In the 1898 Vandalia Mail and Express printed the article, “How to Double the Population of Vandalia.”
The article featured various city leaders and their thoughts on this subject.
Here are some of their responses:
W. R. Gwilliam: “I have always entertained the opinion that it is impossible to get manufactories without waterworks. True, waterworks cost, but what is this compared to the benefits derived from a condition where anything is possible in the city. The first question asked by a manufacturer is ‘What are your facilities for fuel and water?’ If it is lacking, the jig is up, and he seeks another locality. I am willing to subscribe to a fund to search for water, and after we find it, am willing to be taxed to maintain a plant.”
Dr. Terrill: “Open up the property adjacent to Vandalia and give everyone a chance to invest in one or more lots and build a house. From $100 to $200 is more than the average person cares to pay for a building lot.”
J.H. Morgan: “A canning factory would be a great benefit to the town and country. It would afford employment to a large number. It would also increase the business of the town in every branch as it would draw patronage far outside the usual trading limits. A broom factory on a properly adjusted scale would be another paying industry.”
J.H. Laird: “Let the real estate men advertise the true value of this prairie country. Put a board of trade at the back of it and push it for all it is worth. We have country around for twice the population. Encourage home industry; offer inducements to manufacturing enterprise, thereby attracting capital and securing employment for labor. With these, railroad competition and an active city government, there is no reason why our population should not double.”
John T. Gentle: “There are many good and feasible plans for increasing the population of Vandalia, but the surest way is for everyone to imitate my example.”
Sam Harris: “Make an effort to get as many small manufactories as possible and the big ones will come in time. A tobacco factory would be a good thing for a town. We might have a baking powder factory. It requires but little capital to start.”
G.W. Daniel: “I think the town and the country should be well advertised. I think if the resources of this section were more generally known we would witness a rapid increase in population.”
W.W. Botts: “Organize a Business Men’s Association and make a concentrated pull for an electric railway to Wellsville by way of Middletown and the result will be a surprise. We have the finest country in the world around Vandalia, and it can support 10,000 people.”
Col. Utterback: “Thorough advertising of our excellent advantages will do the work. No one doubts that the future of Vandalia and the country surrounding is brighter than ever before. Let us catch the inspiration and work together.”