The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-01-24
As 1 JouRNEYED.
written for the Howard Page H.
ALTA Baker"

written for the Howard Page by
ALTA Baker"
Kansas. sunny Kansas. that garden of
the West. is my home. but being of
somewhat rowing nature and having
needed "a rest for some time-being worn
out with my work in the school room
[ concluded about a year and a half
ago 10 go West, where [ might try my
fortune for awhile and at the same time
gain the rest desired.
After spending a few weeks in prepar-
alton for the trip, the time OF my de-
parture at last came. IT was beauu-
full morning in April when l left the
little town of E'redOnia, in the south
eastern part of Kansas and from there
the train took me first in north
easternly direction ana then wheeled
around 70 the west, whicn was the
principal way traversed to the coast. y
few towns 10 be mentioned while yet IN
Kansas are Yates Center, FL Dorado and
Wichita. OF course there are many
small towns. but of these it is unneces-
sary to speak. The country west of FL
Dorado is quite level and looks well.
Through this section of country l noticed
many wind-mills. and l thought that
probably the people had to go very deep
to get water There were fields Of wheat
and corn to be seen on all sides, beauu-
full dwelling houses, etc, and l thought
to myself the people in this part of the
state are in very prosperous condition
Another good portion OF country ls
around Wichita This city boasts Of 4
population Of about 80 goo inhabitants or
more, and the people are noted for their
industry, frugality, intelligence and
ability TO take part in boOms. In this
city are many fine residences and bust
ness buildings. The streets are well
shaded and if anyone wishes to take
drive on clear summers evening there
is no better place than along the streets
of Wichita Here one also finds many
school buildings and one or two of the
best business colleges west of the Missis-
sippi Among the railroads are the
Missouri Pacific. Santa Fe and Frisco.
Leaving Wichita to south and east the
country becomes more billy as one nearS
the Colorado line and has much great
er elevation, rising from about 900 feet
in the east TO nearly 1000 feet in the
west. Here one sees but very little
timber-only prairies, prairies for miles
and miles dotted here and there by hut
or dugout.
When l entered the state of Colorado
I found myself in dreary-lookinS
country. Maybe it seemed more dreary
to me from the fact that it was raining,
and L was cold; but it didn't look like
dear old Kansas at all. There were hills
everywhere, and a kind of brush like
sage covered the dry looking soil Pass
ing on a few miles / saw several snow
about eighteen or twenty feet in length,
nailed to slanting pieces, and held in
place by bars on the side to which they
lean. About eight or nine planks arc
fastened to each slanung piece. Great
herds of cattle were feeding on the
prairies, and L was told the stock lived
en- the grass all winter So far there
were very little corn or wheat to be
seen in this state. Saw a few shocks
of corn a few miles back, but concluded
81, DTafr in LuV1e
You can gain some idea of the towns in
this part of the state when / tell you
the last town passed contained a town
company room, two Saloons and two or
three other buildings. As Yet i had
passed only a few hills. and l was long
ing TO see the mountains Going a few
hours longer, Colorado Springs doomed in
sight. Thought it was a very nice look
ing city. It's elevation, / think, is about
1850 feet. Now one has changed from
central to mountain time.
I failed to see the grand scenery Of this
state, for il was showing quite hard.
Pueblo looked like a very large place,
and some parts Of it, viewed through the
snow. appeared quite picturesque. On
the right. | saw several beautiful dwell
ing houses Oh a little elevation, and,
covered with the downy snow, they re-
minded me of some of the old English
homes OF which 1 had read.
Passing to the north from Pueblo in
due course of time l came to Denver,
which claims a population Of 5000.
Here 1 spent several hours at the depot
waiting for the train 70 carry me north
ward How l enved the little children
who were playing around and having
such nice time.
Leaving Denver to the south, the next
morning | found myself at Cheyenne,
Wyo., where l had TO stay five or six
hours As il was still showing, could not
get to see much Of the city, so had TO
pass away the time in the depot. The
next place l noted was Laramie On
the plains of Laramie. as the train was
hurrying along at good speed, a young
man lost his ticket and you can imagine
his dismay when he discovered the fact.
AS soon as possible the train was
stopped, and he, leaving his wife and
babe behind. stepped from the car into
the snow and started back to Laramie