244.     KANSAS PACIFIC RAILWAY COMPANY. LAND DEPARTMENT. Newspaper with map and two views: Kansas Pacific Homestead. Sent Free to Any One on Application. Salina, Kansas November, 1877. [bird’s-eye view below masthead, 12 x 37.5 cm] View of the Donmeyer Colony, in 1874 [map spreading across top of pp. 2-3, neat line to neat line: 16.5 x 68.5 cm] [above map] The Shaded Belt Indicates the Lands for Sale—Six Million Acres. Rand McNally Co. [title in cartouche with buffalo and scene with train] Map of the Kansas Pacific Railway and Its Connections Map Showing the Kansas Pacific and Denver Pacific Railway Lands, and How to Reach Them. [view on p. 4; 10 x 16.1 cm] Valley of Cedar Creek, Russell County, Kansas. A Characteristic view of the Agricultural and Grazing Lands of the Kansas Pacific Railway. Salina, Kansas, 1877. 4 pp. on single double folio sheet (61 x 86.3 cm; folded to 61 x 43 cm), printed in four columns. Creased at folds and a few minor losses, a few stains, overall a good to very good copy of an ephemeral publication. Contemporary purple stamp at top right of first page: H.C. Hoagland Agent. Delhi, N.Y.

     First edition of a rare promotional newspaper with a map of the Kansas Pacific railroad. Eberstadt 137:546. OCLC locates one copy each of the issues for 1876 and 1879 (both located at the Denver Public Library). Opening statement at top of first column on p. 1:

THE KANSAS PACIFIC HOMESTEAD is published by the Land Department of the Kansas Pacific Railway Company, to supply the large and increasing demand for information respecting Kansas, and especially the magnificent body of lands granted by Congress in aid of the construction of its road. This grant comprises over five million acres of land….

     Every inducement for settlement along the lands of the Kansas Pacific Railroad is set forth, including stock raising, with discussion of luxuriant grazing pastures, the position of the line as the depot for transportation of cattle, the advantages of cross-breeding domestic stock with Texas longhorns, the Herd Law, etc. The map shows railroad routes from the east coast to the west, rises in elevation (including the Llano Estacado), cattle trails, states, cities, forts, etc. The area of land for sale is mostly between Cheyenne, Wyoming, and Kansas City, Missouri. On the inner margins of pages 2 and 3 is reference to another map that may be obtained: Large Sectional Map Showing the Railroad and Government Lands will be Sent Free on application to S.J. Gilmore, Land Commissioner, Salina, Kansas.

($300-600)

Auction 22 Abstracts