Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1878-02-07
The Recent Kansas Excursion.

grand old Mississippi and Missouri
rivers, described in the old geogra-
phies as the "Great American Desert,
and thought to be only fit for the
home of the savage Indian and buff
falo. We joined an excursion party
for the purpose Of visiting that por-
ton of the great west. made famous
by the raids of border ruffians and
grnsshoppers Kansas. Our party
left Plymouth, Ind, Tuesday morn
ing. January 30, 1878, and in due time
arrived in Chicago. where we met
others DESTROYS of joining our party,
Gen, J. Lakin being one af the num-
Der. Gen. Lakin took command, and
as strategic movement thought best
to divide our forces into two divi-
sions. The left wing to march by
way af the Chicago Sc Alton railroad
to Kansas City and then bp way OF
Atchison, Topeka Sc Santa Fee to
Topeka. The right wing by way OF
@. r. L & P. to Atchison. Thence by
X. & P. to Topeka. The right divi-
sion started first, and was under the
immediate command of General La
kin.
As the left division was composed
OF stable minded men the General
thought we needed no especial COM
mander. We were therefore permit
ted to manage ourselves and boarded
a car furnished with DR.. Horizons re-
clining chairs, which are really lux
ury. Our train was furnished with
dining cars where we could obtain
all the luxuries OF the season at very
reasonable rates. All school boys
are too we'll acquainted with the
character of Illinois. it's fiouIishing
cities and towns, its broad pralries
dotted all over with villoges, farms
and groves. to render any attemp. at
a description necessary. Suffice TO
say, we passed on through Illinois
and crossing the Mississippi at Lou
isiana, across the State of Missouri to
Kansas City, one ofthe most flourish
ing young cities in America. 1t is
situated on the Missouri river and
has a population OF about forty thou
sand. At this point We changed cars
for Topeka. During the time we had
to wait we took a stroll about the
town adjacent to the depot. The
crowd OF persons in and about the
depot waiting for trains, reminded US
of the blue ribbon meetings in Plym-
outh. The throng was so great that
there was scarcely room to pass or
repass, and In less time than it takes
to tell it. When our western bound
train Of eight coaches came up it was
filled until there was not sitting room
for all that desired to go west. When
contemplating the throng at Kansas
City Union depot only one Of the
thoroughfares west, we were led to
wonder how long it would be before
the mighty west would all be settled,
as is Illinois or Indiana, surely not
long. Well, our train was soon In
motion and we were in Kansas, fast
approaching Topeka, the capitol oil
the great State OF bleeding Kansas.
Passed Lawrence OF Gurilla warfare
notoriety, a beautiful city surrounded
by country that the world cannot
beat. On to Topeka up the Kansas
river bottom, this valley is said to be
the widest valley in Kansas as being
In many places from eight to ten
miles. We arrived In Topeka be.
tween three and four o'clock, and
found that the other portion of GU
party had arrived a short time be-
fore. After taking dinner at the Teff
House, a stone building four stories
high and kept BIZ Messrs. McMekin
g. Hartzell who are the right men IN
the right place, as they know jus
how to entertain and make comfort
able their guests. We visited thu
home department of the Atchison
Topeka & Santa Fe land depaftmen
fine stone building on sthe corne
of Kansas and Sixth Avenues, wher,
we were met by the officers OF tina
department who were ready, willing
and anxious to afford US all the op
portunities for inspecting the Potta
watamie reserve land, that being tn
principal object Of our trip.
A trip was arranged for the mex
day in the afternoon. Having some
time now for the inspection Of tn,
city, we started on tour. Our frs
visits were to the offices of the To
peka Blade and the Topeka Common
aoealth, papers published, both dali.
and weekly, and both doing thriv
ing and prosperous business. W.
next visited the capital bailding AM
formed the acquaintance Of some O
the State officials. rhe Capita
building is fine Store building from
the top Of which we OBTAINED vie,
: OF the surrounding County, whicl
presented scenery mostmagnificant
ly grand. The broad prairis stretch
ing away as far as the eye can reac
dotted here and there with farm
houses and little groves. The wind
ing course OF the Kansas or Kansa
River skirted by timbers. But tim
and space will not permit me to ente
into q full description of Topek,