The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1879-07-17
NAVIGATION.
WICHITA, July Is, 177s,

W Al1AAA ~, 10y ~ >s'~s
n fas ISssor Of tie Esek:
We ere . people who jump At straws
md let the cable pass by unnoticed. WI
have Just secured what many thought
would be the "only salvation" to WITCH
/ ta, and already the doubt is raised in
the minds of some of the most sanguine
whether the st. Louis Wichita & West
ern Railroad, would prove such a potent
savior after all. We are like the abor.
igines of this continent, who lived and
died generation after generation, in
reach of metals beneath the mountains
whose sides they were want to clint
day after day, and yet derived not the
benefits which they might have done
Nay more, they were ignorant Of it,
presence, but we are not ignorant of the
fact that the third largest river in the
United States, courses along the west.
ern border of our city, and flows over
more than fifty miles within our County
lines.
The very fact that the Arkansas River
changes its bed SO frequently, is, instead
of being an argument against the propo'
sition to improve the river channel, is the
best proof existing that the river can bt
made navigable. If any one will take
the pains to examine the cause
of the formation of the numerous
sand bars, they will find at the
point of original accumulation some
piece of drift, which though accident
became lodged at the place.
Now if by artificial means we can &C.
cumulate and hold projections at proper
points SO as to permanently control the
water, it's own action will clear the
channel, and lodge the shifting sand
along the shores and on the projections
Now as regards the quantity Of water
in the Arkansas, the simple fact is, that
we do not see the Arkansas River when
we 20 and look under the bridge, any
one can prove this assertion by taking
trip up the river from fifty to one
hundred miles, and l will venture to say
he will be astOnished at the volume OF
water in the river many miles above
In this vicinity of this County, the place
where the river ought to run, is filled
up from natural and accidental causes
and the greatest volumn of water is lit
terly pushed out under the valley, run
ming rs it does beneath the soil until thu
character of the country is such as tt
force it back into the proper limits, and
at such places, the river is navigable al
The year around, even in its present I'M
improved state.
am sorry SO many of our prominent
and should be progressive men, ridicul'
the idea of maksng the river highway
to the sea and, bringing us in contact
BY free, sure and cheap manner, will
the most advantageous market possible
As I suggested in former article
that it would be well to Withhold severe
criticisms and doubts as to the feasabili
ty of this project until after the report
of Capt. Mckeown, SO do still ash
those who speak before they think, t.
please invert the matter at least for {
while, until the attempt be properly
tested.
If this country could only appreciate
the vast worth Of this matter, and use
their influence to secure the necessary
appropriation, we would soon be indie
pendent Ofthesc Railroad teaches, which
will eventually ifno other aid is secured
draw the very life blood out Of OuI
county. Y. LEVEL.