The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1860-07-21
MARION COUNTY.

EDIToR News I'll take the liberty OF of
fering to your readers. and to such as are
looking for locations for settlement, des-
cnption of the new county of Marion
This county was organized last winter. and
and consists of Townships Is, 10, 90 and
81 in Ranges /. 2. 3. 4 and 5, East of the
9th principal meridian. 1t lies directly
west of Chase, and takes in one tier Of town
ships orange 81 which was formerly in
| Chase county.
Il is watered by the Cottonwood, which
runs the entire length of the county, from
N. w. to S. E. and by its branches. called
Mud. Clear, Spring. Doyles and Antelope
creeks. besides several small ones, which
are, as yet, nameless. These streams are
all fed by springs, and run in the present
excessive drouth; at least two of them are
running sufficiently to turn mill. and in
almost every ravine, the water trickles out
from lodges of rock. The character of the
soil is much the same as in Breckenridge,
though there is more sand mixed with it,.
tlC OOttp1iO HO
10 wallows'' at all, and covered, even now,
with rank growth of grass, and "ros:n
weed"
The quality of the timber is not as good
as in Breckenridge, being more of the soft
woods, and less oak and walnut, but it is
better timbered, both as to quality and
quantity, than Chase. Morris or Madison
counties. Building-stone of the best quail
ity. the white or gray limestone, is found in
abundance. and easy of access. Clear white
sand, both coarse and fine. is plenty in the
banks of the streams, particularly the Cot
ionwood.
The high lands are very fine, and think
better adapted TO wheat than any have seen
in Kansas.
The Santa Fe road crosses the northwest
corner of the county, crossing the Cotton
wood twelve or fourteen miles above the
mouth of Antelope and Clear creeks, where
the first settlement was made. A company
of men, mostly from EIkhart county, Indi-
ara. have lately settled here, and are already
hard at work. They are enterprising men,
and will soon convert the rich unbroken
prairie into fine cultivated farms
Settlers are coming in very fast, but still
there is room. A week ago, there were
from seventy five to one hundred claims
with plenty of timber and water. still va
cant. This county is included in the West
ern, or junction City Land District, and
will be offered for sale commencing on the
10Th of September next. Now is the time
to secure good claims, and keep the choice
lands out of the grasp of the land sharks.
Those who are not prepared to pre-empt
instantly, can make their settlement after
the sale, file their declaration. and have one
year to pay in. There are several fine mill
sites in the county, one of which, is already
taken, by Mr.. Johns, from Iowa, who in
tends building saw and grist mill, next
season. The best road from Emporia TO
the center of Marion county, is to follow
the main road up the valley, on the north
side of the stream, crossing Buckeye, Pey-
ton, Fox and Diamond creeks when you
reach Middle creek, follow it up about FIVE
miles before crossing, then cross an easy d.
vide, bearing little south of west for eight
or ten miles. and you reach Clear creek.
near to its junction with the Cottonwood.
From this point good road will be soon
laid out and worked. to intersect the Santa
Fe road between Cottonwood and Turkey
creek. A railroad running west from EN-
posia, must pass very near the center of this
county. on its way to the Great Bend of the
Arkansas.
Most of the grain and other provisions
for the troops at Pawnee fork, and other
stations ON the plains, are now purchased
in The Cottonwood valley. which viii furn-
ish ready cash market for all the surplus
produce that can be raised here in long
time. Any information the settler may de-
sire. will be cheerfully furnished by Nessrs.
Billings, Shreve. Griffith and others, who
reside at the Junction of Antelope and Clear
creeks with the Cottonwood. MARION.