The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1872-09-19
rrio to the Little Arkansas and Sand Hills.

SHARPS CEEEK. September ~.
EDTToIs JOURNAL: A trip from Mr.. Mc-k's.
from the above named place. to the Little Ar
kansas and Sand Hills may be OF some interest
to your readers. Early on the morning o! the
5ih inst. small party of ladies and gentlemen
WAS seen To drive out toward the south: not
going far. however. before the road j. found
winding like serpent along the bushy banks
o! the mearderinc brook-fordng il here and
crossing bridge there. The banks are crowd
cd with ciumps OF live oaks. walnuts. elm.
cotton wood and various other description of
forest trees native o. this par. of Kansas. The
scenery rs nature has formed it is rather TO
mantle. But will not attempt TO interfere.
but only tel VIII Il We saw and what we know !:
OF The wild squirrels skipping gaily fro'a branch
and thence to the ground descending. would
scUmper to their homes in the trunk Of some
hollow tree The wild birds fill the air with
their mir,hful songs.
Leaving the creek TOR some distance, away
to our left. we are fast approaching the source
of the south branch. which is about eight or
ten miles from the Smoky, Of which the creek
here spoken Of is u tributary. And. Blythe
way. we saw some farms and farm houses and
fields of ripe corn by the way side. orchards
bur,lened with ripe fruit. OF all the buildings
that were seen. there was one all tidy and Kew
which stands high above the others and over
looking the valley for some distance above and
below. owned and occupied by an elderly gen.
tleman Of some sixty summers or more.
Alone: les. all alone: widower by the
babbIng brook side. Mother Gossip would
have him marry because he has such elegant
furniture and everything in good order about
his place. 1t is all in the taste of the man.
After passing one or two more habitations We
commence ascending the hill. which is rather
graveied. We We're hurled along against
strong southerly breeze at a rapid rate. One
would think that We had No.. driver in GO
ing at such a rate. The rcins were in trusty
hands. at least We though. so-one of the fair
or sex now having chief control of the never
firing team. We were soon landed in the
midst of 4 broad and beautiful! prairie. stretch
ing away 10 the southwark far beyond the Lit
tie Arkansas. n distance Of some fifteen miles
or more. To the east Turkey Greek IS seen in
the distance. There can be seen from this
point Summit between the Arkansas and
smoky the Smoky Hill Bui'es. which lie be-
tween the great valley OF the smoky Hill river
and that Of Dry creek. and to the south the
wen known sand Hills. known for the great
quantity OF sand n II plums. The scenery j.
Father grand and picturesque. Many trees are
visible Oh those hills. extending for miles east
and west. The sun shining upon the bright
sand casts a beautiful reflection through the
rich foliage of trees. and has the appearance
when first seen of some rich and gorgeous pal
aces. forming grand avenue FOL richness and
beauty. Numerous wild flower. dot the prai
RE near Us. Here aud there lone tree stand
b. the bank of river. Large herds of stock
grazing upon the yerdani grasses. vel, the
monotony OF prairie county.
After crossing the For H.rker road leading
10 Wichita We sooa came IL plain sight OF the
Little Arkansas and is tributaries the North
Fork with few scattering trees Lone Tree
Creek which has but one tree. and another still
east which must D. the most productive tree
growing creek in the eounfry-l think some
species Of movable trees. a No trees were no
ticed until our return. when 10, there were a
great many trees Bat some one could see a
herd in the same place, and TO decide this wha;
must we do but settle the discussion by leay-
ing the whole matter 10 Mr.. B.. well known
unmarried gentleman in that vicinity. and Miss
H.. Of our company. who. ii j. said WAS in
search OF husband Now Mr.. B.. through
courtesy. IS 4 matter well understood. gave
his decision in favor OF the ladies. and in con-
sequences We had bet our small change
there Was one loser TO three Or four winners.
You will pardon me II have rresspassed on
good nature. and now il you have the patience
We will cross the little river, or Little Arkans-
as. soon Ne are brought up in trout OF