davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-03-15
new COUNTRY IS OPENED.

speed, the track stretches away as
straight as die for distance of about
thirty miles more. The road is remark
able for the few curves that are en-
countered during the whole distance of
the trip to Ell Paso from the east.
Engineering experts agree that a
straight track may be operated more
successfully than one twisted and
curved. Common sense shows that the
road that has the straight track, the
one that allows of the shortest line
between certain points and consequent
ly the gain IN time on account OF faster
running, because of the lack of curves,
is the one that viii be used by the
busy people of today. The lessons of
short lines and quick time have been
taught to all railway men and the mat
ter of expense in the construction of
new lines is not now considered where
it stands in the way of the conStruc-
ton of the short line.
Because of this fact it is not Surpris
ing TO learn that the new Ell PaSo line
of the Rock Island cost from fifteen to
forty thousand dollars per mile to build
over a comparatively level country,
practically free from high mountains
where, to maintain a low per cent
grade, would necessitate the outlay of
large amounts of money.
And in this connection it may be said
that the grades over the entire distance
of the FL Paso line have been kept I'M
der one per cent.
At a great many places along the line
it was necessary to use powder to blast
the stone and rock to bring down the
grades. The work was heaviest along
the line just this side of Santa Rosa,
New Mexico. Here for a distance of
about a mile some deep cuts were made
in the solid rock formation of the
mountains. The deepest of these cuts
is a place where the rock was blasted
out for a depth of 81 feet and a dis
lance of 900 feet.
In a field beside the tracks near
Stratford, Texas, are three little stone
covered mounds. The mounds are all
that remain to perpetuate the memory
of three unknown workmen who were
killed in an accident while blasting
along the right of way
At another place near Tucuncari, New
Mexico. two little mounds mark the
spot where are buried the remains of
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-03-15

two colored workmen who became in
volved in a quarrel during the time the
construction work was in progress
They both shot at the same time.
Piles of tin cans, and burned and
charred spots on the ground at regular
distances along beside the track mark
the spots of the march of the construc-
ton camps.
L wonder why the Rock Island built
line through such a barren land?" is
a question often heard while. enroute
through the deserts of Texas and New
Mexico. 1t is easily explained. On
either side of the barren country is
fertile land of abundant richness. 1t is
to unite these territories that the road
is built, although at the same time it
develops the land ordinarily termed
barren. But while to the average person
this land appears devoid of value, it has
been source of great income to those
who have utilized it for stock and
sheep raising.
Already towns are springfng up along
the new railroad with startling rapidity,
and at each of the places business is
brisk and population is on a steady in
crease.
Where the Rock Island crosses the
Fort Worth and Denver City railway,
less than nine months ago there was
not sign of cultivation, and now
good sized village marks the spot where
modern telephones, and city water plant
attest to the strides the place is making
towards the realization of thoroughly
modern ana nlSnly enJefpflSlnS CITY.
Along the right of way the Rock Is
land has constructed for hundreds OF
miles on both sides of the track a sub
stantial five-Wire fence. The fence is
erected at an expense of about $50 per
mile.
An interesting item is the fact that
the ties that are used in the construc-
ton of each mile of road cost in the
neighborhood of 81, 500.
THE ELUSIVE MIRAGE
The traveller through the plains of
Oklahoma and Texas is often deceived
by the mirages that appear all along
the horizon.
Where the judgment of the traveller
tells him is nothing but hot sand, and
bunch grass and where the sun beats
down upon the earth with all it's fierce
ness. he is oftentimes willing to wager
Re sees a cool and inviting pool of wa
ter or a lake perhaps of gigantic pro-
portions, and trees standing beside it.
One may see the m irages almost con-
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-03-15
A WILD COUNTRY.
Frontier Towns in New Mexico Have
Reputation of Being Tough.


The country in the territory sur
rounding Tucumcari and Santa Rosa,
N. NJ, has gained the reputation of be-
ing rough. 1t may be true to certain
extent but it is only the history of
every frontier town.
A few months ago the little towns
that have sprung up along the new
Rock Island line were composed largely
of tents. Now the cloth houses are be-
ing replaced by lumber shanties and
residences of varying grades and de-
scriptions.
The prairies, that were heretofore I'M
molested save for the rush of the cow
boys across the hills and valleys to
round up the cattle that grazed on the
bunch grass, and where no sign of civil
ization could be seen for miles and
miles, are gradually giving place to
progress, and the stores that have
sprung up in the little cities are as busy
as if they had been in existence q
decade With the coming of the inn
provements and the larger and better
buildings the tough element of the
plains gradually give way to people of
better judgment and discretion, and
finally only an occasional roundup and
general shooting melee takes places
The new Rock Island line traVerseS a
country that heretofore has been en-
tirely without a railroad. 1t has in
vaded a district that until now only the
bark of the coyote and the whoops of
the coyboy have broken the reigning
silence, but now the screech of the en-
CINE whistle and the grind of the wheels
of the trains are mingled with the ma
tive sounds.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-03-15
rUcUmcARI A BUSY TOWN.
Takes It's Name From Mountain of
Same Name.

The town of Tucumcari derived it's
name from the mountain of that name
that forms the setting in the back
ground against which the town is seen
by the passengers who pass through the
place on the train.
Mt Tucumcari is a peculiarly shaped
peak standing clear and distinct, quite
alone and separate from the other
mountains of the series. Mt. Tucum-
carl is not wonderful because of its
height for it is not a tall peak but its
distinction comes from the fact that it
stands alone and the formation of the
peak is so evenly regular 1t is all
most perfectly round, and the sides
form gradual slope until they nearly
reach the top, where a plateau seems
to be slrmounted by another mountain
peak of nearly the same shape as the
base. The second peak has the same
clear and regular features as the bot
tom part. The top of the peak is per-
fectly level and embraces an area of
perhaps seven acres. The top is studded
with pine trees and other timber
The mountain peak can be clearly
seen from the trains.
The town is a thriving little place of
from four to five hundred populate 1t
is the supply center now for the vast
sheep and cattle country surrounding
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-03-15

that although Tucumcari is younger
city than several other towns along the
line and that it is regarded as the
toughest town along the line. it mas
more painted surface in evidence in
proportion to its size than any of the
other frontier towns.
The residence portion of the city is
sea ttered. The houses are not built
near each other and the entire townsite
probably covers an area of about 80
acres
TIE town has any number of saloons
and a concert hall where each evening
tire cowboys ride in from the plains and
drink and smoke while listening to the
songs and watching the Terpsichoreau
feats of the dance hall artists
1t is a wide open" town as are all
of the frontier towns of this western
country. Gambling is the principal
amusement and occupation of the idle
portion of the population of the town
and the cowboys.
The people of the little city have great
hopes of its becoming a large business
center at some future time and it is
certain that the town has bright pros
poets.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-03-15

the freighting trail from Las Vegas to
Fort Sumner
1t is at the old town of Santa Rosa
near the old church, where stands the
adobe house of Celso Baca, the wealth.
lest land owner of that section Years
era1 thousand acres for which he still
holds the patent The land for the
townsite was purchased from him by
the AlamOgordO Improvement con pany,
and divided into town lots.
The population of the town is now es-
timated at about 600 1t is a very new
town and the depot has not yet been
completed. The place will probably
grow within a year to twice its present
size, and its possibilities in the future
are hard to guess. Santa Rosa will be
pushed to the front by the Rock Island
perhaps, more than any other town
along the line with the exception of
ClOudcrOft. 1t is al this point that the
Rock Island will establish its ear re-
pairing and erecting shops for the ter
ritory south of Dalhart, Texas.
The freight depot has been pressed
into use as the passenger station pend
ing the completion of the station, and
the telegraph office has been main
tanned in couple of box cars standing
on a siding near the freight depot
A great many of the workmen en-
ployed in the railroad work at this
point are Topeka people.
The new round-house has not yea
been completed. 1t is being built of a
fine grade of white stone, and will have
ten stalls
The matter of securing desirable
Santa Rosa. Pure water is found in
abundance a few miles from the town,
but until the present time the drills
have failed to get good water.
Only short time ago oil was struck
in the hole bored on the Rock Island
right of way. The oil only showed q
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-03-15
sTRATFoRD VS.. eUYMAN.
Hot County Seat War on Between
Two Texas Towns.

The towns of Stratford and Guyman
in Sherman county, Texas, are both en-
terprising and energetic lively towns
They are in one of the largest counties
of the state and lively war is on
between the two for the possession OF
the county seat.
The county court house has been built
at Stratford and a very creditable
building it is. The court house at STRAIT
ford may be seen for fifty miles.
Stratford is excellent town and is
apparently growing rapidly. The town
of Guyman forty miles distant is how
ever, very jealous neighbor. and it is
difficult to conjecture what may hap
pen before the location of the county
court house is finally determined.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-03-15

traverses west of Hutchinson, Kas., is
broken only by the soap weed, the
cacti and the sand hills, with an occa-
SiOnal ranch house with the regulation
windmill. surrounded by enclosed pas
ture lands whose slopes are dotted with
the cattle forming the herds of the
ranchman.
Through passenger service between
Chicago, Kansas City and Topeka to
FL Paso and Los Angeles and San Fran
cisco, Cal, and intermediate points was
this new short line on Sunday, March
2, and the event was made one of i'm
portance.
Besides a number of railway officials
of lesser magnitude, W. J. Leahy, as
siStant general passenger agent of the
Rock Island. whose headquarters are at
Chicago. was one of the passengers on
the train Also r. NJ. Duncan. travel
ing passenger agent of the road. of To-
peka, and Dean r. Low, live stock
agent, We're numbered among the pas
sengers. These officials contributed
largely to the entertainment of the pas
sengers who were so fortunate as to
have the opportunity of riding on the
first through passenger train that was
run over the line.
The construction of the Ell Paso line
of the Rock Island may be considered
as not far removed from marvellous
The actual work of construction was
begun in February, 1901 and the last
spike was driven connecting the lines
IhAl were belng built from both ends
in February, 1902.
The work of surveying for the line
had not all been completed when work
was first begun on the steel laying at
Liberal By means of the latest i'm
proved steel track laying machinery the
gang of men that was employed by the
Rock Island for this work succeeded in
laying about two miles and a half per
day The work of track laying was of
course retarded at times by the failure
of the grading gang to get the line of
the survey in shape for the track
One of the most wonderful things in
connection with the FL Paso line of the.
Rock Island is the fact that without
exception il has the longest tangent of
any railroad in the world. Beginning
a Few miles south of Liberal, Kan, the
track IS as straight as it is possible to
make il for a distance of nearly one
hundred miles. when with curve that
Is barely perceptible to passengers rid
ing on passenger train going at fun
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-03-15

tinuously for hundreds of miles and
from both sides of the train. A passen-
ger on a recent trip to Ell Paso was
mystified to see. while standing on the
platform in the rear of the train.
mirage that appeared to place lake
between the rails of the track few
miles distant in the rear.
The highest point reached on the
main line of the road is between Santa
Rosa and FL Paso where at a point
called Gallinas. New Mexico, the road
rises to a point 1855 feet above the sea
level.
The roadbed of the new Ell Paso line
is also thing of which the officials of
the road are justly proud. The track
is laid with new steel weighing 80
pounds to the yard, and although it has
only recently been laid and has not been
in actual service six months, it gives
the satisfaction of an old and perma-
nent roadbed, thereby making travel
over it a pleasure instead of a burden
The Rock Island is also proud of its
dining car service over the new FL Paso
line.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-03-15

trace, but it was enough to spoil the
water The drill is being pushed far
Their down at the same place in the
hopes that good water will be found at
a greater depth, and that the well may
be cased to get rid of the OIL
One of the natural curioSities of the
place is the apparently bottomless lake
at the summit of a rugged hill half
mile from the passenger station The
water in the lake, although alkal, is as
clear as crystal, and a rock thrown into
the water may be seen for over min
ute of time as it sinks to the bottom.
Standing on a high promontory above
the hill where the lake is situated a
pretty view is had of the valley be-
tween the two rows of peaks that COM
prise the Pajarita mountains A little
stream of water winds around and leads
to the lake. And from the lower portion
it runs over and on down the hillside,
watering the fields beneath.
The land is more fertile about Santa
Rosa than it is at many points along
the new Rock Island short line The
hillSides are covered to a certain ex-
tent with short brush and shrubbery-
1t is claimed oil in paying quantities
has been discovered about five miles
from. the town of Santa Rosa, and peo-
pie owning land whereabouts are greatly
worked up over the discovery Ma
chinery has been ordered from the east
and great preparations are being made
to develop the oil industry.
Northeast of Santa Rosa about mile
is where the Rock Island encountered
the heaviest work in blasting through
the solid rock to bring the roadbed
down to a level grade. For a distance
of nearly a mile the conflicting projec-
lions were blasted away for depth
of from 20 to "a feet.
Santa Rosa has one main business
street nearly half a mile long. Scat
tered over the prairie on either side of
the main street are the residences of
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-03-15
SHOPS AT SANTA ROSA.
Rock Island Will Greatly Aid the
Growth of Santa Rosa.

Santa Rosa, New Mexico, is sure to
grow into g. substantial little city of
the plains. It has been made the di-
vision point of the Rock Island rail-
road, it being the point where the Rock
Island made connection with the Ell
Paso & Northeastern railroad
The present townsite of Santa Rosa is
about three-quarters of a mile from
the old town of Santa Rosa where
stands the old Catholic church and the
few adobe houses that comprised the
town while it was only a station on
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-03-15
Rock Island Extension Gives
New Territory to Progress.
Liberal-El PasO Line and What
1t Accomplished.
NEW TOWNS SPRING UP
Frontier Villages Assume Airs
of Small Cities.
Glimpse of the Grand Trans
formation Scene.
WORK OF ONE YEAR.
An Example of Success of En-
ergy and Enterprise.
VIII Develop Lumber, Mining
and Cattle Industries.
Will Develop Lumber, Mining
and Cattle Industries.

To invade new country. the terri
tory of which is vast almost beyond
comprehension, seems almost incredible
in this day of railroads, but this Is
what the Rock Island did when it built
a new transcontinenta1 railway hne
from its connection at Liberal, kas-'
through Texas, Oklahoma and New
Mexico to ri Paso, Tex, to a connection
with the Southern Pacific railway. How
we'll the Rock Island has succeeded IN
the undertaking is evidenced in the
magnificent line now being operated
The monOtony of the miles and miles
of rolling prairie which the new road
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-03-15

the people who form the permanent in
habitantS.
Hotel accommodations at Santa Rosa
are limited as is the condition in most
of the new towns. In many instances
it costs a dollar to get cot. Often
times these are used under very unfaV-
Orable circumstances.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-03-15

the town. The railroad invading that
section has done away with the neceS-
sity of freighting goods and provisions
across country, and already a large
wholesale house is doing lucrative bus
mess. a lumber yard, hotel and
large wholesale and retail Quitting
store and wool storage warehouse to-
gether with the many saloons and few
little stores comprise the business sec
ton of the town. 1t is a noticeable fact
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-03-15
DALHARr A MODERN CITY.
Boasts a Telephone Exchange and
WaterWorks Plant.

Dalhart, Texas, a town less than
year old boasts a modern telephone eX-
change and a city water works plant
DaIhart is the junction point of the
Rock Island and the Fort Worth and
Denver City railroad, and is the head
quarters of the Chicago Rock Island
and Texas railway. The laws of Texas
are such as to require all the lines op-
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-03-15

CONTINUED on Page Fourteen.]
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-02-08
NEW YORK COTTON.

The Market Advanced on tevef3n Ds-
r,snd from Shorts and Spe2u'7ton'
New yorp. February The cotton mar
Vet oponed steady IN tone with prices uN-
changed TO points higher and for me
rost OF the day persistenuy advanced on
fsyarI.h demand from shorts and healthy
NOW, spccuIatlon From stBrt to finish Inc
elcuces from every quarter favored q Aieh-
or market. the chief factors consisting of
htulsb statistical reports from the crop
couptry. The visible supply statement was
tpe most uullah Of recent times ana re-
viyed reDorts that America Is oyeFeA'
morning herself and has short crop WIN
which 10 pierre OUT nome tt99'i 20 nv. 80
Port receipts we're carry tstlh9'tp "a 49, NJ,
miles OF 1910 less than Tor inc same Su9
Iner yaer The English cGuieb were ~ bel-
ter tnaB expected. Interior receipts Ie!i
IN behind tue total estimated ytstelAa3
80 vow buNish At hrst shorts were in.
Glued 10 believe the rise about ever uHt
ttare disposed to sell for "A reatuoh, but
il soon became apparent =" ail KIN sttnng
,,f. ma 'tuterpsts had important orders IN
rOom brokers' hands 70 BUY Maich', may
and July options. l.att SAhVe 80 - 80 ~, =.
nnoI und the regulation dispatches from lue
-. orlraus market reflected hfm sltGa-
ton at those points and llght estiihales Lo ~,
tne ''in sight aud for tomorrow 5 Lese' R,s
S-ere nll that were needed 20 complete tAe
rnut 81 the bear forces soon May was
,Teeutig 10 dem&nd AZ $50 aud july AZ
M With shorts Ohdly ilisnttheu. oIti
AIR thr-in sight features came out ana
gave a much smaller movement than lo0 ,i1
III for even by the more OPTIMISTIC oull =;
Ttts shnylng. with official confirmation OF
10. nrivote odvlces, stating that South
| eTn sb6t markets were firm and higher
/ Intensided tie bullish feeling IN the after liter
| noon and greatly stimulated covering, ~, ~
ami Tor the rest Of the session was strong
end active The South. Europe the Wesl
/ and wall street were LIBERAL bayers oh "
| .enr1re profits 10 the last half nouF shQft
made a nasty dash FOR cover, anu rus ,ni
! nrireg IN in almost sensational form, ~
| market closed fi1n with prices hel 70 A.
| nnirta hlgher.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-02-08
JANUARY WILL EXCEED LAST
YEAR IN SOME RESPECTS.
The Number Of Failures Were Consider
ably larger Than Last Year and the
Liabilities Increased

New York. February T. Bradstreeta &c.
morrow win say Trade developments this
week have been largely favorable, An The
measures Of legitimate trade point to Jan
harry rquailing n most RESPECTS and eX.
cceding In MANY the records OF year ago
Failures. I'll. 4. true were larger In mum
her, bur The increase was an at the south,
from witch trade reports have been poor,
but show "a slightly mere hopeful trend
since cotton has taken it's move upward.
Thc general level Of prices moved slightly
downward during January owing 20 lower
prices on spcculatiyrly dealt IN cereals aud
hog products and heavy decrease in crude
rubber and some chemicals Most Of the
decline in food products has been received
since February /,
lEo close ui the week finds o confident
feeling prevailing IN nearly all lines OK dis.
uiyutiyc trade. features In WhicR nave heSh
tine larger huyiug by Southern and Suuth-
crn cities rae southwestern diouth mas
been entirely hrokrn 10y the addiuouai
Snowfall,
Demand IS again passing production Ia
iron and steel There Is a virtual famine
allie ST crutu pig Iron ana Of unished prod.
uDts of steel llR Iron sales IN january ~
Pittsbutg were inc heaviest n amy mohth
for year past Premiums of 80 cents per
tom on MIG IRON arc paid Fast aud West. d
Southern RAILWAY has gone abroad for llS
steel rails, Canadian steel hillets are ro3ch
ing piusbMg ana hiSk Importing move
mput is looked FOR rhis has promptly
been reelected in advances 0t tprciEh mar
kets. Hardware Is very ucuNe of nearly
an markets. Copper. ottcr i's eNytiGd iou
uui No less excited rise has ste1died 0t q
slight advance ou last week, Iln ami leau
are also higher.
Thc bulls SIN cotton found d long looked.
for opportunity In the reduced movement
.,f