to reach the residences in outlying districts, all of which will be properly reinforced. As a result of the foregoing mentioned im- provements the city of Wichita may boast of having one of the most complete water works systems in the western country, and this opinion is supported by the statement of several expert water works engineers, who recently visited the plant and who have no interests in it whatever. They pronounced it one of the
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THE WICHITA WATER COMPANY
most up-to-date systems in the world, and one that is now be- ing adopted by different water companies who are desirous of supplying their patrons with a pure supply of water. The water itself comes from a series of large cylinders which are sunk be- neath the bed of the Big Arkansas river to a depth of from forty to forty-five feet. By means of steam pressure all the sand is forced out of these cylinders and the water is permitted to flow through the deep body of gravel which remains, thus affording one of the purest water supplies to be found anywhere.
The water from these cylinders is syphoned by vacuum pumps into a large cement receiving reservoir, where the water is thor- oughly aerated before passing into the mains of the city. This is in addition to the company taking every known precaution to guard against contamination of the city water supply, as it is a well-known fact that many of the most malignant germs cannot exist in water thoroughly aerated. The cement receiving reser- voir, constructed for this purpose, is one of the most important of the company's recent improvements. It is thirty-three feet deep and twenty-five feet in diameter and is built of brick, laid in cement. The walls of this reservoir are three feet thick at the base and about two feet thick at the top and are cemented thor- oughly to prevent any surface water getting into it. By means of vacuum pumps the water from the cylinders or wells is emptied into this reservoir, where it is kept at just the water level in the ground. From this receiving reservoir the large pumps force the water through the mains to all parts of the city. So care- fully adjusted is this system that not a ripple disturbs the sur- face of the water in the reservoir, though thousands of gallons of water are discharged into and pumped out of it every minute. Some idea may be had of the purity of this water when one is given a chance to look down into it. Although it stands twenty feet deep in the reservoir, it does not look to be more than three feet deep, and one could easily see a nickel on the cement bot- tom, so clear is the water. No sediment or filth of any kind can find its way into this reservoir. This differs from the reservoirs in some cities where the water is retained in great receptacles to settle before it is pumped into the mains and where masses of green scum and moss cover the top of the water, thus forming a breeding place for all kinds of disease germs. As the source from which the water is drawn, namely, the underflow of the Ar- kansas valley, is six or eight miles wide and hundreds of miles in
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length, it is plain to see that it is inexhaustible, and in case more water is needed at any time all the company would need to do would be to sink more cylinders by which to draw from the under- flow. Another evidence of the great care exercised by the water company to guard against any possible filth or contamination to the water used is that it owns the entire island on which the pumping station is situated. Originally there were two channels of the river, but now there is only one in which the water runs, but the water company's holding is commonly spoken of as the island. The strip of ground is forty rods or more in width and about a mile long and no stock or offal of any kind is allowed upon it. Thus every possible safeguard has been provided against any impurities in the water which is offered to the people of Wichita for their use. This water is frequently analyzed and has always been found to be of excellent quality.
The last analysis made by W. E. Bunker, an expert bacteri- ologist, assisted by Dr. F. H. Slayton, city physician, shows the water absolutely pure and safe for drinking purposes. It cer- tainly ought to be a source of satisfaction to the people of Wichita, as it is to the water works company, that they have a system so well equipped and a supply of water so pure. There are two requisites for an ideal water supply that are always to be sought. The first is absolutely pure water as a reasonable guarantee of health and an abundant supply to insure protection against fires. No city can boast of anything more desirable for the upbuilding and advertisement of its advantages than an ade- quate and pure water supply and no citizen can afford to dis- parage such an advantage for political or other purposes. A town may have mills and other great industries, but if they are at the mercy of the flames and the workmen who are employed in them are compelled to use impure water it is a dangerous place to live. Give the people plenty of pure water, such as they are assured here in Wichita, and the saving in doctor's bills and undertaker's charges alone would be an argument in its favor. The Wichita Water Company has nothing to cover up. It in- vites the most rigid and critical examination of its system and water supply, and the public is especially invited to visit the station, where the engineer in charge will take pleasure in show- ing visitors over the plant and explaining everything in detail. Every detail of the water system is now and has been for twenty years under the personal supervision of Mr. Fred D. Aley, the
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superintendent. Having lived in Wichita from his boyhood, Mr. Aley knows what his city needs, and as a resident and a large taxpayer he feels that he has a personal interest in the matter aside from any pecuniary interest as superintendent. This has given him a sense of pride in trying to make the Wichita water system the best in the West, and the company reposing the utmost confidence in his judgment and having faith in the future of the city has anticipated the city's needs by the present extensive improvements.
CHAPTER VIII. THE WICHITA LAND OFFICE. ITS EARLY HISTORY-ITS OFFICERS, CLERKS AND ATTORNEYS.
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