Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1911-11-18
WHAT OF WESTERN KANSAS
AND ITS FUTURE?

The western third of Kansas, es-
pecially, has been so persistently
misunderstood and misrepresented by
those unacquainted with it, that
many persons elsewhere, and even in
Kansas, have brought themselves to
believe it is wide expanse of desc
lation and without any future of con-
sequence. In spite of this it is a
country of far reaching rich prairies,
practically all arabic, with comparit-
lively few people as yet but scarcely
started toward the useful destiny it
will meet.
1t takes time to develop a country,
especia lily where new and strange
conditions are encountered. 1t is
true that Western Kansas is young,
so far as development goes, and those
who have been on the ground there
longest, say themselves, that they are
just beginning to learn of and appre-
ciate its possibilities. 1t is true that
the past season was an unfavorable
one in many portions of the United
States, but the Western Kansas far
mers, in the main, probably felt the
effects of these diScouraging condit-
ions no more than those who began
elsewhere, except where the lessons
taught by experience were totally ig-
nored.
While Western Kansas is admit
tedly different from other localities
having greater rainfall, the fact that
it is different is neither to its dis
credit or detriment. Each region
has its uses as much as each indivi-
dual who finds it has his niche. The
industrial conquest of the Central
States, now comprising the world
| famous corn belt, was accompanied
with hardships and discouragements
that those engaged in the upbuilding
of the western prairies will not know
The beginner in a little railway Office
cannot at once ascend to the presi-
dency of the system, and the resour-
ces of country cannot reach their
fullest development at single
bound. Even the regions regarded as
most favored have always had their
problems.
| Where is the Illinois farmer who
in single season can obtain net re-
turns from his farm equal to, or in
excess of, the total value of his land,
according to the proper valuation of
the property2 But, there are scores
of men In Western Kansas who do
this, not only for one year, but for
one year after another. Many of the
growers of this years broomcorn crop
in the southwest counties can sub
stantiate this, and the growers of al
| falfa hay and seed in various neigh
borhoods can give similar testimony.
/ 1t is undeniable that conditions in
eastern and western Kansas are diff
erent, and each section must work
along those lines best adapted fol-
success, however dissimilar 1t is be-
cause they are different and strange
| that causes unwarranted impressions
/ about Western Kansas. If one should
net a given sum on milo, buffalo
i grass and livestock in Western Kan
sas, on a larger area of low-priced
| land he would at least be on pal
with his eastern brother who made
the same amount on Indian corn
4 bluestem and livestock, on the small
area of higher priced land, and two
properties possibly representing the
same investment.
Today, when faith in the future OF
Western Kansas is expressed, some
of our own people greet the utteranct
with smiles of incredulity, that speaE
more forcibly than words, of disbe