The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1876-03-16
For the EAGLE.
Tho Pueblo Excursion.

tickets, boarded the train at wichita
for Newton on our way to Pueblo, Col.
Having been preceded by four citizens
of W. who went UP on the passenger
at a. m; whiled away the p. m. at
Newton, and until about Top. m., wait
ing for the excursion, which arrived
with train of fifteen coaches and two
engines, which, after some delay, got
under way bound for Pueblo. Very
shortly afterward heavy rain storm
set in, which continued without abate-
mont until about q. m. when it turned
to snow storm, which ragged furi-
ously from the north until about 5 p.
M, Monday. Our train came to a
standstill at Larned about z q. m,
Monday, where ii remained until mid
night awaiting the arrival of a pas
senger train from the west and two
snow-plows from the same direction,
which had TO run down to Great Bend,
twenty-five miles, to reverse ends. On
their arrival back they took position
of advanced guard, and about a. m.
''ditched" themselves over cow brute,
mile or two in advance of us, and
near Dry Ridge Station. Here the
| legislative excursion overlook ours
and all day enjoyed (?) the delay
"hugely," together mixing, just as
though they belonged to the same
plant. Our excursion, " by actual
COUNT consisted of something over
400; the legislative Of nearly 200. 1t
is, all together, huge picnic. AT
Larned provisions were getting scarce
and high, the price of cup of coffee
having raised (by market report from
| five to fifteen cents per cup, and other
things accordingly.
DRY RIDGE, March IS p. M.-Tel-
egram just received from the Mayor of
Pueblo that he will take care of us on
our arrival. This was so flattering
| that three rouslng cheers went up for
the mayor, and all felt better, for, see
ing the magnitude of the combined
picnicers, we had undergone some mis-
givings as to the extent of supplies.
But now that dispatch removes all
fear of that kind, seeing the city has
| its eye on us. The railroad company
have fenced an experimental farm and
are testing the capability of the coun-
try for the production of the cereals
and fruit. am told that the surface
here is one or two hundred feet higher
than at the river, several miles off to
the south.
Ten minutes to four OFF to Dodge
CITY, sixteen miles. Passed an
Indian camp some miles north Of the
road. Saw but one Indian who made
the best time possible to meet us but
| failed and turned back III disgust. At
Dodge City replenished our exhausted
supplies, took on good lot of excur-
sionists, and about dusk left with but
very little snow ahead.
Stopped at Dry Ridge to await the
| arrival of the regular passenger train
from the west, which was preceded by
| a snow plow with two engines attach
ed, to clear the way. When all arrived
it was necessary, both to insure pas
sage of the train east and to enable the
plow engines to reverse, that they go
back to Larned, which took over two
hours of precious time to consummate,
and which kept us till after noon at
the Ridge. But "misfortunes never
come alcne," for after they passed us
on their return, going westward, they
ran over the only COW in the country
| and threw snow plow and both en-
gines Off the track, but not far enough
off for US to pass them until they took
| more rails and built a track around
them, which was finished at four p. m.
Tuesday. All now being clear from
Dodge to Pueblo we made pretty good
time aud arrived about eight a. M,
Wednesday. all hands tired, sleepy,
dirty and out of humor generally.
The people of Pueblo and country
had met Tuesday as appointed and
were especially chagrined at our nom
arrival, more especially from the fact
of the existence of q little sectional
jealousy that has existed for some
length of time between Northern and
Southern Colorado; it having been the
special boast of the south that their
road would not be subject to drifts at
all. was told that number of men
in Pueblo would rather have sacrificed
$500 dollars than had the delay occur
from such cause. Ny impression of
the country is that the land, without
irrigation. is useless for tillage, and as
there is bat very small portion of it
that ever can be fortified in that way
there is a very large proportion that
is only fitted to scauty pasturage,
such as will keep sheep and
cattle poor the year round.
There was procession consisting of
fire companies, a brass band, and all
Others who had taste for such dis
plays and were not too tired and sleepy
to stand the exercise By the way the
city is well supplied with good water
by Holly's works, and there was fine
display of its workings by perpen
dicular stream on the street. This is
the biggest crowd ever seen in the
town, but | hear of no complaint of
want of accommodations. Tomorrow
there will be general scattering, some
going to Colorado Springs, some to
Canon City, and some further still in
to the mountains, but by far the great
er number will start for "home, sweet
home," and will be in good plight to
enjoy it without another three days
delay.
Thursday, March 10th, at sunrise q
brisk wind blew from the southwest,
which by O'Clock had increased to
gale, the dust flying worse than ever
saw it in Wichita. The mountain
scenery, as viewed from the city is very
fine suppose, (never saw any noun
tains before.) Pixies Peak, forty-fivc
miles northwest, is plainly visible
a