Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1879-04-26
DODGE CITY.

nsss-CattIe Trade Improvements, Flo.
Correspondence Atchison Champion.l
DODGE CITY, April IA, 1879.
Some people say it it was not for the
Texas cattle trade, Dodge City would not
amount to anything. Any one who saw the
town a few years ago nigh, say this withou.
fear Of contradiction; but il these people
want to see solidly prosperous town. lei
them see Dodge to-day. Before going to
Dodge. was told to stay away; that 1t was
not safe to be on the streets after night; and
that it was run by robbers, pick-pocke;s and
rowdies. Just the reverse of this is true !
visited this town in November last, and
formed the same impression Of it then that
did to-day-that it is as moral, quiet bust
ness center as any town on the Atchison,
Topeka & Santa Fe railroad. There had
been = city election day or two before, and
am assured there was less drunkenness and
b0i-terous words used than in any town in
Ksnsas. Her efficient police force are ever
on the alert for roughs, and through their
indefatigable efforts to preserve order, per.
son Is no more liable to be knocked down
and robbed here than he is in Atchison.
The new city government is composed OIL
the following gentlemen: Mayor, James H
Kelley; Police Judge, Sam. Marshall; City
A,torneysE. F. Colborn; Marshal, c. E.
Bassett; Deputy Marshal, Wyatt carp; City
Treasurer, r. 6. Cook; Policeman, james
Masterson; Councilman, D. D. Colley, C.
NJ. Beeson, John Weston, Waller Straeter
and Morris ollar. One Of the first acts Of
the new council was to raise the license taz
from 500 to $500.
Dodge ia not as lively now a. it will BE-
month hence, or during the Texas cattle
drive, which will commence about the mid.
die of May. 1t is estimated that there will
be more than 100000 cattle driven into
Do 'ge this season, or an increase Of over
$4,000 since last year. The season is back
ward, on account of so much dry weather,
and the grass is not 80 far advanced to make
good grazing as it was last year. However,
in conversation with many Of the leading
stock men, one and ali were Of the opinion
that the ca tie are in as good condition as
they were last year. =
Eventually Dodge will lose this trade
tie next move it will undoubtedly be taken
to the west line Of the State, if no. into the
borders Of Colorado. Some people. However,
are crazy enough to believe that when ii
goes, Dodge will wind up" Sensible,
thinking ones will look at it in the opposite
direction. Dodge is too far advanced Ia COM
mercisl importance; the country around is
settling up with hardy, industriou, class Of
eastern farmers; there /, plenty Of rich, till
able land ia Ford county; bu. few counties
in Kansas are better wa,ered than is For };
she has excellent railroad facilities, plenty
Of good building stone, churches, SCHOOL,,
etc. Besides, Dodge has several manufac.
turing industries. Possessed OF all these
advantages, the removal of the Texas cattle
trade cannot, In my judgment, effect Dodge
in the least.
Dodge City is the county sest of Ford
county; has large, roomy, brick courl
house. and in looking through it 1 wa
pleased to meet the following ofici,i.: Sher-
il. W. B. Masterson; County Ire ,surer, C.
II. Lane; County Clerk, J. b. Means;
County Attorney, NJ. w. Sutton; Cl.rk OF
the District Court, II P. Myton; Probate
Judge, N. B. Klaine; Deputy Sheriff. D B
Brace; Coroner, J. W. straughD. l fourd