The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1878-07-27
Rankings in Kansas.
BY THE JUNIOR.

afternoon, Goth the thermometer was luz deg
in the shade, and rather than endure the heat
of the city on Sunday, we concluded to ride
out into the country, and after supper, started
for the north The point we wished to visit
was about 20 miles directly north OF Emporia
For about four miles the country was well set
tied and good orchards both sides of the road
After crossing the Neosho river and Dow creek
we reached the open prairie. The moon was
full and the night almost as light as day lheI
road across the prairie was good, and we tray
cled along leisurey, occasionally passing al
house when the dogs would invariably dart
out, at the probably unusual sight of teams at
that time of night. About II O'Clock we crossed
142 creek and drove into the enclosure of Chas.
H Wilmington, where we were soon comfort
ably provided for, having travelled 20 miles
since morning. Mr. W has lived in Kansas 80
years, having built this house % years ago.
Mrs. W. was formerly resident of Nashville, |
III. Mr. W.was postmaster 10 years, but when
Grant was first elected he sent in his resigna-
ton, which the department did not accept, re-
questing him to retain the position. He is al
good democrat, and quite an influential man
in Lyon county This house is situated on
the old Santa Fe trail and great many prom
inent men have soiourned here, among others
Gems Ewell, Magruder, Harvey, and Kit Car
son, who was great friend of Mr.. w. n
graveyard here has quite number OF graves,
ntb nh,lI of Coz Shp1pv that
died here when about 5years old
The next day, Sunday, we remained quiet,
Uncle Charley entertaining us with reminiscent
ces of early frontier life.
On Monday mornng, we started for Morris
county, about % miles west of where we were
stopping. In going there we crossed the In
dian Reserve, comprising IA tract OF land 20
miles square, which has been reserved for the
Kaw Indians With the exception of few
tracts of land that had been entered before the
lands had been reserved, this land has new
er been sold, but is occupied by squatters,
who have settled upon it but have never
been willing to pay what the land has been
appraised at a new commission has been
appointed TO make Il new appraisment, and
these lands will probably be settled up, The
price fixed heretofore has been very high, as
the Indians have not been anxious to have the
lands sold, but the new price will probably be
lower as they begin to want to realize on their
land The county is dotted with small stone
houses that the government had built for the
Indians before they were removed to Indian
TERRITORY.
The country is I'LL fine rolling prairie, and
we passed over the divide between the Nilsson
ri and Arkansas rivers From this point, on "A
clear day, the Normal School building at En-.
poria, % miles distant can be seen.
The soil is rich, and suitable for raising
corn and all the small grains. The land is
rolling, with sufficient drains, or gullies to car
ry Off the surplus water. There are no sloughs
and very little low, flat land. 1t would be
piled with water sufficient for stock. There is
no waste land as it can all be cultivated down
to the edge of the streams or gulleys.
While the thermometers in the cities were
Portable on the prairies there being a good
breeze all the time, and the nights were cool
and pleasant.
We found a couple of Chicago men, J. II.
Higgins, formerly of the Chicago Packing Co.,
and Mr. Bcmis, son of the celebrated brewer,
who had located on Rock Creek. They had
come there To stay enjoy life, and make mon
ey. The improvements they had made were
substantial and comfortable and they looked
rs if they would make a success Of the under
taking. We returned to Mr. Withngton's on
Tuesday, and on Wednesday morning returned
10 Emporia, starting for home on Wednesday
evening, on the Missouri, Kansas and Texas
Railroad, which is the hest route to take to
southeastern Kansas or Texas BY taking the
C. b. and Q. r. Il you can go through without
change, to Quincy, Hannibal, Bonneville, Sc
dalia, Fort Scott Parsons, through the Indian
Territory, to Dallas, Dcnnison, and Houston,
in Texas; or changing AT Parsons you can go
up the beautiful Ncosho valley in the afternoon,
to Emporia Junction City, and other points in
Kansas.
We were favorably impressed with the soil,
climate, and productions of Kansas and if a
person wants To 90 west we think Kansas a
good state to 90 10. There is plenty Of land,
and good land, in the eastern part Of the state,
and, we think many arc making a mistake in
going 50 far west when they can buy land just
as cheap, nearer 20 market. Lyon county is
less than 100 miles from Kansas City, the Chi
cago of that country, and there are thousands
of acres Of good land to be had cheap in that
county. This is also the case in the counties
adjoining. The emigration 10 Kansas this
year has been very great, il being estimated ut
100000 and if the present crop j. favorable, a
there is every reason to believe II will be, it
will be larger next year New cabins can
lac seen all over tI. Drairle- and ID will not be