Turner County herald. (Hurley, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1889-06-13
A Trip srom Bismarck, North Dakota, to
Fort Thomas, Arizona.

trunks and started Tor Arizona. Pass
ing through the several counties of
North Dakota, the snow hid the agri-
cultural Improvements along the route.
but off from the railroad a considerable
acreage of land had been put into crops.
Changing cars at jamestown, we pro-
ceeded to Oakes, soon after leaving
which place we crossed the future di-
viding line between the two Daketas.
Now commenced the land of kome
farms, gradual improvement being
noticeable as we moved southwark. 4
greater indication of prosperity could
hardly be imagined. All the farm
houses newly painted, fences in good
repair, mammoth barns and machinery
sheds, and thousands of acres of grow
ing grain and corn. 1t did ones heart
good to see the fiourishing condition of
the corn crop of South Dakota. We
stopped at Hurley, Turner county, a
pleasant, Hourishing town, in one OF the
finest agricultural districts to be found
in the west. We were greatly interest
ed in the artesian wells which here are
so numerous. These wells go to show
that ever acre OF Dakota land can be
artiicially irrigated. There is no ex-
cuse for the failure Of crops in the
Northern state. Every effort should be
made to get flowing water on every
section of land. Again, the land held
by spectators should be taxed in pro-
portion to acreage and the farmer
should be relieved from paying taxes
on his improvements, for it is not just
that one man should raise the value of
another's property by the sweat of his
brow while that other man sits back
and reaps the harvest Of increased val
uation. The sooner this matter is ad-
justed the sooner prosperous times will
show themselves.
Leaving Dakota, the first place we
visited was Hawarden, Iowa. We no.
ticed ut once the lack of enterprise; the
buildings were in bad repair, in need of
paint, and the lands did not appear so
well cultivated. This state of affairs
lasted until we arrived at Sioux City,
which is ilourishing city Of probably
25,00O inhabitants, a good depot and
some very nice buildings, the whole
presenting the appearance of business
activity, although the people are not
polite to strangers and have a "don't
care" air about them. From Sioux
City we passed through very promls-
ing country until we reached Council
Bluffs We were disappointed in this
place, the streets were all mud and
there seemed to be but little ambition
displayed by the people. Prohibition"
Crossing the Missouri river into Omaha,
Neb., we found a typical, prosperous
western city-large buildings, flourish
| ing business, street cars, run by electri-
cal motor cable and horses. Everyone
busy, no one out Of work; bananas and
| oranges ten cents a dozen, a good meal
for fifteen cents; clothing, dry goods
and all produce cheap and of good
quality. No prohibition" Through
out Nebraska the same rush of business
was manifested and everyone seemed
| prosperous.
Arriving ut Atchison, Kansas, at
$3.50 a. M. we had an opportunity to
thoroughly examine into the business
prosperity OF this prohibition city, The
depot had burned and the accommoda
tions for passengers was rnything but
inviting. Leaving Atchison at II 90 a
M, we proceeded to Topeka, thence
through the state until we arrived at
! Carlton, Colo. Looking to the north
| ward the grand Rocky mountains, the
peaks covered with snow, were plainly
visible, and Pixies Peak loomed up ir
grand shape. Here weentered the sagt
brush country, and for miles and mile:
4 the prairies were covered with it. Al
La Junta, Colo, we were delayed OF
account of wreck near Delhi;
freight train ditched and number O
cattle killed. La Junta is a frontier
town with not much in its favor. A
Delhi we had to wait for the wreck t.
. be cleared away, add while there tn
time was passed shooting at prairi
dogs, of which the country abound
plentifully. We crossed the first rang
of the Rockies about eight o'clock II
the evening and entered New Mexico
where the Pueblo Indian yillagel lie al
along the route. They are adobe build
4 ings, one story high, without the sig
2 of tree on the avenue. The land ha
a desert look, but when irrigated pre-
duces anything that California wi
in the shape Of fruit and vegeta
bles. Spassely settled villages an
towns were passed through until W
cross the line. through Stein pass, int
Arizona, thence to bowie, where W
left the railroad and proceeded by stag
to Fort Thomas. From Bowie to Fol
Thomas the stage follows road lyin
!, between the Gochom and Whetloc
j mountains, the top of the former co,
: cred with snow.
Entering the Gila river valley tt
3 question of artificial irrigation h;
been solved, for thousands of acres
this valley are under cultivation an
are planted to the finest fruits az
vegetables and alfalfa clover. Thr'
crops of the latter are raised annaall
Fifteen miles south of Fort Thomas "
passed the spot where Paymaster j.
+ Wham was robbed of S29,OO0. Th
robbery has caused considerable excit
ment in this vicinity and the post al
country if full Of detectives, deputy
S. marshals. etc, and already eleven
J. the robbers are under arrest. Near
2 all the soldiers escorting Maj. Wha
: were wounded, but are recovering {
7 right.
\ At 600 p. m. we arrived at the TOW
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