Muncie in Embryo; blurbs about the Hemingray works under construction

MUNCIE IN EMBRYO

A TRAMP THROUGH THE BUDDING

SUBURBS OF SOUTH MUNCIE.

A little over one year ago the pun­gent odor of potent gas began to penetrate the nooks and crannies of blush­ing and modest Muncie. Our beautiful city has always been a shy damsel, a blatant tongue had never her­alded her many charms. Her beau­ties were but little known only to those who enjoyed a personal ac­quaintance with the modest and diffi­dent hamlet. Natural gas was a most vigorous stimulant. To her charms and attractions was added the lustre of brilliancy. Her energy, in­dustry, push and vigor attracted the attention of statesmen of wealth and business experience and they came to town to pay court to the fair gem of Indiana's cities. They were fasci­nated by her solid worth, charmed with the hospitable, bustling people, delighted with her advantages over sister cities, and with a gladsome smile men of money swore allegiance to the young city. "Muncie's welfare is ours," they said, "and her prosper­ity will reflect on us."

They planted silver dollars by the roadside and the silver has turned to golden eagles. Farmers sold their land by acres and others were glad to buy it by the foot. Wheat was reaped from the fields and factories planted instead. Hills were leveled and houses erected in their stead. Anti­quated houses disappeared under the hand of the iconoclast and magnifi­cent stone buildings were erected by the hand of progress.

A few days ago, before old Boreas sent his untimely shivering blasts to freeze the spring hopes of Hoosiers, the writer took an extensive tramp through the subdivisions that have recently been annexed to Muncie.

The first place visited was West Side, new suburb across White river on Jackson street. Two years ago the Calvert homestead was the only residence in the neighborhood. Now there are dozens of new houses and contracts have been let for the erection of over fifty more. One pleasing feature about West Side is that nearly all the residents own their homes. They buy a lot and build themselves a house. None of the land is in the hands of speculators. Lots can be purchased at reasonable rates. Hundreds of lots are offered for sale and it is a fine place to live.

The writer then tramped across White river to the Yorktown road. There the work of the surveyor was to be seen and many lots are sold and will be occupied by neat dwellings in the spring.

Making a bee line from here the Middletown road was soon reached and we were at Winton Place. This subdivision was primarily designed by the late Dr. Robert Winton. The doctor had grand ideas about Winton Place, which, unfortunately, he was never able to consumate [sic] consummate. Neverthe­less he left Muncie a rich heritage in the beautiful avenues of maples. The doctor intended that this should be the popular driveway of the city. The original plans have been accepted by the city as a subdivion [sic] subdivision, and many lots have been sold.

Mr. Geo. Stafford has given a contract for the erection of about twenty houses in this subdivision.

A few hundred feet to the south the writer came to Ohmer Avenue. This avenue is a new thoroughfare. Commencing at Middletown road it goes directly east, crossing Walnut street, near the toll gate, from there it extends to Macedonia Avenue. The avenue extends from there to the Burlington road. It will be 100 feet in width the entire length, will be graded and finished as a drive.

Without going the entire length of this long drive we went south on the Fort Wayne Railroad. In a few paces we came to the Rubber Works. A little farther along we came to the Pulp Works. At both of these man­ufactories work in progressing very satisfactorily.

From here we went north-east, an­gling across lots to the "Glass Dis­trict." All the way across the work, of the engineer was everywhere to be seen. Every inch of ground was laid off for lots, streets, alleys and parks. Along here was also to be seen the line of the long switch which is to connect the "glass district" with the Fort Wayne Railroad. Besides the stakes, are to be seen foundation of houses, lumber for houses and other indications of municipal growth. All along also was the red stakes, which denoted that the tots had been sold.

From here we went north-east, angling across lots to the "Glass District." All the way across the work of the engineer was everywhere to be seen. Every inch of ground was laid off for lots, streets alleys and parks. Along here was also to be seen the line of the long switch which is to connect the “glass district” with the fort Wayne Railroad. Besides the stakes, are to be seen foundation of houses, lumber for houses and other indications of municipal growth. All along also was the red stakes, which denoted that the lots had been sold.

Arriving at the glass district the crops of last year are not to be seen. The immense red buildings of the Ball Bros. Glass works are looming up on the hill. A torch from their gas well stands as a sentinel of the work. To the east is a derrick, where a well is being put down for the Hemingrays.

Work has already progress considerable at the Hemingray Works. Yet the few large frame buildings and extensive foundations give no idea what the factory will be. The works will cover eight acres of ground.