The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1902-05-05
BRILLIANT FUTURE
FOR RALSTON
The Coming Metropolis Of
Northeastern Oklahoma

miles northeast Of Guthrie, in the beau
tIful, fertile Arkansas valley. The
country ia Pawnee county around
Ralston is beautiful rolling agricul-
tural country Diversified farming
and stock raising are the principal in
dustries. Fine cattle and hogs are
raised in large numbers there being
over 100000 head of cattle in the
Usage reservation alone.
The farmers raise wheat, corn, oats.
cotton, castor bears. Kasfir corn, al
falfa and all kinds OF fruit This is
great country for fine apples, peaches
and grapes The Arkansas river
winds through the country and gives
moisture enough to make this the
most fertile part OF the territory. The
townsite Of Ralston is located on
magnificent elevation in a bend of the
Arkansas river and at the edge of the
Usage reservation.
The town was opened in the spring
of 1888. just after the opening of the
strip" The original townsite was
composed Of sixty acres. surrounded
by indian allotments Ralston has the
advantage OF many natural resources.
Wholesome, pure water is found there
in abundance and good limestone
water is found at a depth of eighteen
and twenty feet. The greater part of
the coal which is used by the people
there is gotten from the bed of Eagle
creek. There is a great supply of coal
In that vicinity and the prospect is
encouraging for gas.
The population of Ralston is about
four hundred. Until last week there
was no railroad but notwithstanding
this, Ralston has enjoyed a steady, sub
stantial growth and had the reputa-
tion Of being one of the best inland
towns in the territory. stage line
was run to Pawnee where connec-
tion was made with the Eastern Okla
homa railroad.
An additional twenty miles has just
been completed to the Eastern Okla
noma railroad from PaWnee to Raj
ston and last week the nrst train en-
tered the city Of Ralston. This road
will soon be completed to Newkir
where connection will be made with
the main line Of the Santa Fe railroad.
This will largely decrease freight rates
and give the merchants of Ralston
better and cheaper facilities for get.
ting goods.
Telegraph lines win he completed
at an early day giving Ralston
telegraph service
Ralston has long distance tele-
phone connection with all parts of the
territory
A ferry boat line is in operation and
a park reserve is laid out north of the
city which win be beautihed and used
Tor park purposes
Ralston is a splendid trading point
and an immense business is carried on
with the Usage Indians
Ralston has the following business
houses.
One National Bank.
One State Bank.
One Hotel
One newspaper (weekly).
One undertaking establishment
Two furniture stores.
Three hardware stores.
-Four dry good stores.
One millinery parlor.
Three general stores.
Three livery stables.
-Four drug stores.
One public school.
While Ralston has no church Miid-
ing il has two organizations which
hold services there, The Presbyter
ians have an organizatin and have
preaching twice a month. The Pres
byterian ladies' have organized an Aid
society and are working for church
building. The Catholics have strong
organization and Father Herring from
saltwater holds regular services. This
organization has $1,000 cash on hands
TO start the building of handsome
new church.
Ralston boasts OF several pretty
rubber tired r,ss which belong tc
some Of the prominent citizens.
This Is a city OF the fourth class and
Ia governed by a board Of trustees
The present board consists OF the fol
loving members; Ed Clark, chair
man: John Iambertson and Gideon
White II f. Thompson is city clerk