davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1876-04-06
UNION TOWNS HIP.
J. l.. COOPER.

EDITOR EAGLE: This is one of the
largest organized townships in the
county, containing about two Con-
gressional townships. 1t lies south
and west Of the Big Arkansas and to-
wards the northwest part of the
county. The Big river forms the
boundary OIL the east and north.
The land is about equally divided
between bottom and upland. Surface
slightly undulating. Near the Big Ar
kansas river and bordering it huge
sand mounds are frequently met with,
covered with wild plums, sumach: and
grape vines. Cowskin creek flows
southeast through the western part OF
the township. Its bed is deeply in
denied in the surface and numerous
springs are found along its banks.
Several beautiful groves of timber
cluster in its curves, and clumps OF
trees mark its entire course. Seen
during the prevalence of a mirage
these groves present a novel and pic
turesque appearance. This is n phe-
nomenon peculiar to this part of Kan
sas. Some calm, pleasant morning a
haziness is observed in the atmos-
phere. Trees are pictured in the sky
in an inverted position, and houses APP
pear perpendicularly elongated to
twice their real height: groves and
houses, at other times invisible, are
now plainly elevated to view. Alto
gether it is a sight truly interesting
aud grand.
Between the Big river ami Cowskin
the big slough winds its tortuous
course. Its banks are low and waters
clear, and, considering its extremely
crooked course. has fair current. 1t
has been proposed to make a valuable
water-power by cutting race from
the Big Arkansas to Cowskin creek.
Doubtless at no distant day this will
be accomplished. Timber on the Big
Arkansas is scarce, consisting OF few
slight groves of cottonwood.
The first settlement was made in
1860; present population 426: home
stead and pre-emption lands all taken.
The Atchison, Topeka Il Santa Fs
railroad holds considerable land in
this township. Lands can be bought
at reasonable prices.
There are eight school houses i'll the
township and one post Office--Eldridge,
located near The northwest corner.
The Methodist have several appoint
ments, regularly filled by the Rev. Mr..
Hamilton. in charge. Rev. Mr.. Ash
ley, Congregationalist, breaches regu-
larly. Thore are three Oranges in the
township, namely, Harmony, Union
and Pleasant View. The influx of new
corners is constant, and the area Of
lands is yearly increasing.
Here, where five years ago the buff
falo had scarcely disappeared, and
Texas herds roamed at will, great
fields of wheat of brightest green now
greet the eye, and young orchards and
forest trees are growing finely. Should
nothing befall them many settlers will
this year eat tho fruit of their own
planting.
Thus is the wilderness tanned. Thus
are new empires formed. l hear the |
Tread of pioneers of Nations yet to be. |
J.J. BECKER.
The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1876-04-06
Frnm the Rloomingtnn Am ! Anncal.

Directly southwest OF Newton, on branch
line of twenty-scycn miles, is the famous city
OF Wichita, the shire term OF Sedgwck coun-
ty, and city OF magnificent prospects. Here
are probably the best farming lands to be
'ound In the Arkansas valley, rich in soil and
inexhaustble in fertility. II there is anything
that will not grow in the country round
about Wichita it is not known. SedSwicl1
county, we presume, has the largest area of
tilable soil, having the bottom lands of the
two Arkansas rivers. We think that Southern
Kansas, and especially the Arkansas valley, Is
thesbest agricultural and stock raising coun-
try we have ever seen. We found good class
OF settlers, no agGe,no shakes. no lawlessness,
except where NC have described, the people
contented and happy, with good society
churches and schools. ana no grave yards to
speak OF. Thee il raom FOR millions OF hard
working farmers and mechanics whs arc
struggling here for Il maintenance there with
the same amount OF effort is cOmpcnteEce
There is an abundance of government land TO
be taken up. snd the railroad offers it,. lands at
low figures to settlers Go west young
man
The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1876-04-06

we then had to convince us of the fer
tility of the soil was the immense
growth of grass, being eight to ten
feet high. There were no roads then
nothing but buffalo paths leading from
their grazing grounds to the watering
places at our ever-flowing crystal
streams. Now a good wagon road on
every section line. Then we had to
search for DAYS TO find the corner
stone of our land. Now our land
corners are all established and thrifty
growing hedge fence marks our
lines. Then the antelope and coyote
were roaming over our prairies I'M
molested. Now we see in lieu of them
herds of cattle and flscks of Cotswold
sheep, grazing summer and winter.
Then | could see, from my farm, one
house. Now | can see over two hum
bred and new ones appearing every
dav. Then there were no fields, farms
nor artificial forests to show that the
white man had ever been there. Now
we see nice and comfortable cottages,
groves of trees of every kind, bearing
peach trees by the thousand, wheat
fields containing from ten to one hum
dred and sixty acres, as green in Janu-
arv as our eastern blue grass pastures
arc in June.
have soft maple trees. from the
seed, five years old, that measure
twelve feet high and girt ten inches. L
raised onions from the seed that meas
ured seventeen inches in circumfer-
ence. 1t is useless for me to try TO es-
innate the rapid growth that our
county is making, and yet there are
hundreds of homeless families in the
east who do not believe it and do not
want TO because it is Kansas.
Respectfully.
GEO III. WAMSLEY.
The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1876-04-06
From the Kankake m y &C.

No wonder that Intelligent men in the ex.
cursiOn from Ohio who confessed TO having
never penetrated the west as far as Illinois,
had a new revelation when they found them
selves on the banks Of river. until recently
only known 10 geo.raphnrs supporting towns
riyaliEg their swn in thrift aud prosperity and
harvest iiei5> that would pai their contracted.
fenced lots 10 open blush Here was the best
portion OF the west ii the full glory OF IN
abundant harvest. Pharaoh might have dis
pensed with one or tw0 of reasons of plenty
in preparing FOX his famine had he such Z
gransry to resort to u we found in the
Arkansas valley.
The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1876-04-06

occupy good farms in good state Of
cultivation. a portion of the town
ship was settled by persons who made
necessary to obtain patents. But these
places are rapidly changing hands and
coming into possession of intelligent,
substantial farmers. The population
in 1875 numbered S2S, most of whom
came from Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and
Iowa; good citizens, who are rapidly
Transforming the wild prairie to the
appearance of an old settled country.
The mania for laying out towns and
specializing in town lots has not alto
gether escaped Delano. Jamesburg,
in the northeast part of the township,
contains post office and few build
ings. In 1871 company was formed
and town laid out on the west bank
of the Arkansas river, opposite Wich-
ita. For time this grew rapidly, en-
couraged by Texas trade, bad fording
and exorbitant rates of toll. Bnt on
the completion of the new free bridge
north of town, and the consequent
freeing of the Douglas Avenue bridge,
West Wichita received its death blow.
Since that time its principal business
has been to furnish claim houses for
the prairies west. There are four
school houses in the township, all
tasty, substantial structures, in all of
which good schools are taught by
competent teachers.
The first resident of Dclano could
tell many a sad story of privation and
hardship, of fears from frontier
desperadoes, and grasshopper raw
ages. But these times have passed
away. The frontier work of Delano
is done. The claims of the sqatters on
the prairies are changing, as if by
magic, into broad fields Of wheat and
corn. The low, dirt rooted, log cab
ms are being replaced by comfortable
and substantial dwellings. Instead of
armed dcsperadoes, law and order
holds sway, and the dawn of this Cen
tennial year brings hope and cncour-
agemcnt to the citizens of Delano.
Yours truly, OBSERVER.
The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1876-04-06
From the panYille nll.l Tiu.s

Wichita will ship out one million bushels of
wheat Of this years production. The soil of
the Arkansas valley is rich beyond any other
with which L can compare it, and is adopted to
the growth of all creals. l saw specimens of
wheat chin high and vegetables in profuse
variety all convincing evidence of the fatness
of the soil where they grew. Flax, timothy and
blue grass specimens were shown of equally
extravagant growth. Business pours through
the avenue of Wichita at a lively rate int!iea-
tive OF the brisk trade the city controls.
Handsome residences and tastetully arrayed
lawns and flower gardens greet the stranger
Unexpectedly at almost every turn.
The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1876-04-06
From the Quincy nu.l Herald

The question is not what we can write. but
what we can leave out, anda difficulty ut once
presents itself where we shall bsgin and where
we shall end. No mart of Illinois, in its PALM
est days, ever dispIaye such production OF
cereals, and the sight of wheat ard barley
already in shock, thousands Of acres ready for
the harvester. and the advanced stage OF the
latter grains, drew from the beholders invol-
untary ordinations OF admiration and won
der. AT Wichita where a public reception
was given in the hall of the town. the hall was
decorated with agricultural specimens, such
as are seldom seen in county fairs Of the most
favored spot IN any of the older settled vest
ern states, and equaled only by the best days
OF the Genessee Valley IN New York. The
Cottonwood valley opens into the Great
Arkansas Valley-great in everything which
constitutes greatness in extent of production.
The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1876-04-06
From the Hancock nna., Democrat.

The roads are splendid in all parts of the
country. as good as can be found anywhere
Land sells for 81 80 to So 80 per acre accord
ing to quality and location. City property i.
desirable and valuable. Our parry were taken
in vehicles to the country where the waving
fields Of grain were to be seen on all sides
The sight was 4 grand one, and if our Han.
cock grangers had only been present. they
would forever Danish the old saying ''there i
no place like home" as y grand mistake.
Away out here in this wilderness OF the west
farmer would soon become one of the lords
OF creation. Prairie dogs are common on the
plains. They are Of a brown color, about
the size Of a gray squirrel, with head re-
sembling bull pup. They live in dog towns.
Passing by they will get on top Of their houses
and bark with great vim,
The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1876-04-06

Around Wichita the crops are magnificent,
and the soil as good as can be found anywhere
on the continent. The farmers are in the
midst Of the wheat harvest at the presence
time, and although but very little OF the crop
has been thrashed, all agree that the yield
will average So to 40 bushels per acre Some
Of tho threshers have made contracts with the
farmers to take all over forty bushels per acre
tor threshing and cleaning. The oats crop is
heavy. and but one poor field was observed on
the whole route. The eastern members OF the
excursion party were enthusiastic in their
praise of the great Arkansas valley, many Of
them declaring it to be the finest and most
productive region they had ever sees. They
took special pains to soc for Themselves, gath
ering samples every time the train stopped,
and examining the soil.
The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1876-04-06
From the chaisworth an Plainde.ler

Are the people OF Kansas suffering: is ask
ed by many. I his question cal be answered
in very few words. The only pssple that
suffered IN Kansas from the loss Of crops BY
grasshopper-, the last season, would starve il
placed in the Garden of Ellen. Should there
be any in this locality who are bound TO
change their location. we commend them to
the Arkansas Valley as being the garden spot.
Everybody was more than pleased with the
climate. The summer days average about
with those of Illinois At sunset brisk.
cool and invigorating breeze springs and con-
tinues until warmed by the sun rays of the
following day. The only persons who are the
victims Of grim death, are the aged; these
dry up and blow away during the csol even
Ing zeDhyrs
The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1876-04-06

But readers you must not get alarmed. The
Arkansas valley in Kansas will produce
enough this year to feed the entire state, and
Kansas will export 100000 bushels of wheat
to supply the eastern demand for that article.
At their public hall they showed US corn niEa
feet high, wheat six and a'half, with heads five
inches long, oats and rye Of unusual proper
tions, together with vegetables such as tur-
nips, beets, potatoes and squashes, large as
teacups, cabbage as large az a hat, radishes,
onions, ETC., of unusual dimensions Also
timothy, Hungarian and orchard grasses OF
immense hight. Here is the finest country
mortal eye ever looked upon. Its gradusI. un-
duIating hills, its beautiful valleys and its
ma gnificent water courses. skirted on either
side by a heavy growth of timber. all of which
is interspersed with the most prosperous farm
scenery with its richest harvest of wheat, rye,
oats, barley corn and vegetables. making it
one of the most delightful sights that the
Imagination can conceive
The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1876-04-06
From ele Wooster Cohio) Republic

IL would be unchlyalric TO omit TO mention
domestic observation. il such an expression
u allowable. A man whose breast does no.
heave with emotions at the sight OF female
losclino>s on the borders OF civilization, ought
to be chained to the North pole. We saw fe-
male loneliness in all It's Iullness in Western
Kansas. We have looked with awe on the
fierce b!ack-eyed beates of Louisiana, With
admiration on the heavenly -eyod maids of
Maryland. with irrepressible pride on the
glorious girls of our own glorious Ohio, but
Ter uuadorned, unaffected, simple beauty
give us the golden-hsired. bright-eyed 1.-The
figured, damssk-cheeked damsels Of Wichita
The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1876-04-06

Near Wichita we passed over the first
prairie yet seen and it looked home like. Har-
vesters were busy in the rich fields of wheat
and every inch of unoccupied ground had
agricultural wealth in it, Here we.were with
in fifty miles oil the Indian Territory setting
down to n supper in a hotel whose furnishing
cost $4,000. We had immense beets, turnips.
radishes and other vege tables to show what
the Arkansas valley could do
The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1876-04-06

DIR. Durand, the worthy master OF the Dis
trict Grange. is now engaged in visiting the
oranges OF the county, locturing on the SUBJ
ject OF cooperation, and instruetng in the
work Of the Order. From the reports we are
receiving from the meetings, they appear to
be large and enthusiastic, many members
visiting from neighboring oranges. At one
meeting, we understand, four candidates were
initiated one night. These reports are very
gratifying 10 ms, for 1t indicates that the pros
porous times that we are now enjoying are
also having their effect upon the grange or
ganizatiou and infusing n new life into 1t.
The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1876-04-06

As to the healthrulness of the climate the
testimony was universally favorable. Pull
monary and bilious diseases are almost un.
known. We heard no complaint OF bad
health. On the contrary the people appeared
TO be full OF vigor and life Much of the land
is yet oper TO presumption. Claims can often
be bought very cheap. Other lands sell from
two to eight dollars per acre. according to the
Improvements aud location. The railroad
lands vary from two to eleven dollars per
acre
The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1876-04-06
From TIE Marietta fohio) aegis.ca

Wichita is 4 fair sample Of thriving town
-four years cid and claiming 1900 nhabit.
aowb il story our readers will believe. bu.
clear way your doubts, we can't tell half
Far away rs eye can carry it is the same, one
6oundless stretch of gold and green reaching
TO the horizon all around. In Imagination
when the farmers race is run, he has only to
walk to the limit OF his visien and climb the
blue stairway to the skies. 1t would seem
that no drouth or dearth could come 10 make
tired of life. If you want to farm and have
little money. there is your chance. But go to
stick. Nine times ont of tea ii VIII end well
These are the conclusions OF one who spent
five days in Kansas. Fhc Arkansas valley IS
equal to the best climate soil well rs all 9TH
er advantages.
The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1876-04-06
From the Princeton ana Advance

We are at Wichita The heart of the great
Arkansas valley. At this place we met Judge
Harris and family. formerly from Iowa. and
his sons Kog and Kos who showed us over the
city. This whole county has been settled only
four years and | believe no country can make
such a showing of crops. Winter wheat is
the prevailing crop and yields as high as fifty
bushels to the acre. Ifyou must go west you
can find no better land
The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1876-04-06

From Valley Centre to Wichita. we are
passing through one of the most productive
valleys ever given to man. The climate is at
least four weeks earlier and longer than Central
Ohio. and being on an altitude nearly 1000
feet above us. and far removed from any
considerable heavy body of water, they have
4 dry. pure and inviSoratlng atmosphere tnat
almost excludes sickness from their midst.
The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1876-04-06
From tine Macon n,IA Eagle

In the vicinity of Wichita, the heavy yield
and magnitude OF the crops were surprising
editors from Ohio, Iowa. Indiana, Illinois, and
other states. popped out with astonishment
ut the great wheat fields and at the corn fields,
in immense acreage, from five TO nine feet
hioh
The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1876-04-06

From the Decatur Qil.) Daily Republican.
All who composed the party viii return 10
their homes with grateful remembranccs oil
the generous. oper-hesrted citizens oil Kan
sas. and with the hope that her far reaching
prairies will contribute year after year to re-
ward SO abundantly The Industries OF her poo
pie, and that the grasshoppers VIII never again
lay waste her fertile pra!rics. Surely. great
future awaits Kansas
The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1876-04-06

Hero We enter the vast praries of the
Arkansas valley, ;ao country OF Heavens own
choice, apparently. for when WAS ever such
uniformity of life. beauty and climate? Cattle
Craze on 4 thousand hills and the earth smiles
with an abundant harvest. and wheat in par
tictiar, that would delight the heart Of an
Illinois husbandniau
The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1876-04-06
From the Homer nlIl Pres.

To say that the future of this great western
country tributary to the Atchison. Topeka Il
Santa Fe>railroad will be magnificent, is but
to state fact. and the ultimate settling up OF
all unoccupe,l lands west of Atchson is only
\ matter OF time. The railroad is doing every
thing in its power to advance the cultvatio n
aud increase the valtie of its land
The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1876-04-06

Advance Grange, WIN. Lockara Maste'
NJ. Camp, Secretary, Seigwick CITY Meets
lst and 81 Wednesdays in each month, p. m.
''Ninncscah Grange. "-wilIitln Ross, Master.
Mary Il. Chambers, Secy., Clear Water. Meets
LIST saturday before ftll moon of each month.
"wakulla Grange. &c S Zimmerman, Master.
7. j. Smith, Secretary, Scdgwick CITY. Meets
2d Saturday IN each month AT II n. m.
"Gcm Grange, "-F. J. Canton Master.
5. NJ. Beidcn, Secretary, Valley Center. Meets
81 "Wednesday before fall moon OF each month at
6p. IN.
'.Prairie Gem Grange, ''-v. c. Cartwright,
Master.
J. b. York, Secretary, Wichita.
''Attica Grange, John Kelly, Master.
} Il. McNicker, Secretary, Aftioa-
yosemite Grange ~ j. Williams, Master.
j. u. Malcolm, sec'y., Ohio Center.
"Clarion Grange''-C. A. vanNcss, Master.
Mrs. J. {. slaven, Secretary, Clarion. Meets
LIST saturday in each month y. m.
''Grant Grange, III. I. Dewing Master.
Minnie Beach, Secretary Valley Center Meets
LIST and 81 Saturdays in each month at y. m.
VALLEY Graage, - E. p Thompson, Master.
Geo. W Dennis, Sec'y., Wichita.
pheasant Hill Grange''-Harry Martin Master,
q. Martinson, Secretary, Wichita Meets LIST
Saturday of each month at p. IN.
''waco Grange, ~ A. Nelson, Master,
Edwin Gee Secretary, Waco. Meets ID Satur-
day OF each month.
Rockford Grange. ~. Hout Minnich, Master
j. Hui bauer, Secretary, FL Paso. Meets I'd
Friday of each month at p. IN.
''Fairview Grange"-s II Haden, Master.
q. II. Wamsley, Secretary, Wichita. Meets
2d and a,h Saturdays of each month at 2 p. IN.
''Union Grange, ~. W. White, Master.
X. :. Bell. Secretary, Eldridgc.
Evergreen Grange, Nv. T. Likely, Master.
J. L. Morrison, secretary Wichita. Mrcts
and 4th Saturdays OF each month at p. IN.
Lone Star Grange III IL Miller, Master
Thos Williamson, Secretary, FL Paso. Meets
I'd frida. of each month a; =. m.
pheasant View Grange, '-P. Watts, Master.
ii. Glessner, Secretary, WIGHT
'TIlinois Grange''-Jas Sacket Master,
Albert Leichhart, Secretary, Wichita. Meets
Thursday before I'd Saturday each month al :.
O'Clock p. m.
"Home Grange, "-wiliam o'Brien, Master,
J. ID. Clifford, Secretary, Wichita. Meets (. :
and ith Saturday OF each month at p. IN.
'sPayne Grange 81 Devore, Master,
james Wilson, Secretary, Greenwich p. o
Meets 2d and 4th Saturdays OF each month.
"Cowskn Grange"-Jas. p. Barnett, Master.
Frank Dale, Secretary, Eldridge
'oro Grunge, III. d. wikon, Master.
NJ A. RALPH, sec'y., Wichita
''Minneha Grange, John Feagan, Master.
VIM. II. Ferris, Secretary, Wichita. Meets LIST
and 81 Fridays OF each month at =. m.
eden Grange"-A. j. Wolcott Master,
Wn:. simpson, Secretary, Wichita. Meets ID
and 4th Thursdays Of each month at p. m.
mount Hope Grange, Amos N. Durand,
Master.
Mrs. Maggie Baird, Secretary, Mount Hope.
Meets lst aud 81 Thursdays IF each month at Z
D. m.
Harmony Grange, Nv Woodruff Master
4. a. Dorsey, Scc'y, Jamesburgh
''Seltz-er Springs Grange, ~ W Bear, Master
d. PierpBHi, Secretary, Miuneha. Meets I'd
and 4th Saturdays of each monjhat p IN.
''Grccnieaf Grange''-E. W Waters Mas err
1hos. n. Preston, secretary, III Paso
The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1876-04-06
From the washipgton nnd., Gazette

At this place the Big and Little Arkansas
rivers unite. and in proof of the richness,ot the
soil, the industry OF the people, and the enter
prisins spirit Of the Inhabitants in general,
what better evidence do you want than that
less than five years ago the savage "Lo'
roamcd the wild prairies there. and that the
present site of Wichita was sold to Dutch
man for three cows. The noble red man has
left these plains, and no longer does his squaw
sing OUT akarusa' while bathing in the pacif-
ie waters of the streams that course their way
through Sedgvick county.
The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1876-04-06
From the crawfor,isville und.) Journ al.

Although this part of the state has been set
tied but i've years, yet one can easily imagine
that he is in an old settled country with its
good farm houses and Its expansive acres Of
corn and wheat. Unlike the older portions of
the state, However, there are no fences. Kan
sas has herd law which, it seems is optional
with each county to adopt or reject by a
vote Wisely in this part OF the state they
have adopted it, and the great expense Of
fencing is saved.