Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1882-11-24
ATLANTIC 6 PACIFIC r. R.
WESTWARD HOT
Yinita to the Arkansas River-What
Has Been and viii be Done ON the
Trans-continental Route to the
Paciilc.

the Atlantic and Pacific kailroad, We
had the pleasure of riding out to Tulsa,
on the Arkansas River, the present
temporary terminus Of the road, the
construction of which has just been
completed.
At distance of II miles from yinita.
passing by the scene the late conflict
at Pecan Greek, we come to the first
station named White Oak, thence on
to Catale, Cherokee word, signifying
"a round valley surrounded by hills"
As an evidence of the enterprise of our
citizens we notice as We pass by vast
cattle ranch of 5000 acres, enclosed
with a wire fence which runs parallel
with the road for two miles.
The picturesque scenery here as well
as along the new road well entities this
country to it's name Of 'the Beautiful
Indian Territory"
Between Catale and Chelsea, on Pry-
or's Greek, we notice fine agricultur-
al country now occupied only by herds
of cattle and wild game.
At Chelsea, named after the beauti-
full suburb of Boston, the Il. r. Com
pany have made provision for all the
business that will be done there, by
building ample stock yards and erect
ing fine depot with telegraph facili-
ties. The site for this station is pecu-
liarly well chosen, it being in fine
valley, the bottoms and uplands rich
in soil, luxuriant in grasses, and also
the nearest point to the Delaware set
tlement on Lightning Greek.
From this point on at the earnest
solicitation of Mr.. Thomes, who assur
ed us that if We would ride with him
on the pilot of the engine; we would
see more country, have less dust. would
be more in danger OF our life and would
have good chance TO shoot some
prairie chickens. We yentured out,
but with considerable trcpidation.
Later We were much gratifed with
our ride, the first we had ever taken in
such position.
Six miles west Of Chelsea we reach
Busbyhead, named in honor of our
Principal Chief Here we strike the
head waters OF Dry Creek. To our left
we notice heavy tinibe fine post oak
and other hard woods The hills to
our right also being tapped with fine
groves. Six miles further on we come
10 Sequoyah, named after man who
is rightly honored by the Cherokee
Nation, he being the first Iudian who
made a written language for his people. !
Some six.or seven miles further on
We come to Claremore, named after an
Usage Chief, and the hill where the |
last battle was fought between the
Osages and Cherokees. This station
is sure to become an important one on
account Of ito being on the cattle trail
from Texas to Cofeyyille. The distance
to 81. Louis by the new road being
some 200 miles less than by CofIeyville.
In addition to the improvements made
by the II. X. Co. consisting of stock
yard capable of holding sixty car loads
Of cattle. large depot, section house
and an immense tank the citizens
have laid out town and have built
hotel and several stores, with neces-
sary dwellings. Seven miles further ON
We come to Verdigris station, located
near and in the great bend Of the Yer
digris. We will venture to say at no
place in the Indian Territory which is
recognized as the garden spot of Amer.
lea can more magnificent valley be
found than the country hereabout.
One Of the finest springs Of clear lime
stone water and most luxuriant graz
ing are part only Of the natural en-
iowments of this favored valley. The
line here enters the timber and crosses
the Verdigris at the mouth Of Bird
Greek on bridge costing $4,000, the
piers are beautiful sand stone, obtain
I'd in the near vicinity. At this place
we notice our enterprising fellow citi-
zen, J. II. Bartles, has established two
saw mills and is busily engaged In saw
ng up the fne walnut timber which
grows In such profusion along the ver-
iigris. At present he has ON hand "a
million feet Of lumber TO ship, which
has kept all available force busily en-
yngcd, besides supplying the L. Il. Co.
md citizens with necessary lumber for
new construction. The most beautiful
place on the line is Catoosa and right I
y named, meaning "a high round
The fine landscape view
here IL not excellcd and seldom equal
ed in this country. The Old trading I
post and post Office Of Fort spunkey is I
near by and is favorite rendezvous for |
,attle men. Our fellow citizens, Schrim-
'her 4 Gage, are here engaged in mer-
:antile business, with fine stocks Of
,enerai merchandise. A blacksmith
hop, drug store and four cider mills I
the town, with the addition
# X. Il. depot and section house.
;ruichGelds and Fort spunkey are the
ynonyms by which this locality has
Ierived its reputation for hospitality
On our first sight ofthis country some
wo years since, it was our ambition z
o here own 10000 acres OF land-after =
rhich the deluge. From here on to
lingo station on Mingo Greek, the
inc passes over the cnly heavy work
4 construction One rock cut has cost y
he Go. some s90.o 900 to grade. At Min Il
% Creek We was very much amused at
he engineers Of the road by their pro-
.osing TO hold the waters by building .
dam three feet in height. The day
efore We reached there we was told
hat the sky became cloudy. a slight v
ushing aa the atmosphere, and the n
am was dauned and was found two n
liies down the creek Also at this =
tation the Company has built large