The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1881-08-24


as Topeka is certainly very ano and as
much in advance OF Missouri as Missouri
was in advance Of Illinois. l saw corn
near Lawrence which l Yerily believe Co
be IA feet high the 81 wore almost as
large In diameter as a common coffee cup.
win say p to 8 inches. A gentleman
who got aboard at Lawrence told me that
he turncd pigs a year old in his cornfold
and not particle Of his corn was ever de-
stroyed by the animals. I asked himicto
explain this and he answered: "Tho ears
are from FIVE to seven feet from the
ground and the stalks are so strong that
they can't bend them down. The only way
they ever get an ear is when they root out
a stalk bodily from the ground which they
some times do, though not often" Fine
towns and elegant rural residences greet
the traveller on every hand. Nearly every
town has one or two fine churches and
first-Class school house, such as I think
Tionesta ought to have, and which il well
might feel proud of. If tho voters had
seen the scholastic enterprise of their
younger western brethren the school
house in Tionosta would now be among
the things that are without single dis
senting voice. The progress of this west
ern land is certainly astonishing, and fur
exceeded my widest Imagination. AS far
as Topeka the country in pretty fairly
settled, but west Of that, is more sparsclv
settled, becoming loss and less as you 30
westward. All of this country is one vast
A q ~ n
passed tho limits of civilization, and
nothing greets the western traveller but
grass and sky. Hour after hour we sped
over the prairie with nothing TO break tho
monotony ola seemingly endless sea of
grass. Occasionally we stopped to take
water and fuel which is hauled out here
by the working trains and the water
from wells varying from 20 to 150
feet deep; the Beloit, Wis, wind engine
is used in pumping, and in one or two
places steam is used.
All night we travelled over this plain,
and in the morning we looked out opon
plain and ran all day on the plains. Not
tree or bush is anywhere to be seen. The
half bare ground is covered with short
crisp grass known as ''buffalo grass" and
is said to be very nourishing. How this
can be 1 cannot comprehend for an old
rancher told me that it would hustle
COW to get fat on a hundred acres of this
grass, Notwithstanding the glowing repre-
sentations of the railroad companies who
have lands in this section tor sale. Eastern
Kansas is a garden, but the western part
is a desert; not quite sandy, bnt as / can
see, of no use whatever to man unless for
grazing purposes as stated above. The
great central plains of America is only
comprehended by your humble
servant. Tho length thereof has been
seen, but the breadth is rs yet to him dim
and incomprehensible. After four days
and thrcc nights of continuous travel /
arrived at the Union depot in Denver.
have seen quite number of fine depots,
but this is the grandest I have ever seen;
built as it is OF solid stone of the very
finest quality and wrought in masterly
manner, embodying strength, durability
and beauty unsurpassed by any l have
seen; in addition it is model of archi-
lecture.
Being at my destination, and "Dusiness
before pleasure" 1 reported at tho Office of
Mr.. J. a. McMurtrio, Chief Engineer of
the Denver 81 Rio GIande Railroad, and
was directed by his chief clerk, Mr..
Johnson, to the Lindell Hotel, from
whence l wIito this letter. have not had
time to take in the city of Denver and will
defer description Of until some future
time.
hope have not woGred your patience
but with bcst wishes to all Of my old
Forest friends l will close.
Yours truly,
Il L "