The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1878-07-25
For the EAGLE.
From Erie Township.
HELEN, July 10, IS,

HELEN, July 10, 1878.
ED. EAGLE--We feel like asking
an extension of your wings over this
section of Sedgwick county. Wewon-
der why it is that we have been thus
| neglected. Is it because the hail storm
did not demolish our wheat crop, but
passed. by on the other side (of the
Ninnescah), or because the river and
creeks did not overflow their banks
and carry away our crop that we are
not esteemed worthy of notice. But
on the other hand the farmers have in
dustriously cared for their wheat, oats,
etc., and the grain is now safely stack
ed and will soon be threshed. The
| country is decidedly new here but is
fast losing that appearance, as large
fields are being broken for wheat,
thousands of trees have been set, corn
fields are waving, neat, and in many
instances commodious, houses are be.
ing built, hedges set, and many other
things to show that the people in this
section are of the go-a-head sort. An
enterprlsing farmer has even adorned
his grounds somewhat in fashion of q
cemetery, by building sod mounds or
pyramids six or eight feet in length,
the tcrraced sides of which are cover
ed with cactus, aud upon the summit
of each he has placed huge buffalo
skulls, the horns projecting in the air,
which prove immensely suggestive to
the passer-by.
We have within the limits of our
township one store, two post offices,
three blacksmith shops, two school
houses, and any amount of air castles
and lightning rods. 1t would be USE
less to attempt the enumeration of all
the improvements which are in pro-
erosion.
For the past two weeks our roads
have been enlivened with gay parties
of plummers en- route to the sand hills
of the Chicaspia, from which they re-
turn well laden and happy. And last
but by no means least we have several
Sabbath schools which, though small,
are prosperous, and we believe are
productive of lasting good and enjoy
ment to those VINO attend them.
Notwithstanding tho season is busy
one, the Fourth was not forgotten by
us, but remembered to the best of our
ability. 1t was made the occasion of
very enjoyable union picnic at Sack
ett's grove on the banks of the Mime
scah. The Sabbath Schools from Pc
otone, Ohioville, and one other (of
which we did not learn the locality
were represented. The day, as to
weather,w all that could be desired.
The people met at as early an hour as
practicable, and with teams and wag-
ons gaily decorated with flags, drove
in procession to the grove, where they
partook of bounteous dinner, for
which previous preparation had been
made. The afternoon was interspers-
ed with instrumental music and sing
ing of national and Sabbath School
pieces, the latter of which were partlc-
ipated in by the schools, making the
old woods ring as never before. Two
good swings were the source of much
pleasure to the juveniles, and good
use was made of the opportunities Of
getting acquainted with each other,
by both old and young. Interesting
speeches were made by three different
gentlemen, and at late hour the par
ty broke up as if 10th to depart. All
were abundantly tired, but satisfied
we had had good time and one long
to be remembered. 0. S. ID.