The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1876-10-07
LETTER FROM KANSAS.
TOPEKA, September 25th, 1876.
CIRCUS DAY.

CIRCUS DAY.
Yesterday was lively day in Topeka
| llowe's circus exhibited here, and having
been advertised extensively for several
weeks, a strong turnout of Jayhawkers :"
was the result. For several days previous,
business had been very quiet among the
merchants, few country people having made
their appearance upon our streets, evidently
holding mp for the show, when they pro-
posed to verify that old adage of killing
two birds with one stone see the clown
and do their trading. Early on Saturday
morning, the streets began to be thronged
with wagons of the country people, loaded
with men, women and children; butter,
eggs, chickens, apples and potatoes. One
store, on that day, took in of butter alone
800 or 600 pounds, and other farm products
in proportion. All this is traded out in the
purchase of groceries, dry goods and family
necessaries, a general assortment.
1t was amusing IL see the uountry folks,
nom the infant to the gray haired man and
woman, perched about on boxes, counters
and every convenient object which afforded
a seat, taking lunch about noon.
COUNTRY TRADE.
From DISTANCE Of thirty miles, the
iarmers come to Topeka to trade, bringing
in large quantities of butter and eggs, and
the merchandising business is, in eonse-
quence, a thrifty business in this young
| fitY, with every prospect of steady in
crease, as the country in all directions is
! nlling up, and the agricultural population
constantly on the increase. The butter
traffic is particularly large here, and much
of the article of very fair quality. Thirty
| miles IN this country are as easily and
quickly Travelled as fifteen IN Gid peei., the
country peing without nils, but gently
rolling ana the roads mostly as smooth as
y turnpike. There is Rot muoh money
| paid out by the dealers for farm products,
such as butter, eggs, chickens, etc, but
trade is taken in pay, and the merchants
invariably realize handsome profits, on the
barter.
The farmers, with scarcely az exception,
! Sl!.as Jot! DO hS!hS tH''tiiSSht anu
| genteef people, without at.ectation, while
the wives and daughters are hale and
bpxom, ana tidy in their less and appear
ance.
STEADY PROGRESS OF TIE CITY.
Topeka has changed population about
three times, | am told, since its founding,
| ~, lo, with ooI,
change. Every Lay Strangers come to
town, looking up a new home and business
and many Of them loGate here claiming
that after looking over a large extent of
territory, that there are attractions peculiar
to this place not met with elsewhere
Some whom | have conversed with recently
who have made the tour of the middle
block of Western States, and visited a
number of localities IN t!.a d. States while
| taxing the Centennial IN their excursion.
claim that Topeka presents more bust
ness and thrifty appearance than any town
they have visited. Certain it is that almost
every house il FoEn - sceup,ed, and a
CONSTANT inquiry is made OF the real estate
men for houses to rent. All the older bust
ness men claim that "times are much
better here than they have been for several
years previous. Any man with but lin
tied amount of cash in hand, who las an
aptneSs e ..,s,ness, ought to do we'll here;
bat 1t is risky TO go to any strange country
entirely destitute Of means, and especially
so if a man has a family on his hands
DISPENSING JUSTICE IN TOPEKA
! Court h2" $50. ~ session ICr the last
three or four weeks, and it is jolly to see
the manner of dispensing justice here
His Honor is long, loose iointed dignitary,
without much dign.ty. :. Ell otho Scott in
personal appearance, but said to be able
and learned in the law. The Court House,
county offices and Jail are all included il
one building, the basement being occupied
as a prison. The building stands on the
street like any other business block, and
: the !gienos OF the prisoners can have free
access to those in limbo through the care
lessly grated windows, and if they are il
need of II knife, saw, or other tool to aC
their escape, they are generally supplied
and Jail deliveries are not remarkably rare
But the court room, while the Court i.
5 in session, would make the heart or Bot
,an,iyer g,a4' 'fne Judge occupies The
seat Of justice, with both feet, ensconceC
in pair Of old slippers, resting on The
desk, while he reclines at his ease. waiting
- ioI ihe s,o?I ,anse.s 10 gs' ready and thu
latter take things amazingly leisurely
The Clerk, who appears to be a politician
: walks about the court room in his shir
sleeves, if the day is warm, talking polite