The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1860-05-19
BREcKENRIDeE coUNTY.

Without disagreement to any other por
lion of Kansas. We desire to speak of
Breckenridge county particularly. and its
advantages and prospects.
Breckenridge is one of the tier Of central
counties Of Kansas. In fact. it may be-
SAID to be THE CENTER couNTYof the new
State of Kansas Il is in the exact center
north Ind south. and is also centrally situa
ted with regard to the eastern and western
boundaries and when Western and South
western Kansas shall have settled thickly as
it is capable, it will be in the center of pop
ulation. east and west. north and south.
The principal streams with which it is
watered are the Neosho and Cottonwood
the former running diagonally across it from
the northwest to the south the latter
running the entireieHgth of the county from
west to east. near its southern line-the two
streams forming junction nearsthe south
east corner of the county. The tributaries
of the Neosho which flow into it from the
north, in this county, are Rock, Wright's,
Allen, Dow. Badger. Plumb and Elliott
creeks; while the northeast portion of the
county is watered by Duck, Forty-two, Hill,
Elm and Onion creeks, tributaries of the
Usage, flowing in south easterly direction.
Fowler's, Cole and Jacobs creeks flow in
TO the Cottonwood from the south. All
of timber of various kinds. thus making
this one of the best watered and timbered
counties of Kansas.
The soil is that of Kansas generally
deep, black loan, mellow and rich, with
porous subsoil, the whole strongly impreg-
mated with lime, one of the main costituents
of wheat-growing soil. The bottoms
along the streams are generally broad, and
sloping gradually back to the uplands,
which are smooth and gently undulating.-
Limestone is abundant, while quarries of
sandstone are frequently found. Coal, of
an excellent quality, has been discovered in
various parts of the county. Good sand
for building purposes is found along the en-
tire length of the Cottonwood, and in many
other parts of the county. In short, in all
the natural elements of wealth and pros
perity, Breckenridge county is not excelled
by any county in Kansas.
The history of the settlement of Brock
enridge county dates from the spring of
1857, although few families had settled
along the Cottonwood and Neosho the season
previous. Through the efforts of interested
parties along the Kaw River and in North
lieve that pestilent malaria prevailed to SO
great an extent in this portion of Kansas
that speedy and certain death awaited all
who had the temerity to venture within
reach of its influence. But the great .'rush''
of 1857 dispelled these false ideas and the
experience of the past three years has prov
en- conclusively that it is quite as healthy
as any portion of the West-enjoying as it
does an almost entire immunity from lung
diseases, the terror of the Eastern States In
three years the unsettled wild has become a
rich and populous county, numbering over
four thousand souls, with taxable property
of nearly million of dollars Boosting of
its newspapers, free schools churches, and
all the appliances of civilization.
The population of Breckenridge county
will bear favorable comparison with those
of any portion of country for intelligence,
energy, temperance, and all the social vir-
tues.
With its central position, and advantages
of population. climate. soil, water, timber,
etc., the future of Breckenridge county can
not but be glorious.