The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1871-09-01
A TRIP DOWN THE SANTA FB ROAD

A TRIP DOWN THE SANTA FB ROAD.
NEWTON.
The towns along the lines of Kansas
railroads multiply with such rapidity
that some industry and care must needs
be practiced in order that none of them
escape the proper record. The place
where Newton now stands was an I'M
occupied prairie only few months ago,
although there is already street that is
tolerably compactly built along more
than three squares, on either side, and
dwellings are scattered over the town
site on either side of them.
The chief importance OF this town,
and the influence which secured its
rapid growth, was in the fact that it is
natural point for traffic in, and ship
ment of, cattle from Texas which are
destined for the eastern markets. 1t is
situated at the extreme eastern line,
where these cattle are allowed to be
driven, for the law passed by the Kan
sas legislature of 1867 forbids that cat
tie from Texas be driven eastward be-
this line runs through or near the town
site. Inasmuch as cattle may be driven
to this point and no further, it was an
easy matter to convert the locality into
large cattle mart. The enterprising
managers of the Atchison, Topeka &
Santa Fe Railroad have made such ar
engagements as to reBder it an object to
dealers to come to this point for the
shipment of their cattle, and this local
ity and region is well adapted for the
temporary care and necessary prepare
ton of these cattle before shipment to
the eastern markets. The railroad man
ayers have arranged ample cattle yards,
which are situated little more than q
mile from the depot, with the most con-
venient arrangement for their shipment.
Although the road was not completed
to this point until about the middle of
July, it has already become an impor-
tant point for. the shipment of cattle.
Large herds of these animals may be
seen from the town, grazing upon these
broad prairies. / was informed that
the railroad company had taken from
the market whatever lands they hold in
the vicinity of the town, in order that
they may remain as grazing grounds
for these vast herds. 1t was estimated
that not less than forty thousand cattle
were now grazing within ten miles of
Newton. OF this number, it may be
supposed that twenty-five thousand
| would be held here until the coming
spring, in order to secure their better
preparation for the markets. This plan
of retaining cattle in Kansas over win
ter IS said to bring much better returns
| to the dealers than when they are has
tened forward the same season they
are brought here, for their condition
for slaughter cannot but be considera-
bly, impaired by the long distance they
are driven.
This line of traffic, while it brings
much business and profits to the place,
renders it at the same time one of the
least desirable as residence. Many Of
the people seen in the streets are those
who have recently come in as drivers
with herds of cattle. They are mostly
composed of men who fight their way
through the world, and carry the i'm
plements buckled by a strap around
| them.
Saloons where intoxicating drinks
are sold are remarkably abundant, and
gambling halls (of which there are six)
are always open to the public view.
AT no place, except at Baden-Baden,
have seen these places as widely open
to the public gaze.
AS gambling is nearly always associ-
ated with kindred vices, in this place
this is not an exception, for the lowest
class of females have congregateG in q
corner of the town, where dance halls
are in operation, as upon the frontier
of Texas upon the Mexican border. 1t
was at one of these places that the affair
occurred few nights ago, when sever
al lives were taken, and others were in
| jured, some of whom have since died
of their wounds.
| The managers of the town and the
railroad are trying to introduce some
of the customs of other Kansas towns,
| IA OiCy VIII AOuS 60CCCCU,
provided schools and churches are
planted, of which none are yet in ex-
| istence.
| There are two public wells at conve-
nient distances along the main street.
AS your correspondent was quenching
his thirst from (not old oaken) bucket
at one of them, person standing near
called out to his companion, and appa-
rently for our benefit, :'That is the first
man have seen drinking water in this
town." Such one would readily be-
lieve TO be the truth, when the number
and iberality of patronage of saloons
| is observed.
This will not long remain the termi-
nus of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa
Fe road, for plans are already perfect
ing for running branch to Wichita,
while the main trunk will be continued
onward to Fort Zarah, a distance of
about - miles, and thence to its desti-
nation in New Mexico. That Newton
will continue to be a prominent cattle
mart may be inferred from the fact that
most of the public domain around 9TH
er points is already 30 extensively oc-
cnpied by actual settlers that the neces-
sary ranges for grazing cannot be ac-
cessible for this purpose.