The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1881-08-05
Letter From Kansas.
PEARLErrE, July 20, Is,

fhAkLkIik, July ~ 1891.
Riiior Interior Journal;
Thinking few lines from the Far West
might be interesting to those Of your read
srs Who have friends in this locality, or
may contemplate seeking homes in the
West for themselves, take the liberty Of
sending you few items concerning South
Western Kansas. My husband and nv
self came to this county some three years
ago, took homestead, and began our
frontier life. Pearlette is situated about
30 miles South Of Dodge City, between the
Adobe and Jones and Plumber trails.
The country is long stretch Of prairie a.
far a. the eye can reach, unbroken save by
a small stream called Crooked Creek;
rightly named, for il is one Of the most
crooked streams ever seen. Along its
banks some timber is yet to he found, with
an abundance Of grapes, plums aud cher
ries, while very good fish are caught from
lie waters. In the Spring the prairies are
covered with many varieties Of wild dow
ers, among which we find verbenss. a few
lilies, and several kinds Of cactus. Most
Of the settlements are along the Creek,
reaching for several miles in South-w West
srly direction. On either side stretch the
great plains, where but few years ago the
Indian hunted the buffalo. Now both
have disappeared, and the only trace left
Of their existence here are the buffalo
paths crossing the prairie in every direc-
ton, or few bones bleaching in the sun.
When the whites first came they found
remunerAtiys employment in gathering
and selling the bones, which at that time
covered the prairie. Some Of the settlers
have been trying to develop the sgrieul-
tural interests Of the country aud TO lad
out IL possible shat Kansas soil will pro-
duce. Whatever it may be in future,
farming thus far has not proved Il success,
The farmers have bad to contend with
many difficulties, and many Of them are
Of limited means. Some of them are
growing discouraged with farming and are
turning their attention to other business,
As stock country il is unsurpassed, and
stock raising is the leading business. Cat
tie and she.p ranches are scattered all thu
way to Southern Texas, furnishing EN-
ployment for many men. In fact, excep
in our immediate vicinity, the cowboy
are the larger part Of the population
There are people here from all parts o
the United States, and there are MANI
pleasant, intelligent people, but thu
houses are so far apart, and all are .
absorbed in their own business, that tn
nsighbors do not meet very often. II ma
be a paradise for men, but life herr grow
very monotonous for women after the hrs
novelty has worn of. Nothing to be see
but the endless prairie far as eye can reae
on every side. Its vastness tires one. No
aAd then the ameness is varied b
long frsighting outfit dragging its slo
length along, or a few thousand cattle Q
sheep passing along the trail These wei
amusing sights at first, but are an oil
story now. One longs for the woods an
streams, the hills and valleys, the friend
intercourse. and more than all, the relii
Gus advantages that were enjoyed in u
Kentucky home. Mail day Is the mo
syentful day Of the week, for there
always the expectation Of the dear hon
Letters, and that most welcome visitor
our prairie home-THE INTERIOR Joui
n NAL. You should see the look Of disa
pointmsnt at the unweloOme announe
msnt, "No JouRSAL TO day" The m'
. have just come in quite enthusiastic aboI
| ripe plums on Gypsum Creek, and Pl'
to 60 plumming and camp out tn
means that something substantial must
A provided in the eating line, 50 mu
j. eloss for this time Very Respectful
! Yours, Mas. X. b. HUTCHINSON.