The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1921-01-27
LETTER FROM THE SOUTHWEST
Mr.. E. w. Kelso Writes From Ell Paso,

Mr.. E. w. KelsO Writes From Ell Paso,
Texas, en- route 90 Las Cruces, n. NJ.
To the Editor of The Republican.
Before l left Oakland l was asked
to write a letter descriptive of my trip
to this section of the country, and
while | made no promise that l would
do so, nevertheless 1 will write short
letter while waiting for the train to
Las Cruces, New Mexico, my destina-
ton.
| am writing this at Ell Paso, Texas,
which is located 2174 miles from Oak
land over the route came; l have yet
to travel AZ miles before reaching my
objective point.
| left Oakland January 18th on train
No. 3 for Las Cruces to visit my son.
l stopped one night and day in St.
Louis with relative and then con-
tinued my journey, reaching Sham
rock, a small town of 1900 popula-
ton in the Panhandle of Texas on Jan
uary 18th. In this town met Charles
Martin and family, recently of Ry-
ans Glade, near Mountain Lake Park
Mr.. Martin made the move from Gar
rett county for the benefit of his wife's
health, but | regret to say her health
is not improved. Charles Martin also
has three brothers, sister and his
parents living here. Alexander Har-
vey, son of N. B. Harvey, of Ryan's
Glade, is located on his farm six miles
from town. The land in the vicinity
of Shamrock is rolling prairie and pro-
duces abundant crops without fertili-
zer,. such as corn, wheat, cotton,
maize, sweet potatoes, watermelons,
etc. An average of twelve cars of
farm products are shipped daily from
this point to city markets for several
months duration each year.
The local market price for cotton
per bale is SO; corn, 60 cents; wheat,
$1.60; maize, SO per ton. The pres
ent price is much lower than in 1919.
After enjoying the hospitality Of
the Martin brothers for five days,
left for Amarillo, in the Panhandle of
Texas, and having a lay-over of six
hours, and seeking information | was
informed that the town had a popula-
ton of 10000, and an altitude of 5000
feet above sea level, with good water.
street car service and streets of bricl,
and asphalt; fine churches and school
buildings; six banks, many fine res
licences and business houses repre-
senting varied trades and industries.
Within the past year gas was obtained
at a depth of 1850 feet at a point
twenty-five miles from the town. and
with a flow of one million and three
quarters feet per day. This output
is furnished to the patrons in the city
at p cents per thousand cubic feet.
The country tributary to Amarillo
is noted for the large number of cat.
tie raised. Until recent years the
land was considered as being unfit
for raising farm crops, but it has been
demonstrated that wheat, oats, sor-
ghum and maize can be grown in
large quantities.
Travelling from Amarillo west |
noticed large straw ricks and great
quantities of the aforementioned
crops to feed to thousands of cattle,
and with few exceptions both horses
and cattle are in fine condition in both
Oklahoma and Texas.
The land west of Amarillo for
nearly hundred miles is the incest
and best laying land l have ever
looked upon. In conversation with a
rancher on the trains he told me that
this land fifteen years ago sold for
81 to SIS per acre, and now sells for
S75 to SIPS per acre with very poor
buildings as improvements. | noticed
large acreages of wheat sown in the
aforementioned land.
Although the land presents a nice
appearance, lying beautifully, still
when viewing the small houses on the
prairie without shade trees or other
protection or ornamentation, it gives
lonely outlook to the unaccustomed
observer.
Having travelled all night through
New Mexico in going to Ell Paso, l was
deprived of seeing the country and
therefore cannot describe it, but am
told that many cattle are raised in
that country.
l arrived in Ell Paso this morning
Should l observe something that |
think would be interesting to the read.
ers of The Republican l may write
again. Very truly yours,
E. w. KELSO.
Ell Paso, Texas, Jan. 81, 1921.