The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1917-09-26
BUFFALO BUILDS
UNDER HANOtCAPS
Haul Freight Forty Miles
and Transport Crops
the Other Way.
RAILROAD is COMING
Then City Will Construct
Waterworks System and
and Light Plant.
RAILROAD IS COMING

BUFFALO, Okla. Sept. p - (Spe-
cial)-Harper county was one Of the
new counties OF the state and wa,
carved from the northwest section of
original Woodward county during the
tune OF the constitutional convention,
and became county in fact when the
new state was admitted into the union
IN IVY, Just ten years ago Its exist
ence began without county funds, rec
ords, or office quarters. Fortunately
the newly elected county officers were
selected from among the very best and
most competent citizens, and they
handled the countys affairs in a man
ner that soon put its government on
solid financial basis with the resul,
that taxes have been less than in most
other counties OF the state.
Farming Chief Industry.
When statehood arrived fully one.
third OF the county's area was made up
OF state and school lands, and one of
the wisest measures ever enacted by the
legislature OF the state was the act
providing for the sales OF these lands to
actual home owners. Their sale not
only increased the states revenue from
the lands, but supplied the county with
more taxable wealth, and resulted in
greater local development.
Harper county is recognized as one OF
the leading grain growing and stock
raising counties OF northwest Oklaho-
ma. The principal crops that net The
farmers profitable returns are wheat.
kafir milo maize, fe,crita Soudau
grass, broom corn, alfalfa. and other
forage crops Livestock raising is one
of the leading pursuits and thousands
OF fine cattle and hogs are sen, to mar
ket from this county each year There
are a number OF large stock ranches in
the county and both the stockmen and
farmers are grading up their herds by
importation of pure-bred strains Poul-
try raising and darying are profitable
industries and will reach greater pro-
portions as development proceeds.
No Railroad, But One Building.
Since its settlement Harper county
had been greatly handicapped on ac-
count OF the lack OF railroad facilities
The farmers have been compelled to
freight their products twenty, thirty,
and forty miles to market places, which
not only consumed much valuable time.
manpower and horsepower. but added
greatly to operatlng/cxpenscs A few
years ago the Wichita Falls & North
western built through the southwest
ern part OF the county, which relieved
conditions for the residents OF that sec
ton The new towns, which supply
markets. that sprang up along the new
road are Dunlap, MAY, Laverne, and
Rosston. Fully half OF the products
OF the county are still freightcd to out
side towns in Kansas and Woodward
county.
A year ago the Buffalo Northwestern
Railway company was organized by
Buffalo citizens. and the services of l.
+. Walker OF Dallas. Texas, was pro-
cured to promote the project City and
township municipal and Improvement
bonds were voted by the towns and
townships along the proposed route. the
legitimate profits on the ethsracts to he
applied in constructing the road. The
construction company now has several
crews at work along the line west Of
Waynoka and il is the plan OF the pro-
moter and contractors to have the road
completed into Buffalo. a distance IT
about fifty-fivc miles, bv the first OF
the year. The building Of this road will
open up for development a vast terri
tory and supply market places for near
ly two-thirds OF the county on the east.
A number OF good towns will be built
along the line between Waynoka and
Buffalo
Progressive Ideas.
Buffalo and I.averene are the largest
and most important towns in the coun-
~ and the enterprise OF the citizens OF
these two towns is evidenced BY the
kind of towns that they have huildcd
Laverne has splendid schools and
churches and supplies large trade ter
rltory.
Buffalo. the county seat, is at the
present time an inland town, OF 900 in
habitants. II has been built under most
adverse circumstances but has never
ceased to grow from the time the coun-
W seat was established upon the open
pranrie The business buildings are all
substantial structures being constructed
OF stone and brick. Soon after the town
was plated fire limit was established
one block in each direction from the
junction corner OF the two main streets.
This was mos, wise nrecaution. and
has not only reduced the fire hazard. bu,
has resulted in the construction OF at
iractive and permanent buildings. Ruf
falo has two banks two newspapers AMI
mp to standard There are four churches
and numerous lodo"S among which are
included the Odd Fellows and MaSonS.
The Odd Fellows are row completing