The Taney County republican. (Forsyth, Mo.) 1895-1992, 1905-05-18
ACROSS THE PLAINS BY RAIL
Some Gossip OF a Very interesting Section
by "a fancy County Traveller.

| fNtPS VI spNhbs itoiH VII
Tooth meridian west to the Rocky noun
tains, and north and south into Canad;
and New Mexico. What is known al
Allano Estacado, the Spanish fo
"staked Plains, is an elevated platea,
about $50 miles north and south by 25(
east and west, lying wholly within
Texas and eastern New Mexico. II
rises from 300 to a 1000 feet above the
surrounding country, and is a level
barren prairie covered with a short
grass called buffalo or mesquite, and is
entirely destitute OF timber. There is
no drainage save the Brazos and Red
rivers, which flow to the east. The
section possesses many peculiarities
which | will describe later.
On the morning of March "a, 1902.
we started from Kansas City over the
southern Kansas branch OF the Sante
Fe, for New Mexico. AS the train
wound its way up the beautiful valley
OF the Kaw ! was surprised by the i'm.
provements Of the last few years.
Where were once beautiful farms and
fields OF waving grain now stand the
principal packing houses OF the Swiits,
the Armours and Cudahy, which have
made Kansas City famous as business
center.
From the Kaw to the Humboldt river
the road runs through a high, rolling
prairie, crossing but one stream of any
Importance, the Meridesine river. This
is the fruit country Of Kansas, boasting
| some OF the finest orchards to be found
in the United States, the fruits com.
pairing favorably in quality with those
raised in Michigan, Missouri or New
York, The highlands are not so pro.
ductive as some otherp parts of the state,
but the valleys of the Humboldt and
Meridcsine rivers are very fertile, and
produce good crops Of cereals and
vegetables when not hindered by over.
flow.
After leaving the Humboldt river
the railroad takes to the highlands and
we pass the townso of Eldorado, Chanute
and lola. Here Is located the plant
of The lola Cement Co., which must do
a large business, as / found lola cem-
ent In use wherever I.went. From
lola TO Cherryvale the road traverses
very good farming country, mostly
prairie, but some fine valley land along
the Neosho and its tributaries.
Cherryvale is thriving town situated
in one of the best farming sections OF
southwestern Kansas, and from Iap.
pearance 1t must do good business In
farm machinery and agricultural prod.
ucts. There are good Oil, gas and
coal deposits In this locality. From
here the road turns Westward across
the Verdigris river and up the valley
OF the Walnut, traversing as fine
country as anyone could wish TO see.
Nature has been lavish here in the
bestowal Of her bounties, aud her ei-
forts combined with the art OF man
have come very near producing n
paradise. The well.kept farms, dwell
ings and orchards, the bloom OF the
fruit trees dotting with bright boquets
the fresh green of the wheat fields, form
picture long to be remembered.
But the picture has its reverse side,
and the newcomer will not find IL all
paradise. every sweet has its bit.
ter, every rose its thorn, )" is an old say.
ing that he will lind verified even here.
There are lack Of timber, poor water
drouths, cyclones, tornadUes, sand and
wind storms to contend with, and can
truthfully say that Kansas wind is
something more than cooling breeze
on a hot summer day While travel
ing In Kansas by team when | was a
boy | have many times seen movers
compelled to,remove their wagon covers
in order TO make progress against an
ordinary wind, and IL was no uncommon
sight to see the ''prairie schooners"
staked down at night TO keep them
from being blown away.
But To return to my story. AS night
draws near we leave this picture OF
paradise and ascend TO the highlands.
This is principally stock country, and
the home of the jackrabbit the coyote
and the prairiedog. We pass through
Caldwell, Winfield, and on to yelling.
ton, the first passenger division ON the
Santa Fe out OF Kansas City, Here we
change engines and train crews, and
after brief delay are of for Okla
homa. The night being dark, and
having been wearied with sigbtsee-
ing, dropped 10 sleep, to be awakened
after u few hours sleep by the shriil
whistle Of the engine in time 10 bear
the train porter call, Woodward"
As the moon casts its first rays over the
town 1t reminds me Of some fairy
dream; but soon become aware OF the
fact that am at Woodward in north.