Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1903-04-22
TO THE SUNNY SOUTHLAND
WITH THE IOWA PRESS ASSOCIATION
Some of the Cities Visited and Impressions
Cleaned from Delightful Trip
Through the Lone Star
State.

sion parties in which it has been oul
good fortune to participate, was thu
trip through parts of Missouri, Kan
sas, Indian Territory and Texas will
the members of the Iowa Press Associa
tion, from which the editor and his
better half returned last week. The
excursion was made possible through
the courtesy of the Great Western
and the Missouri, Kansas and Texas
railroads, which did everything
possible to make the trip one of con-
tinuous enjoyment and profit to all
thesparticipants.
The party assembled at Des Moines
and on Friday, April Sd, at noon,
boarded special Pullman cars, which
they retained throughout the trip.
The journey TO Kansas City was made
over the Great Western through ST.
Joseph, Mo-, and Leavenworth, Kas.
past the national Soldiers Home, one
of the largest institutions of the kind
in the country. At Kansas City we
were delivered into the hands of the
M. X. & L. railroad and were soon
spinning southwark. Accompanying
the party were Mr.. T. B. Cookerly,
division passenger agent, Des Moines
Mr.. L. l.. Peeler, industrial agent,
Dallas; Mr.. E P. York, excursion
agent, ST. Louis; and Mr.. W. Lindsay,
travelling passenger agent, Dallas all
of whom as representatives of the
Katy" road used their utmost en-
deavOrs to make the trip a most pleas
ant one, and placed the editors under
obligations to them for their many
kindnesses and careful attention to
every detail. And we will say right
here that we were very agreeably sur
prised at the splendid service given by
the M. K. d L. In fact we have rid
den over very few, if any, railroads
that surpass it. With an almost per-
fees roadbed and the best of equip
ment throughout, operated by cour-
teous and trustworthy employees, a
trip which otherwise would soon be-
come tedious and tiresome was filed
with pleasure from beginning to end.
The ride from Kansas City was
made by night to Muskogee, the thriv-
ing commercial center of Indian Terri
tory. Our train was met at the station
by the members of the chamber of
commerce with fine band and large
number of citizens. Instead of
Indians and squaws wrapped in
blankets. as we had all expected to
see, we were greeted by cosmopolitan
city, people made up of the flower
of the north and east. After an
address of welcome and response we
were rendered breakfast by the citi-
zens of Muskogee. and then given a
delightful carriage ride about the city,
visiting its many points of interest.
At ten O'Clock the editors were
rendered a reception by the ladies of
the city at the Elks club, followed by
luncheon at the "Katy" hotel. The
NJ. X. & T. railroad has established
hotels at all the principal stations
along its route, which have an envi-
able reputation for their excellent
service, and are consequently LIBERAL
ly patronized.
Few southern cities exhibit such
rapid development as Muskogee. A
couple of years ago it was but small
isolated village where people built a
few residences and business houses
without owning titles to their real
estate, it all being held by the govern
ment for the Indians. In June 1902,
the government granted the Greek
Indians the right to sell lots for a
town site containing $500 acres, and
since then the place has developed
rapidly, until now it has upwards OF
10, 600 inhabitants. 1t has great pro-
spects for future prosperity-a progress
sive people, fertile soil, and numerous
natural advantages. We believe it il
destined to become one of the larger
western cities. The Greek Indians
have each been given deeds to allot.
ments of 100 acres with the privilege
Of selling 100 acres, under the Secreta'
ry of the Interiors approval. Here
are also various Indian schools, educat
ing the younger generations. whose
aptitude in acquiring information il
all directions is worthy of note.
| Our next stop was South McAlester
We were met by committee inviting
us to inspect the large coal mines O
that vicinity, but were unable to ar
range the schedule so as to do so.
At Atoka we stopped few mo
ments, where we were met by 2O
Indian children from the Indial
Orphans Home, and their band
which entertained us with a pleasing
selection.
| After stop at Denison the part