The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1871-08-03
BUTLER COUNTY.
AUGUSTA, July %, 1871.

AUGUSTA, July %, 1871.
To the Edior Of the Times:
One year ago / visited the Walnut Valley
for the first time. July Is, 1870, a treaty
was made with the Osages, whereby the
Dimished Reserve, or "Thirty Mile Strip, "
was ceded to the Government - not to be
opened for settlement, however, till after sur
vey, which survey was not made till February
following. One year ago, then, this magni-
ficent thirty mile strip had but few pioneer
settlers. Now, behold!
The Land Office at this place received the
first plats of the "Strip" on the 10th inst,
two weeks ago. A few days must intervene
before the people could get notice. Up to
last night the Office had received five hundred
and thirteen filings of declaratory statements;
one hundred and forty five actual entries and
payments, and have docketed about sixty
cases for contests. Surprise seizes the mind
of every stranger. The land officers are as
tonished. And yet, the business has but just
commenced. The land Office is harvesting
money. The lawyers are harvesting money.
Hard times we read about in the papers, but
they are too far off to trouble us in Southern
Kansas.
1t is estimated that Cowley county contains
a population to-day of 5000 souls. Win
field, the county seat, which one year ago
contained two buildings, now has about 125,
among which are two good hotels, two others
in process of erection, a stone church, (Bap-
tist, } Methodist Church, Ia Congregational
Church soon to be built, and fine two
story school building. No town can boas. Of
a better society. What has done it all Sim
ply land for the actual settlers only.
Why do you find thousands Of acres va
cant in Leavenworth county? What mean
those far-stretching miles Of uncultivated
prairie in all those fine counties bordering
the railroads of the State? Only railroad
land grants and spectators more.
Observe the difference. 1t is believed that
every quarter section in Cowley County will
he occupied by an actual settler in one year
from this time. Is il not better then 10 give,
and to sell at government price, the lands to
the people, than to bestow them on railroad
to sell out to the people at from
five to ten dollars per acre? Give the lands
to the people, say /, and let the people aid
the railroads. Why, Cowley county, only
one year old, is talking strongly Of voting
on a proposition in aid OF four different rail-
roads, an amount of $3.50, 10000 Of her bonds.
And our old county of Leavenworh, seven
teen years old, l see, contains individuals
who think its wise to withhold their aid to
the propositions now before them, and there
by forever Lose the prestige and wealth
which those propositions. carried out, viii
certainly heap upon them. Why will farm
ers endeavor to make distinction in inter-
ests Of town and county? What makes
farms between Harrisburg and Philadelphia,
with not as good soil as lands in Leaven-
worth county, worth from three TO five humid
red dollars an acre? They are within
,adius of one hundred miles of the great
.ity of Philadelphia A city of 100, 900
population in Leavenworth county would
make every acre of cultivatable land within
1er limits worth from $4,000 or $4,000
per acre-,hai is, with fair improvements
must have those roads. She |
mist have another one. The road TIA Do |
,ota to Ottawa She must have all those
or, to her shame be it spoken, ve
hall soon beat her in population, in wealth,
n railroads, in every thing which makes Life
away down here, almost out Of tie
,or,a in Covley county. ]. N. A.