The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1878-08-29
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The following Is : part Of . lesler
which we clip from Galloway 4 Sos
Market Exporter, pnb'ished at Aledo,
Illinois:
Here Ne took team
to Wichita, twenty-eight miles south
of Newton, and that open ride took rs
through as apparently old settled
country as Mercer county, Illinois.
Fine farms, all under cultivation,
nicely divided OF into fields by -
pretty hedge as can grow; orchards
and young timber growing; giving II
look Of prosperity, happiness and
contentment. Arriving ct Wichita We
we're surprised to find much larger
place than we had imagined. II con-
taiDs nearly Eve thousand people, and
its main street reminds one OF South
Water street, Chicago, by the busi-
ness done on it. Running straight
east from the bridge over the Arkan-
sas river for about half . mile to the
depot aud elevators at the east end, 1t
presents indeed the appearance Of .
Broadway of traffic and life. As wide
sgain BY half as our Aledo streets, 1t
L
almost countless loads Of winter wheat
that is hauled to market there from
almost every direction, and from the
country south of il for almost hum
dred miles. Stores here carry stocks
that supply country stores and tie
trading posts in the Indian Nation,
aud no finer dry goods, grocery, hard
ware or implement houses can be seen
| in any eastern city than in Wichita.
Here we net of old Mercer county
people Mr.. Chas. Caldwell, Register OF
Deeds, cad immensely popular; Mr..
Bruce, County Superintendent, aud
Mr.. Ben Jones. Twenty miles south
west of Wichita is what is known as
the Illinois settlement. Here We spent
five days with friends, the families CT
Mr.. VIM. Mounts. Kinsman Kimel. s.
II. Moore, Levi Mclaughlin, On. FL
lott, VIM. aud n. Gray, and Mr.. Cros-
by, OF Viola, all living within q three
or four miles circuit, and on the pick
Of the land of Sedgwick county. every
one happy, contented and healthy,
anu evidently adding to their stock OF
worldly possessions by their hard
work and to their prospects for the
other world by their strict attention
to the commands Of christianity. by
gathering themselves together, study
ing the scriptures, talking of the Other
life, and the blessings OF this, which
they do in their school house church
ON the Lords day. We were asked to
be the bearer of the kindest regards
and remembrances of each and all Of
them 10 their Mercer county friends
Please accept the messages as denver
ed. In closing this we would make
few remarks that will answer many
questions in regard to that country:
! First. In regard TO beauty, health
AID climate, it is undoubtedly all thai
| is claimed for it by the most extrava
CANT advertisements. Magnificent roll
ing and sloping land, we'll drained
abundan.ly watcred, and drinking wa
ter at depth of from ten to fifty lee
anywhere. The fertility of the soil II
evidenced by the crops of this season
II all looks like one vast wheat field
and no better corn can grow than W.
saw in Sedgwick aud Reno counties
Timber, fruit, hedge, all arc of quicl
growth-hedge at three years turning
stock equal to five board fence.
Second. There are not now any gov
eminent lands within twenty-five
miles of the railroad as far back a
Kinsley, but in the second tier o
counties south there are plenty, an
are being taken rapidly by those want
ing cheap lands.
Third. Every one whom We met am
asked the question, expressed them
| selves as contented and getting alon
better than they did before coming
OF course the majority as yet of til
population are settlers On hOmestea
claims, and went to Kansas very pool
and have seen hard times in trying I
improve their lands and live besides
, Many have done it and are indepenc
ent of the world; while many other
have made the mistake of buying in
plements, lumber, ETC., on time, an
paying per cent. month for the US
of the money, and arc, as result in
worried condition, and are willing t
sell out for cost Of improvements an
tho land, move further and try
again.