Year: 1870

WESTWARD ON THE KANSAS PACIFIC-TIIE CAT
TIR-HERDING DISTRICT OF CENTRAL KANSAS
CHARACTER OF THE SOIL-EXPERIMENTAL


GARDENS on THE PLAINs-PRoGRESs OF THE
RAILROAD.


KIT CARSON, Colorado, Aug. 30.-BOund on


tour OF observation the line Of the Kansas Pacific
Railroad Kit Carson in Colorado. and thence through
Southern Colorado and New Mexico, the proposed
OF the South Branch stop at Sana Kansas, as
the point beyond the fences which can be regarded
as OF any general interest Here In the heart Of
he cattle district Of Central KANSAS and
thing indicates the leading occupation Of the
people. The Of Sana is estimated ~ contain about
1900 people, all OF whom either directly indirectly
IN stock raising The town stands upon the
open prairie and, most Of the small towns west OF
the Missouri, the buildings Of frame and widely
scattered Many OF them are substantially built how
ever and the place affords evidences OF material
prosperity In the country round about comparatively
little attention ia paid TO actual tage the greater
ton being occupied by herders whose cattle
roam almost ut will the unbroken prairie fattenng
upon what is probably the finest Pasturage in the world
Some OF these herds very extensive numbering at
times from 5000 TO 5000 head; but, in the main. it
seems to be the approved policy to divide
tho herds and never allow them 10 efreed
800 or 1000 in number One good herder well-mouned
Is considered equal to the control OF 400 cattle on the
open PRAIRIE but the small settlements about here
quite numerous, 1t Is necessary to exercise additional
to prevent damage and the proportion OF herders





laws OF Kansas very stringent and most rgidy
enforced Stock raisers complain and with some show
them toward the unproductive and poorly watered
plains to the west and will ultimately force them TO
abandon the state Every additional settlement In the
Saline district adds to the disadvantages under which
they labor and increases her risks. Cattle they urge
to control them, and the interest Is so extensive
in this port portion Of the state that the Legs &
oppress it, This is droyers view and OF course
res but little weight among those who are laboring to
developed. The country salina is traversed by
numerous small streams branches OF the Solomons, the
few miles east OF Solomon City to form the Kansas The
soil is dark sandy loan. somewhat similar in It's ger
nois aud is extremely productive This and the neigh
boring counties are settling rapidly, and in time the
civiiration In fact the herders here are already be-
ginning TO look toward Southern Colorado and the head
waters or the Arkansas al their new land OF PROMISE and
tho moment the railroad opens up that country they will
unguestionsbly move westward.


We leave balina at a. IN. OF the 2lst and ride OF
something less than two hours brings To Fort Harker
2ls miles west Of Kansas City We have now left the
bluffs which formed their ground behind us and
on either side Of us stretches level grassy plain, It's
monotony unrelieved by tree or shrub BY mountain or
hilOck IL requires but slight effort Of the gina0n
TO carry us thousand miles out at sea, with
boundary within the blue arch that binds above or
with timber again, stretching away In narrow line
either side OF the track and marking the OF the
Big Breek. branch Of the Smoky Hill River. The creek


quite dry, and s sandy bed looks parched and thirsty
To the westward the country grows more abrupt tho
expose the face OF the rock and reveal sandstone light
IN color but seemingly Of great hardness and consist
ENJOY At Ellis sc2 miles west Of Kansas CITY, the train
stops 20 minutes for breakfast and ah opportunity af
f0rded OF examining this rock closely It by far
the most compact and cohesive sandstone have ever
soen- In its general appearance II bears some rp-
sombance to the Joliet rock extensively used ILL
Sais and Iowa. and, except upon close examination,


ght readily be mistaken for vertable limestone II Ia
veil adapted ~ building purposes aud the railroad
pany has opened large quarry few milea cast OF ts
point using the stone Tor tho erection at Ellis Of round
house and extsnsve repair shops. few miles wast OF
Ellis the hills disappear and again the open
level prairie. Te cayoy eesnsnt In the soil begins TO
Everything indicates tho soarity Of wnter Hero and
there ct tho stations. notice tnc0sed sardsns but
they all experimental In their character and the ro
ss u not encouraging 6ous u The vagstsblss YIELD