Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1876-08-04
THE ARKANSAS VALLEY.

THE ARKANSAS VALLEY.
Principal Towns Between the Nilsson
ri River and Ihe Near Gold aud Sill
yer Mines OF colorado
Eds Tel:-Going west the first town af,
ter crossing the Missouri river on the new
iron bridge, is the flOurishing city of Atch-
ison, Kansas, on the west bank, with pop
ulation of about eighteen thousand. 1t is
the terminal point of eight railroads, the
aggregate length of which is nearly three
thousand miles. On these roads seventy-two
trains arrive and depart daily. Atchison
has twenty two schools, twelve churches,
and four newspapers. Midway between
Atchison and Topeka is Valley Falls, of
about one thousand inhabitants. 1t has
excellent water power in the vicinity, and
is surrounded by rich farming country.
The narrow guage Kansas Central from
Leavenworth also passes through this place.
Fifty miles west of Atchison we reach
TOPEKA,
! The capital of Kansas, a city of much nat
ural and artificial beauty presents strik-
ing business to other capitals. 1t is situa-
| ted on the Kansas river, which beside af-
fording unlimited water power, adds mate
rally to the beauty of the surrounding
scenery. The streets and avenues are very
wide. The buildings are large and of the
best style of architecture. Excepting Lit
tie Rock, Arkansas, Topeka includes the
largest area of any town of fifteen thou
sand inhabitants. The general offices and
shops of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa
Fee Railroad are here; also large rolling
MILL which is in successful operation. The
public schools are excellent, and the col
leges, Washburn College for both sexes,
and Bethany College, for young ladies,
are both first class institutions, and in
fourishfng condition. All denominafiens
of christians have churches here, and the
moral status Of the city is above the ave-
rage.
CARBoNDALE,
The first coal mining town on the road
west of Topeka, has population of about
six hundred, and is the western terminus
of the Lawrence and Southwestern Rail
road. from Pleasant Hill, Mo.
BURLNGAME,
Twenty miles west of Topeka is located on
the crossing of the old Santa Fee trail, and
is the capital of Ossage county. 1t has a
population of about seven hundred, fine
school house and brick Touring mill.
OssAGE CITY
Is called the principal mining town on the
road, and is an enterprising and growing
town. The mines here supply Southwest
ern Kansas as far west as Larned, with
coal. In the vicinity of Ossage is found
very fine ocre clay, which is extensively
manufactured into pottery ware, paint and
brick.
EMPoRIA
Is very attractive town of about three
thousand inhabitants, near the confluence
of the Neosha and Cottonwood rivers, in a
finely timbered region. Here the, Missou-
ri, Kansas and Texas Railroad crosses the
Atchison and Santa Fe. One of the prin-
cipal streets, which runs from the depot
north. shows rows of substantial and hand
some brick stores, and at the farther end
the beautiful building of the State Normal
SchO9l. The soil around Enporia is very
deep, rich and productive, and there are
many fine apple and peach orchards.
fFIoaExcE I
Is a. the junction of Cottonwood river and
Doyle crG,ek, both fine streams flowing
through valltvs well wooded. 1t has a
population of about five hundred. There
are four churches, good schools, new hour
ing mill and stock yards, fun which are
shipped from eight to ten thonsa. I'd cattle
annually; also valuable quarries, INom
which were shipped over three thousand !
car loads last-yesr.
PEABODY,
OF about six hundred inhabitants, has a
two story store, four churches, a school
house, public library and weekly news
paper. Society is good, and the farming
land is of superior quality.
NEWTON
Is the capital of Harvey county and has a
population of about two thousand. This |
is a good business point and commands the |
trade Of large area of choice farming and
grazing lands. Here the Wichita branch
of the road interseets the main line.
WICHITA,
On the Arkansas river, twenty seven miles
south of Newton and two hundred and ten
miles west of Atchison, has three thou
sand inhabitants, and is surrounded by an
excellent agricultural, grazing and fruit
growing country.
HUTCHINSON,
The capital Of Reno county is the next
town of importance west of Newton, and
is located on the north bsuk Of the Arkan-
sas, at the mouth of Cow creek, where the
main line of the road first strikes the Ar
kansas River. Hutchinson is a vigorous
young city oftwo thousand, and is a remark
able illustration Of rapid development as
the town is less than five years old. There
are two live newspapers here, four church
es, thirty Thousand dollar school house.
a large steam Touring mill, and five mile
mill race, ir.st completed, on which large
brick fiou' ing mill is being built, with
capacity of grinding two Thousand bushels
OF wheat daily.
The county has the largest area OF rich
valley land in the state, and with plenty oil
sunshine, short and mild winters, good
markets, good society, remarkable health
iulness, and not a liquor saloon in the city
or county, l consider its prospects very
bright, and see no reason why farmer or
stock raiser should not succeed well in this
N cinity. There is good Government land
Wit lin few miles Of the city that may be
preern pted, homesteaded or timber claimed ;