Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1888-03-29
Crystal Springs. Colorado.

try and enlighten the readers of the CAT about
the progress OF civilization in this part of the
world. Crystal Springs about an hundred
miles west and six miles south Of Colby: about
fOrty-flve miles west of Burlington, and thir-
ty miles east OF Hugo. 1t is SO called from
the many natural springs in the vicinity.
There Is quite little settlement along the Re
publican. The nearest post Office is q: Hugo,
but as post Offices follow, we expec: to have
one near here ere many months pass away.
The country resembles Thomas county very
much, only there is more running water in
the Republican than in the Sappa. We are
unable to say how deep it is to water on the
divides, but we don't think the divide land is
so high as it is there. The soil is great deal
more sandy, but must be very productive, by
the way the grass, grows, and the amount of
cattle there were pastured in here last sum-
mer. In fact there has been a ranch here
since 1875. Several cowboys have taken tree
claims. and are fencing and otherwise inn
proving them,so as to make homes when they
wish to settle down to quiet life. But very
little timber is found along the Republican
and other streams, but about fifty miles north
west of here we hear there is plenty Of timber.
How it is, we are unable 10 say. as we have
not been any farther west. There are several
settlers in these parts from Thomas county
Mr.. Herring, formerly of Quickville, is engage
ed in surveying and locating. in partnership
with Mr.. s. S. Strobe, one of the first settlers
in these parts, with the exception of cattle
men and cowboys. Mr.. Robson. formerly of
Hughes, is keeping a small store on his home
stead. Uncle jacob Stark is tearing up the
buffslo sod in grand shape, and will soon have
one of the finest homes west of the state line.
The Rock Island and the q. P. roads both
have surveys through these parts. So has al
sO,we understand, the b. j. NJ. and some other
road. of which we are unable to learn the
name. A town is started down the Republican
about ten miles below this point called Hoyt,
which consists of two stores, a lumber yard,
we understand. They have also started a
newspaper. We think about all we need to
make fiOurishing and booming town in our
midst is pie nty Of rain and Kansas capital and
enterprise. For surely. VIC have one of the
best locations west of the Missouri river for a
town. We have plenty OF running and spring
water, and well water can be obtained ut no
great depth. We think, also, that there is
plenty of rock aiOag the creeks for building
purposes. We arc certain. to, that there could
be good brick made here We don't think
there is any more to contend with here than
in Kansas. Burlington. we are confident, will
boom this summer They arc locating new
town about flttee;, miles west of Burlington.
The main attraction of the town site is their
sixty foot flag pole in the centre, on which
floats in the gentle zephers of Colorado the
grand old Stars AMI Stripes. As the poet said
in the early part of the nnteenth century:
"IIOng may they wave
Ger the land Of the free,
And the home of the brave
So we hope they may long wave. and that
Colorado may not continue much longer to be
represented By the last star on that grand old
banner; but sincerely hope that other stars
will be added before long. We almost Forgot
to mention our school and Sunday School.
Though we are isOlated ut present from the
rest of the world, the education and the wei
fare of the rising generation is not neglected
The state pays the teacher OF our school,
though there are at present but few scholars.
The Sunday School meets ut private houses.
and We can say that we arc thankful to see
the first pioneers OF the Country setting such
a good example to tire ones who come in. We
would say to all who arc IN search of u home
that Crystal Springs has many attractions.
Most OF tie tree claims are gone close, but
| some can he obtained yet. There is plenty of
good land for hnine>tca!iny ard pre-empting.
We hope tina the parr o. the Thomas Cat
may not only liz, heard here. but all over the
| land. and go ON its .rond work of inducing peo-
| pic to come and settle 10 these millions and
m;lIisns Of acres tina. waiting only 70 bc tick
led 10y the pillow. spa.le and hot. to bring forth
l s,:ru roll I'm n IN