Durango semi-weekly herald., 1901-03-18
DOWN THE RIVER FROM AZTEC.
Evidence Of the Growth and Prosper
ity Of the Country.

Passing down the river from Aztec
the change from what 1t was a few
years ago is particularly noticeable.
Then the river bottom-iand was all
that was brought under cultivation.
but OF recent years the farms reach
up to the third mesas Comfortable
homes with large numbers of sheen
and cattle give evidence OF the prof
it In well-tilled land, as well as the
thrift of the settlers.
Nearing Pennington the immense
orchards after rest are beginning
to show signs of disposition to yield
another bountiful crop and it is the
general opinion that the yield this
year Will be greater than 1t was last.
me condition of the soil and general
weather indications point to this con-
clusion, A larger acreage than in
former years will be planted. In
tact more attention is being given to
general crops than in former years.
with the certainty that the ranchmen
VIII be able to dispose of the last
vestige OF their produce at 'remunera-
tive prices. Then, the new arrivals
have gone at farming in practical
manner, which is essential to attain
success anywhere.
Last Year there was some building
In Pennington which seemed to pave
the way for more improvements of
a substantial character this spring
ana summer. Among the new fea-
lures In the business line there is
the new paper. The Hustler, establish
ed by d. X. Sellers, and the Hyde
Exploring company. who bought out
the business of Cooper & Dustin, and
Mr.. Hunter. Frank Pierce, the pio-
neer merchant. who has sold goods
Tor the past seventeen years In the
town, holds his popularity and trade.
and his business has taken a wonder
full stride in the past few months.
Frank has acquaintance far and near
and they always find his goods and
prices right.
Our old friend Alex. Bowman still
maintains headquarters for drugs and
sundries, and is doing a safe business.
visitor is always made welcome
and given the best at hand.
One would surely think so II he
stops at the Grand hotel, conducted
by Frank Allen, who erected brick
addition to his comfortable hostelry
this year and furnished 1t throughout
In good shape. Frank, as every one
knows. makes 1t speciality to look
after the comfort OF his guests and
his prices are always reasonable. In
connection with the hotel he conducts
| "A ,t.,I,
tired horse is well fed and housed.
Durango people visiting Pennington
viii profit by driving down to the
Grand.
s. r. Blake. single-handed and
alone, can be seen any time between
sunrise and sunset driving away at
his oil well about onehalf mile south
of town. He merits world of sue
cess for the faith he has shown in
this enterprise. for he has invested
all his resources in it, and he has
everything to encourage him In push
ing 1t to finish Oil once found
would be the making OF Pennington
and surrounding country. for people
would flock there from all over the
country. to secure property, overlook
ing entirely the slower but sirer meth
cd of accommodating a competency by
farming and fruit-raising.
l The products of Pennington soil
= continue to find their way to the Du-
: range market. as there are but few ar
3 ticles that will stand shipping south.
l Hides and wool will be two OF the
] principal products that will find
' their way to the Atlantic and Pacific
, road. Much good could be accom-
! plished for the trade of Durango II a
= turnpike road could be constructed to
5 the state line. There has been II
e great deal of money already expead'
] ed on this highway. but 1t Is not In
e evidence now. Not until the water
), is kept out OF the road can we ex.
e peot good results the year round. To
do this would not cost very large
sum. The ground is soft and free
d from rocks and boulders nearly the
g entire distance. different sys
TEN must be adopted in repairing this
piece of road II ever any good is te
come from it. 1t is matter oul
Board of Trade could well AFFORD to
/. take up especially SO at this time
WneU tnPTt are OCih6
h to turn a certain trade from us. Once
~ a good road Is constructed to ths
i. state line no teamster could be induc
"a ed to freight over the southern route
.. The Rio Grande railway is not muci
II given to building wagon roads, but !
" the matter was properly put befor'
h them they would investigate the prop
10 osition and assist Durango and III
II Plata county in this matter. Th'
Al company would certainly get thei
70 money back In the shape OF increaae'
"a freight traffic. The lower conntr
a. is rich in resources and Durango
10 entitled to the business OF that ser
n, ton. Neither should any OF 1t b
II allowed to slip away from us by rea
ID son OF lack Of enterprise and energ
,e on our part.