The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1912-11-08
A FINE TRIP.

MIR. John Baughman and G. M,
Glenn recently made a trip across
the western portion of Kansas, Ne
braska and eastern Colorado by au-
tomobile. which they describe as
very interesting one, indeed. LeaV-
ing Liberal one morning, they looked
over ranch along the Arkansas river
east of Garden City, stopping over
night at the latter place, then solhs
north, through Scott City, Colby, At
wood. Kansas, and Wallace, Neor',
IN sutherland, where Mr.. Baughma1
has a $1,000 acre ranch.
They spent two days looking oVel
the ranch. and the crops OF tha'
country, which are fine this season
then leaving Sutherland, they wen'
west through Ogalalla, Nebraska. @
Julesburg, and Fort Morgan, COLO.
and thence south to Mr.. Baughmahl
1850 acre ranch, so miles east o
Denver. which Is being developed Dy
wells for irrigation. The first well
was nearly completed at the time OF
their visit, and the drillers were
confident it would deliver from l,ZOl
to 1900 gallons OF water per minute
Going on south they passed through
Limon, Lamar, and thence south &c
Two Buttes, then to Richneld'
Kansas, and home.
They were ten days on the road
and inspecting lands, and one OF the
very noticeable features Of the trip
was the excellent roads they found
Especially in Colorado is this true
and every little hamlet would have 2
splendid roadway, well graded and
kept, leading into it. It looked like
they appreciated the trade that came
to them, and the merchants were
eager to attract all the customers
they could. There is no other factol
that contributes to the prosperity OF
a town as good roads will do. 1t Is
an advertisement that appeals to au'
tomobllists, farmers, and all VINO
travel, and any town will benefit
more than is expended In keeping NJ
the highways.
The towns in Colorado rival each
other in marking the roadways with
signs, indicating the best roads, and
it Is safe to say that all transconti-
mental travel by auto will pass
through some OF. these towns, and
they are good spenders.
And, this raises the query; Why
doesn't Liberal go after cross-coun-
try highway, say from Dodge City OF
Garden City, passing through Lib
eral, to the southern trans-conti-
mental auto roadway to the coast?
It would require minimum OF ex-
pense to make and keep such road
way in repair. and much travel would
be diverted through southwest Kan"
sas
This matter should not be looked
upon simply in the light Of having
a good roadway; that isn't all there is
to 1t. Travellers will go miles out OF
the way, il they may reach good
roads thereby, and In passing through
the country they are the very best
OF advertisers. They notice the
farm a,snd the opportunities, and
well-kept road indicates prosperity 1t
advertises both the town and the
country. and 1t attracts people who
wish to invest.
We have passed the day of our
grandsires, and every town that de-
sires to be on the map, has to make
some sort OF a pull to get there.
Merchants don't put the Goldfish and
sugar all in the same box any more
things must be modern to attract at
tentlon, and modern highway lead
ing through Liberal will help put us
on the map, and keep us there.
1t is a safe bet that there isn't
merchant In Liberal who will think
of this q second time. II we should
lose the bet, it won't be because he
Is running down street with his peck
ct book open, calling to his neigh
Dor to come on and help build those
roads.
About all he will do will be to
grunt-maybe twice, II 1t doesn't
cost too much