The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-04-08

known as Cheyenne bottoms. 1t is the
bed of a former lake and has been a ia
verite hunting ground for many years.
The American Coursing association used
to hold its meets there, and lovers Of the
greyhound went from New York and
Philadelphia in private cars to see the
sport. Live barons and lords came from
their cattle ranches in Montana and Wyo-
ming, and excited much interest on the
part of the prairie population. This de-
preston is surrounded by a bench ten 20
forty feet high, and once, when water
spout filed il six feet deep the waters
remained for a year. 1t is proposed 10
take advantage of the high water in the
Arkansas and ill the lake, the rainfall,
natural sources, and occasional freshets
in the river being depended on to do the
rest until the following seasons big flow.
Besides furnishing supply for irrigation
it IS believed that the presence of body
of water 1900 acres in extent will have
q distince modifying effect on the climate
of the vicinity. The contamination Of the
plans for this inland lake is yet far off,
and it is possible that the project viii
never be completed as its promoters an
ticiDate.
Fresh paint and new roofs are not
common until central Kansas is reached.
There the rainfall makes the farmers in
dependent Of the bitches, and the favor
abe seasons Of the past three years have
given new hope and courage. The towns
are Frightening up, and the farmhouses
show the effect of better crops and prices.
The valley widens as the great stream
turns southwark and the bluffs are far
in the distance. A rich, closely hedged
farming section stretches east and west
of the river, and brick blocks and street
cars appear.
Wichita, which always refers to the
Arkansas as the Kansas Nile and itself
as the Peerless Princess of the Plains
no more boasts of its boom. That has
passed into history. The acres of addf-
ton houses are being turned into farms.
and the houses not needed for farm
dwellings are becoming inside property
by being moved nearer to the business
center. None of the western cities did
such extravagant building as Wichita,
and none set about recovery with greater
vigor. The result is apparent in stronger
realty values, a more hopeful spirit and
a better appreciation of the possibilities
OF the country. Wichita gathers a large
trade, not alone from the Arkansas val
ley north and south, but from the whole
Oklahoma and Indian territory section. 1t
is the chief city Of southern and south
western Kansas, and bids fair to maintain
its supremacy.
THE vale yof the Arkansas loses some
of its individuality as it pushes on east
ward into a country not 50 much depend
ent upon its waters for crops as Kansas
| and Colorado, but the river itself never
| loses its character as a wandering waste
of water apparently uncertain as TO its
direction or purpose. Some one has de-
fined the Arkansas river as being 2C00
miles long half a mile wide and six inch
es deep. For a considerable portion of
the time its depth is by this definition
grossly exaggerated. 1t has been the CEN
ter of agricultural development on the
plains because of the ease with which Its
broad valley was followed The trails OF
40 and later led through the level lands
beside it. The railroad next sought it, and
limited trains swiftly glide where once
prairie schooners tediously toiled. 1t is a
study in natural selection and a picture
Of plains development. c. NJ. H"