Semi-weekly herald., 1909-11-29
A DASH THROUGH EIGHT STATES
AND A BRIEF VISIT TO SIX
GREAT CITIES.
Durango, Colo, Nov. "a, 1909.

HeeulHg an urgent DuSlHess call the
writer departed from Durango the
morning OF Nov. on what would per
haps he known as "whirlwind tour
covering large section OF the middle
and northwestern states. The weather
was delightful ON the start and so pre-
vailed until just few days previous
TO arrival home From Durango tt
Alamosa no very exciting conditions
were noted except it is worthy of mote
that the country east to Arboles Il
rapidly improving, new buildings goinl
mp both In town and outside. showing
that our lands and other resources are
becoming known In the San Luis
valley several irrigation projects are
being developed. this being more par
ticularly evident in the neighborbood
OF Blanco and Fort Garland tnow
known as plain "Gnrland) AS night
prevailed on the trip both ways be
tween Veta pass and Denver II was
impossible to procure any notes of in
terest. Our state capital-Denyer, ap-
pears TO be enjoying its share OF the
general prosperity, for besides the
great number of residences. terraces
and apartment houses being erected
two very fine business structures are
being pushed, these being respectively
| for the First National bank. and the
Denver Gas and Electric company.
Leaving Denver ON the Burlington
evening train We pass into Nebraska
| during the early morning, and having
resided in this great state for mum.
ber of years are eager to note the i'm.
provement that has taken place. Cities
| from 5000 TO 10000 now, many of
| which were mere villages in the nine
| ties, have now all the metropolitan
airs, and up-to-date marks of the twen
tieth century. and this applies to Me
Cook, Holdredge, Hastings, Sutton,
| Crete and Lincoln. AS one traverses
| mental study ensues as to how many
years will elapse before these cities
become one. so rapidly has the popu!a
tion increased through the intervening
territory. Omaha with its great pack.
ing plants, lumber yards, and whole.
sale houses is hive of industry and
adds TO the general belief that pros
perity is upon us.
Passing to st. Paul via Sioux City
in the night there was no opportunity
to observe either general appearance
or conditions. and we reached that
great twin metropolis of the northwest,
st, Paul-Mnneapolis, in the early
morning, spending the day with
friends. Minneapolis is especially
this refers TO its location as well as
appearance, for nature has certainly
lavished there all that would charm
the visitor It's lake and park system
in the city being something that gives
the stranger the impression that II is
attractive botn for business and recre
alton. Among the public improve
ments noticeable are the great state
| university with its score or more of
buildings necessary for the curriculum
of study, and the many fraternity halls
half complete will add one more to
the hundreds of beautiful sacred struc
lures now adorning the city. A two
million dollar hotel is nearly com.
.IAt. -.
structure about ready for occupancy.
Both the cities are promised new
and up-todate union depot facilities
by the Hin lines, something indeed
required. The c., NJ. a ST p. railway
will spend sl5,0OO,000 lowering its
tracks through the city to conform to
| ordinance Leaving by the Great
Northern evening train l arrived at
| destination 10 IL. m. Saturday. Nov.
in the town of Aneta. situation in what
is called the Nations Bread Basket"
fertile plain availarble TO cultivation
reaching from southern Missouri. and
| Illinois, up through the northwest, and
on into Canada TO the arctic circle
one cannot dispute the claim made
that from this section 1t is possible to
feed not only the nation, but the ma
tions A noticeable characteristic Of
this country is the absence of any in.
tense exhibition of poverty. the towns
abound in good homes. some of them
elegant. and the farmers indulge In the
same luxuries with all modern con
yeniences, even to the extent of mar.
keting by automobile. The elevators
of large capacity found in all the
northwest towns tell more emphatical-
ly than words the reason for the thrift
that abounds, for here we find farmers
raising principally wheat from year to
year. and having incomes of from So.
600 TO $4,000 per annum. Flax and
oats are produced quite extensively
but corn cannot be raised with much
success because of the cool nights that
prevail.
"a. l... q.