The Kansas herald of freedom., 1859-12-10
Tha Naosho VaIiav

There has been much said, in modest
way, by the press of Southern Kansas,
concerning the beauty, fertility, and the
general agricultural resources Of the Neo-
sho Valley. The early settlers of this
valley have extended liberal and truthful
inducements to their friends in the
Estates" to migrate hither to settle and
cultivate this land of rare attractions and
rich promise. Hence large, intelligent,
and industrious population have become
the occupants and cultivators of our soil,
and are also variously engaged in the de-
velopment Of its resources in the prima-
ry pursuits of manufacturing peculiar to
new country. The trade of southern
Kansas, most of which is conducted upon
the cash principle, is already immense
especially when we take into account that
only two years since, scarcely any goods
were sold from store-houses in the whole
valley, with the single exception Of Coun-
Gil Grove, an old Indian and Mexican
Trading Post. This trade is not only
increasing rapidly, but becoming widely
diversified among all the departments Of
merchandise.
The prosperity Of the farming interests
in this part of southern Kansas is doubt
less without parallel in the history of
the settlement of the great West. Al
most every settler has not only secured Q
good farm, more or less improved, but has
acquired a competency for present sup
port. The crops Of the present year,
which are mostly secured, indicate pro-
ductiveness of the staple article of agri-
culture, with only moderate amount Of
labor, rarely equaled in the most highly
cultivated portions of the Ohio or Missis:
sippi valleys.
The mineral resources Of our immedi-
ate county is limited to the article of
coal, which is found in rich and conven-
lent deposits on the banks of the Neosho,
Cottonwood and their tributaries. The
quality is being daily tested by our
"Smiths," who find it suitable for all
work required in this country. Timber
land is now offering on the Neosho for
from ten to fifteen dollars per acre, a
small quantity of which, used with prop
er care and protected from fire, will sup
ply each farmer with all the fuel and
| fencing his necessities require. An ex-
cellent article of rock. suitable for build
ing and fencing purposes, can be found
on nearly every farm in the valley. The
settler at the present time will possess in
1 finite advantages over the pioneers that
preceded them, who were compelled to
bring all the necessaries Of support with
them at exorbitant rates. At present,
every necessary advantage can be afford
ed the emigrant by the settler at cheap
rates until he can raise crop and place
himself upon the independent level with
his pioneer neighbor.
As a stock-raising country. the valleys
which we have mentioned stand unrival-
ed. Stock grows with extraordinary
thrift, and fatten easily-they suffer but
little in comparison with the stock OF more
northern or southern latitudes, from either
the extremes of heat or cold. Fruit trees
grow luxuriantly, and will soon be pro-
, ductive. We have some facts and Stats Is,
tics which we have collected, and wiii
. give to the public in further support o.
our remarks in future issus.-Ansr'eSs
Sentinel.