THE F. E. & M. V.

THE UNION PACIFIC.

THE MISSOURI PACIFIC.

THE ROCK ISLAND

---

LINCOLN

221

matters in Lincoln was the beginning of regular train service on the Rock Island Road through Lincoln. The line from Omaha to Lincoln was finished last year, but owing to the Union Pacific going back on their contract with them in not allowing Rock Island trains to cross their bridge at Omaha regular trains were not put on until near the middle of 1891, when the courts decided that Rock Island trains must be allowed to cross the Union Pacific bridge. This is only one of many examples where the management of the Union Pacific road has made itself obnoxious to the public and acted detrimental to Nebraska's advancement.
     The Rock Island has only begun its occupation of Nebraska, and its mileage is as yet small. It has fifty-nine miles of track between Omaha and Lincoln, fifty-four miles between Beatrice and the State line, fifty-one miles between Fairbury and Nelson. fifteen miles between Fairbury and Mahaska. and twenty-seven miles between Beatrice and Fairbury, a total of 196 miles.
      The importance of this road to Lincoln lies in the fact that it places Lincoln on a through line of one of the greatest railroad systems in the Union, and gives it a new outlet to three important points--Chicago, Denver and Kansas City. Two through passenger trains each way between Chicago and Denver, pass through Lincoln daily; and one accommodation train and one fast freight run each way daily, besides extra freights. At present there is no through train to Kansas City, but one will be put on in the spring.
     It is expected that the Rock Island will soon locate its depot and make substantial improvements on its depot grounds and freight yards. As to its future extensions, it is reasonably certain that it will not be long before this road will build south from Lincoln to connect with its southern line, and west from Lincoln to shorten its line to Denver. If this shall not be done soon, however, it will not be a serious matter as the road is able to run through trains both south and west over reasonably direct routes.

JOBBING TRADE.

     There could be no more conclusive evidence of the advantages offered by Lincoln for the jobbing business than the fact that no business of that kind ever established on any proper basis in this city has ever failed; and the further fact nearly all our great jobbing houses have started from small beginnings as retail stores and have absolutely been forced to greatness by the growing demands of the great and rich territory tributary to Lincoln. The reason why this is true may be seen in the following facts:
     1. Lincoln has tributary to her, by railroads reaching the territory by their own lines, nearly 100,000 square miles of the richest agricultural land in the United States, while two of her great railroads bring her into direct communication with the northwestern cattle ranges and very extensive fields of coal, iron, petroleum and other valuable minerals.
      2. By railroad connections that give them as good rates as are enjoyed by the jobbers of Omaha, St. Joseph or Kansas City. Lincoln wholesalers are now doing business in Dakota, Wyoming, Eastern Colorado, Western Kansas and Northern New Mexico.
     3. From three-fourths of this territory, orders can be sent by mail and the goods sent out in a day's less time than from the rival cities of Omaha, St. Joseph and Kansas City. While from all distances, up to 200 miles, merchants can come to Lincoln personally, make their purchases. and return home without consuming more than one day's time.
     4. No city in the United States is the center of as complete a system of diverging railroads controlled by and centralizing the interests of one corporation as Lincoln, the heart of the B. and M. system in Nebraska.
     5. While having the advantage of being the center of a great railroad system. Lincoln is assured all the possible benefits of competition by her location on four other great systems of railroad. These claims can be verified by any one who will take the pains to study the railroad maps and time tables with that end in view.
     A vast territory, reached by eleven diverging lines of railroad and dotted with flourishing villages every eight or ten miles, can be reached by Lincoln jobbers in less time than by those of any other city. Retailers here have been forced to job hardware to the amount of $250,000 within the last year. A boot and shoe house would do a good business almost from the very day of its opening. A single retail dealer in the city has unwillingly jobbed goods to the amount of $200,000 during the year 1891. There is large sorting trade in boots and shoes and Lincoln, with her quick communication with so many towns, is so situated as to catch this trade admirably. Hats and caps could be jobbed here profitably and a dry goods house or two of them--of the right kind would speedily establish an enormous trade, in fact there is no wholesale business that would not do well in Lincoln.
     The total jobbing business done for 1891 was $15,000,000, and this mostly by houses also engaged in retail trade.
     There are nine jobbers of implements and wagons, seven of books and paper, two of shoes, one of bread and pastry, three of butter and eggs, two of carpets, eight of cigars and tobacco, five of clothing, fourteen of coal, one of drugs, three of coffee and spices, two of dry goods, twelve of flour and feed, six of fruits, one furniture, one oil, five glass and paints, one glassware, one of gloves, four groceries, two hardware, three harness, two hides, four ice cream, one jewelry, one leather and findings, nine liquors, thirteen of lumber, one mill supplies, three oysters, two plumber supplies and pumps, one rubber goods, one seeds, nine of stone, one of vinegar.

FACTORIES.

     A good slack coal for steam purposes can be had in Lincoln for $1.50 a ton. This is more than at the mines but the manufacturer must

---

222

NEBRASKA'S ENTERPRISING CITIES.

remember he is nearer the consumer and freight on goods is higher than freight on coal.
     Nebraska, as we have already shown in many columns of our book, produces the raw material for a vast number of manufacturing industries. First is her corn, both in its elementary and what has been termed its secondary condition, when it becomes hog, excellent qualities of clay both for brick and pottery is got at Lincoln's door. Oats and wheat are waiting for more mills to take them. Flax seed is also shipped in great quantities from Lincoln. Straw for paper, beets for sugar, hides for leather goods are abundant. The product of Lincoln's factories in 1891, is estimated at $8,000,000; the capital invested is 2,800,000 and the number of men employed 2,500. The following kinds of factories are in operation here: artificial stone, blank books, four; engine works, three; bottling works, two; brick and tile, seven; vitrified and pressed brick, broom, candies, two; carriage tops, cigar, six; cooperage, cornice, three; cracker, electrical, three; flour mills, two; foundries, two; harness, six; mantel, mattress, packing houses, two; paint, two; paper, patent medicines, two; model, planing mills, three; pottery, radiators, shirt, two; soap, stove and range, two; cider vinegar and pickle, three; wagon, three.
     Nothing of so much importance to the wholesale trade of Lincoln has occurred as the building of the Burlington and Northwestern roods (sic) though the Black Hills country. It opens to the trade of this city a magnificent territory rich in mineral wealth and rapidly developing. Let it be remembered that Lincoln is nearer to the Black Hills than any other wholesale centre. It is the first wholesale point on the lines of two railways coming from that country and the last wholesale city on the lines in going to that country. It is a splendid field added to Lincoln's jobbing territory and it is already receiving the attention of the wholesalers of this city. While Lincoln is adding to its trade this new territory, it is receiving from the Black Hills and eastern Wyoming a splendid quality of coal that is having a material effect upon the coal market here. To the Black Hills means something for Lincoln in many ways, but it means first and of greatest importance the addition of a territory for wholesalers that is worthy the most careful attention of present jobbers and those who seek a point for establishing in that trade.

REAL ESTATE.

     The author of this work has visited and written of a large number of growing western cities within the last three or four years, and has always found a large number of real estate dealers who were anxious to "boom" prices until they were out of proportion to actual or prospective values. This feature has proven a decided detriment to every city where it has been exercised. and the writer is glad to note that here in Lincoln the majority of her capitalists and well wishers are of a conservative frame of mind; desiring to represent matters as they stand, and not prone to excitement or undue enthusiasm. There are few cities but have suffered more or less from reaction in real estate; in fact, it has almost become a characteristic of the growth of all cities. However, Lincoln has literally been exempt from any such condition, and it is to be hoped that her commercial welfare will always be controlled, as it is today, by conservative minds. All of her business men express full confidence in the present situation. They believe that the prospects for Lincoln are better than ever before. The building activity was never greater. This is an activity not of options, but of purchases for business needs; affecting more materially inside property and exerting comparatively little influence upon outside property.
     The market value of residence property has reached a moderately high point because of the extraordinary inducements offered by the city as a place of residence. In estimating the value of such property as an investment, however, it must be remembered that while this property is now held at a pretty high figure, the causes which have made it thus valuable will continue in operation. Lincoln will always be the most desirable place of residence, not only in Nebraska, but west of the Mississippi River.
      Lincoln business property has never been high. The best inside property, unimproved, has never sold for more than $800 a front foot, and this price has been brought by property in only a few blocks. Outside of these three or four blocks, the best inside lots can be bought for from $400 to $600 a front foot. Large fortunes have been made here within a short period, by holders of real estate, on small investments, and it is assured by circumstances that the growth of the city and the advance in property will not stop so long as the State of Nebraska rapidly increases in population, and certainly the progress of the State bears no signs of hesitating or stopping. 1891 was a brilliant crop year for Nebraska, but 1892 will outstrip it.

REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS.

     The following is a summary of the real estate transfers for the year 1891, compiled by months from the records in the office of the register of deeds:

January	$94,680
February	561,387
March	417,015
April	747,754
May	711,790
June	874,503
July	823,404
August	574.869
September	533,504
October	644,388
November	520.291
December	540,271
Total	$7,772,886

     The improvements made in the following years cost:

1887	$2,900,395
1888	3,287.418
1889	4,000,000
1890	4,120,008
1891	5,000,000

---

LINCOLN

223

     The total assessed value for real and personal property for

1880	$1,496,000
1891	6,500,000

     The Real Estate Exchange was organized in 1887, with the leading land owners of the city as officers and members. It has been instrumental by its unity in action in making the principal building improvements. At the present time it has under its direction over half a million dollars' worth of buildings being erected.

BOARD OF TRADE.

     This board was organized in 1874, but it was not till 1887 that it received new life and began to grow into a body of importance. It. has 825 members. Its freight bureau has been active in investigating freight rates, and maintaining a scale of consistency therein.

LINCOLN PARK.

     This site was purchased by a syndicate of some of the city's enterprising men a year ago, and consists of 500 acres in the southwest part of the city. It has a large natural growth of trees, through which flows Salt Creek, and has been long used for picnics and outings. The Pavilion has a stage and wide porches, and can hold 1,500 people. A splendid "switch back railway" is in operation. Canoes and boats are for hire on the creek, and a steamer also will take those who desire a more retired retreat up or down the stream. An old mill which stood on the grounds has been utilized for the electric plant, which supplies are and incandescent lights throughout the park and the building. The park is the most beautiful in Missouri Country. The management has expended $82,000 on improvements, and is contemplating more.

THE LAKE.

     This is an artificial body formed by flooding the site of the old salt basin to the depth of some five or six feet. It is a fine body of water 600 acres in extent, and about the same degree of saltness as the ocean. A grove of trees at one end adds to its beauty. Bath-houses and bathing-suits are provided, and this luxury is taken much advantage of in the summer months. Of a Sunday the lake is gay with row and sail boats. This winter a large covered bath-house will be put in operation, the water being kept warm by the salt springs which feed it.

TELEPHONE.

     The Telephone Company has an investment of $54,000 in the city. They have 500 miles of wire and 700 instruments in use. They can add 200 more instruments without extra expense. They have the multiple switch board system, and employ twenty-six people.

LANSING THEATER.

     This building opened in November, 1891, says a Nebraska newspaper, is the handsomest temple of amusement west of Chicago. It is 103x142 feet, four stories, of cut stone and pressed brick and cost $250,000. It has a seating capacity of 2.000, and no money has been spared in giving it all modern conveniences and improvements. Its erection swelled the amount of money spent in building last year to $3,500,000.

STREET RAILWAYS.

     In 1891 the street car company spent a million dollars in reconstructing and equipping their entire plant with electricity. The expenditures summarized areas follows:
     Purchase of the Lincoln street railway, Standard street railway, the Lincoln Rapid Transit railway, the Bethany Heights street railway and the franchise of the Lincoln electric railway, $500,000.
     Track construction and reconstruction, $200,000.
     Power house and machinery, $125,000.
     Cars and motors, $130,000.
     Overhead construction, poles, wires, etc., $75,000.
     Miscellaneous, $20,000.
     Total investment of the year, $1,050,090.

     This investment and expenditure gives to Lincoln today forty-five miles of street railway under operation with electricity, employing in its operation 150 men, with a pay roll of $8 000 per month, with lines through the principal streets of the city, centering at the railway depots, the principal hotels and government square, radiating to all suburban points, including West Lincoln, University Place, Cotner University, Union College, the State Penitentiary, the State Fair Grounds, and in fact every suburban point where business and population for the future, as much as the present, warrants their going.
     The electric street railway equipment is a magnificent success, the following statistics compiled by electrical engineers of New York city are in evidence.
     On the 1st of February, 1891, there were in operation the following electric railways on the trolly system:

Number of lines in operation	515
Number of miles operated	2,050
Number of motor cars operated	4,425
Passengers carried for year ending February 1, 1891	500,000,000

     On the first of September the above were increased as follows:

Total number of electric railways, (in operation and under contract)	400
Total number of miles	3,000
Total number of cars	5,000
Estimated total number of passengers for present year	565,000,000

     Either of the above totals in number of passengers carried per year far exceeds the total number of passengers in 1890 by all of the steam roads in the United States put together.
     The showing is the most remarkable in the history of modern invention.

THE DRAINAGE DISTRICT.

     The people of Lincoln by a direct vote authorized and created a drainage district, as provided for by a special act of the legislature. They also elected a board of trustees to have the work in charge and since spring work has been rapidly pushed. This improvement, that involves the straightening of Salt creek for a distance of four miles on the west of the city,

---

224

NEBRASKA'S ENTERPRISING CITIES.

will require an expenditure of $150,000 for labor. Aside from the fact of its value in that line the straightening of Salt creek will be of the greatest value to Lincoln, removing all dangers of overflows and bringing in redeemed a large acreage of ground lying directly adjacent to the city, every foot of which will be made at once available for railroad yardage and for manufacturing plants that are now constantly threatened with damage from overflow. No public improvement will be more far reaching in results than will this work that has been provided for and which is entitled to classification as one of the prominent public improvements.
     There are thirty-seven miles of sewerage in the city.

A GOOD RESIDENCE CITY.

     It is a universal sentiment with people acquainted with Lincoln that it is a good city to live in, It requires but a glance to show that the character of its inhabitants is the best. The homes of Lincoln tell the story. The fifty churches and the great colleges that surround the city, tell stronger than words the influence that is uppermost here. Lincoln is a city shorn of many of the urban evils and with an abundance of that which is good. No man ever left the city to find a better in which to establish his home.

A CONVENTION CITY.

     Lincoln is pre-eminently the convention city of Nebraska. The State boards of agriculture and horticulture always meet here. The State teachers' association no longer discuss any other place of meeting, and 1,200 teachers met here this year. One thousand members of the State farmers' alliance were in session here last winter. The sugar beet convention and the meeting of the Missouri valley medical society occurred here last winter. The farmers' convention met in Lincoln this year. In short, the means of ingress and egress are so excellent and Lincoln stands in such high favor with the State at large, that three-fourths of the important gatherings of the State come to the capital.

LIGHT.

     The Lincoln Gas Company was established in 1872 and purchased the stock of the Electric Light Company, which went into operation in 1886. It has 95,000 feet of gas mains and 350 miles of wire. They operate 325 arc lights (191 of these are used for public lighting) and 4,000 incandescent lamps. The capital of the company is $500,000.

WATERWORKS.

     The city waterworks are built on the standpipe system. Twenty-eight miles of water mains have been laid. The daily capacity of the water supply is 3,800,000 gallons. The source of the supply was developed in a novel manner. An immense well, forty feet in diameter, was sunk fifty feet; at the bottom of the well a system of tubing was sunk to water level, and in this manner an ample supply of pure, clear water is secured, that is free from animal and vegetable matter. any kind of sediment, or animalculæ. As the demand for water increases with the growth of the city, other wells can be sunk in a similar manner, affording additional supply. The waterworks are owned by the city, which gets a handsome annual revenue from them.

HEALTH.

     The death rate in Lincoln is twelve per thousand. In our sketch of Nebraska we have given a full description of the climate, and Lincoln's record amply bears us out in our statements of healthfulness, so we will not dwell on it here. Her water is pure, her natural drainage is perfect, abundance of wholesome food is sent daily to her market, the atmosphere is dry and there are no marshes of stagnant water in her neighborhood.

STREETS.

     The city has nineteen and a half miles of paved streets and three miles more now under contract for finishing this year. A large proportion of it is of vitrified brick. Five years ago there was not a square foot of paved street and two-thirds has been done with home made material.

ADDITIONS TO THE CITY.

     On January, 1890, the city and suburbs covered 11,800 acres. On January 1, 1891, the acreage of the city was 14,410. On January 1, 1892, the acreage has increased to 16,290, this acreage, however, which is all classed as the acreage of Lincoln, includes the suburban towns of Havelock, College View, Normal, University Place, West Lincoln, Manchester and Sabin Hill. These suburbs, while not yet a part of Lincoln for taxation, should be still considered as a part of the city.
     Fourteen plats were filed and recorded as additions during 1891.
     All the above suburbs are included in the street railway and telephone systems of the city proper.

THE RETAIL TRADE.

     There is no city in the West that has a more satisfactory location for retail trade than Lincoln. It is the heart of the State with no river boundary to interfere with trade from every point of the compass. It is a conservative estimate to say that a very large balance of retail business is gained from the territory for fifty miles around, while many of the larger houses do an extensive mail order business from the remote points of the State, and from a considerable territory in northern Kansas. The splendid train service in and out of Lincoln on the many lines of railway centering here makes it possible for people from every direction for a distance of fifty miles to come to Lincoln in the morning for trading, and reach home the same evening. A circle drawn around Lincoln with a radius of fifty miles includes in the circumference fully one-third the people of the State, and geographically it gathers the wealthiest, most prosperous, and best developed part of Neeraska (sic). Thirteen different lines of railway radiate from Lincoln in every direction through this tributary territory, and it is doubtful if there is a city in the West where retailers have such a magnifi-

---

LINCOLN

225

cent territory to draw upon. The banks of the city have a total capital of $3,000,000. There are six national, three state, and three savings banks.

FIRE DEPARTMENT.

     This city in its history has made comparatively little call on the fire department. It has lived remarkably free from large fires. Perhaps this is owing to the promptness and efficiency of the service. It was organized in 1886, and has a corps of a chief, three captains, twenty-four men and fifteen horses. There are three engine houses. The plant consists of 8,000 feet of hose, two chemical engines, three steam engines, six hose carts. The valuation of the property is $75,000, and the annual maintenance is $30,000. The telegraph alarm system, put in last year, cost $11,000.

CHURCHES.

     The forty-two buildings in the city used for divine worship were erected at a cost of over a million dollars. They include Catholic, Presbyterian, Episcopal, Methodist, Baptist, Lutheran, Christian, Congregational, Plymouth, Universalist, Reformed and Free Baptist. The total members is between ten and eleven thousand, and seating capacity 15.000.
     The Y. M. C. A. is at present erecting a $60,000 building for its uses.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS,

     The city has a high school and eight ward school buildings. Within the past six years the number of school children has increased over two thousand. The enrollment this year was 5,215. The teaching force includes high school, three male and seven female; regular grade, two men and eighty-one women: temporary grade, three women; cadets of 1890-91, nine women; cadets of 1891-02, fourteen women; special drawing, three women; special music, one woman. Total, 122 teachers--five men and 117 women.
     That the high schoool (sic) is destined to receive many students from other schools, is shown by the fact that of the 107 in the lower class, thirty-two are students not fitted in the Lincoln schools.
     Connected with the system is a cadet training class, composed of persons of good academic education, who are acting as "helpers" in the schools and are studying the art of teaching under the superintendent.
     Beside frequent grade meetings especially for gaining skill in the school-room, the teachers meet monthly in general institute for more purely theoretical work and personal inspiration which numbers afford. The whole corps of instructors are zealously studying and practicing to reach higher standards of effort.
     Of college education and progress we give a sufficiently detailed sketch of her leading colleges further on rendering it unnecessary to call for anything but mention here. The city has three universities, two colleges and a normal.

GRAIN TRADE.

     Lincoln is the center of the grain business of Nebraska. Her being the railroad center makes her so, and from no other point can buyers get their bids to dealers so promptly through the State. The largest part of the grain sent out of the State is purchased by Lincoln buyers. Every great grain exporting point in the country has its buyers in Lincoln. Chicago. St. Louis, Baltimore, New York, Buffalo and Toledo.
     The Call estimates, from figures given it by individual dealers, that the amounts of corn, wheat and oats bought by Lincoln dealers in 1891, was as follows:

Corn, cars	30,000
Wheat, cars	6,000
Oats, cars	4,000

     This little table makes another showing, how in five years Lincoln has grown from a scattered village to be a metropolitan city:

		1886	1891
Miles street railway		5	45
Miles paved streets		None	22
Miles waler mains		12	28
Miles gas mains		6	15
Miles sewerage		None	17
Electric lights		71	4,325
Incandescent lights	4,000
Arc lights	325
Telephones in use		400	700

     In closing, we must make mention of Lincoln's suburbs, of which she has several.

WEST LINCOLN,

     Incorporated August 24, 1887, has 1,200 population; it has the packing houses, and stock yards, brick works, soap and vinegar works and a refining works; it has a postoffice of its own. On

LINCOLN HEIGHTS

     Is the Episcopal School for boys.

UNIVERSITY PLACE,

     Platted three years ago, has over 1500 residents. It is an incorporated town and has the Wesleyan University and Haish Manual Training School. It is quite n fashionable residence quarter and has a bank, a newspaper, a postoffice and several stores.

HAVELOCK,

     The Burlington town (noticed on page 218) is just northeast of it.

BETHANY

     Is located on a high and beautiful tract and has Cotner University, a newspaper and several stores. All these suburbs are connected with the city by electric car line, except West Lincoln, which is reached by a steam dummy.

REPRESENTATIVE BUSINESS FIRMS AND MEN OF LINCOLN.

     GERMAN NATIONAL BANK--This bank was incorporated December 10, 1886, with a capital of $100,000. and occupies a commanding position in the monetary circles of the city. The confidence placed in the German National by the public is something remarkable, as its annual increase in business plainly shows, the surplus already amounting to over $20,000. This institution occupies the most elegantly appointed and best arranged apartments of any banking house in the city, and it is a pleasure