The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1881-07-14
Western Wanderings.
Correspondence of the Journal.

ing knowledge of the lands here for sae-amount-
| ing still to hundreds of thousands of acres
L was tavorably introduced by a friend at the
| Land Commissioners office, and learned that while
nearly all the desirable government lands has been
| taken by homesteaders some of the very best of
the company's lands remain unsod These are
offered, according to location and other advant-
ages, at prices varying from $50 to $40 per acre.
on long credit, with 20 per cent. off for short
credit, and 3d. per cent eff for cash. Thus it is
possible for man with small capital to acquire
| some of the richest and best located lands
| From Florence new railroad has been built
southWard to FL Dorado through some of the best
Of these lands, and it is being extended down into
the Indian Territory. This will open very de
sirabe section. Another railroad from Florence is
rapidly progressing through lands lying to the
| northward of the A, T. d S. F. to junction again
at Elenwood, about 100 miles west of Florence,
along which are some very desirable locations for
settlers
A COUNTRY TR1r.
My stop at Florence was, by suggestion Of the
Land Commissioners, to examine some of the com
panys lands along the Ell Dorado branch; and
armed witt his introduction, called on the local
agent at Florence, Capt Thomas Morrison, a native
OF Vermont, and for many years successful
mariner, Under convoy of the captain, and in
company with al English gentleman prospecting
for lands and correspondent of some British
| journal, | have forgotten which, started out
| for 40 miles excursion through Marion and But
| er counties. 1t is impossible to glvJ our OBJ
servarons in detail The captain nayigated rs
through say twenty thousand acres of the CON
! pany unsoId land and among far larger amount
of its own Formerly and Government lands now
owned and occupied by prosperous farmers The
wealth of this soil exhaustess four to eight feet
! in depth of black vegetable mould. Wheat, corn.
oats fruit, are grown in abundance, while cattle
thrive wonderfully. The latter the farmers
stronghold They are always and instantly con
yertibe into cash, and from their increase, he OBJ
tans the money with which to meet the payments
his farm. or to deposit to the credit of his bank
| account
| We took dinner with one Mr.. Chas Brunn who
| came here seven years ago with about $1,000, and
| bought a halt section OF the Co.'S land in Butler
county. He has it all under admirable cultivation,
well stocked with the best modern farm machinery,
good house stable corral alarge orchard Of peach
trees, another of apples, both in bearing, fine
sortmcnt of grapes, eight or ten fine horses; but
! what lie showed with the most pride, was his
herd Of rs head of the finest grade cattle From
these latter he Will derive clear cash income OF
! more than $ 900 per annum. besides balance IN
| his favor all expenses, from other sources.
He would refuse $4,000 for his property as it
stands to-day Mr.. Brunn's success is by no means
exceptional. Others have done even better He
| is now independent and will become wealthy. In
word the Eastern man who wants to make
home IN the West, will be shown some excellent
| locations by the companys agents. be given all
needful information, and afforded the largest op
porunties for satisfying himself OF the excellence
OF the lands before he comes to a decision The
policy of the company is liberal and generous to-
wards the prospective settler.
Our excursion was undiversihed by incident ex
| cept for laughable skirmish between the
BRIroN AND \ BADGER.
As riding along we sighted an unfamiliar
animal What is that !" inquired John Bull "A
badger responded the American. II must have
him" said }. B. Let me down, captain Where
upon he got down, and taking the wagon wrench
the only available weapon, he boldly advanced up
on the badger who was slowly retreating. Not
liking to come to close quarters he threw the
wrench when at few feet distance, hoping to
disable his game but his aim was bad and he only
succeeded in bringing the badger to bay, whose
warlike appearance, not only halted J. B., but
forced him to begin a retreat Soon the badger
turned to run, when j. b recovered the wrench
and renewed the attack, Again he was repulsed
Then followed most fun provoking series of at
tacks and repuses, with no decisive result. The
badger was unharmed, the Engishman was be
coming winded, and the captain and myself We're
| alone III danger-of splitting with laughter. At
last America called ont "As you are a true Briton
and tor the honor Of Utd England. kill the creature
and have done with it,, The reply Of J. B. was,
For the honor of Young America, come down
here and do It yourself, II you like AS the mat
ter was lifted into international Importance the
| American could not refuse, and descending from
his perch, he took the wrench, raped the poor
badger the head and made a summary end of
| the long contest in about ten seconds. This took
not bit of courage for the American. He knew
the really harmless character Of the badger but
he could not torego the excellent opportunity for
/ hunlatng the stiff and boastu Briton. BY the
way he did not tell Il big story OF personal adven-
| ture afterwards. Our nautical friend Morrison had
better opportunity to display his really vast fund
OF information by personal obseryation-not lit
tie TO the qualification ct one of his hearers at
| least
In due time we reached Florence again, and
after another comfortable night resumed our uu-
comfortable Journey uncomfortable by reason of
the heat and dust it is no fault of the railroad
The A. 7. a 5. f. is already one Of the best man
aged roads in the West 1t is under the most in
| tegent and experienced direction, and must be.
come favorte line for through travel to the Pa
| cihc. Rapid improvement viii be made in the
facilities for travel over this road, as the company
resolved to merit the generous patronage they
are sure TO receive, and are already receiving
The western portion of Kansas and Colorado
| has been too often written up to leave work for
| my pen. 1t is generally understood to be practi
| cally desert so far agricultural pursuits are
concerned Yet the soil is aS rich as the best III
the eastern portion of the State or in Missouri
moisture alone is wanting. Wherever irrigation
can be introduced the richest crops obtainabe.
But it is nearly all excellent grazing ground. Along
the valley of the Arkansas River frequently
passed vast herds of cattle, thousands III number.
As we get further out upon the plains, would
think it impossible for cattle and sheep to live
but they do, and thrive. Perhaps this great region
never be reclaimed for agriculture, but if not,
it will remain exceedingly valuable for stock rails
ing, But | not without hope that way may
be found to render it cultlvabe, Water is every
where reached at practicable depth, and is raised
by wndmis, This suggests system by which
considerable tracts can be redeemed where no
streams are available.
Lumber will soon fail US we are told. All that
this region wants is forests growths to bring the
rains and work climatic revolution. Let the
government therefore sink the wells and start the
lie