The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1871-03-24
SUMNER COUNTY AND ITS TOWNS.
ELpoRApo, March IS, 1871.

ELDoRADo, March Is, 1871.
EDITORS News Some three weeks
ago, promised to write about Sumner
county. Twice since then have visit
ed it, and attended five or six MEETINGS
therein, but have not found time to
write. An hours leisure is now cheer
fully devoted to the redemption of the
promise.
There are three fords across the Ar
kansas into Sumner: One three miles
south of west line from Winfield, cal
led Ruffingtons-another four miles
above at the mouth of the Ninescah, ard
still another three miles further up,
where Mr.. Richard has Ferry. Cross
ing, here lands Que into the broadest,
longest and richest valley in Southern
Kansas, lying between the waters of
Cow Skin and Ninescah. This stream
is in most places deep, sandy and nicely
skirted with Cottonwood timber, and
now has on its north bank a settlement
of about forty families, within ten miles
from its mouth. Eight miles little
north of west from Richards ferry, is
starting up new town called Belle
Plains; and as it is the nearest to most
of the voters, will probably obtain the
county site-over its competitors, Sum-
ner City and Meridian City further
south.
Three weeks since the citizens (thirty-
two) on the Ninescah met to organize a
military company, and claim protect
ing associations. AS an idle rumor had
been started that Indians might raid in
upon them-the opportunity was taken
to ask the Governor for arms to be used
for Buffalo, or the Cheyennes as occasion
might offer. The probabilities of this
or any other tribe attacking settlers
then, are little greater than that the
Quaker Mission should do so. But they
did need and they did have an associa-
ton to protect claims, offering to all
honest emigrants an equitable and eff
cient code to this end. In week after
(the 1st Saturday in March) they again
met and in a business like manner per-
fected their bylaws whereby to hold
thO Va NoS ,
after foundation, and sixty if provi-
dentially detained from returning; and
then ninety days after house is raised
to the square.
The next day, Sabbath, all within
reach came to. religious meetings morn
ing and evening, and are expecting soon
to organize church.
Two miles below the mouth of the
Ninescah, on the west bank of the Ar
kansas, the ground rises handsomely
and affords the richest view upon the
river. Here is starting up another viii
lage, under the auspices of Captain l..
Binkley. The surrounding fine land
and abundant timber, with suitable en-
terprise will make this town and settle
ment a success. An island of some $50
acres of splendid yellow cottonwood
close by will.furnish settlers with tim
Der to build their houses and fence their
lands-while on many claims contigu-
Gus to the Ninescah and Arkansas, there
is timber enough and 10 spare. The
fact too, that this point is on a due west
line from Winfield to Sumner City, the
geographical center of the county
will make in it's favor as to a thorough
fare. The crossing is now good, in a
boat free for foOtmen, and good ford
just above. Besides there is an effort
now on foot to put in ferry boat di-
rectly opposite Asptawa, and q saw and
shingle mill near their timbered land.
AS these are sure to succeed soon
lumber will be out of free timber, cheap
and abundant. A good smith and other
mechanics are going in, by the side of u
good store, insuriDg some of the con-
veniences settlers need. Those who
wish to secure good claims there had
better lose no time, as they are being
taken rapidly.
Besides Neptawa and Belle Plains,
Sumner City, ten miles due west of
Neptawa, and MERIDIAN City 8 or 10
miles south of Sumner, are starting up.
In due time, no doubt these will make
towns, and one of them may eventually
get the county site; though as 1 have
said the first vote will probably give it
to Belle Plains.
The land, the water and the timber
of this county are better than many
others, and inferior to few if any. But
Ter and Cowley have more timber and
water, but no better soil; nor can new
settlers obtain these conveniences with
out buying in said counties while they
are lying open to them in Sumner. 1t
gives me pleasure to say further, that
the class of immigrants in this county
are above the average. Such as intend
to swear, steal, jump claims, &C., will
find no welcome in Sumner county ;
while the honest, the decent and the
pious will be greeted with joy.
AS the Arkansas river is sandy and
ohapgesble, many are afraid to UNDER
take to cross It, bpt es it has two or
three ferries, and is generally shsllow,
there is no more danger than In other
streams. Besides, it and its tributaries
offer to the settlers an abundance of
good fish, weighing from 10 to 20 and
50 pounds. For several weeks families
there haye feasted on this delicious
meat, W.P.