The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-07-23
FROM ILLINOIS TO NEW MEXICO
Notes and Incidents by the Way.


Notes and Incidents by the Way.
From Ottawa to Rock Island, in the month
of July, over the Chicago, Rock Island and
Pacific Railway, is panorama Of rural beau
ty rarely equalled in the west The country
is well improved and the green fields between
tall hedgeIows, and the farm houses dotted
here and there and almost hidden IN the
clumps Of shade trees present a view most
agreeable ana picturesque.
The Mississippi is reached just before sun.
set and the river, with its BACKGROUND of high
forest crowned hills, its surface like a broad
mirror into which The sun was taking her last
look before retiring Tor the night, had glorltied
itself for the occasion, and between the trees
was flashing to us long glances Of silver light.
We reach Rock Island and cross the bridge to
Arsenal Island, kept clean and beautiful at
government expense, and from there, Just
as the purple and gold of the sky were
deepening into black, we reach the Iowa
shore. After good meal In the splendid din
ing car of the Rock Island road, we retire to
our sleeper, the New Mexico and see no more
until the next morning.
When we arise in the morning we find our
selves well on our way to Kansas City. The
face Of the country is changed, and instead of
fine and well cultivated farms we find small
clcarings, with dilapldated dwellings and out
buildings. Missouri IS naturally one Of the
richest states IN the Union, and will one day
take rank where she belongs. But at the pres
ent time every one passes through to Kansas
and the territories beyond. We arrive at Kan.
sas City at half past nine in the morning, and
at once take the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe
X. X. tor Topeka, where we arrive at half past
one IN the afternoon.
Topeka, according to the best authority, has
all the state ofllces-statc library, state histori.
cal, scientific and agricultural societies, insane
asylum, Washburn College, public schools,
GO IN numbcr,) free public library with 5000
volumes, to which has recently been donated
$4,000, the Sante f'e r. r. contributing one.
half. The Supreme Court and United States
Court meet here; It is the headquarters of the
Santa Fe Railroad, with all Its offices, machine
shops, and 500 Of its employees; it has roll.
Ing mills, foundries and all sorts OF manufac.
tories, except ropewalks and saw.mills. eli.
mate is perfect; universal good health bust
ness prosperous; every man owns stock IN a
slvermlne corner lots high plenty of money
fine churches, and more building; wide aven.
ues; best show town west of the Missouri
have street railroads and Black Maria; more
bugges and better hotels than any other city
of the size; 10000 people, and half of them
are good.looking women; are hospitable to
the very verge OF medieval chivalry, Of you
know when or where that was y have a dozen
good newspapers; not an ignorant man among
them, nor an exodustor either, when it comes to
a dog trade In fact, Topeka Is quite town.
We here met Maj. T. j. Anderson, formerly
Of the Atchison, Topeka Il Santa Fe Railroad,
who is so well known by the members of the
Illinois Press Association. The Major has re-
Gently been appointed Postmaster at Topeka,
md if the Administration is as fortunate in
all Its appointments the affairs Of the nation
will be properly administered.
1t was also our good fortune to make the &C
lualntance of Lutte Wilcox. local editor of the
Los Vegas IN. NJ Daily optic, who was re.
turning from trip to OHIO. He is a genial
and courteous gentleman, and contributed
much to the pleasures of our trip.
We lief, Topeka at quarter past one Satur-
day morning, and procured comfortable quar-
,ers in the new sleeper, San Marcal, for Santa
Fe. We passed through the flourishlng towns
Of Burlingame and Emporia before daylight,
and had good breakfast at Florence at six
o'clock. At about o'clock In the morning
we reach the valley of the Arkansas, and ride
during the remainder of the day along the
river The crops are looking well. and a.
great portion of the land along the railroad
until you reach Dodge City is now under cul-
livation Many good and substantial farm
houses may be seen along the road. From
Dodge City ives, large droves of cattle may be
seen along the road. The day is delightful,
and such q relief from the heat and dust east
Of the Missouri river. The day is cool, with
\ good breeze from the south, and we are as
rec from dust and cinders a. If we were trsv-
cling on steamboat. We take supper al Sar-