Rocky Ford enterprise., 1902-11-07
"reminiscences Of ThIrty-Five Years
Ago.

The little dead town. Columbus JUNG
iion." which is portrayed with photograph
io sincerity by Elizabeth Higgins in her
much discussed Out OF the West" is
really the town Of Columbus. Neb. IL
may not be generally known that this
city was founded by the erraiic George
Francis Train. TO take the place Of Wash
ington as the ntioanal capital Others be-
sides Train have felt that the present ex-
tent Of the United States leaves its capl-
tai too far East; but with Train. in those
days. 20 think was 20 act So site was
chosen. in the exact center. as Il was then
said OF the Union. and name was given
70 the new town significant OF its future
destiny. That destiny. however. proved
other than its founder planned; for though
IL indeed awose one morning from its
long sleep 10 find itself famous. that fame
was wholly due 70 what former states
man called them literary feilers.
Denver News.
The editor Of the Enterprise made the
acquaintance OF George Francis Train
and Columbus. Neb.. in October 1867.
when with an Illinois editorial excursion
over the partially completed Union Pacific
railway, Train insisted on the party
stopping az Columbus. where an Indian
war dance was provided for the enter
,ainmsnt Of the editors. One OF Trains
pet sceentrieities was on every occasion
to refer TO Columbus as the prospective
capital o. the United States.
Among the other no,ables who accom-
I 5aA ha y
Pullman. Of sleeping car fame. On this
trip Mr.. Pullman discovered tho dining
car idea. Bosears we're fitted with rough
pine tables and benches TO harmonixs
herewith and kinsley. chieago's cele-
bra,ed caterer. provided with rude
cooking outfit. This was the origin Of the
dining car service and although crude
was highly appreciated feature o! the
plains trip.
The Missouri river was crossed In a
slow-moying ferry boat. Train furnished
small seg Of whiskey for tho editors.
bu; drank none h':Is7lf. He mounted
table in the cabin OF tho boa, and ex;em-
porixed verses on any subject suggested.
himself singing tho lightning made poetry.
the crowd Joining in the chorus. utilizing
popular tune. Train had quick action.
hair-trigger brain and was posssss1d Of
grea; ego,ism. He carried with him
bound volume OF his speeches and insisted
on reading extracts TO willing or unwilling
members Of the excursion party. Ono Of
the editorial party described Mr.. Train rs
the bes, regulated luna,ie now a, large.
He is yet living. making his home in New
York City. His eeeen,rieiiies have in
creased with years.
This pleasant editorial trip included
successful buffalo hun. in tho
vicinity Of Fl. Kearney. near which site
is now the thriving city Of Koarnoy.
Osslan Dodge. thon celebrated musi-
clan. was one Of tho party. Among other
things for which Mr.. Dodge was noted
was that at Jenny Lind's first concert in
America he was the successful bidder for
the first seat sold by p. T. Barnum. pay
ing the high price Of se25.
Antelope were very plentiful and as
large herds OF them ran beside the train
in their efforts to cross tho track there
was continuous sport-all while enjoying
the comforts OF a Pullman sleeper going
at the rate of 30 miles per hour.
The extreme western limit Of our trip
was some miles west of Julesburg. where
large force of men and teams were
laying four miles day Of the celebrated
Union Pacific road.