The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1877-10-11
On flIe Wing.
SALIVA. kansas, SCI


SALIVA. KANSAS, sept 10Th, 1917
A few days ago we took the train for Bos-
land formerly Wilson station. some sixty
miles west on the line ct tie Kansas Pacific
Railroad. Our first thought was what this
section of country was twelve and fifteen years
ago, and with marked surprise sec what il *
now. and what the first settlers had 10 endure
TO establish foot mold Tie whole line il
more or less historic with incidents. In re-
lation 10 the Old government trail up Spring
creek across Elm creek aud clos, TO the smoky
Hill river, near what Is now Fort Harker,
where the trail struck of In a south western
course to the Arkansas valley. The second
line was the extension al The Kansas stage
Company's line from Junction City TO santa
Fe. in the summer Of 1862, and on the same
line they had relay stations on Spring creek
and at the crossing Of tbe smoky Hill river.
In the summer OF 1865 the beautiful overland
route 10 Denver, Colorado. 0as established.
which opened the way !oc tne future great
thoroughfare that traverse, these cid lines
with the iron horse. la passing along, we gee
the remains OF the old stage aHd. settlers ranch
es on Spring creek. Tie place where tive
soldiers gong with dispatches ir0n tiIe post
in Salina 10 Fort Ellsworth, had running lght
with the Indians. IN which iour OF them
killed, aud a boy soldier making good las es-
cape into Fort Ellsworth. We pass the Old
deserted post, Fort Harher formerly Fort
ELLSWORTH, where u ipw years HgO Was the
scene OF lively military poss. at souie Ia
lure time We may note some points ui the old
Fremont trail, made over thirty-lOut Jears
ago and also the Green-Ru->cli trail to Pixies
Peak, IN 1851
ln rfaaQnip0 ftR-fsttI t..r. sal.Hn rIUhf
smart little place" First oi ali good sized
two story stone school house. which ST once
conveyed the impression that Il cOmpoSeS an
intelligent community. However, on visiting
the post Office, We learned that not copy OF
the Journal was taken, which set NE back
a little with my first impression; but found
that Ellsworth aud Lincoln counties furnish
ed the supply. Business men seemed 10 know
where Salina i. The great surprise was 20
see three small grdlu elevators, run by horse
power. My inquiry was where did the wheat
come from % sustain three wheat buyers IN
this far of region of tie Great American Des-
ert? In answer was told from all around in
that section, nom the Saline valley some
twelve miles north and a. tar north a. the SOL
onion valley via CaHher City, % miles. ! was
told that they expected 10 ship near onG-hail
million bushels a wheat this season. some
farmers have raised over 1000 bushels. An
o:her surprise was tIie extensive tarlds and
orchards. One farmer has an orchard OF
5000 peach trees. Another enterprise was a
Acli conducted cheese factory. three
miles south OF town, on the smoky Hill. the /
product tor which they lind ready market at
stations slOng the lnc and ~ Denver. In
company With Mr. MckiiriCk, the Il. L. Land I
Agent, we visited the COmpany's coal banas, /
in the vicinity Of Cedar Bluffs three miles |
south Of town, and on the gOuth banks OF the |
smoky Hill, These bIuiS aud banks were /
discovered by party Of buffalo hunters from
Topeka, in the summer OF 1860, and have been /
noted since as the Cedar BLUFF Coal Banks. 1t !
Is Ignite coal aud makes very good article /
ter fuel The pay veins are from twelve 10
fourteen inches thIck, oVerlald with sand stone |
The space between the pay veins from three to /
five feet, Is composed principally of slate and |
sand rock. This sane strata Of coal Is found ]
in deposits quite extensively along the TaViues !
and creeks, In Ellsworth and Russell counties. /
The company own some good banks, and have /
leased them with the restriction that It shall !
not b. sold for over three dollars ton. Other /
banks Ia the vicinity, opcHrd by settlers, are /
selling nc the same price. These sand bluffs /
are quit novel aud somewhat noted for their !
bold and abrupt appearance, facing north (
ward. and al one time protecting quite a
growth OF cedar and juniper trces-buC few .
of them left now They TOO have passed |
away like the vast herds of hlson that once
roamCd over the valleys below there, aud the /
ahorignccs whose camp free that lit these /
bluffs. al have gone. The past IS gone, the /
marvellous present is before Is, From these
heights we see villages with their churches and !
school houses. the length and breadth Of the !
land dotted over with happy and pros
porous homcs. The Iron horse treadIng his /
wsy over these vast plains. with his pondrous
trains, loaded with the commerce OF great
states. and these TOO upon what was once called
the "Great American Desert" TREGo.