The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1900-08-25
Our Western Letter.

Mr.. EpIToR:
Boarding many Of the tram, run
hu9 north and south, one finds that
The more modern and convenient
pullman does not continue as far
south as New Orleans, but IS taken
off shortly after crossing the Ohio
river, leaving for the far southern
service the less handsome and older
5leepcrs. THIS was noticed by the
writer on more than one occasion in
coming south, and some wonder and
regret was felt that a less elegant
class Of coaches were used for south
ern points than. for those in north
ern states. In leaving Fort Worth,
however, on the Colorado and
Southern, one feels that that road
has gwen to Its southern traffic the
finest and the best accommodations
that are TO be had. And southern
er, If he ha. noticed the difference
made by some other lines, can but
feel sense of satisfaction IN reall
zing that ON al least that one road,
no such distinction o~ discrimination
against our section and people Is
deemed necessary. 1t is doubtful
whether coaches superior to those
furnished the patrons could be
found on any Of the northern or
eastern lines.
In central Texas wheat see ms
to hold first place as a crop,
and stock raising is the next
most important industry. Going to-
wards western Texas the amount of
wheat grown lessons and as one
reaches ,he prairie dog and adobe
region Of Texas and New Mexico,
cattle raising becomes the almost
exclusive occupations This may
have been formerly true of the
plains of Colorado also. But in
many parts of the latter state and
certainly IN more sections traversed
by the lines Of the Denver and Rio
Grande and of the Colorado and
Southern, irrigation has converted
sterile lands INTO beautiful gardens
and fields of gram, lnterspersed with
groves and orchards. Indeed, those
parts of the state seem as productive
as could reasonably be expected; but
The water conduits le idlng for miles
in every direction tell plainly that
this is but another triumph OF west
ern energy The regions not yet
reached by the irrigating canals aie
sometimes spoken of here as 'the
DESERT" though it Is, In reality,
largely occupied 10y cattle ranches.
The climate is remarkable IN that
though the temperature often falls
below zero, the cattle require Meth
er shelter nor feed other than they
get from the plaius themselves. One
might justly be skeptlcal as to this
until he Is reminded of the utter i'm
possibility of housing or feeding the
several thousands Of cattle which a
rancLe often contains. Some OF the
residents claim that they make no
change IN winter from the knitted
underwear used IN summer.
Colorado Springs and Manitou
are favored spots on this earth
IN that they contain many
and few very poor
people. There are the houses of
many wealthy mlLefs aud 1t Is said
there are twenty eight millionalres
residing on one street OF the former
place, while number Of others are
scattered through the town. Yet
there are no novels TO be seen indi-
ca,lnx extreme want. Even the labor
ers 1--we in neat, nsw looking dwell
ings. The number and quality Of
the new buildings III course Of erect
ion leave no doubt Of tie prosperity
OF the city,.
Manit,u, according to mutual
friend who IS now here, is
the ideal place for fllrtatlons. There
is much TO bear out his statements.
The writer happened to witness last
week, the preparation and start of a
party tor Pixies Peak. 1t CONSISTED
of several young ladies, not quite So
many young men and the guides.
The start was made at about seven
clock IN the evening on burros and