The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1876-11-30
rcorresDoDdepee of the News.
Letter from Southwestern
SOUTHWEST KANSAS, Nov. 20, 1876.

SOUTHWEST KANSAS, Nov. 20, 1875.
DEAR NEws:-Last Monday usth inst.l opened
with storm of rain, sleeI and snow, and continu-
ed all through Tuesday. giving this country quite
a winterish appearance, and 7 assure you II felt
like winter, and Northern one at that
My experience in this section of the country
shows me that here the weather changes as sud-
denly, with changes as severe as in Ohio, and the
cold lie as intense, and storms severe and disa-
greeable, as any we have in the Buckeye State.
But they never last as long, and there are more
bright, sunshiny days and pleasant weather in the
course of the year. than in any Of the States north
and east of tlis.7 eTE lL
To-day the weather is inst as pleasant as "In-
dian Summer" and there viii not probably be an
other cold or stormy day this month.
The winters are shorter, and springs open earlier
than in Ohio and this is what is drawing many
hundreds from the northern parts of Ohio, Indiana,
Illinois and Iowa to settle here. Besides which,
the lands are good and easily cultivated and above
ALL cheap Every alternate section only. for ten
miles on each side of the R. r., has been given
away The remainder is held by the Government,
for Homesteads, Prescriptions and Timber claims.
A soldier can thus secure 100 acres under each Of
these claims, if he first takes pre-emption claim,
and Homestead after ne has ''proved up" as they
say here, and secured his title to the first.
AIlthe county-seats along the lines Of this, the
Atchfson, Topeka & Slnta Fe Railroad, including
Newton and west of that point, are young towns,
but growing fast, and building up with most sub
stantial brick and stone buildings thst is, the bu-
siness and public buildings.
=Store-rooms, alm0ss-WithOut exception, have
iron and plate glass fronts, with ceilings usually
"A feet high.
Unlike the towns of Kansas in the eastern part
Of the State, these towns appear to begrowing
more steadily, and speculation and high prices in
town property are scarcely known.
The country also is rapidly filing mp, xiththe
best class of farmers and stcck-raisersAmen with
means to improve, and who mean to stay.
Much attention is paid to stOclk-raising With
in twelve miles of Larned, there are upwards Of
seven thousand sheep alone, besides numerous
herds of cattle and horses.
The crops-corn and wheat, in Kansas this year
not as good either In quantity quality last
year, throughout this section, scarcely averaging
fifteen bushels probably not over twelve per acre.
Bat as one man said, you can cultivate double the
number of acres with the same amount of labor
that is required in Ohio or Indiana.
The sect of Russians known as the "MennOnites,"
are still coming by hundreds. Whole townships
have been taken up and settled by them. They are
quiet sober and industrious people, and viii IN
loubtedly make good neighbors.
After fo1r years travelling through the West
seeing this section of country at all seasons Of the
Fear, L can unhesitatingy pronounce it good
country to come to. Any man, with energy and
industry, can make home at least within few