Nebraska Newspapers

    THE OMAHA DAILY BEE : SUNDAY , MAY 20 , 1889 SIXTEEN PAGES. 11
A MODEL SYSTEM OF PARKS ,
The Many Beautiful Breathing
PlnccD of St. Louis.
COST OF THEIR MAINTENANCE.
How They Wcro Scoured by tlio City
and How They Are Managed
Munificent OlflB of 1'rl-
vato Individual ! .
The City of
ST. Louis , May 23. | Special to TUB Br.K.I
St. Louis has often hccn called the "Park
City" on account of the thorough Knowledge
her citizens have of the Inestimable advan
tages ot frcRh nlr and the rrnctlcal woy In
which they have followed up that knowledge
by n utilization ol the almost uncqualcd
natural advantages for nark purposes.
Including the "Zoo" nnd Shaw's pardon ,
both of which nro properly classed as arteries
of the city lungs , no ICBR thnn twenty-four
parks and squares contribute to the good
health and natural beauty of the municipality.
An nggrct-ato of 52,110 acics Inside the city
Hunts U dedicated to this puruoso and there
la no talk of over reducing the area , though
the now million-dollar city hall inny bo built
In the center of Washington square , u down
town park of four acres.
COST Or MA1XTKNANCK.
No city has been more fortunate In the
matter of parks than St. Louis , and no city
taken greater prldo In such institutions.
\Vhcro it has been necessary to issue bonds ,
nsln the case of Forest , Fnllon nnd Caromln-
let they havp been made to run twenty years
nnd bear 0 per cent Interest. The park bonds
of St. Louis , pa ] able In 1U05 , tno considered
pill-edged tcctriUus nnd never go under 123.
The bonds are In no case a lien on the park
grounds to secure payment.
The chief expense , therefore , In connec
tion with the parks Is the cost of tholr care
nnd mnlntDnnncc. 'llio park commissioner ,
who Is ex olllcin n member of the board of
public Improvements Is selected by thn mayor
and holds his ofllco four years , his Hillary be
ing ? 2,000 pur annum.
Every park down to the smallest has n
keeper , who Is appointed by the commission
ers subject to the approval of the mayor.
The smallest salary paid n keeper Is S4iO per
nnninn , the largest ( Forest Park ) $1,800.
All the larger parks employ practical gar
deners.
The cost of maintaining those narks In 18S8
vvas its follows ;
, Uctiton JJ.C01.C8 , Carondalct3,110.33 , Carr
Square fSru.03 , Forest Park ( minimum al
lowed ) JJO.OOO , Gutnblo Place $ (5S5.75 ( , Gra
ils Place e 54.44 , H.vdo Park $2C9.M2 ,
Jackson Place 1030.44 , Laclrdo Park $ T11.24 ,
Lafayette Park $0,017 811 , Lyon Park $1-
73.b2 , O'Fallon Pnrk ,42 .07 , St. Louis
f 1,741.77. St..Louis Place extension $1,499.5.1-
South St. Louis Square W94.S7 , Tower
Grove $25,000 , Washington Square $1,207.13.
The total considerably less than $100,000 ,
ns will bo Been. Add to this $ r ,172 42 cost of
the park commissioner's ofllco and you have
the exact cost of maintaining the finest and
one of the most extensive systems of parks
In the world for twelve months.
Mr. E. O. Eggllng , the general suporin
> tcndcnt of parks In St. Louis is n botanist of
cxlcnblvo reputation nnd character. At thu
break of the war he was a private gardener
in the family of Jcilcrson Davis , cx-prcsldout
of the confederacy.
AI'PIIAlfirl ) VALUE.
The value of St. Louis'
pants arc , ns ap
praised , 18S2 , as follows :
Forest Pnrk. 1,371 acres , purchase price ,
fiMI,095 : cost to August , 1877 , $13,85- > 0 It ) ;
since 1877 $30,000 per year has been appro
priated for it. It is more of a rural retreat
than u place for botanical display.
Tovvtr grove , 27(1 ( acres , including land
and improvements , $1,027,075.
O'Fallon , 100 acres- 5 243,174
Carondalot , 180 acres 200,000
Lnclcde , 3 acres 11,000
Hyde , 12 acres 105,000
IJunton , M'licreg , 75,001
Lyon. lOncres 70,000
Washington , Games 205,000
Gravois , 8 acres 20,000
Carr Square , 23 acres 70,000
3t. Louis place , 15 acres 150,000
Lnf ayatto , 30 acres 1,103,030
Jackson place , " acres , no appraise
ment
Exchange square , lit acres 00,150
Gamble place , 1 aero > . . 23,000
It is proper to add to this that the value of
real estate throughout the city hns ad
vanccd'iuatcrialty since 1852.
1IOULGVAIIDS.
St. Louis was slower to nwnko to the im
portance of boulevards and drives than she
was In realizing the advantages of parks ,
but once public sentiment bccamo aroused 11
took but a few .years to bring to u state of
perfection seine or the handsomest improve
ments of this character in America.
The "west end" Is the ultra-fashionable
part of St. Louis and Forest park parallels
llio sunset line of the city for a swoop two
miles in length. Loading to this park from
Grand nvcnuo , a beautiful street running
north and south from river bank to river
bank ( St. Louis Is on a bond in the Missis
slppi ) , are the two drives hinted at above.
Forest park and Llndoll , the former Is 150
feet wldo , the latter 104 feet , and they are
paved with asphalt. The average cost o :
these streets was approximately six dollars
a foot front ; Including sidewalks , the money
being raised by special and general taxation.
Under the charter property cannot bo taxed ,
especially more than twenty-five per cent , o ;
Its value. As nil the property onthoso ;
boulevards Is worth many times six dollars n
foot the property owners bear the greater
part of the buulcn , In some Instances moro
and In some less , according to location , etc
Circling the extreme western boundary of
the city , extending from Uellofontaluo cemetery
tory on the north to the river Dos Pores on
the south , n stretch of moro than ton miles
Is what will ono duy be the equal of any
Parisian driveway , n natural boulevard
eighty feet wldo , high and dry and easib
Improved. A great deal of money has beer
spent on this street and Its future Is assured
ns a popular resident quarter.
West Pine street , from Nineteenth stroe
to Grand avenue , Is sixty feet wldo , nnd is
paved with asphaltuui. It Is a very populai
resort for wheelmen. Including the side
walks , the Improvements cost $7 per foot
front , approximately , and resilience property
being very valuable , nearly all the money
was raised by special taxation.
Giimd iivonue thirty-six blocks west from
the river front , running north and south , U u
residence street of great popularity. It Is
rapidly being paved from terminus to ter
minus with asphalt. The cost of these im
provements ranges from $5 to $3 per front
foot , raised almost cutiiely by special taxa
tion.
Twelfth street , unless It Is swallowed up by
roinmcrco , which' is rapidly retreating from
the river front , will be a down town boule
vard ono day. It Is now chiefly noted for the
magnificent stntuo In bronze of General U. S.
Grunt , between Olive and Locust streets ,
which was unvellod about a year ago. Gen
eral Sherman assisting at the ceremonies.
Apnropos the march of the business Inter
ests from the levee west , a scheme Is now In
embryo tlmt. If carried out , will work u won
derful change In the appoaianco of St. Louis
us approached from the east. It Is to build a
flrlvoway and boulevard along the river front
about seven miles from end to end.
The Forest Parlc Improvement company
has teen granted pci mlsulon to build n boule
vard along the north line of the park from
King's highway to Union avenue , nnd It is
about completed. This cost the city nothing.
TUB FA 111 OltOUXDS AM ) ZOO ,
III St. Louis all distances are reckoned from
the court house , which for purposes of con
veniences is nrbitrnirlly considered the coa
ler of the town , though Its magnificent dome
points skywards hut four blocks from the
river front , tlio building itself occupying the
iqunro between Itroadway and Fourth
itrects nnd Maikct and Chestnut.
The fair grounds , which Include the zoo
logical gardens , are situated on Grand nvu-
nuo nnd Kosuth avenue , nnd lie throe and a
half miles northwest from thn court houso.
There are elghtv-thrco acres In this tract and
ana It is beautifully laid out In walks and
drives , flunked on cither side with flowers of
every beautiful huoand delightful fragrance.
\Vhcrccottagesof unique design do not dot
the uiounds , the drooping foliage of splendid
Bhnue ti ccs , the dancing flow of cool foun
tain or the natural aparklo of clour lakes
that uilrror hack tlio happy surroundings afford -
ford the visitor delight. Near the center of
tic giomuls Is the laniost amphitheater in
thu United Slates , capable of seating 50,000
people , and It was tested to Us utmost cix-
jiselty ou the d.iy of the pi evidential viiit in
October , 1837 , when Mr. Clovclnnd occupied !
a sent in the Krnnd otnnd. The fair croumlB
belong to the Pair association nnd are ot
course nmlntntncd nt no cost to the city , up
o two years tit o they wore exempt from tax
ation , but n RrnnRcr assembly decreed that
hov should bear tholr share of the burdens
of the state.
SHAW'S GAnnr.s.
Shaw's garden Is ono of the most famous
spots In Amonco. It is ns yet private prop ,
crty , but the public Is allowed frco access to
t every duy In the year except Sunday. It
s owned by Mr. Henry Shaw , tlio bachelor
rtillnnthroplst , many times n mllllonalrc.who
las spent thirty yo.irs and thousands of uol-
ars bringing it to Its present degrco of
beauty and perfection. The .garden 1ms an
nren of fifty-four acres , nnd Is situated on
Tower Grove , between Shaw nnd MnRnolia
nvcnuns. Us liot liousrs nnd conservatories
contain the rarest flowers Hint the cartli pro
duces. The flora ot the world U represented
witlnn Its walls , all so charmingly arranged
that the visitor walks ns If In a fairy bower ,
nnd with n few steps spans n whole zone ,
nnd bicathcs all tlio climates of the flower
producing world. Oranges , lemoni , bananas
md llgs nro scon growing , nnd the stately
pahn rises around rubber , trees , century
limits nnd other rare curious products. It Is
regarded by botanists ns without doubt the
Inest garden In the world. Mr. Shaw , who
Is now la vigorous health ntthongo of ninety ,
will eventually inako the garden the prop
erty of the city. It Is now maintained en
tirely at his own expense.
roiiKST rAitrc.
Forest park Is the npplo of the St.
Lioulslnn's eye , the prldo and glory of the
lown. It hos four nnd n-half miles duo west
of the court hoiiso , nnd embraces 1,371 acres
of forest , through which a dancing stream of
living water courses , shaded by tlio spread
ing protection of great oaks. Four street
nnd ono steam car line reach It , nnd It Is the
"Central" park of St. Louis , the "Fnlr-
mount" of the west. Two of the handsomest
boulevards In the world , "Forest Park" and
"Llndoll , " also connect It with the city , nnd
every afternoon , In season , they nro blocked
with carriages nllvo with equestrians , nnd
dotted with whoolmen. The park was
established In 1875 , long before the city
reached its eastern gateway , and the com
missioners who condemned It , under order
of couit , after n special act of the legislature
had authorized its purchase , allowed .tho
owners $71)9,005 ) for It. To ralso this money
twenty years six per cent bonds were issued
and they are now worth in the St. Louts
money market , some of them having been
renewed , however , nt a lesser rate , twenty-
three per cent premium. The sum of 5.30,000
is annually spent la the p.irk , which amount
is drawn from the ordinary revenue fund for
municipal purposes. Forest park's popular
ity Is almost phenomenal , and no wonder.
Situated high nnd dry , accessible from nny
part of the city In n few minutes for a single
faro of flvo cents , n vorlubln rural retreat
within a step , practically , of down town.why
should It not bo I
The Gentlemen's Driving club maintains
a speed ring In the park , with a
track ono milo round , picnic parties
by the score can lese themselves In shady
nooks where Indegonlous blue grass springs
from the earth with tropical luxuriance ,
twenty-five amateur base ball games can bo
played at ono time in the "ojion" without In
terference , and it is the par.idlso for school
children out for a frolic. Tlio St. Louis
Post-Dispatch with characteristic enterprise
has Inaugurated n movement to snnd tlio
poor children out with tholr attendants every
duy during the heated term this ncaion , mid
already ono cable road has volunteered 1,000
passes , round trip per week , to the fund.
The fresh air mission will co-opcrato. A
lake covering fifty acres affords uncxcclloi
advantages for boat-riding.
There nro monuments in Forest Parkof
Frank P. Ulalr , who ran for vice president
on the ticket with Seymour in 1303 , and Ed
ward Uatos , Mr. Lincoln's attorney genorul.
TOWKIl OHOVi : I'AKK.
The citizen who has 5 cents and n leisure
half day can ride from the court house to
Tower Grove park on n not very swift horse
line of the put-your-nlcklo-in-tho slot variety
and enjoy himself to the full. Tower Grove
is another monument to the generosity of
Mr. Henry Shaw , the venerable owner of
Shaw's garden. It comprises 370 acres be
tween Alngnolhi avoime nnd Arsenal strccot ,
and was deeded to the city by the philanthro
pist in . 1870. There are hand
some and imposing entrances to the
park and within are numerous r.iro decidu
ous and evergreen trees. It has fountains ,
statues , artiticial lakes , rivulets , ornamental
bridges , shrubbery , ( lowers , an evergreen
labrynth , summer houses , pagodas nnd shndo
trees of infinite variety. Handsome bronze
statues of Shakespeare , Huinboldt , and
Christopher Columbus add to the interest of
this park , and busts of Mo7artVnKner ,
Hosslnl , Verdi , Gounod , Beethoven nnd Han
del are much lulmired , Tower park being
pro-omlnently tlio central park of St. Louis.
The city , under conditions of Mr. Shaw's
deed , spends $ " 5,000 u year on Tower grove ,
drawn from the general fund for municipal
purposes. It is under the control of private
commissioners appointed by Mr. Shaw ,
chosen from umoiigSt. Louis' most represent
ative citizens.
LAFAYETTE PAHK.
Lafayette park is ono of the oldest breath
ing spots in St. Louis , and was formerly St.
Louis commons , but it was dedicated to its
pi osont purpose in 1851 nnd has since been
under the hand of the gardener until it
blooms and blossoms hko the vale of Cash-
morc. It comprises 30 acres almost in the
heart of the city , situated within fifteen miu
utes' ride by horse car from the court house ,
bounded by Mississippi , Lafayette , Missouri
and Park avenues , aristocratic residence
streets , whoso stately mansions , If fortun
ately situated opposite , rojolco in a thirty-
aero front yard maintained at public expense ,
whoso estimated value is $100.000 per aero.
I3ronzo statues of Thomas H. Honton. thirtj
years a United States senator from Missouri ,
George Washington and the Marquis Do
Lnfuvctto attract the admlratioa of the
artist. A kocpor employed at a salary ol
$1,800 per annum , looks afterLafavatto park ,
under the general supervision of the parlc
commissioner. The cntiro cost of the beauti
ful spot for the year 1SS8 , was $ (5,017.83 ( , and
It is probably visited by 10,000 people dally
on nn average. Lafayette park Is also con
trolled by a board of private commissioners ,
which is a perpetual corporation. All the
other paries ( oxccpt Shaw's garden , which
is private property maintained for public
benefit ) are controlled by the municipal ns
sembly.
0'FAI.l.OX PAUK.
O'Fallon park , thrco and ono quarter mile
northwest from the court house nnd a abort
distance north of the fair grounds , covers
just ono-quartcr of n section of land ( IOC
nerefl ) , and was formerly the country sent of
Colonel John O'Fulton , It is dotted through
out by "clumps" of troos. making beautifu !
gioves. It was purchased by the city In 1875
and in ISS'J a commission fixed its value at
$2111,171.
HENTON I'AKK.
Olio of tlio prettiest uml most popular re
sorts in St. Louis was originally the Potter's
Hold , the city cemetery being removed ant
its Blto m ml o Uonton park iu 1800 , after the
great cholera epidemic. It cost the city very
little to inako tlio place what It now is , 141
ncrcs of beautiful forest. Hold and flowers ,
situated between Jefferson avenue ant
Arsenal street nnd Wisconsin avenue am
Wyoming street. It cost the city $2,001.08 to
maintain this handsome resort for Soutn St.
Louisiana In ISbS.
i CAltONDALr.T PA UK.
St. Louis has been fortunate In securing
parks without cost. Besides the Shaw gifts ,
the gift of Lyon park by the government
and other donations which will bo mentioned
below , 180 ncrcs now Itnown na Cnroudalot
park was purchased by tlio stuto legislature
for the city In 1874. It is a most eligible
situation in South St. Louts , but has as ye
received little attention. With rapid transit
to the south end , which will bo realized this
year. Curonclulot park will como moro prouil
nontly into notice.
HUH ! PAHK.
The city purchased Hyde parn In 1854 foi
3(5,000. ( It. lies between Salisbury street nm
lircnnan uvmiuoiuul Twelfth nnd Fourteenth
ntreots. It contains I'M acres. It is a fuvor
ito resort with yortn-oudcrs , being beauti
fully laid out nud handsomely improved.
LYON 1'AltlC.
Dy an net of congress approved March 8 ,
1800 , Lyou park , that portion of the Unttci
States nrsonul grounJs lying between Cur on
dnlet uvoiiuo nnd Fourth street , was donatcc
to the city on condition that the city Haiti
the statute of General Lyon , then under
way , It Is n v < > r.v attractive spot and the
Lyon monument la another work u ! tHe
sculptor's art that is fast gaining for tit ,
Louis faoio as the "Monumental City. "
OTIIKH rAURH.
Washington square will bothesitaof tli
now city hall. It contains six acres b\rccn
Clark avenue ana Murkot street , and Twelfth
and Thirteenth streets , beiug the down-towu
park referred to above. It was purchased
by the city In 1840 for S25.000 , with the un
derstanding tlmt' it wns to bo used /or public
mrposcs forovor. The sum of 150,000 has
icon expended on It since its creation.
Qrnvols nark , containing eight acres , Is ono
of the original St. Louis commons grants ami
costs the city nothing. It lies between Pon-
tmc nnd Kansas nvcnunb nnd Miami street
nnd Loulslnnn avenue , nnd being Isolated , little l
ittlo frequented. It Is a reserve for future
use when the city grows.
Cnrr Square , situated between Carr , East
Sixteenth , SVnsh and West Sixteenth streets
s n h.ilf n milo northeast of the court house
nnd Is much frequented by working people.
It is very nttravtivo nnd wns given the city
In 1812 by William C. Carr.
St. Louis place is n long narrow strip of
Tround ono bldck wide , very uneven and con
tains fifteen nercs. St. Louis nvcnuo sepa
rates It into two parts. It Is n popular pic
nic ground nnd wns also n gift to the city ,
being donated by Colonel John O'Fallon nnd
others for a pleasure ground.
Laclcdo Park la n smnll reservation In the
south end , Is bounded by Laclodo and Merrl-
mnc streets and Iowa and California nvc-
nues. U cost the city nothing , being "re
served" In 1853.
Jackson place Is a small north St. Louis
park donated to the city In 1810 ns a piny-
ground for children nnd It has never lost Its
popularity In tlmt respect.
Gamble Place Is the smallest park In the
city , nnd wns opened by privnto cltircns In
1875 , between Gamble and Dlckson nnd Garrison
risen and Glasgow avenues , and has since
been maintained nt thq expense of the city.
FRONTIER TELEGRAPHY.
How thn NCWR Prom Oklahoma \Vaa
Sent to the I'rPB * of tile Country.
On April 22 the largest nnd most com
plete , to say.nothing of being the most
intricate , lot ot circuits over put up in
Lho stuto of Kansas were arranged tit
the Wichita Wobtorn Union olllco on
the occasion of the filing of 60,000 words
of Oklahoma press news , says the Klcc-
'
Lrlc Ago. A special press 'representa
tives' train was run from Guthrlc ,
Dklahoma territory , to Wichita , con
taining twenty-seven newspaper men
with tholr correspondence for the east
ern papers. The train mndo no stops
between Guthrlo and " \Vichita , and
when it reached Wichita it was discov
ered that the rival reporters had
adopted all manner of means to
iot their respective "copy" to
Lho telegraph olllco first , that
it might have the preference in
being sent out. Some two or three of
them hac\raco horses , ridden by ex
port jockeys , in waiting at the depot ,
and before the train had fairly stopped
the daring reporters sprang from it.
and rushing up to the riders , handed
tho'tn an envelope containing their
manuscript , and the word , "Go , "
was given , when the horses dashed
off on a dead run for the tele
graph olllco. Others had secured fast
cabs ; and yet others , not to bo outdone ,
had secured light buggies and fixed
alarm gongs on the front , that could bo
operated from the seat by their feet , in
order to warn the street passoncors at
crossings to look out for their mad
flight , and ns quickly as possible they
jumped into them and started. The
scene on the route to the olllco
was indescribable. Firbt came a
largo white horse ridden by the cor
respondent of the Now York World ,
closely followed by another ridden by
the correspondent of the Herald ; then
came the buggies with their gongs
clanging as they swaved from side to
side in tl ir mad career. Thay wore
followed by the slower cabs on the dead
run. The police in vain tried to stop
the headlong flight. So cunningly was
it planned that a casual observer
standing at the depot five minutes before
fore the arrival of the train would
have noticed nothing uncommon.
At the ofllco each man had a boy
posted who would catch his horse as ho
dashed up. When the calvacado
reached the space in front of the ofllco
a great shout went up from the people
on the streets , the various correspon
dents throw themselves from their
horses and buggies and-mado a rush
for the door , which had been loft open
for the purpose , and all tried to hand
their copy to the receiving clerk nt the
same time. The World correspondent
( who , by the way , is red-hoaded and
rode n white horse ) was the first to file
his bluff. At the oporatingjroom Chief
Operator B. C. Elder was in charge
with the assistance of Night Chief
Operator E. S. Bowers. A now quad
had been run to Arkansas City , and was
looped on all four corners of the regular
Wichita-Kansas City circuits. The men
were placed at a table each , and were
all ready , the Kansas City operators
being in waiting , and when the specials
wore filed they were quickly distributed
and thrco minutes after the train pulled
in tit the depot the matter was being
transmitted as rapidly as fifteen first-
class operators could handle it. It was
filed at 10:45 : p. m. . nnd at 12:80 : a. m.
the last word had boon sent. Manager
Hackott was in attendance at the coun
ter and distributed the "copy ; " Night
Chief Bowers kent business moving ,
wlillo Chief Operator Elder looked after
the wires. Strange to say , not ono of
fifteen circuits went down during the
spurt and all worked fine. Kansas City
handled the same night 100.000 words ol
press matter from the various Kansas
points.
HE FOUGHT FOR FRANCE.
Ono of the First Napolcoii'H Heroes
PIIBSOS Away In No\v York.
Henri Matthieu , who fought under
Napoleon at Waterloo , died on Tuesday
last in the basement of the brick build
ing at 345 West Fifty-third street , aged
ono hundred and ono years , ono month
and four days. In the last years of his
lifo , despite his great age , the old sol
dier wont out of doors nearly every day
when it was pleasant , and was known to
every child in a radius of half a milo
by lnr cano , his patriarchal beard and
his pleasant , smiling word of greeting.
When Matthiou was twonty-ono years
old ho waa conscripted into the ompor-
or's army as a cavalryman in the Ninth
Hussars , Bays a Now York special to the
Sun Francisco Examiner. He was not
in the Ilusbian campaignbut was sent to
the front when the emperor was main
taining an unequal struggle with the
allies at Loipaie. The blowing up of
the bridge at Loipsic in the retreat of
the French army , ho remembered dis
tinctly. When Napoleon was at Elba
Matthiou was mustered out.
On the omperor'b return frorp Elba ,
Matthieu took up his musket again and
followed Bonaparto's fortunes for the
hundred days , The scenes ho then witnessed
nossod were moro vivid to him in his
ago than anything before or since. lie
remembered the brown horse ho rode
jn the battle of Watorloowhon , his rogl-
ment was cut to pieces. Matthiou was
wounded in the head with a bullet , and
ho wns In the hospital for 11 long time
before ho was considered out of dan
ger.
ger.No old moustache at the Invalidos
could bo more enthusiastic in hie devo
tion to Nnpoloon'a memory. That and
a queer political antipathy towards the
Russians were subjects on which any
visitor could make the soldier llaro up ,
and If ho was teased too far ho would
get into a violent passion. Only the
duy before his death a friend asked
Matthiou what period of hlu long lifo ho
had enjoyed the most.
"Whon fighting for my country"was
the answer ,
Mothom give Angostura Bitters to
their children to Stop colio ana loose
ness of the bowels. Dr. J. G. B. Siegort
fi Sons , solo manufacturers. At ul"
druggists.
A MIDNIGHT IfflP SKYWARD ,
Sensations of "h Ollmbor of ft
of a Council ri'luffa Light Towor.
o-o ;
MAGNIFICENT VJE-YV OF THE CITY.
Dwarfed Distances nntl Btunto : !
Height * How itnVVoull ho In n
Storm Trials of \Vntcliiniin
ii 1 1
Tlio Six Towers.
u ( '
At ix Perilous Ilclclit.
The municipal couVicll ot the city of
Council BlufTs , although not given to
following the admonitions ot the scrip
tures touching nil the proceedings of
its executive sessions , hits n shining tes
timonial to the dlTcct that , on ono occa
sion , the members of thut august body
were so fully Impressed with the wis
dom of the scriptural statement that "n ,
light on n hill cannot bo hid , " that
they resolved to withdraw their eloctrio
street lights from under the llgurutivo
bushel tnnt had previously covered
them , and place them on a candlestick
ICO foot high.
The result wns the tower light system
tlmt bus for the past year shod a noon
day illumination over the city during
the hours of midnight darkness.
There tvro probably , very few of the
thousands who liavo stood around the
base of these towers and gazed at tlio
four lights shining like brilliant beacons -
cons Ifil foot nbovo thorn , who have
over stood tit the other end of
the to war and gazed upon the
vastly moro interesting spectacle
stretched out beneath thorn. In fact ,
Ihcro are hundreds who have boon
lieiird to assort , as they watched the
young man whose duty it is to daily
carbon the lights shoot up.vurd through
space in his miniature elevator , that
Bullluieiit money could not bo piled to
gether to induce him to make the trip.
And yet a trip like this doubly re
pays the adventurous climber , who has
sulllciout strength of limb and steadi
ness of nerve to carry him to the top.
A few nights since the reporter , in
spired by curiosity and a desire to win
immortal fame , accepted an invitation
from the night watchman of the towers
to accompany him on a trip to hispoct
the court house lights. The lights on
this tower are the furthest from the
earth ol any in the city , being 177 feet
from terra lirma. They not , however ,
the highest above sea level , as the Oak-
laud uvenuo tower stands on a 1)1 u IT
nearly soventy-llvo feet above the foun
dation of the court house.
As the truide stated at the beginning
of the trip , this was' the hardest and
most tedious toV ascend of nny of tLo
towers , us mi olu'vafor furnished trans
portation to the top sof all the others ,
with very little motive assistance on
the part ot the climber , while to roach
the summit and stand on a level with
the court houso'lightsit is necessary to
climb over two hundred steps inside the
building , then lip nil outside ladder for
the remaining elistn'nce.
Notwithstanding , the discournginjr
prospect , the scfiuo1 decided to tackle
the court houso'tower , as he infinitely
preferred , in ciiSc ho should fall , thai
his descent shquWbo through the
classical titmosphoi'frof a tamplo of jus
tice , burdened 'with1 familiarity with
the disciples of Blnckstone and Coke ,
than through , the Cold and friendless
contents of outer space , upon which the
inlluenco of man's association had seem
ingly never been exerted.
As it was ncaring the hour of mitl-
night , the great building appeared dark
and deserted , but the guide produced a
key that proved to bo the "open ses-
amo" to the court house doors , aiid the
tourist started upon his trip of explora
tion.
tion.Tho
The familiar portion of the structure
was traversed and left behind. After
what seemed to bo an interminable
climb of countless stairways and ladders -
dors , the reporter was ushered into n
little octagonal apartment from which
there was seemingly no outlet but the
liolo in the floor through which en
trance had been plTectod.
Eight little round windows looked out
on every side , and a close examination
revealed a little hook on each side of
ono of them. It was the work of.baroly.a
second to lift out the window , frame and
all , and the guide disappeared through
the aperture. A small platform , two
foot square and an iron ladder extend
ing upward was all that could bo soon.
"Como on , " called the guide from
some unseen point above and
the tourist started again. A
glunco downward revealed the
earth apparently 1,000 foot/ below , and
the roof of the court house was so far
away as to bo unrecognizable.
A' rather queer sensation passed
through the frame of the beholder , and
his hat rose involuntarily in respectful
awe , as ho volunteered the information
that ho "guessed ho didn't care to go
any further. "
"Put your back' to the ladder , look
straight up , and como up backwards
and you will bo nil right , " wore the
next directions , which the reporter fol
lowed , and was soon standing on the
little platform inside the iron railing ,
with his shoulders on a level with the
four great 2,000 candle power lights
that swung noiselessly on all sides of
him.
him.Away on all sides stretched an inter
esting picture , in the subdued and pleas
ing light of 50,000 ennillo power spread
all over the city by moans of this tower
and its six twin brothers. Just
as the beholder was preparing
to take it all in In detail ,
his companion soothingly remarked ,
"Do careful you.Jloh't como in contact
with the frumosjolj why of those lamps ,
or this iron tower { would short circuit a
current through' Vour body , and then
you wouldn't have tt > climb down. " J As
the climbing witev ( yy good , it IB need
less to say the EcSfffcro steered clear of
the lamps. ! f'T1"
The hissing o gq burning carbons
made a rather gpuegqma noise , but the
visitor soon bcc ne jiscd to it , and for
got all about it dta hja'guido pointed out
the buildings tufa points of interest that
had scorned so familiar bolow.
The transfer and the Union Pacific
yards Boomed buri y a stone's throw
distant. The glaring headlights of the
switching engines were plainly visible ,
and the eye could . .nhiinly discern the
swinging luiterliMmho : , hand of Uio in
visible switchman , i hero wiiHnvIdonlly
lifo there , but except the occasional
distant clang of the bell and the vicious
pulling of unovorloadadlocomotive ,
there was no sound from this busy hive.
A little beyond wns Omaha , but the
beholder could scarcely bollevo
that it was BO near , until satis
fied that those lines of lights
extending up the hill at such oven dis
tances wore indeed the street lights of
the twin city. The blazing chimneys
of the Qinolting works wore then pointed
out , and still later the quiet little
suburb of Florence , that should have
boon Eoundly bleeping in peuco and
durknohs , made Known its whereabouts
by a few dim lights. The light did not
extend to the rfvor. and the position of
the devious channel of the Big Muddy
could only bo guessed nt from other
well kn own lantlmnrks.
A long line of lights showed where
Broadway's smooth surface extended
toward the brldgo. The cars of. the
oloctrlo motor moved swlttly up from
the river , Hko toy conches piloted by a
ono-oyod demon , but ns they came
nearer tholr appearance bocatuo moro
familiar and loss uncanny.
Away on the hill to the north lay
Fnirvlow , with Us white marble shafts
gloaming coldly In the artificial light
thrown from the Oakland avenue towor.
The streets of the city , far below , were
nearly deserted , but the laughter and
songs of revelers occasionally floated to
the oar. Ever and anon a hack rattled
noisily along , or a belated clubman
could bo scon hurrying homo. Baylcss
park seemed almost directly under
neath , and Invltod the beholder to slop
off Into Its sea of green follngo. To the
east , the bluffs made u rather dlsmnl
background , while to the south , the
Sixth street tower lighted up hundreds
of roofs of palatial residences and moro
humble cottages.
"It looks nice , doesn't HV" queried
the guide , after It had nil boon care
fully inspected. "Now then , the next
thlntr for you to do is to take it in some
stormy , windy night. If you think thla
was a tough climb , you ought to try the
elevator In the tower when the wind
is blowing sixty miles an hour , and the
gusts fairly tnko your breath away ; erin
in the winter , when everything Is
all ice and snow , and the
slcot seems to ctit to the bone.
There isn't quite so much nootry slid
ing around on an ice-coiitod tower 160
feet from the ground. Take it again on
a stormy night , when the thunder is
loud enough to crack vour skull open ,
and the lightning fairly blinds you , and
you will BCO very dilToront from this.
You ought to take in all of them , and
then you can take your pick from actual
experience.1"
The reporter was perfectly satisfied
with what ho saw , and told his guide
that as for tlio rest ho was willing to
"tako his word for it. " The descent
wns nmdo without nny dilllculty , and
when , on reaching terra flrnm , ho
looked back at his recent lofty perch ,
secminglv such n little distance above
liim , ho fully realized thn truth of the
saying that there nro dilToront ways of
looking nt things , but was still a little
moro strongly than over impressed in
Favor of the good old way.
DRS. BETTS & BETTS
1403 FAIINAU S-riiF.r.T. OMAHA. Nn.
( Opposite Paxton Uot U
Office hours , 8 a. m. to Up. m. Sunday * , 10 &
m. to 1 p. in.
Specialists In Chronic , Nervous , Skin and
tSTConsultation at office or by mall free.
Medicines sent by mall or express , securely
packed free from observation. Guarantees to
euro ( illicitly , safely and permanently.
Bem'-
irprnrnno TiDnmTiVsPBrmntorruca'
NhuVUUO UbDlLllI mil J.osse NightKmls-
lions 1'liyslcal Decay , nrlslug from Indiscre
tion , Excess or Indulgence , producing Sldep-
lessncMs , Despondency , I'implcs on the face ,
aversion to society , easily dlhcourtiROd. lack ot
.
403 Farnani fct. , Omalia , Noo.
Blood aMSKin
results , completely eradicated without the aid
of Mnrcurv. Scrofula , Kryslpeliis , 1'ever Bores ,
Blotches , Ulcers. 1'ains iu the Head and Bonos.
Syphilitic Sore Throat. Mouth and Tongue , Ca
tarrh. ic. permanently cured where otliera
T/irlnniT / ° ririniint7 nni1 HlaiWnr Complaints.
rUflnGY , UrifluTy Palntul , Difficult , Wo fre-
ouent Burning or Bloody Urine , Urine hltm col
Sred or with milky sediment on standing ,
\VcakJlack.donnorrhcea , Gleet , Cystitis. Ice. ,
I'romptly andSafely Cured , Charges Heasona-
inuueut Cure , re
moval complete , without cutting , caustic or
dilatation. Cures effected at homo bv patient
without a moments caln or annovance.
ToYQiini Men anf HidfllB-Ageil-Hra ,
A QITDD THRU The awful effects of early
Q UUlfD uUflfj Vice , which orlnci organic
weakness , deatroyinc : both mind and bed v. with
all Its dreaded Ills , permanently cured.
ni(3 ) ( TJCTil" } Adress tnoue wno tmjrt * Impaired
UuUi DDliu thcmielves by Improper Indul
gences and solitary liobltS , which ruin both
body and mind , unfitting them for business ,
study or marriage. . . . . . .
MAimiBD MBJ. . or those entering on that hap
py life , ware of physical debility , quickly as
" 8toa
< OUR SUCCESS
Is based upon facts , first Practical Expe
rience. Second Every case la especially studied ,
thus starting aright. Third Medicines nro pre
pared In our laboratory exactly to suit eacn
case , tlius affectlni ? cures without injury.
CW'bend a ctnts postage for celebrated works
on Chronic , Nervous and Delia ate Diseases.
Thousands cured. & A friendly letter or call
may savn you futuie sultorlnc and shame , and
odd golden joars to life. C No letters an-
BWCI ed unless Accompanied by 4 cents in stamps.
& BETTS.
UOS Varnain Krtcot. Omaha , N b.
Ice Cream Freezers.
Tlio most complete line in the city.
WM. LYLE DICKEY & CO. ,
14fl ( Doualas Htrcet.
B. IREY.
TO LOAN ,
On City and Farm Prooortyl
GASH ON HAND ,
Mortgage Paper Sought.
Frenzor Block , opp. P.O.
und nil urlnury troubles easilyquick-
ly ana gufely cured byDOCl UUA fun-
. Severn ! cases cured in seven tiuyb. Bold
utfl.50 per 1)0x , nil drugKlxtn , or by mall from
DocUua ii'f'K Co. U- White ut. N. V. Full dh co
lons.
With Hucceiafol E rrlon
BOOli ,
AT UNCK. utatlnu
eilontnfKiporlunce , gurr M , c ,
H.g.TUoursoxm.co..uierii > ist.sii.ouiSjM9.
$5. $ A POLL SET OF TEETH
FOB FIVE DOLLARS.
DR , R. W. BAILEY , - DENTIST ,
Pastern Block , IGtli and Farnaiu Streets.
Wo wish to ntmounco to the people ol Omnliu nml vicinity tlmt from this ilntd
on wo propose to nmko n , FULL SET OF TEETH on rubber for * 5 , guurnntcod 10
bo as well mnilo us pltitos sent out from nny dontixl ollleo In this city , nml foff
which you would huvo to pay THREE TIMES AS MUCH.
This offer Is not inmlo by us simply to got you Into our ofllco and ohnrgo yotl
moro for a sot of tooth thnn wo ndvortlsol
Do not nllow others to projudlca you before making us n , call mid cxiiminlnu
spcclmons of our skill.
Besides rubber teeth wo mnko tooth on the following bnsos : GOLD , ALTJM >
INUM , SILVER , CONTINUOUS GUM CELLULOID , CAST METAL , ETC.
Tooth without plntos , Bridge-work , Gold mid I'orcohxjn faced crowns , otc.
The bobt innthort in tlio city for oxtructinp tooth without imin mid without
the use of Chloroform , Ether , Gns or Electricity , the patient roumlng porfootly
conscious , but fooling no pain.
GOLD , ALLOY , CEMENT mid AMALGAM FILLINGS , one-half rates.
TAKE ELEVATOR ON SIXTEENTH STREET.
OFFICE 312 and 313 PAXTON BLOCK.
Cut this out. Mention this papor.
The ONLY Lawu or Garden IIoso MADE which will stand
* 250 POUNDS PRESSURE.
BUY the BEST , It will LAST the LONGEST
A liosohlch will do pooil work In most cities , will not clvo satisfaction In
Onmlni , on acsountot tlio extreme hlith pressure. Wlillu donlcrs cjiuplnln ot
other hose being returned In lareommtitltloi because It Is not strong enough to
stand thu pressure. Nol Unc Foot o/Uic"FISH BRAND" lias over fulled.
Vor ale by nil dealers , or
OMAHA RUBBER Co. ,
1O08 Farnam-st. , Omaha , Neb.
Wholesale or Retail.
ETCHINGS , EMERSON ,
ENGRAVINGS , HALLET & DAVIS ,
ARTIST SUPPLIES , ! KIMBALL ,
MOULDINGS , PIANOS AND ORGAN *
FRAMES , SHEET MUSIC.
1513 Douglas St. Onialia , Nebraska ,
Furniture Company
A inognlflcciit display of everi/thlng useful and omitniental in the furnl
tiire nutlier'a art at reasonable prices.
THE BUSINESS OF
THE OMAHA MERCHANT TAILOR COMPANY ,
114 SOUTE ! Ift'i'BR STBtKCT ,
lias far exceeded their expectations. The low prices , together with line work and pnifoct flt , have
convinced thslr customers that it la llio cheapest plixco to buy their garments. Uhoy uro con-
bluntly receiving new goods for the summer trade.
SUITS FJKOai * ? ! 28 WPWAUWS. PANTS FEtOJff 07 UE WARI > 8
REAL ESTATE
AND
Room -19 Bnrkor Block , cor. 15th nnd
Fnrnnm SU'oots.
Trackage
2t lots have been sold during
the past SO days , on lOth and llth
streets , near Nicholas street , by
us. Tills property is especially
adapted for warenouses al
yards , factories , etc. It is easyjof
access , three quarters of a mflo
from the postoffice ; Is reached
from 16th street , by going east on
Nicholas.
A FEW
Union Pacific , Missouri Pacific ,
Fremont , Elkhorn & Missouri
Valley , Belt Line , Chicago , St.
Paul , Minneapolis & OmahaChi-
cage & Nortwestern , Burlington
& Missouri River , Kansas City ,
St. Joe & Council Bluffs , Chicago ,
Burlington & Quincy Trackage.
The Illinois Central and Winona
& Southwestern contemplate
trackage in the Immediate vicin
ity very shortly. Nicholas is now-
paved to lOth street , which gives
a continuous line of level pave
ment to any part of the clty.Many
warehouses are now In course
of erection Jn this locality.
BUY SOON ,
CALIFORNIA
111
JAS. MORTON & SON'
1511 Dodge Street.
PATRONIZE
e Cigars
TRAD ( VIARK ,
"RED LABEL ; Ml 5fl
J > GCTOK
G. M. Jordan
Iatn of the University
of New York City and
I [ ou ard tJiilverslty\Vusb
initton , 1) . U.
HAH OmCKd
Xo , 310 nntl 311
'Corner fifteenth mul Mac
y Hts. , Unmha , Neb.
.K.'ru nil rurulilo ciuia
nro treated lth BUS
cesH.
, ASTHMA , D/HI-KI-HIA. DKAF-
NESH , 1IIH.IUIATIBU , * Ml NKUVOUS AND
DitlSASKS.
( J TA IUlClIIIK . , . , .
( XJNHUl/rATION nt office or Dy mall , II.
Olllco hours-Oto U n. in. , Bto4 p.m. . 7 to Bp.
iu. , Bundny olllce houru from U n. m. , to 1 p. in. *
ttUnrdUeabeu me treated miceoHnfully l > y Or.
JonlontliroiiKii the mat la.und It U tlius possible
for those mitible to inako n Journey to ohtam
HUCpliBHHIIfj HUSl'iTAb THKATMIJNT AT
" °
Ti"nillfor hook'on UlHe.wes . of Noae.T.rcat ,
Jt. M. Ilamlln , 1'huinlx Jus. Co.
H. A Urclinrd , Carpet Dealer.
John rlielby , ( irocur.
Jolm liiisli.jJItyM'roanuri'r
Vfb WPAK . Jlli tf
ttiPaBj'"fnrli.jffr
II Ilb-.IJTSlK'mI."cRirPiUl''Ul ! ' ' ' '
§ - . . . . . |
inmiTiood , ttA. I will MiiiTA tulu&bfo IrtAllM u < lrdi
riiiiiilnlnu full i rtkul > r lor iiuuie iiirv , lire ut
CPKOF. Fl"d'FOV/LEK. ! Wooduo , Conn ,