Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-06-22
ON WESTW RID.

To the Editor OF the Eagle.
In my last we had arrived at Buffalo
Springs, or the X l 7 ranch, as it is some
times called. About three years ago a
syndicate was formed, called the Capital
Syndicate. They made contract with
the state of Texas to build them state
house according to certain plans and
specifications for three million acres OF
land, and on the 9th of last May the prop
erty was turned over and accepted by
the state and the syndicate received the
title to three million acres of land in the
Pan Handle f Texas, and Buffalo
Springs is in the northwest corner OF 1t.
Some men might make some remarks
about land monopolists, but think peo-
pie should rise up and call them blessed
for taking the land, for they may pos
sibly make something, but to divide 1t
up into quarter sections and put family
on each quarter, making about eighteen
thousand seven hundred and fifty fam
lilies. nine-tenths of them would starve
in two years.
The springs afford large amount of
water for the stock. The owners have
good buildings and are doing
a great deal in the cattle business. After
travelling about sixteen miles we struck
into New Mexico by the old Santa Fe
trail Mountains on the west and south
west begin to show themselves, although
in the distance.
We find the same trouble in the east
ern part of New Mexico as in Kansas
and t RIP that is very dry, the streams
from ~ TO 26 miles apart. In going
from Buffalo Springs TO Springer, in
New Mexico, we crossed but four
stream. The Rio Blanco had trout in it,
although a small stream. AS we go west
we find the country getting very noun
famous, and everything is up grade and
no water along the trail. and where there
is no water there is no cattle to be seen,
except dead ones, and they can be seen
wherever there has been any streams or
ponds.
After travelling up mountain all the
forenoon we began to descend and about
5 o'clock came to what is called the a.
l.. ranch, owned by Mr. Dorsey. He
has everything in good shape, a fine
stone house for has own residence, fitted
and furnished in the finest style.
very large stone stables and all things
about the ranch is complete, even To a
telegraph TO Dorsey, twelve miles, and
can keep posted on the cattle question.
His telegraph line to Springer is
straight line and the road leaves the
Santa Fe trail and follows the poles into
Springer.
Springer is an old place, part of it the
Mexican part, is very old. 1t is situated
on the south fork of the Canadian river.
The town is situated in basin, and well
dor Nv toI oil cid
The town is very irregularly laid out and
everything is done on the same plan,
houses are all shapes and sizes and ma
terial. some wood. some stone and others
are adobe. | think the best building in
town is Conovers stable, large stone
building and complete in every respect.
The town has a large trade from the
ranchmen and the country west is
mining district that bring their trade to
Springer. There has been quite an ex-
tensive business in manufacturing &C.
ment. They are now enlarging the
works so as to meet the demand in this
country, where much stone work is done.
There is some talk of running large
irrigation ditch into the town and
around it, If it should be done Springer
will have boom.
LII Tic We SIieilI oidiI iOI Los
Vegas, about seventy miles. We have
been so far that we know what to do
every day: | sometimes think OF Dick
ems Mr. Mantilini when he said, He
was like demnition horse in a demni-
ton treadmill-grind, grind, grind" So
we go, day after day, from place to
place, seeing all there is to see and then
going on, ike the wandering Jew, on,
on, on.
People, in travelling this country, gen.
orally follow the railroads, but we keep
away from them, finding that the finest
scenery is away from the railroads; also,
the most curious old Mexican towns.
Near the railroads the white men rush in
and destroy the beauty of a Mexican
town, which consists in its adobe houses,
and everything that is really Mexican.
Yours, GEO. a. WHITE.