, 1907-07-26
DOUGLAS GROWING so THAT THIR-
TY-DAY VISITS ARE NECES-
sARY TO NOTE MANY
IMPROVEMENTS.
Interesting Letter Concerning the Me-
tropolis Of Converse County and
the State Fair city-Thousands Of
This Years Crop Of Wool-Aori-
culture in Platte Valley.
BY a Staff Correspondent.

Douglas, Wyo., July 24.-One would
have to visit this beautiful town on
the Platte monthly in order to keep
pace with its Improvements. New
homes are being constructed on every
hand, streets are torn up for public
improvements, miles of cement side
walks, are being laid, and the general
air is one of hustle and activity. Doug
las never rests. 1t has not had time
even to engage in industries that
would be immensely profitable. 1t has
simpy been a question of selecting the
most profitable industry first and per-
hitting the others to wait till they
could be attended to, For illustration.
agriculture in the vicinity of Douglas
is very successful. Anything will grow
that the arid region produces, and in
the most prolific manner, but the men
Of Douglas have not had the time.
They just could MOI give up SO per
cent sheep business for rs or 80 per
cent farm business.
Farmers Are Coming.
The farm business is coming, though,
and rapidly. Six thousand acres will
be developed by the Fetterman ditch,
many thousands Of acres will be irri.
gated by the big La Prele project and
later the government Pathfinder pro-
ject will bring under cultivation all
the remaining agricultural land along
the Platte. This development will
make the Platte valley an immense
feeding ground. Colorado and Ne
braska will be cut of to a very large
extent from the making Of profit from
Wyoming cattle and Wyoming lambs,
because Wyoming feeders will be able
to give a higher price at home. The
stuff will go to market fat.
Shine Out Before Men.
Douglas improvements are not hid
under a bushel. The first thing that
greets the eye Of the visitor is the
new home Of Hon. E. T.. David, the
pl oluCl VI III al lollr
and one of the leading business men OF
central Wyoming. 1t occupies the most
commanding eminence Of any home
in the city-a veritable acropolis. Up
on this site a lawn is being made,
trees are growing and everything is
being shaped for the rounding out Of a
home equal to the examples set by
other wealthy Douglas citizens. From
the David site may be counted many
residences in course Of construction.
Inquiry elected the information that
building material Is high and labor
the same, but what does Douglas care
SO long as the money is kept in circu-
lation and spent with her W people.
High prices do not mean so much
after all if one has the money.
Experiment In Dry Farming.
Speaking of agriculture, Douglas is
making an experiment in dry farming,
just to show what car be done-not
because she has need of farming with
out water. A way over on a hill be-
yond the river there is a ribbon Of
green and yellow. The writer walked
over to see the crops. Wheat and rye
have done remarkably well, and oats
have proved a fair forage crop. With
a river such as the North Platte flow
ing by their doors, it is not likely
that dry farming will prove popular
among the people of the Platte valley.
In eastern Converse county, however,
there is an exceedingly large quantity
of land that is sure to give good re.
turns to the farmer under the farm
methods now being employed in semi.
arid regions.
Diversified Industries.
Although agriculture is the future
hope of the Platte valley, the allied
industry of stock raising must con
tinue to give the big profits to the
people. Douglas is one Of the great
stock centers of the state. Dozens OF
its citizens have made comfortable for.
tunes from sheep, and the country to
the south Of the Pate has been the
home OF the small "cowman."
Heavy Wool sales.
The flockmasters have Just sold
their clips. The shipments from Doug.
las amount to more than 1900, 900
pounds and the average price las been
20 cents. This cash return reaches all
classes and trade is enliyened on every
hand. Probably nc town Of its size
has more ready money or greater hank