Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-10-25
Amarillo. the Queen of the Plains.

Among the numerous county exhibits that
greet the eye of the visitor none make a
more favorable impression than the we'll
arranged display from the Amarillo coun-
try" The GAZETTE reporter, while view
ing this fine and varied assortment of prod
ucts, could scarcely believe that they came
from wo-year-old country, but MIR. c. II.
Leftwlch. the affable manager, vouches for
the assertion and insists that the samples
could have been larger, better and more
varied if more care had been exercised in
the selection. Situated in the extreme
east corner of the main exposition building,
adjoining Music hall, is the Amarillo cour-
try exhibit, and the first thing to catch the
eye of the visitor on entering Is we'll
arranged taole in the center of the room
surmounted with series of shelves, on
which are tastefully displayed jars of
luscious fruits, Which proves concusively
that this section, though new, will ere long
produce its own fruit. Here, also. is to be
found jars of beans, peas, peanuts and
many other articles to interest the eye and
tempt the palate. The small grain products
claim just share of attention and are dis
played in a series Of open sacks in two
rows, covering SiXty-four lineal feet, and if
any one thinks or believes that the Amarillo
country is not productive, he should dis
pei such ideas at once by examining this
excellent display of wheat, oats, rye, bar
ley and millet-
Across one end of the space is a solid
wall of baled Cake hay" a species of grass
peculiar to the plains and especially to the
Amarillo district. This hay IS far more
valuable for stock purposes than the ordi-
nary prairie hay, owing to its superior
quality and favor, and commanding at all
times higher price. This product is
mired by visitors. The garden products
are represented by melons of every descrip-
ton, sweet and Irish potatoes, beets,
onions, carrots, beans, tomatoes, squashes.
cucumbers and everything else in the veg
etable line. Tobacco is shown in the leaf
well matured, and the walls are decorated
with samples of all small grain in the sheaf.
The Amarillo country being new and yet in
its infancy, does not claim, as yet. to excel
in the production of corn, but exhibits some
excellent samples, and in another year
when the seed has become acclimated will
display corn with any section, for it has all
the elements necessary to produce 1t.
Building stone Of the very best quality is
displayed and is destined to play an i'm
portant part in the upbuilding of the cities
and towns on the plains. Photographs of
the First national bank, the board of trade,
the Amarillo hotel and numerous other
buildings adorn the walls, showing the i'm
prevements to be of solid and substantial
nature.
Inquiry developed the fact that the
ssAmarillo county exhibit had secured
eleven premiums, and this is proof positive
that one cannot well overdraw the picture
in describing its products. The manager,
Mr.. c. H. Leftwich, has exercised good
judgment in arranging his exhibit, and -
giving information pertaining to his section,
avoids exaggcrations andssticks to plain
facts. In conversation with The GAZETTE
reporter, he stated that it was known far
and wide that Amarillo was the principal
cattle shipping point in the Panhandle, and
the object of this exhibit was to show the
world that 1t was now fine agricultural
country, that it would soon occupy place
in the front ranks. and on account of the
low cost of land offered better Inducements
to home-seekers than any other part of
Texas. The rainfall, Mr.. Leftwich says,
has average thirtyone inches for several
years past, the elevation is high, the eli
mate delightful, health unexcelled and
morals up to the standard. To have visi-
Bile proof of all these assertions one should
examine the Amarillo country exhibit,
and then visit this charming city and
country on the plains.