The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-08-27
coRREspoHDEHcE
DENVER. Col.

DENVER, Col, Aug. "a.
EDITOR ARGUs;-Probably no observa
| tions of tourist will more interest your
readers than those pertaining to crops, for
all classes have vital interest in the food
problem. A journey of about 1000 miles
through Iowa, Missouri and Colorado have
done much to dispel from me any fears of
| a short crop of anything necessary to the
life of either man or beast. Leaving Rock
Island by the Southwestern branch of the
c., II. l. & P. road at night, | of course
saw bat little of the state of Iowa, but in
that portion brought under view the corn
fields gave promise of an average yield
Daylight dawned upon us i'm southwestern
Missouri about 100 miles from the Missouri
river and finer corn fields never greeted my
vision in that region than waved their
white tassels throughout the whole extent
of il. Crossing the Missouri at Kansas
City and following up the valley of the
Kansas or Kard river in the state of Kan
sas, thousands upon thousands of acres of
as promising corn as has ever grown upon
the rich plains of the sunflower state. were
in view on either side of the Kansas Pa
cific track, as far as the vision could pene
trate. 1t may be that the yield will be
larger in this valley than in any other
portion of the state, but even a
difference of 20 or 25 per cent must
give Kansas an immense corn
crop. 1t is needless to say that those who
are familiar with the state that this pros
pect diminished into comparatively insight
ficant yield in the extreme western portion
but found good fields many miles west
of what is known as the limit of the corn
belt. Very much to my surprise, too,
saw quite good-sized corn in the eastern
portion of this state where the cool nights
ordinarily render its profitable growth i'm
possible, even where there is abundant
rainfall or irrigation.
Everywhere on our right the harvested
fields, with the numerous golden stacks, in
Dictated an abundant yield of small grain,
and such was my information from farmers
on the trains. l also learned that Kansas
is harvesting an immense peach crop,
which she is selling to the fruit-famished
people of Colorado at highly remunerative
prices. To its good quality and altitude
nous price | can bear testimony myself.
l therefore conclude that the croaker
must lodge his writings on forebodings of
hunger and want to the poor next winter
against SOME other portion of the country
than that lying along the railway right be-
tween Rock Island and this city.
OF Denver, correspondent at sll sensi |
tive as TO his reputation for truth, may well /
tern or southern town. and has so much of /
the wonderful in and about it, that to give |
ones impressions of IL may well raise a /
doubt in the minds of readers as to his sim |
cerity. / found great-almost marvel |
lous-improyement in the city since my /
last visit two years ago. Addition after ad /
iition has been made, and fine blocks almost |
without number have been built and still |
going up. To stranger the query is con- I
SANITY arising. What iustifies and main
tains all this vast expenditure? For the
own is built on q vast arid plain, sur
by no agriculture and apparent
y having no industries within, except
hose created by the mutual necessities
Of its inhabitants. Even the precarious
.iches of mines, which more than any
other wealth, suddenly take the wings of
he morning and fly away, Fail to lend
heir immediate presence to its enchant
nent, for all the rich mineral camps of the
tate are far distant from it, It has not
wen the advantages or attraction of
supply of pure water; for how
yer this may be despised as beverage in
owa and other prohibition states, in this
pure, sparkling water is considered
! treasure of little less value than the
differing minerals and gems of its noun
aims, even By those who are accustomed
o use it in the older states only to wash
he fumes of old rye or bourbon down their
hroats. or to wash dust out of their eyes,
There being no constitutional amendment /
n this state, the only restraint upon ones
liberty to get drunk is the lack of money
o buy his favorite beverage; and yet water
. in high favor. But do not think there
8 but little that one may truthfully and
eriously say about Denver to interest your
eaders, for there is much, but | can not
ay it now. At another time I will give
ny impressions at greater length. includ
ag something of the exposition of mineral |
Fealth and other productions which is now
a progress, and VIII continue to be for some
Teeks. Colorado also has politics, though
i somewhat peculiar kind, of which ! |
'in write when the parties get their .
oursers on the track. RAMBLER.