Appendix A: A Letter from Townsend to the Mangum Sun-Monitor on September 2, 1902.


South of Chickasha the saddest evidence of damage from drouth became apparent. Cotton, small and opening rapidly, corn burnt up and none of the thriving conditions apparent that so abundantly exist in grand old Greer. Black jacks and sand stone; inseperable (sic) companions of nature became more and more evident as we proceeded, and latter day prosperity seemed to vanish. The dry weather continued until we reached Ringgold, Texas, where a heavy rain had fallen early in the day. It was sorely needed, for it doesn't seem possible that cattle can exist on the short burnt grass of the prairie stretching away on either side of us. Bowie, the "chicken and bread" town, marks the dividing line between prairie and timber, but both seems to have suffered alike from drouth. Some of the poorest cotton seen at all on the route was noted in this district, in some fields the stalks would not average more than 12 inches in height.

We reached Ft. Worth at 7 p.m. and were surprised to find it to be a larger town than Mangum, but were delighted that it was not half so good.

We have not yet decided which route we will take for the gate city to Mexico, Laredo, but expect to give the honor of our patronage to the road that will bid highest for the distinction.

Success to the STAR.

G.B. Townsend