The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1871-08-18
NOTES OF TRAVEL.

To The Editor Of the Emporin NerS:
''WheI ignorance is bliss It's folly TO
be wise" We never fIllyrealized the
truth of this aphorism till very recent
~, and in order that you may under
stand why its verify has so forcibly i'm
pressed as OF late, we will herewith
proceed TO explain. r's-
Your correspondent, III company with
several others, left the metropolis OF
this State, some two weeks ago, with
tho intention of visiting that, to US,
hitherto unknown region generally de-
nominated Southern Kansas" Of
course we had frequently heard Of this
portion of The State, and had known
many who had left their homes in the
east and north to br;ld up new ones on
its free, vast prairie, 0nt it must be
confessed that we looked upon those
individuals with feelings of the deep
est pity, and regarded them in the
light OF martyrs, who had renowned
all tho comforts and pleasures of life, to
d0lvo ont a miserable existence in q
new, and as We, ia orr ignorance deem.
ed il, barren country. But Gaslly cir
cumstances so happened that we our
selves were obliged 20 come, for a time
at least, 70 this land of poverty and
desolatioa.
We came, wo saw, and vera conquer
ed. We found q glorious country,
where, instead of poverty reigning, we
saw prosperity and plenty on every
side. Rich plains of waving haTvests
gladden. the eye, while in place of desc
Iation, we discovered, springing mp ev-
erywhere, bright, comfortable little
homes. We wondered how it were
possible we had remained SO long time
in our city homes, where care and
strife are ever warning with our ambi-
tons, while close beside Us was lying
this beautiful country Offering the very
best advantages and privileges to those
who are willing to locate therein.
We might write page after page "
tolling this beautiful portion of our
State, had we the time or ability. HaY-
ing neither, we must rest satisfied with
simply describing very small part of
it, In our ride over the rolling plains
from Newton to Arkansas City We had
plenty of time 0 notice aud admire the
many beauties In nature so constantly
spread out before Us. Our love for -
beautiful was continually gratifed
enchanting views of boundless distan-
ces stretching far away into infinite
apace, while occasionally, through TIE
intervening trees, would we catch
giinpses of quietly flowing rivers
brightly sparkling under the dazzling
rays OF the sun. Our feelings found
vent in little rapturous expressions and
intercctions, till when we came within
the limits of Cowley county, orr emo.
tons became too intense for words, and
would ia i sit quietly drinking in the
loneliness of the surrounding landscape,
content TO let eloquent silence proclaim
our appreciation of the scene. But oh,
when we reached our destination, Ar
kansas City, and standing upon an eIe-
waited knoll just north of the town, gaz-
ed down int the beautiful valley be-
fore US, lighted by the Last shimmeriug
rays OF sunset, we cried aloud;
''Fhere IL not in this wide world. valley so
sweet
AS that vale in whose bosom the bright WATERS
meet
The meeting of bright waters here
necessarily refers to the junction OF the
Arkansas and Walnut rivers. which
unto about half mile below this
point
We had formed the very erroneous
idea that this county was very thiniy
settled. Actual observation, however,
soon convinced US Of the contrary. We
found Cowley county as well if not
better settled than any other new coua-
ty In che State. The inhabitants are al
most all OF . superior class of people,
intelligent, cultivated, refined, prudent
and industrious. Especially have we
found them so in this little town oil
Arkansas City. The wonderful growth
and Improvement of this place bears
witness TO the courage, energy, and nm
firing perseverance of its citizens.
A little over year and p half ago
the town site was the home Of the buG-
alo and prairie wolf, over which they
roamed at their own free viii. To-day
stands town OF nearly fiye hundred
inhabitants Over a hundred goodly
buildings raise their aspiring fronts,
while several others are in process of
erection.
Arkansas City has every facility 20 |
make large and flourishiBg town. \
splendid geographical position, the fin
est natural resources, aud the Test C n
ncrcial and manufacturing advant .!
all contribute to Its successful develop |
ment. Railroad connections are speed |
ily anticipated, which when, completed, |
win draw yet more strongly the tide OF
emigration hither.
Looking across the golden bridge of
The present int the depths OF she shad-i
owy future beyond, we see bright and |
radiant prospects for this fair city O.
the pIsins. MIC.
TRIP TO THE INDIAN COUNTRY.
t-t.lT