Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1879-12-06
GREAT AMERICAN DESERT"

We can we'll remember the time, whom, il
person suggested that the Grand Prairie Of
Illinois would ct some time be occupied as .
farming country. be would be regarded -
ever visionary. Nov, illinois ID called the
Garden State" on account Of the product
iveness Of its vast prairie land.
But the country beyond the Missouri river
was called 1.-THE Great American Desert,"
and was regarded Is very destined to perpet-
ual barrenness, principally on account of its
dry climate. Ksnsas was designated q,
'Droughty Kansas" How much its FIRST set
tiers in the eastern part Of the State suffered
from the lack of rain, il matter Of history.
Starvation several times stared them in the
face, and they we're helped by their Eastern
friends, and encouraged to persevers In cul-
tivating the soil, till now Eastern Kaness is
no more subject to drouth than Ohio and H.
linois. Owing to climatic changes in that
vast region known - THE Great American
Desert" the characteristic name is changed
to that Of 1.-THE Plains" These comprise
large portions Of Kansas, Colorado. Nebras-
ka, Wyoming, DAKOTA and Montana, and
extend south into the western portions Of
Texas and the Indian Territory, and into
much Of New Mexico, covering an area a.
large - Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylva-
mia. New York and all New England. The
climatic changes on the Plains have opened
this entire country into q missionary field.
1t is amazing to see how, - q nation, We
have advanced and spread out within quar-
ter Of century.
The Rocky Mountains are not approach
ed over succession Of hills. IS We approach
the Blue Mountains or the Alleghanies. but
gradually over extended plains. These
plains extend to what are called the foot
hills" which sre themselves mountains;
and then the fitness Of the name Rocky" is
apparent At fret view. From these foothills,
east to the Mississippi river, where have
been travelling the last year, % district
secretary of the Baptist Home Mission Soci-
ely, is one vast extended, inclined plain,
sloping east and south, having an elevation
on the western side, ct the foot hills, Of over
5000 feet, and on the eastern edge about $50
feet at Kansas City. Much Of this country
is traversed in nearly p rallel lines, by riv-
ers flowing, Of course, in the direction OF the
.lo,,> h,sh a~ot aor,sh
These rivers rise in the mountains, and are
supplied BY the rain and melted snow. The
vapors at the SUBMITS are constantly collect
ing in clouds, and the moisture is precipita-
ted into rain, which added to the melted
enow, make the rivers of Kansas Of very 10.
spectacle size before they leave their noun
tain sources. One Of the strangest sights 10
me when arrived here years ago, wa to zee
these clouds, which formed in full view on
the summits Of the 'Old Rockys," lesve
their native fastnessee, and move easterly
over the plains, Is though they intended TO
give Us such drenchingsa Is I vas sccus.omed
to experience from similar cloud vi1its in the
East. But after coming over u and threat
enins %, they either passed on or scattered,
and returned without accomplishing their
apparent design. In my opinion the reason
for the dissipation or departure Of the clouds
without precipitation in rain, arose from the
want Of any considerable amount of green
vegetation on the plains, which ct that time
were covered BY . peculiarly low grsss,
known a. buffalo erass. This in consequence
Of its height averaging len than three in
chez, and being partially dried up from
lack Of rain, afforded but small amount Of
yerdure TO come in contact with the prevail.