El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-01-26
HEAVY SHOWS ADD MILLIONS To
WEALTH Of PANHANDLE COUNTRY
Great Ranges and Vast Acreage Of Wheat in Panhandle
and West Texas Needed the Moisture Which the
Shows Brought; Material Prosperity Is Shown
in All Parts of the West Texas Empire.
BY II. r. GORDON.

a time TIE building OF additional
lines, several new railroads in West
ern Texas and the Panhandle already
have been added during the past IL
months. and when the war is ended
il Is believed a number OF other pro-
jected lines will be built. One Of the
new lines which has been built dur
ing the past year, which peuetrates
a rich territory long in need OF rail
outlet is the Midland Northwestern
extending from Midland to Seminole.
Texas, where connection is made with
another new line. an extension OF the
Santa Fe from Lubbock, and which
also opens up new and rich terri
tory.
West Texas Extension Planned.
A West Texas railway project
which gives promise OF maturing dur
ing the present year Is the San An
gelo-Del Rio extension OF the Orient.
Belief that this work Will be taken
up shortly is based largely on the
governments determination to push
through the Devils River project II
IS known that the government plans
to build a border line through the
Del Rio country, and Del Rio peopIs
think that city viii be made the ter
minus of the line.
A new line which has FOR its pur
pose the connecting OF Roswell and
eastern New Mexico more closely with
during 1917, and unless the war in
terferes. VIII find its fruition within
the next IS months This line. for
which Roswell has guaranteed a bo-
nus Of 100000, will be buiIt By n. 3.
Hereby to Panhandle terminus.
where connection with a trunk line
viii be made, and into New Mexico
for connection with a trunk line in
that state.
New West Texns County.
During 1917 a new county was born
n West Texas. an offspring Of FL
Paso county. HudSpeth, the new
county. has Sierra Blanca for its
capitol, already has its county news
paper, has its officials. and has done
It's share OF bond buying and other
work foi the government In the
years to come Hudspeth. which IS rich
in territory, minerals and natural ad-
vantages, VIII take its place among
the prosperous counties Of West
Texas. adding TO Fl Paso's trade ter
ritory = growing and rich district
Many New Settlers.
into the Panhandle country durina-
last fall and in the first month Of
this year numbers OF settlers are
frigid north to make homes IN the
great southwest Many land deals in
Panhandle counties have been closed
during the past three months By pro
gressive eastern and northern farm
ers who are attracted by the mani
Iold advantages OF the southwest n
TOUR days during January II car
loads OF household goods, belonging
to new settlers. arrived IN Rails,
Texas The shipment contained the
nucleus OF home furnishings for 4
number OF homes which the new.
corners from the east are building IN
the South Plains country.
Great numbers Of people have been
attracted TO all portions OF the Plains
country, but the South Plains appears
to be q favorite with many OF the
homeseekers. and that rich district
rapidly IS filling with a most desir-
able class OF homebuIlders men and
women who have come to the south
west TO put into practice here the
modern business methods OF agricul-
ture which have made the east
wealthy.
Cities and Towns Grow.
Cities and towns OF the Panhandle
and West Texas have enjoyed sub
stantial growth during the past year.
and. despite war conditions and the
handicaps they bring, are planning
greater growth for this year. In
Amarillo all previous building records
were exceeded during 1917, and IN
the nearly 800 building permits is
sued homes predominated, showing
the substantial character OF the
growth Large business blocks were
built. giving evidence OF the con-
mercial expansion which prosperity
has made possible IN that metropolis
Of the Plains.
Pleinview. Lubbock, Tulia. Here
ford, Canyon, Clarendon, Silyerton.
Canadian. Post City, and scores OF
other towns IN the Panhandle are en-
Toying substantial growth, while in
West Texas Maria. PecoS Toyah,
8almorhea. Fort Stockton. Midland.
Barstow, Alpine. Sierra Blanca and
Big Spring all have added to their
wealth, size and Importance during
the year and are reaching out 10
greater things during the year 1878.
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