Durango semi-weekly herald., 1903-02-02
ON THE ROAD.
Especial Correspondcnce.)
On the Rock Island Flyer,

| Sii'oi oh' oNci lue wen KNOWN ftOCh
Island road for Fort Worth. Texas. TIC
some this may seem a roundabout way
but to the one who enjoys passing
through an interesting section of
country. the Rock Island fills the bill
Furthermore, 1t only takes one hour
longer from Denver to Fort Worth,
over this line than over the shortest
| route, while the section traversed is
much more interesting. In fact, there
| is no comparison, and the writer ad-
vises those contemplating a Southern
trip to take the Rock Island, which is
iast covering the southwestern sec
ton. This system not only has a
| through line to Fort Worth, but also
to Ell Paso, and a direct line through
Oklahoma and Arkansas to Memphis.
Further, the management is negotiat-
ing for the purchase of the Houston,
Texas & Pacific to Galveston and,
failing in this, will build a line of its
own to the Gulf city. Leaving Den
yer at $3.50 at night. next morning
found us well into Kansas, and it is
| surprising to note the wonderful ad-
vancement of western Kansas. A few
years ago the Rock Island passed
through almost a deserted section.
| Today the entire country is dotted
with farm houses and the vast graz
ing plains are no longer roamed by
cattle owned by large companies, but
by stock owned by individuals. and
as the train progresses eastward the
| surroundings continue to improve. 1t
| is not until one reaches Belleville
and starts southwark for MacFarland
that one encounters the great win
ter feeding section of Kansas. AT
| MacFarand the through train for Fort
Worth is boarded and it is not long
before the snow-covered ground is left
behind, and for the next 100 miles to
Wichita, either side of the road is
lined with fields of corn stalks upon
which thousands upon thousands OF
| head of cattle are feeding. Other
thousands of acres contained corn In
the shock which had not been husked
So far, very little hay has been fec
stock, the winter with now and then
| day being an exceptionally open
one, and it Is well that this is the
case. as several hundred thousan1
head of Colorado cattle are being fed
in eastern Kansas this winter, owing
to the shortage of feed In the mount
ain sections. All kinds of stock are
looking fine.
Wichita Is reached at 7:30 in the
evening. and it is considered the
proper thing to stop there for the
nil Nd =.
through Oklahoma and Indian terri
tory. AS the train left at $50 thi
morning 1t was not easy to see Wichi-
Ia by gaslight. 1t is city Of $4,000
people-some claim 10000. 1t is said
to be the largest. liyeliest city In the
prohibition state. And speaking U.
prohibition, 1t may prevail in certain
parts of Kansas-where the more OIL
less ambitious Carrie Nation has used
her hatchet to advantage, but II there
is more wide-open town in the Unit
ed States than Wichita, we would like
to have 1t mentioned. 1t Is city OF
saloons and hurried inspection re-
vealed some of the toughest imagna.
ble-ones that would make Colorado
towns ashamed. No pretense of work.
ing under cover. There are probably
100 wholesale and retail saloons and
some of the places are not even
screened. And gambling is Just as
open-no trouble to ind any kind of
game desired. and this In state
where the Pullman company is barred
from selling beer on its diners. Wich-
ita Is said to be prosperous and It's
citizens lay this to the open policy
pursued. People from all over the
state visit the city for a gay time
and have it-many to their sorrow.
Various attempts have been made to
close the saloons but it is seldom a
jury can be secured that will convict
Carrie Nation smashed few saloons
but was unable to make much head
way.
Wichita is quite countrifed in many
ways. For instance, the stores, of
every kind. keep open until nine
O'Clock and after There are some
very good sized establishments, but
in the city of 10000 not single store
window was found to compare with
those in Durango. The main street is
paved. but appeared dirty.
Leaving Wichita a couple of hours
lands one In Oklahoma. We have
heard and read much of the territory
its Incompatible agricultural lands,
but were not prepared to see as fine
section of country as borders the
Rock Island, and we are informed
that the same general character of
land is to be found over the greater
part of the territory. Just as far as
the eye can reach the same view Is
evealed-beautiful undulating land
now under complete cultivation. 1t
was only few years ago when the
territory was thrown open to settle
ment, and the transformation has
been wonderful. Farm houses in
every direction. and for $50 miles
hardly an acre but what could be cul-
tivated. Land is held high-iG0 acres
with moderate improvements being
rated from $1,000 up. So far no snow
this winter, and stock is looking fine,
and 1t Is shftless or unfortunate
| farmer who has not good sized herd
| of cattle. Now and then there are
some well advanced groves and many
acres have been set out In orchards