The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1868-05-08
For TIE NEWS
THE vAIxEY OF TIE I = wAIs 4

THE VALLEY OF THE WALNUT.
Whether the sun shines more brightly in |
Butler county than in other parts of Kansas is |
question; but II seemed to me that it did, as, |
after travelling in the face Of cold driving
rain, among the rocky bluffs Of Morris and
Chase counties. the sun came out warm and
bright, rs we reached the head-waters Of the
Walnut, gliding and clarifying the gently roll
ing prairie and Frightening the delicate spring
suits Of green which the trees were putting on,
and drawing fragrance from the wiId-howers
by the roadside, till the sieye was satisfied with
seeing" and one almost faneied himself in
some enchanted land; such land we dream
of in youth and long for in later years, where
no work Of man has marred the perfect charm
Of Natures completeness; where the silence
and calm breathe peace and contentment, rs the
flowers exhale their fragrance, and the song of
birds Is sweet as the promises of Hope, and
the air Is pure as nectar and eXhilarating as
the tabled Elixir of Life. AS we proceeded
the long rolls OF prairie upland gave place to
even lovelicr landscapes; charming valleys and
pleasant slopes and more abundant timber. and
over all brighter sunlight and a softer air
the breath of the balmy South"
A year ago there was no settlement between
Mercer Spring and McCabe's; now, four or
five families have homes and farms above the
latter point. In one place vineyard and or
chard give evidence of the thrift and neatness
OF its owner, while all the newly opened farms
bear marks Of the energy and enterprise which
are so much needed in a new country. '.The
country is prospecting" one thinks, and rejoices
in its good fortune; and then signs 10 think
that this lovely wilderness OF beauty will soon
be no more; that soon all the countless waves
Of the green prairie sea will be crowned with
prosaic farm-hOuses, and the boundless glorics,
Of perspective be broken by Virginia fences
and stone wall, and the freedom of frontier
life be lost in the restraints Of civilization and
the strange and all-powerful charm which in
vests the West with so many attractions will
be lost forever.
"Whatever is, is right it is said. and so
the advancing tide OF immigration is welcomed,
with the reflection that il brings with it CHURCH
es and schools, stores and saw-mills and other
conveniences; though it spoils the magnificent
range the cattle enjoyed, and destroys the ro-
nance Of our little "Arcadia in the wilderness"
where peace aud contentment rcigned, except
when broken by the arrival of the weekly mail,
or the necessity of going sixty miles to mill,
(Which isn't pleasant in muddy weathcr.)
Knowing the beauties snd advantages of this
lovely section of country, I was not surprised
to hear that saw and grist mill is now on the
way to Chelsea, nor TO learn that immigrants
are choosing homes in that vicinity; Tor there
is certainly every advantage in soil, climate
and situation to induce farmers to settle there;
while the settlers arc most hospitable, friendly
and intelligent-the best type of true Western
men and women. 1t would seem that no one
need go farther than .Chelsea Hip to look for
a home; but still westward the star of en-
pire takes its way and in this instance its
march has deviated far to the southwark as
Eldorado, the county seat, where they have a
doctor and two lawyers, a hotel and MILL and
believe 4 blackSmith's shop and four stores.
Whether not the population of the town
has increased within the year in proportion to
its business have not been informed, but sup
pose it has; and it is to be hoped that it will
grow in goodness as it grows in size, as the
school committeeman used to tell me when 1
went to school. Judge Brown of Cottonwood
Falls is holding court there at present, and
several distinguished legal gentlemen have
been in attendance, but have not heard of
any important eases.
The next stopping place of the aforesaid star
of empire seems to be ut the new town of Wich-
ita, at the mouth of the Little Arkansas. about
the advantages of which wonderful stories are
told, and no doubt with good foundation; but
if my impressions are correct it is better
location for traders and spectators than for
lhosc VINO, III SclectlhS homes, WISH 10 secure
the education of their children, and good soci-
ETY. for themselves.
The spring has opened vary auspiciouslv for
farmers, after 4 mild and favorable winter
and they are everywhere putting in their crops.
and with every prospect Of 4 bountiful harvest.
may have more to write after further ex-
ploratiens; in the meantime 1 would urge all
in search Of homes to come to Butler county.
May /, 1853. VAYLE VERNON.
Let us hear from you often, Vayle.