Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1903-07-08
OVER THE DAWSON R. R.
JUDGE LONG WRITES or THE
PROGRESS or SANTA ROSA
AND TucuMcARi.
Spreading Ranges - Green a. an
Acadisn valIey-The Brightest
Prospects for the Coming Year.
Santa Rosa, N. NJ, July 8, 1908

Santa Rosa, N. NJ, July 8, 1903.
To the Editor OF The Optic:
Last Sunday night on No. 5 I
left Las Vegas on a business trip
70 this locality. coming by the way OF
French and TucumcarI. While some
what more expensive than the stage
route. II has Its advantages in greater
comfort.
French, the company town OF the
Dawson branch over the Santa Fc.
contains a section house and depot for
each Of the railroads. a saloon and
restaurant, both somewhat primitive
In structure and accommodation, yet
about the same usually found In
eparsely settled localities. No. 5, de-.
pending somewhat on her leaving time
At Las Vegas, generally reaches the
crossing about daybreak, and as the
Dawson train going south Ia gener-
ally late, the wait Is about two hours,
with q place to breakfast. Fare from
Las Vegas to French is $3.50 and from
there to Tucumcari $3.50.
The trip to Tucumcari Is rather
tedious. as the train is composed most
" Of coal ars from Dawson and gem
eral freight Tor way stations, requir-
Ing much switching ut all local sta
tins. However, the passenger coach
u very tumforiable, being a regular
passenger a properly seated, with
4 small compartment cutoff at the
front end for express goods and the
train crew.
Roy IL the dining station both ways,
going ana returning. where a good
warm meal Is served for thirty-five
cents and ample time given to enjoy
Il.
The distances are. From French to
Dawson, Is miles: to Roy. southeast.
"A miles: Tucumcarl, 113 miles;
Springer. . miles. and Ration about
Is miles. From French to a point
twenty miles southeast Of Roy the
country Is open rolling plains, much
like that lying east of Las Vegas. At
that distance below Roy tho breaks
Of the Canadian river begin, and the
descent TO TucumcarI Is entered upon
4 few miles outside the Bell ranch
pasture. The plains country is now
beautifully carpeted with green grass
In all directions. furnishing an abun-
dance Of excellent grazing for stock.
From the beginning Of the aesccn.
TO the Canadian the country Is broken
and the scenery rough and rugged,
beautiful wide valleys and high hills,
the whole country well watered and
very attractive In appearance, and so
continuing to Tucumcari.
Santa Rosa has made substantial
growth since my last visit one year
ago. As every one who visits there
comedies. II has a picturesque location
on the undulating hills adjoining the
Arroyo Pecos. The town is assuming
Z much nor solid and permanent ap |
pearance than formerly. and the bust |
men all seem prosperous. II Is
the end of the III paso & Northeastern
division from El paso northeast. has
shops Of some magnitude and
b the beginning Of a good monthly
pay roll. The county officers Of Leon
ard Wood county have their offices
now ct the county seat Of the new
and all indications point to a
prosperous future for the town. Al
new court house and jail to cost $685.
900 are to be built this fall and winter. I
Many people have settled upon the
vacant lands OF the surrounding re-
zion. and such an advancement as a
FOOD stock country will naturally
,ring may be expected.
a range country viii. not support the
lense population or build the large
owns that come from a rich agrlcul
region yet there is good reason
q believe that Santa Rosa will move
readily forward.
Should the oil fields believed to ex-
Ct there be successfully developed.
course, then progress win be rapid
"a extsnslve.
An n ~, Santa Rosa IL . good point
n residence and business. with