For Immigrants
Title
For Immigrants
Subject
An ad in the paper explaining the resources available for people to move to El Paso, Kansas
Creator
Wichita City Eagle
Source
Wichita City Eagle
Wichita, KS
Apr. 9, 1874
Page 4
Accessed at Newspapers.com
Wichita, KS
Apr. 9, 1874
Page 4
Accessed at Newspapers.com
Rights
Public Domain
Text
For Immigrants.
El Paso.
The town of El Paso is located on the east bank of great Arkansas River, in the southeastern park of Sedgwick county, Kansas. It has many advantages, among which are its beautiful and healthy location, situated on a high, gently sloping prairie, surrounded by one of the largest bodies of the most fertile land in the state, which is all taken up by actual settlers, who are energetic, industrious and practieal farmers. They are at work in earnest, opening up their farms and making themselves good, comfortable and permanent homes.
Rock Bottom.
There is a rock bottom in the river, extending about three quarters of a mile up and down the stream. On the east bank the rocks are about fifteen feet above low water mark, and on the west bank about twelve feet below the surface of the ground.
Bridge Facilities.
A good substantial bridge, two hundred and seventy-five feet long, spans the Arkansas River at this place, thereby giving the farmers on the west side of the river access to the town at any stage of water and at all seasons of the year. The bridge rests on stone abutments on either bank, and on two iron piers, which stand firmly on the bed rock in the river. It is naturally the best place on the river in this state for a railroad bridge across the great Arkansas River.
Railroads.
Two railroads have already been surveyed to this place; one from the northeast, via Eureka and Augusta, crossing the river at this rock bottom, the other from the city of Wichita to Arkansas City, which proved to be almost an air line, and a very favorable route. No doubt, both roads will soon be completed.
Water Privilege.
There is not the least doubt that here is the best water privilege in the state of Kansas. The great Arkansas River, its source in the Rocky Mountains, is supplied with water in the summer by the melting snows in the mountains, by rain and its many tributaries in winter. The water is always highest from spring until fall, yet it has never been known to overflow its banks at this point. There is an abundance of water during the whole year to run all the machinery that can be placed on the bank of several miles below.
Feasibility of a Dam.
The feasibility of a dam across the river is not questioned, a solid rock bottom all the way across to build upon, the width only two hundred and seventy-five feet from shore to shore, a high bank of clay and rock on the east side, and on the west side a bed of tough clay covered with sand, extending for some ways up the river above the rock bottom. This water privilege must and will shortly be improved. El Paso will be a manufacturing town. The experiments last season in raising cotton demonstrated that this soil and climate are adopted to cotton growing; then why not manufacture it here where the corner stone and foundation have been naturally laid.
The Town.
The town is new, the buildings are substantial, erected for permanent business houses and homes. It contains one dry good store, a drug store, two grocery stores, one Hotel, a wagon maker and blacksmith shop, one shoe store, a meat market, two feed stables, a good school house, and a number of dwellings.
School Privileges.
There is a good school from seven to nine months each year. A Sabbath-school has been organized and is now in a flourishing condition.
Churches.
Two church organizations have been effected, viz: the Methodist and United Presbyterian, each having regular services.
Junction of Stages.
By recent arrangements the Town Company has suceeded in obtaining at this place a junction of the stages of the Southwestern Stage Company. A daily stage runs from here to Wichita, a tri-weekly from here to Fort Sill, a tri-weekly to Wellington, a daily, via Winfield, to Arkansas City.
Timber.
The timber in this vicinity consists of cottonwood, oak, ash, hickory, walnut, mulberry and elm. Cord wood is delivered in town at four dollars per cord.
Business Openings.
There is here a good opening for business men of all kinds, mechanics of all trades; honest, industrious, temperate and energetic men are respectfully invited.
The policy of the town company heretofore has been to donate lots to those who built houses on them. Now, for the first time, they advertise lots for sale.
Home Seekers.
Persons seeking homes or wishing to engage in business of any kind, or desiring to locate in a healthy, pleasant and prosperous new place, among a good class of society, would do well to pay this place a visit before settling elsewhere.
For further particulars address
John Hufbauer, or
J. Hout Minnich
El Paso.
The town of El Paso is located on the east bank of great Arkansas River, in the southeastern park of Sedgwick county, Kansas. It has many advantages, among which are its beautiful and healthy location, situated on a high, gently sloping prairie, surrounded by one of the largest bodies of the most fertile land in the state, which is all taken up by actual settlers, who are energetic, industrious and practieal farmers. They are at work in earnest, opening up their farms and making themselves good, comfortable and permanent homes.
Rock Bottom.
There is a rock bottom in the river, extending about three quarters of a mile up and down the stream. On the east bank the rocks are about fifteen feet above low water mark, and on the west bank about twelve feet below the surface of the ground.
Bridge Facilities.
A good substantial bridge, two hundred and seventy-five feet long, spans the Arkansas River at this place, thereby giving the farmers on the west side of the river access to the town at any stage of water and at all seasons of the year. The bridge rests on stone abutments on either bank, and on two iron piers, which stand firmly on the bed rock in the river. It is naturally the best place on the river in this state for a railroad bridge across the great Arkansas River.
Railroads.
Two railroads have already been surveyed to this place; one from the northeast, via Eureka and Augusta, crossing the river at this rock bottom, the other from the city of Wichita to Arkansas City, which proved to be almost an air line, and a very favorable route. No doubt, both roads will soon be completed.
Water Privilege.
There is not the least doubt that here is the best water privilege in the state of Kansas. The great Arkansas River, its source in the Rocky Mountains, is supplied with water in the summer by the melting snows in the mountains, by rain and its many tributaries in winter. The water is always highest from spring until fall, yet it has never been known to overflow its banks at this point. There is an abundance of water during the whole year to run all the machinery that can be placed on the bank of several miles below.
Feasibility of a Dam.
The feasibility of a dam across the river is not questioned, a solid rock bottom all the way across to build upon, the width only two hundred and seventy-five feet from shore to shore, a high bank of clay and rock on the east side, and on the west side a bed of tough clay covered with sand, extending for some ways up the river above the rock bottom. This water privilege must and will shortly be improved. El Paso will be a manufacturing town. The experiments last season in raising cotton demonstrated that this soil and climate are adopted to cotton growing; then why not manufacture it here where the corner stone and foundation have been naturally laid.
The Town.
The town is new, the buildings are substantial, erected for permanent business houses and homes. It contains one dry good store, a drug store, two grocery stores, one Hotel, a wagon maker and blacksmith shop, one shoe store, a meat market, two feed stables, a good school house, and a number of dwellings.
School Privileges.
There is a good school from seven to nine months each year. A Sabbath-school has been organized and is now in a flourishing condition.
Churches.
Two church organizations have been effected, viz: the Methodist and United Presbyterian, each having regular services.
Junction of Stages.
By recent arrangements the Town Company has suceeded in obtaining at this place a junction of the stages of the Southwestern Stage Company. A daily stage runs from here to Wichita, a tri-weekly from here to Fort Sill, a tri-weekly to Wellington, a daily, via Winfield, to Arkansas City.
Timber.
The timber in this vicinity consists of cottonwood, oak, ash, hickory, walnut, mulberry and elm. Cord wood is delivered in town at four dollars per cord.
Business Openings.
There is here a good opening for business men of all kinds, mechanics of all trades; honest, industrious, temperate and energetic men are respectfully invited.
The policy of the town company heretofore has been to donate lots to those who built houses on them. Now, for the first time, they advertise lots for sale.
Home Seekers.
Persons seeking homes or wishing to engage in business of any kind, or desiring to locate in a healthy, pleasant and prosperous new place, among a good class of society, would do well to pay this place a visit before settling elsewhere.
For further particulars address
John Hufbauer, or
J. Hout Minnich
Collection
Citation
Wichita City Eagle, “For Immigrants,” Derbykshistory, accessed April 20, 2024, https://www.derbykshistory.com/items/show/74.