The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1869-06-04
TOPEKA AND THE YERDIGRIS
VALLEY.

The valley of the Verdigris, in this
State aud the Indian Territory, furnishes
one of the most important agricultural
sections we are favored with west of the
Mississippi. Branches of this stream
have their origin in Lyon, Greenwood
and Woodson counties, and in the
southern portion of Wilson county they
mite, forming from this point of con-
fuence a stream as large as the Neosho,
and which necessarily expands in its
course to its mouth. The Neosho emp
ties into the Arkansas about four miles
below Fort Gibson, and the Verdigris
empties into the Arkansas about three
miles above the mouth of the former
stream.
The Verdigris Valley, from the point
where its several branches unite in Will
son county to its mouth at the Arkan-
sas, is about two hundred and fifty miles
in length. On both sides of the stream
the bottom lands are from one mile to
three miles in width, and are as rich in
productive qualities as any land under
the sun. The upland prairies are good
and furnish superior advantages for
stock growing. The climate is mild III
winter. Stock generally provide for
themselves during the winter months as
well as in the summer, 1t is the best
section for stock growing that our coun-
try affords. The stream is heavily
fringed with the usual varieties of tim
Der indigeoues of this latitude, and wat
CT powers are abundant.
The resources of so valuable a section
cannot long remain undevelOped In this
progressive age of ours. Already have
venturesome and enterprising settlers
trespassed upon these lands, now owned
bp the Osages and Cherokees, and made
important settlements. In Wilson and
Montgomery counties alone there are in
this valley thousands of thrifty settlers
and nearly n score of towns. Upon the
REIMBURSEMENT of the title to these lands
by the Indians, which must soon inevi-
tably transpire, the valley will grow
with marvellous rapidity. Fortunate
will that city be that enjoys the advan-
tages of having deposited in its lap the
rich and extensive productions of this
wealthy valley.
The railroad is the agent that will
unite this valley to some fortunate COM
mercial emporium Among all the
railroad projects that have been and are
being devised in this State, we know of
none that contemplates penetrating the
Verdigris Valley. No city III the State
Is as favorably situated for making this
valley its tributary, as Topeka. Let n
railroad start at Burlingame and pro-
coed southwark, making in its march a
town at the Marais des Cynes crossing,
and strike the Neosho Valley ut Ottum-
wa; go down, the Neosho to Burling-
ton and at this point leave the NeOsho
and strike out through WoodsOn coun-
ty, and at Belmont, near the center of
this county, one of the branches of the
Verdigris will be reached. From this
point down to the mouth Of the Verdi
girls, the road can follow its valley, pass
ing through Coyville, the county seat of
Wilson, Coliax, New Albany, Clifton,
and other towns already begun and
springing up. Bonds to aid i'll building
this road may be obtaineasNf the coun-
ties of Coffey, WoodsOn, Wilson and
Montgomery, and additional aid may
be obtained Ill the shape of Usage lands.
Such road would not only make the
entire Verdigris Valley solely tributary
To Topeka, but it would also make u
valuable portion OF the Neosho Valley
within our reach and control. The
trade from those sections would be i'm
mense and would of itself build up a
city. Shall not Topeka have it? Let
our public-spirited citizens consider this
matter and work it up.-KGRSaS State
Commonwealth.