The proposal from the Santa Fe was as follows: Banker and Engineer Earl from the Santa Fe, “in regard to the proposed subway the company has offered to build.” Mayor Young and Commercial Club President Hoisington met with Supt Dolan, J.H. Santa Fe’s Proposalīy March 1900, they had a proposal ironed out. We are not at all particular what it is.” The editor could not help but notice that none of the businessmen had a business in the block just north of the track. One merchant replied, “ Oh, gives us anything in that line you can think of. They were returning to their homes on the south side of the track for the evening. The group of men, standing in the sleet and rain, had businesses on the north side of the track. The editor of Evening Kansan Republican posed this question to several men one cold, windy February evening just as a “long freight train was pulling over the crossing” at Main. Mathis ( Evening Kansan Republican, 26 March 1900) “What do You Think of a Subway?” What we do need, as a time saver is a viaduct across from Fifth street.” N. What accidents have happened in the vicinity were due entirely to the carelessness of the victims, and they didn’t happen on the crossing but in the yards. Did you ever hear of anyone being hurt there? Of course you didn’t. “You may quote me as being against a subway or viaduct on Main street. Others thought a subway was entirely unnecessary. He has not drafted the plans and specifications for the scheme yet.” (Evening Kansan Republican, 3 February 1900) “You May Quote Me” Vehicles can be lowered to the subway, drive through, ‘ring’ the other elevator down, go up and drive off. Pruit offered the following as a solution to keep Main street open. Some people had creative ideas to accomplish this. One big concern was that Main street remain open. Meanwhile, everyone had an idea or opinion of how to solve the problem. The City appointed Williams, Spooner, and Bennett from the City to meet with these groups and report back “ as soon as possible.” Thoughts From the Street They had been meeting with the Santa Fe regarding a subway. The editor concluded his report “it is up to the people now to say what they want.”Īt the regular meeting of the City Council on 1 February 1900, a committee of representatives from the Commercial Club including J.C. There was a strong feeling that Santa Fe “should stay by the original contract and always keep open Main, First and Walnut street and Broadway.” Some suggested a subway or viaduct constructed near Main either from 4th or 5th streets. “ On the other hand, the safety of life and limb museum be taken into consideration.” The editor of the Evening Kansan Republican replied to the business owners with a quip of his own. Finally, the property owners around the area of the proposed subway had “the greatest objections.” They observed that the value of their property will suffer. One stated reason was “it will spoil the appearance of the Main street of the city.” In addition to changing the look of Newton’s Main Street, it “would divide the town almost as effectually as a stone wall.” The City also was unwilling to assume any damages that might result to property adjacent to the proposed subway. People were against anything that would ultimately result in the closing of Main Street. The strongest objections were regarding the Main street crossing. In a report from the meeting in the February 1 issue of the Evening Kansan Republican, the editor shared some of the objections to the subway. Main Street, Newton, Ks looking south across the railroad tracks. The general consensus, even before the January 31 meeting was that “t he disposal of the First street and Broadway or Seventh street crossings seems to be an easy matter, but Main street promises to be a more difficult matter.” “įollowing the meeting the members were instructed to talk to community members “ in an effort to ascertain the sentiment of the people.” they have signified their intention of doing something as soon as the will of the people is ascertained. No one realize this more than the officials of the Santa Fe. “there is need of immediate action in this line it is no long a question for discussion. The Commercial Club held a special meeting only for members Janu“for the purpose of discussing the question of the Santa Fe crossings.” All members were required to attend and to be ready to “speak to the question intelligently.” Throughout the months of February and March 1900, the question of a subway at one or more of the crossings in Newton was considered by the City Council, Commercial Club and the Santa Fe Railroad. Main Street, Newton, Ks looking north across the railroad tracks.
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