The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-03-07
Colonization Department of San
: tn Fe Has Accomplished Much.
Over 100000 Acres Turned
Over TO Settlers Last Year.
SOUTHWEST GROWING
&C. l.. Seagraves Talks of Work
His Department Has Done.
Other Items of Interest to
Railroad People.

/ One large enterprise which is foster
| ed by the Santa Fe railway, and other
roads to some extent, and upon which
the general public is but little inform-
ed is the colonization industry. Along
the Santa Fe and particularly along
the western and southern lines of their
system lie large areas OF, land which
have never been settled upon, and
some of which have not been open to
homeseekers until recent years. These
tracts of land the Santa Fe is attempt
ing to fill with settlers and thus build
up the country.
A few years ago these regions were
considered arid and unfit for agricultur-
al purposes but with the advent. of irri-
cation they have been proved rich and
fertile and responsive to cultivation.
In the< last few years the colonization
depa rtment,gof the Santa Fe has
prosed+~to% be one~of their biggest in
dustFiese Gsss.sI IL. Seagrayes of Chicago,
is the general colonization agent of the
Sapta a1ad is in charge of all the
wo Fix
AZ new tract of land which has re-
Gently been opened for settlement in
New Mexico in the north central part
of that state contains 100000 acres.
This according to Mr. Seagraves con-
tains some of the richest land in New
Mexico and comes from an old land
grant of early years. There is large
tract near Springer, N. M, where new
settlers are fast occupying the land.
eral thousand acres which are await
ing settlers and will in a few years
be thriving communities. A large
tract of land northwest of Ell Paso in
New Mexico containing $4,000 acres is
being rapidly developed. In the Pan
handle. region of Texas and along the
PeceS river there are also tracts of
land. In many western counties of
Kansas there is also available land.
With all this to fill up with set
rf n
the Santa Fe is working.
On the first and third Tuesdays and
Wednesdays of each month the Santa
Fe carries a large number of home
it's connecting lines to these regions
which are as yet unoccupied, and
large numbers avail themselves of the
opportunity to visit these lands in the
trains provided especially for this pur-
pose. This week over four thousand
people were carried to these western
countries. Six extra trains passed
through Topeka yesterday and anoth
err went over the cutoff. A large num-
Der of these people are pleased with
the advantages and decide to make
their homes in the west. 1a
! In some sections the landiis turned
over to different or anizationS and DIFF
ferentc secIs of people who are look
ing for homes. Already a Dowie col
ony of seVenty-five families has been
organized in New Mexico. Near
Springer there is a large Dunkard
community. In the Algodrones re-
gion- the st. Louis Land and Water
Power company are making large
Improvements and before long they
will have a fourishing community
started. Near Ell Paso the govern
ment has appropriated 100000 for
improvements and several families
have taken homesteads in that section.
The Santa Fe is cooperating with all
organizations and is offering induce
ments for them to make colonies in
the great southwest. Special litera-
ture is being sent out and every adj
vantage is being made to get settlers
for this section of the country. The
Santa Fe does not own any of the land