The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1921-05-05
HISTORIC TRAIL
OF PIONEER DAYS
is TO BE MADE GREAT HIGH
WAY FROM KANSAS CITY
TO DENVER


made into the most direct and finest
highway between Denver and Kansas
City, Mo, according to Franklin E.
Brooke of Winona, Kan, president of
the Union Pacific Highway associa-
ton, who is in Denver at the head of
a delegation of Kansas boosters for
this route.
The highway, known as the great
Union Pacific highway, is 648 miles
long, and during the last year the
road has been much improved. A
good part of the road has been sur
faced, and it is the plan of the asso-
citation to have the highway, which is
a through route. to Kansas City and
the east surfaced its entire Length.
Highway Is Rich in Legend and Story
Every mile of the road is rich in
legend and story. 1t was this route
which was taken by the hardy men
who came west in the early days and
had to fight Indians frequently. The
road follows the old Smoky Hill pony
express route and parallels the Union
Pacific railroad the entire way.
The highway has been reIogged and
Strengthened, with saving of twenty
seven miles. Every telephone and
telegraph pole along the route. from
Kansas City to Denver, will be
marked, making it impossibleofor the
tourist to lose his way. The official
registered road mark is twenty-inch
white band around each pole, with the
initials of the highway, U. P. H., for
Union Pacific highway, stenciled on
each band. The marking of the poles
has been completed good share of
the distance, and will be finished by
May 10. Seventy-five men are now
at work marking the poles, those be-
tween Hugo and Denver being I'm
ished.
The highway passes through Au-
rora and on Colfax avenue to the
Capitol building, which is the western
terminal of the highway. The road
passes through the following import
ant cities and towns: Limon, Hugo,
Kit Carson and Cheyenne Wells,
Colo, Sharon Springs, Winona, Oak
ley, Hays, Russell, Ellsworth, Salina,
Abilene, Junction City, Camp Fun
ston, Fort Riley, Manhattan. Topeka
and Lawrence, Kansas.
Romance and Tragedy Linked With
Road
The romance and tragedy of ''Win-
ming the West" was staged along this
great highway. According to Mr..
Brooke, the road passes through a
very prosperous section and is the
smoothest and best marked road be-
tween Kansas City and Denver.
The highway passes through Monu-
ment, Kan, where the late Col.
William F. Cody, better known as
Buffalo Bill" won the name which
made him famous. A contest was
held there to determine the best buff
falo shot. Cody won, and from that
time on was nicknamed Buffalo
Bill"
Fort Wallace and Boot Hill also
are on this route, and at these two
places are buried many of the heroes
of the early days. Pond Greek sta
ton, which was the scene of many
shootings and killings when men be-
ieved in dying with their boots on, is
but few rods from the highway. The
saloon where life was held so cheaply
still is standing at this place. At the
Rife Pits is trench where 1873 Am
erican soldiers fought off 1900 In
dams for two days and a night, unit
rescued by their comrades. They were
forced to dig a long trench to reach
water to prevent death from thirst.
In fact, according to Mr.. Brooke
there is not a place along the grea
highway which has not story of the
pioneer and his hardships. The UnioI
Pacific Highway association, which i:
back of this road, was organized five
year sage. The road was marked anC
logged from Denver to Oakley, Kan.
at that time Since 1t has been ex
tended to Kansas City, Mo. The off
GERS of the association are: Mr.
Brooke, president; Howard MOrly
register of deeds of Sharon Springs
Kan, secretary; J, E. Hays, presiden
of the Farmers State bank of Chel
enne Wells, Col0,, treasurer. Mr.
Brooke and the delegation of whicl
he is the head, who have come to Den
yer in the interest of this highway
have been invited to attend a meet
ing of the Denver Rotary club mex
Thursday.-Denver Post.
Thought for the Day From Kansaa