New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-12-06
WESTERN DEVELOPMENT.

AN ENGLISH COLONY IN KANSAS.
The opening of railroad communication be-
tween the Eastern aud Western regions UDiGed
States has induced numerous companies from abroad 10
settle upon the many fertile One OF
successful Of these colonies is Victoria. situated what
has been called the Great American Desert on the
OF the Kansas Pacific Railway and nearly in the centes
Of Kansas. The circumstances Of its origin fol-
lows
In the Autumn OF 1872 George Grant an Engishman-
who travelling here for and recreation after
having visited nearly every portion of the United
States was impressed with the advantages OF the
gon for sheep farming. He accordingly purchased 8
tract OF land in the eastern part Of Ellis County.
Kansas comprising about 10000 To this another
purchase added, the entire tract being IS miller
wide and 80 long, $40 square miles. This region
watered In the north by the Saline River which "a
slightly bracks and the necessity sailing thu
cattle the Victoria River. or Big Creek. as IL
formerly called, which is kept well filed by
springs, runs through the center; the Smoky Hill
River, which is never entirely dry. supplies the wants
merous. aud water always be obtained from
wells The soil is from four TO 20 feet In depth. and
yields rich. thick Of short Tnis grass
when dried and withered in August and September
stock other crops will grow. but Mr. Grant wishes
reserve the land chiefly for sheep-farming Timber o.
found very frequently fine quality of limestone for
building crops out III many places This purchase. of
course only the alternate sections but tho
settlers arrive those reserved by tho Government
often taken up in some OF the ways provided Mr..
Grant may purchase the rest OF Ellis County.
The frat company Of settlers arrived IN May last and
with the additions UP TO this time number about
sons Many who have bought land there have yet
moved, but will do SO in the Spring. Those who have
made their homes In this district mainly OF tho
class of Englishmen, from the nobemans son 70
the good class Of farmers Mr. Grant will go TO England.
on Dec TO- the Cunard steamer Algeria, expecting TO
return April next. with another large body OF
emigrants In addition 20 the English settlers SEVERN
gentlemen in this city have made investments thcfc.
All that has been done thus far has been manly o ~,
Grant himself He already has over AGO sheep OF a
ferent varieties and Of the finest blood He has also ~
Cotswods aud 40 Biscathrope rams worm w
England. Ho has eight shorthorn bulls, ana lou,
Aberdeenshlre Poles OF the highest pedigree he ns I
bull year Old Count dc Brunnow, hat ptotn' a.,
the celebrated bull Breastplae," which took tue NV"
premium at the st. Louis fair. -. IA
Next Summer he expects 20 have 10000 sheep NM
10000 cattle ranging this vast farm IN orHel %
courage this farming on large SCALE not loss ,has.
ton Is sold, aud many take Win the ne 40
who are coming, the work OF next year VIII 20 and
out city near the railroad with schootnouses ~
churches to plant tracts of forest and rut uvcs
pillow the land for necessary crops ana perfect w" a
engagements for the special WORK. sneeP rnn .nsss
City OF Victoria will ne about $50 miles wes OF
CITY, ON the Kansas Pacific Road and ~,l % alu ous ~
large lots more like collection OF country VILLAGES
"a city This railroad traverses the cehtfaI P.sses
the COLONY and gives its Inhabitants special
Fifty thousand acres OF land VIII prooa"v NO scr
under cultivation the coming season' anu tho ps"
making a forest growth ON the same isfso 800
The rnectntions In regard 10 stock raising nave
men Toned aboye Mr.. Grant takes great priao III
Founding and progress OF tho COLONY no nAs Wix""s
aud Iecls assured VI sus'1,s~