The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1868-08-14
LYON COUNTY.


Its Natural Advantages for ImmlgranES.
Through the kindness Of Major E. p. Ban
croft, we are permitted to publish the follow
ing accurate description Of this county, which
was prepared for and Is to be printed on the
map Of Lyon county which he will soon issue.
Persons wanting information about this eoun-
ty can rely on the correctness Of this article.
Lyon county is centrally situated in the State,
being in the geographical center north and
south, and i'm the center Of population east and
west. 1t comprises an area of eight hundred
and fifty-eight square miles, being thirty-nine
miles from north to south, and twenty-five
from east TO west.
1t Is well watered by the Neosho and Cotton
wood rivers and their tributaries, and the trib-
utaries of the Usage and Verdigris. The two
| former streams enter the county from the west,
the Neosho flowing from northwest to south
| east, and the Cottonwood from west to east
the two forming junction near the eastern
border of the county. The stream formed by
this junction takes the name Of the Neosho,
| and continues on in the same general course
| until it leaves the county near its southeast
corner. The tributaries Of the NeOsho within
the county are Rock, Wright, AAlIen, Dow
Taylor, Plumb, Badger and Dry creeks, all
flowing from the north, while Eagle creek,
rising south of the Cottonwood, flows nearly
east. emptying into the Neosho below the juno
ton. The tributaries Of the Cottonwood are
Jacob, Phenis, Fowler and CoSl creeks, fiow-
ing from the south. The tributaries of the
Usage water the northeast portion ofthe county,
and are named Salt, Duck, 142, Elm, Hill,
Chicken and Onion creeks. The tributaries of
the Verdigris rise in the southwest part of the
county and flow southeast, uniting to form the
main stream in Greenwood county. These
streams have generally grayelly bottoms and
deep channels.
| The physical characteristics of Lyon county
are those of the eastern portion of the State
| generally, except that there is more than the
| average amount Of timber and water, and the
water power greatly exceeds that of any coun-
| ty In the State. The surface of the country is
chiefly undulating, and presents a succession
of rich prairies, grass-cOvered hills and fertile
valleys, with an abundance of timber along
the streams, consisting principally of Oak,
Blackwalnut, blackberry, Hickory, Sycamore,
Muvberry and Cottonwood. The prevailing
| rock Is limestone, of which there is great
abundance in all parts Of the county, varying
in character through all varieties, from the
soft, white magnetism, to the dark-blue stone,
which is susceptible of high polish. Sand
stone is also abundant in some localities. The
soil is rich and deep, consisting generally of a
black loan, resting on porous clay subsoil,
and is exceedingly fertile, yielding large crops
of Wheat, Corn, Oats, Rye, Hungarian, Barley,
Potatoes, &c. The average yield Of corn is
| sixty bushels; wheat twenty-five bushels;
oats, fifty bushels; potatoes, one hundred
bushels, &c. The seasons are two to four weeks
eaElier than in the same latitude in Ohio, In
diana and Illinois, and the climate about the
same as ut Memphis, Tennessee.
Apples, Peaches, Grapes and all the small
| fruits thrive well, and very productive.
Stock raising is an important interest. The
| prairies, covered with the finest and most nu-
tritive natural grass in the world, afford almost
unlimited pasturage, and the winters, both
short and mild, furnish most favorable condi-
lions for proper and economical care of Horses,
Cattle and Sheep, and large numbers are grown
for the Eastern market, and for the supply of
! an enormous home demand, caused by Il con-
slant and heavy immigration.
The climate is mild, agreeable and extreme
ly healthy. Pulmonary diseases are almost
| wholly unknown, and Bilious complaints much
more infrequent than in new countries gen.
orally, or any other part Of the West or South.
The settlement of Lyon County was COM
menced in the fall Of 1856. At that time the
Government surveys had not been completed.
The first considerable immigration to this
County was in the spring of 1857. The subse-
quent growth in population was greatly re-
tarded by the drouth which prevailed general
" in the South and West in 1860, and the four
years of war, during which period the popu-
lation decreased, by the stOppage of immigra-
ton, and the enlistment of nearly the entire
able-bodied male population in the Union
army. Since the close of the war, the growth
has been steady and rapid. The population
NJ 10 is thOuS-
and, representing every State in the Union, and
nearly every nationality on the globe; but
mainly from the Middle States.
The excellent system of Common Schools
adopted by the State, is in complete and sue
cessful operation in Lyon County. There are
forty-four organized School Districts, and hir-
| ty-taoO School houses, mostly of stone, all COM
mOdious, and many even elegant, surprising
those Of any other Western State. The aggre-
gate value of School Houses in the County, is
estimated by the County Superintendent, at
forty thousand dollars. The proceeds of
all fines, the interest on large and constant
ly increasing land fund, and liberal annual
State SAX. all go to keep the schools in most
fourishing condition. The opportunities for
Common School education are not surpassed
| In any Western StGte.
The facilities for religious worship are good;
all denominations being represented; and the
Methodists, Congregationalists, Welsh COngre
gationalists, Christians, Baptists, Presbyteri-
ans, United Presbyterians, United Brethren
and Friends have a strong foothOld, and most of
them have church buildings, and are in pros
porous condition.
The assessed value Of property in Lyon COun-
ty for the year 1868 is as follows: Real Estate,
q, 563, 22s; Personal Property, $685., OS2 Total,
S2I4531O. The total valuation for the year
1867 was $1,5S6, 532-showing an increase of
$55S.77S in a single year.
The Water Power afforded by the Neosho
and Cottonwood rivers within the County, is
an element Of wealth that can hardly be ever
rated. Four of the falls have already been
Improved, and there are twice as many more
in the County, equally good. These will be
of great advantage in the manufacture of Lum-
Der, Flour ard Wooden Goods; all manufac-
lures of prime importance, and destined TO in
crease rapidly. There are five Steam Saw Mills,
two Steam Saw and Grist-mills, two Water
| Power Saw Mills, two Water-Power Saw and
Grist Mills, and two Water Power FIGURING
Mills, one of the latter having first class
Carding Machine attached, now in operation
In the County.
and cheap. Excellent Stone for building and
fencing is abundant, and only costs the quar-
rying and hauling.
Brick of good quality can be made almost
anywhere Mt a moderate cost.