The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1878-11-01
COLORADO SPRINGS, COL, Oct. 9Th, 1878

COLORADO SPRINGS, COL, Oct 9th, 1878.
Correspondence OF The True Northerner.
have been in the Centennial State" two
weeks, and found here calm but vigorous
political canvass was being carried on, with
good and strong men at the Republican helm,
which resulted, as you know, in glorious Re-
publican victory, and a most emphatic con-
demnation OF the Democratic House, most
heartily rejoice with them. But did not sit
down to write upon political matters but to
make note Of few things passing under my
eye, that may be interesting to others, as I
! roam over this great western country, so full
I OF wonders.
A soiourn OF three weeks at Topeka, Kansas,
where we enjoyed the hospitality OF Q. f.
Kendall and his u better half IN full, gave Us
an opportunity of learning something OF the
productions and resources OF that wide-awake
Young State. This years crops OF wheat have
b,en a marvel to themselves in quality and
quantity. and they would rejoice still more II
they could get your prices for it, while now
they ale selling for 65 cents per bushel; but
that Is about 50 per cent. better than the farm
era in your vicinity received 30 years ago. The
fruits exhibited at their Fairs we're finer and
larger than ever saw in Michigan but dealers
here in Colorado say they prefer the Michigan
apples for they are better keepers, and be-
heve better in quality. This young city of
Topeka, the State Capital, is full OF life, vigor
and business enterprise is growing fast-has
many fine residences and public buildings-its
streets 100 to 100 feet wide, as hard and
smooth as floor, well lined with cottonwood
, shade trees-drive where you will all over the
, praires, the roads are the best | ever saw,
, equal to Nicholson but when wet time 2"
comes, don't they have mud?
J Late in the afternoon OF Sept. Goth, we left
Topeka for the mountains-after delaying one
? day on account OF the Indian scare, but found
I afterwards that they did cross the Atkinson
T. & Santa Fe r. r., little west OF Fort
Dodge, on their raid TO the north, though we
I were assured it was not 80. We awoke in the
, morning, far out upon the great western plains,
and could almost say beyond green vegata-
ton, for scarcely a shrub or tree could be seen
as far as the eye could reach, except where the
. ranch men had put out 4 few cottonwoods to
protect and shade his dwelling everything was
as dry and dreary, as though rain had never
t fallen. But dry as it was, all day long, thous-
t ands Of cattle and sheep were to be seen feed
i ing upon the dry gIass-about rs long as your
= fpger-of these vast plains, and they get fat
upon it. Scarcely q human being was to be
seen all day, except in the little villages around
the stations, but towards night the herdmen
i could be seen gathering their herds and focks
:, aud moving towards the correl. Western Kan
j, sas and Colorado are more suitable for grazing
!, than anything else; though where the land can
. be irrigated, they raise fine crops OF corn oats
q and wheat; but 1t is a more expensive way oil
= farming, than where there is a supply OF RAIN
a All day we we're running up the valley of the
, great Arkansas river, and it Is, In some re
, spects, singular stream, unlike all others
= there is scarcely bush or tree on its banks
the water almost on level with the plains
- banks so low you can see it's waters a mile
away. At IL o'clock Saturday night we reached
I Pueblo, where we spent the Sabbath. A quaint
!, old town Of old and new adobe houses, with
: many tine brick and wood, public and private
buildings; were told we should find no Sab
Datn OF cnurcnes tnere, Dut 1Ound three
churches within few blocks Of our pleasant
- hotel, and found as quiet Sabbath here az
anywhere. From appearances we should think
!. there had been no rain here since the flood
;, Many large scrubby trees along the river
plenty Of cottonwood had been set out and
= kept alive by irrigatipg with "Holly water but
:, not a garden to be seen-yards, Streets com
mons and hills around, as bare, dry and bleak
: as stationary clay bed, with here and there
: a scattering weed, cactus or sage bush, but
. after all place of good deal of business and
quite railroad centre. The Atchson, Topeka
d Santa Fe K. X. now terminates here, but Is
: being pushed west through Grand Canyon to
= Leadville, with great energy; while another
=" branch leads off from La Junta, and is already
finished to Trinidad, within five miles OF the
: line OF New Mexico, and beyond are boring a
. hole through Ratoun Mountain. and at the
same time going over the top of 1t with sys-
= tenn OF switch backs into the country beyond
I because they can't wait for the hole. Manager
u Strong, formerly of the Mich. Central, is at the
d head OF it, and is the right man in the right
: place, and knows no hold up, till what he aims
G at is accomplished. But I have said enough
n for this time.
- ALBERT ARMS.
@ COLORADO SPRINGS, OcT. 9th, 1878.
My last, left us to spend the Sabbath at