The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1889-01-04
OLA REGISTER.
RAMBLING THROUGH DIZZY.
Ed. Register:

y
ers that if there is no better part of the
Indian territory than that part through
which the NJ. X. & L. r. r. runs be-
tween here and Fl. Smith, Arkansas,
I do not wonder at our Government
being willing to leave it in possession
of the Indians, for 1t is certainly
worthless for anything except hunt.
ground. And if Uncle Sam can sup
port the redskins by donating them
that Godforsaken, desolate portion of
this land of ours, with the addition
of the supplies of clothing and rations
that he now furnishes them, L say
"bully for Uncle Sam"
We stopped in Ft. Smith only Ion g
enough to change cars. say "we'
because 1 was accompanied by my bet
ter half who was always on her guard
to see that 7 was in my proper place
and did not get left. We then pulled
out for Little Rock, Arkansas, at
which place we arrived about night
Nothing unusual on this part of our
trip more than the sight of several
Godforsaken specimens of humanity,
Of what nationality We could not tell,
as they were neither white, black, yell
low nor red, but full of whisky and
vulgarity which naturally made a
very bad impression on those used TO
living in prohibition State, and in a
decent community. And let me say
right here to those who do not like
our prohibition laws, go and visit your
sister States. See what whisky is do
ing for them that are not protected
from the curse of the rum traffic and I
venture the assertion that you will re-
turn a friend of the prohitory law and
opposed to the dramshop.
As there was no train leaving Little
Rock at night for Pine Bluff Arkansas,
we inquired for a decent hotel and our
polite conductor informed us that the
one Immediately at the depot was the
proper place, accommodation good and
charges reasonable. AS we could get
rid of bus or cab charges we Of course
took his advice. We ate no supper
there as we had our luncheon, and af-
ter breakfast we inquired what our
bill was of the clerk and was informed
that it was only $500. Pretty heavy
for a Kansas farmer who had been
selling his light crop of corn for 2Octs
per bushel. But then we were travel
ing and must pay our way. So l
handed him V and received in re-
turn silver dollar.
We left that morning for Pine Bluff
at $40 and arrived there at about 800
in the afternoon. 1 must say that the
space of country between these two
places is certainly the poorest part of
the world. We saw nothing for dis
lance of $50 miles that either man,
beast or bird could subsist on for one
day. 1t seems to have been one con-
tinued pine forest at one time, but the
trees of all sizes have been cut down
and sawed up and shipped to l know
not where, leaving nothing to tell the
tale but hugh piles of sawdust and
great thickets of pine saplings none of
which are more than one foot in diam.
eter. and SO goes the American forest.
Pine Bluff is lumber town and has
a population of some eight or ten
tn ousand. The majority of whom are
colored for the darkies always have
the majority in all the towns down
here and in fact in everything else ex-
cept elections. But this subject of
voting and elections l will speak of
more fully in a future letter, therefore
we will rest that part of the subject for
the present. The State of Arkansas
has a fine University here for the COL
ored people. The building cost $780,
600 and presents a beautiful view from
the cars. As we pass by notice sew
eral tall, black sleek darkies basking
in the sunshine and resting against
the pillars of the college, and could not
help thinking how different is their
condition from what it ives 80 years
ago when the writer used TO see them
put upon the block and hear the auc-
tioneer crying out "What for this
buck?" What for the buck or what
for the wench as the case might be.
Surely the world is moving
and we are learning more and more
all the time. Here 1 saw one of the
wealthIest negroes perhaps in the
South. did not learn his name. He
is said to be worth $500, 900 and owns a
controlling interest in the street r. R.
of that city.
But 1 had nearly forgotten to say
something about the crops along the
way. The cotton first made its appear
ance to US in the territory and at first
reminded us of patch of rag weeds
after March snow squall or a heavy
frost. 1t was 4 very poor crop growing
on very thin yellow land, and seemed
to have been poorly cultivated. That
festive beast the cockle-bur seemed to
have more than its full share of the
space intended for the first named
plant and lowered far above it. We
saw very little good corn along the
way. The stalks are not much larger
than ones fingers and the ears resem-
BILE those of pop corn.
We noticed some beautiful springs
among the hills of both the Territory