The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1870-02-18
EMPORIA.

The following is an extract from aiet-
ter published in the Kansas City Jour
nal Of Commerce, and written by FL. s.
Millet, correspondent for the above pa
per. This gentleman visited our place
q couple of weeks since, and expressed
himself highly pleased with Emporia:
One of the most beautiful and pros
porous towns in Kansas is Emporia, the
county seat of Lyon. 1t is situated On
a level elevation of ground midway be-
tween the Neosho and Cottonwood rly-
ers, and bounded on all sides by rich
farming country. The town was laid
out in 1857, and grew rapidly until the
breaking out of the war, when 1t rested
from its Iabors. When peace was de-
clared, this place was among the hrst TO
feel its blessings, and for the past two
wears has improved at rate surprising
even to Western city builders. 1t now
has population of $500, and class of
business houses that would do credit to
q much larger point. Two hundred and
fifty houses were erected last year, and
we were informed that twelve business
houses are now under contract. Lots
on the principal street are held at prices
ranging from 81 600 TO $4,000, and resi-
dence property from $500 to $500.
Emporia is well off for public build
ings. She has, some six churches, three
hotels, and a fine court house, built of
stone, at a cost of $4,000. The State
Normal School is located at this place,
and occupies a splendid stone edifice.
This institution has an endowment of
10000 acres of land. The streets are
we'll supplied with sidewalks, and there
is a neatness and prosperous look along
them very agreeable to behold. A new
addition of forty acres has been laid out
by Mr.. Goodrich, northeast of town.
Two splendid iron bridges, one over the
Cottonwood and the other over the Neo-
sho, are now being completed. A care
full count shows that seventy-five car
penters are now at work on buildings in
course of construction, and contractors
expect to employ double that number in
short time.
The opening of the Southern Branch
road to this point, sixty-five miles, has
greatly increased its activity, and the
prospect of two more railways coming
here, do much towards making the flu
ture bright, and the present busy. En-
poria expects the Atchison, Topeka g
| Santa Fe, and the Kansas City & Santa
| Fe railroads to reach her with their iron
arms and should they, she will grow
rich in the commercial embrace. Here
are published two of the best papers in
the State. The News, by Stotler q Will
liams, and the Tribune, by Mains & Nix
on. Both are working hard for the adj
vancement of their beautiful home, and
richly deserve all that can be given them.
Lyon county is located almost in the
| center of the State, and comprises an
area of eight hundred and fifty-eight
square miles. 1t is we'll watered by the
Neosho and Cottonwood, and their trib-
utaries, and timber is found on all the
streams. The surface of the country is
rolling, and the soil rich, especially in
the valleys. The population Is estimat-
ed at ten thousand. There are forty
four organized school districts, and
thirty-two school houses, and the total
valuation of property is estimated at
nearly two millions. Improved land is
held at from S25 to $50 peracre, aud I'M
improved from So to S15.
We stopped at the Madison House,
and were well entertained. This hotel
is kept by j. A. Prutsman, aud well
kept, in spite of the crowds that daily
flow in upon him.