The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1881-06-09
ALONG THET. IL Il. EXTENSION
ON TIE LINE, June 0, 1881.

ON The LINE, June @, 1881.
Corresp ondence of the Herald.
The T. s. P. road is now completed to
point ten miles west of Big Springs, and the
track laying is being pushed vigorously at
the rate of about one mile and three quarters
per day. Thrty-one miles were laid in the
month of May, and not less than forty miles
more will be ready for business by the latter
part of June. 1t is confidently asserted the
road will be completed through to Ell Paso
by the first of May, 1882.
Big SPRING, the last town located on the
line of the road, is situated in Sulphur Basin,
valley lying between Mountain Springs,
and which has no outlet for the rain fails.
There are neither springs nor streams in this
basin, but several salt lakes, one of them two
miles in length, reach along its extent. The
Big Spring, from which the town derives its
name, pours forth its volumes beyond spur
OF the mountain two miles distant from the
town, and the water is hauled in wagons and
sold at twenty-five cents a barrel. The
railroad company is erecting an engine to
raise the water to the top of the spur and
will conduct it through pipes TO their tsnks
pipes which it is thought will conduct all the
water the spring furnishes. The residents Of
the town will soon be compelled 10 use rain
water or haul their supplies some distance by
rail. Wells are impracticsble on account of
the salt and slkali with which the ground
Is impregnated. The population of the
town ut present is composed largely
of fast men aud women, who live in tents
and seemingly take life easy. 1t is almost
exclusively of that class VINO fit along tho
road as It is completed, and many are already
leaving and making preparations to move
to the PEGS river There is nothing there
now to supply even moderate szs town, as
there are but few cattle men in the near
vicinity, and in the county Of Hopkins there
has never yet been introduced pillow or ice
for the purpose of tiiiRg tho soil. Colorado
City presents little more thrift, but it also
surrounded by vast unsettled prairie lands,
which, however, are very rich and produce
tive, and will no doubt soon bs occupied by
thrifty farmers. 1t is destined some day to
be good point on the road.
S Seetwster is improving slowly, and some
very good business houses are In course OF
construction; it is also surrouneed by good
country that is we'll watered.
Abilene is wonder in its growth au1 im>
provements. 1t already has about twelve
hundred population, with very good bnild-
inps. and there are now two stone business
houses under construction, and all things in
dictate permanent and healthful appear
ance.
Baird City having been made the end OF
division of the road assures it permanent
cy an gives it an imp ortsnce not possessed
by other towns. The railroad company,
has erected round house and it is said
mill
other improvements. The town has an ads
vantage over other points along the in an
abundance OF good, permanent streams OF
water.
Cisco, the present terminus of the Central
road, is Just now improving more rapidly
than any town west Of Wes,herlord. 1t has
up to this time la0ored under many disad-
vantsges as regards depot, postofiice, etc, but
a union depot has been contracted for, 'front.'
ing one hundred and fifty feet on each of the
roads, the postoflice will be removed there
from Red Gap, the I. u Z. have appointed
Mr.. Long agent, who will also act ss agent
for ths Pac fc express company, and the
denizens of Cisco seem happy in the pros
poets of future greatness, provided the coun
{ " around will settle up more rapidly than
is at all probable.
Easlland il good town and the county
seat of tie county which bears IL name.
The country around is rapidly d ing up
wi n q good, industrious peop 2, an In the
fac mauy pr, dictions it will advance
steadily but surely.
Ranger an Strawn are both go)d pom,
fov towns. and being surrounded by as rich,
arabic lands as the world affords, will always
do a 90 ID. wholesome tr,de.
The success Of Gordon as business int
is as red. The rich cal fields Surrounding
Il will always contribute 10 its welfare, and
while II may never become large town, u
will alwsys be prosperous one. Messr'.
KnoWltoD. Cowzn & o., arc rapidly oeVe-
lnping their mines, and by the time cold
weather begins, they expect II supply Dallas
with at least portion Of lis fuel. They are
now mining about 40 tons daily, and will be
prepared TO shin at least one hundred tons
by the fret Of October or November. AT
present the railroad consumes al or more
thsa they can supply.
WeAtherford is undsunted in the injury
che has sustained by the rem wal OF the
roundbouse and workshops With such
population NJ Weatberfor1 p 1sses'es, there Is
o such word as fail. Thy are already pro-
iscting other railroads from their town, and
when Il n remembered they graded the
whole line of the rexss & Pacific road from
Fort Worth 20 their town without outside
assistance. no one doubts that thew will carry
through what they project. Weaiherford
always must and will be an important town