The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1908-05-27
The Old Stage Stetior- At BlpsVatsr
THE Crlslnel Adobe Structure on ths Right

grew in volume and importance, num-
erous branches radiated from the main
highway One OF the most important
Of these extended south to ri Paso
and Chihuahua, and another ran north
through Taos On the Taos branch,
at Alcalde, is still standing, in an ex-
cellent state of preservation, the old
corral and roadhouse, now used as
warehouse for a country store. After
the discovery OF gold IN California
the Santa Fe Trail became mere
reach on the longer journey to the
goldcoast Some travellers followed
the Southern Overland route by way
Of El Paso and Yuma, and others took
the shorter but more difficult and dan
gerous Central Overland route, past
old Fort Wingate. On the Central
Overland route there are still stand.
ing number Of the old roadhouses.
One Of these is located at Bluewater,
N. NJ, few miles west Of the site
Of old Fort Wingate Two more are
standing within ten miles of Adamana.
Ariz.--one seven miles northeast and
the other about the same distance
northwest or the natural landmarks
Of the Central Overland route, Buzzard
Rock. in the great Mojave Desert Of
southern California. near Barstow, is
deserving Of mention.
Marx Course Of Highway.
When the relics Of the trail have
become so few. only third OF cen
tury after the last Of tho great wagon
caravans trayersed the long streaks
Of white dust outlined in the somber
gray Of the plains. It is evident that
every trace Of it is in danger of
speedy obliteration That It may not
fade TO a mere tradition. the Daugh.
ters Of the American Revolution and
other patriotic organizations and indi-
viduals have taken steps to mark its
course by means Of suitable monu-
ments and tablets Wherever il is fol-
lowed or crossed by the Atchison, To
peka & Santa Fe railroad that cor.
poration is providing suitable mark
ers; and the state legislatures of
Kansas and Colorado have granted ap-
propriations for the same purpose IN
several states contributions have been
received from the children OF the pub
lie schools, and the work OF marking
the trail has now progressed so far
that u is certain TO be carried 10 a
successful end. Il is planned to place
four granite monuments in each coun
ty it traversed, and between these
cement posts will be placed to mari
every mile.
Trade routes like trade centers ar,
determined by nature rather than bl
the arbitrary caprices Of men. Th,
physical features Of a country consti
tute the main factor that controls tn,
upbuilding Of its great cities and tha
decides the direction. character anC
destination OF its commerce. A littl,
knowledge of geography. therefore
shows why the Santa Fe Trail playet
a part SO important in the develop
ment Of the west and southwest. I
lay along the line of least resistance
to trade and travel between the regioI
Of the Great Plains and the region O
the Great Central Plateau. To-day /
is followed by one Of the most i'm
portant Of the worlds railroad sys
TENS. A generation ago it was tray
ersed by vast caravans of CLUMSY
wagons, conveying a commerce tha
reached the high-water mark Of $3.50
600 In value annually. More than 35
years ago It was the route followed b,
the Spanish explorers on their jour
neys through the unknown and say
age country that they believed it wa
their mission to conquer and to con
vert. II we could lift the veil tina
hides the past history of aborlgina
America, it is probable that we woul
behold the march and countermarcl
Of armies Of painted and plumed SAY
ages and hordes Of nomads Of plail
and desert moving on to conquest o
fleeing in wild retreat over this hoar
highway of the ages.
First Expedition Over Trail.
The first recorded commercial e.
pedition from the east to the west owe
the route that afterward becam
known as the Santa Fe Trail was ou
fitted by William Morrison Of Ka.
kaskia, H., in 1904, and was dii
patched for the far southwest
charge Of trader named La Land'
He never returned, and It is commonl
believed that he reached Santa Fe !
safety and there settled down to el