The Columbus commercial., 1908-05-24

warehouse for a country store. After
the discovery of gold in California,
the Santa Fe Trail became a mere
reach on the longer journey to the
goldcoast. Some travellers followed
the Southern Overland route by way
of FL 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 a number of the old roadhouses.
One of these is located at Bluewater,
". NJ, a few miles west of the site
Of old Fort WiEgate. Two more are
standing within ten miles of Adamana.
Ariz.-One seven miles northeast and
the other about the same distance
northwest. OF the natural landmarks
Of the Central Overland route. Buzzard
Rock. in the great Mojave Desert Of
southern California. near Bsrstow, is
deserving of mention.
Mark Course Ct Highway.
When the relics of the trail have
become SO few, only a third Of a cen
tury after the last OF the great wagon
caravans traversed 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 it 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-
preparations 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 IL is certain to be carried to
successful end. It is planned TO place
four granite monuments in each coun-
ty il traversed, and between these
cement posts viii be placed to mark
every mile
Trade routes like trade centers are
determined by nature, rather than by
the arbitrary caprices of men. The
physical features Of a country consti-
tute the main factor that controls the
upbuilding of its great cities and that
decides the direction. character and
destination of its commerce. A little
knowledge of geography, therefore.
shows vhy the Santa Fe Trail played
a part so important in the develop
ment of the west and southwest. 1t
lay along the line of least resistance
to trade and travel between the region
Of the Great Plains and the region of
the Great Central Plateau. To-day il
is followed by one of the most inn
portant of the worlds railroad sys-
TENS. A generation ago it was trav-
ersed by vast caravans of clumsy
wagons, conveying a commerce that
reached the high-water mark of $780,
600 in value annually. More than $50
years ago ii was the route followed by
the Spanish explorers on their Jour-
neys through the unknown and saw
age country that they believed it was
their mission to conquer and TO con-
vert. If we could lift the veil that
hides the past history of aboriginal
America. il is probable that we would
behold the march and countermarch
of armies of painted and plumed saw
ages and hordes Of nomads of plain
and desert moving on to conquest or
fleeing in wild retreat over this hoary
highway of the ages.
First Expedition Over Trail.
The first recorded commercial ex-
pedition from the east to the west over
the route that afterward became
known as tbs Santa Fe Trail was out