Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1878-03-02
EASTERN FORD COUNTY.
Towns Springing up and Farmers
Flowing and Planting on an
Extensive Scale.

Extensive Scale.
Having occasion to visit the eastern
portion of the county. in company with
Sheriff MsstersOn. tine following observa
lions were taken during the trip, and
we trust will prove of interest to those
who desire to learn A. much az possible
of this country, with . view to immi-
grating:
For seven miles east from Dodge City
lies the Fort Dodge reservation. The
northern part Of this reserve is as fine land
as can he found in the county and should
be opened mp to actual settlers a. soon as
possible.
From the east line of the reservation TO
Spearvile is about nine miles, and the
government land is about half taken
but in less than three months there wi
not he foot Of vacant government land
left. The land is ali Of one quality
high. rolling prairie. A great many new
corners prefer valley land. but the early
settlers say the uplands are the best.
Six miles this side of Spearyille Mr..
Reuben sbuman has taken q claim and
bui,t frame hOuse and s able. In time
] there will he railroad switch and n post
Office near his plac-. Several other new
houses, on either side of the road. between
MI. Shuman's and Spearville, are visible.
sPEARvIIIR.
| This is now busy town. where a few
months ago stood only section house.
Messrs. Hall e. Nelson are the oldest
merchants. and have q steady trade,
which is rapidly increasing.
Mr.. J. NJ. II. Bowman has more recentiv
established himself in the grocery and
notion trade. In his store is kept a book
! wherc the names Of all the new arrivals
arc registered. In connection with his
store he has restaurant, where > good
meal can he had tor % cents.
A grain and fe-d store Is kept by J. G.
Miller, who 10 also agent for the noted
kansas BelP piows, manufactured at
Dodge CITY.
Squire Vanvoorhis has a lumber ward
and together with another of the Van
voorhis boys. keeps q locating and lane
office. He can hardly ship in enough
lumber TO supply the demand. The
Squire is commencing to build one of the
finest hot-ls in the west. The location IL
on the principal street, in the central
parI OF the city.
very substantial hotel 2ax40. IS feet
high, stone cellar, - now about CON-
pleted in the western part ( the city. Mr..
WIN. Boedaker is the proprietor. Mr.. G..
:. Winons is doing the carpenter work.
The rooms w'.l he nicely plastered, and
when completed fifty guests can be accom-
modated.
Mr.. W. v. Johnston, one of the most
enrerprisIng and progressive business men
If the town. has a raIlr"ad and general
land office near the depot. He Is men,
Der and agent for the Snpalviile Town
be very successful.
MIR. n C. Jones. has recently arrived
ana expects to open a land office.
The large livery and feed stable formerly
run by j. L. VanvOorilis. ~ now owned
and conducted bv L. B. Van voorhls.
ne OF the Indications of the large
business done at Spearville is the immense
piles Of freight, Of all kinds, unloaded
from the train every day at the depot
Mr.. EZRA ID. Swan, the station agent,
took in money enough this week TO start
bank.
In summing np the personnel of this
h"ITishing young town. il would be
gross neglect not to mention the fact that
Jonas Stafford. the oldest inhabitsnt,"
is still there.1 attending 70 his duties as
section boss
THE COUNTRY.
surrounding Spearv. lie on all sides is
tho finest farming country IN the State of
Kansas. Directly south of town is the
farm OF Mt. Henry Wear. on tho east is
Major taBvOMhis. and two and one half
mics southeast is Mr.. J. TsvioT's place.
Aueoo I0i nnS WOIo Oprucu I'D laBG
year. The beauty of the land cannot be
bear, the soil rs excellent. and heavy
crops of small grain will be harvested
from the fields where seed has been sown.
Nor b of town are the new improvements
of Messrs. Fulkerson McChain. Wmous
Baton and others, and northeast . few
miles form town. Mr.. w. A. Sturges, one
of the Rising young farmers of the county,
has set hts stakes. Four miles east OF
Spearvil!e, Captain j. H. Jack has recent
" located. ana being . man of means and
enterprise. has purchased o railroad
section adjoining his homestead. and will
soon cOmmence IL Law ont town. He
offers free lots and will furnish lumber at
eastern prices, with freirght added. to
those who wish to build. He also offers
to build . railroad depo. opposite his
place. near tho railroad track, and nav
the salary OF an agent for one year. upon
condition that switch and side-track is
built BY the railroad companv. On the
l.