Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-10-23
Il WASHINGTONIiNS TRIP TO KIM
Especial Correspondence cf Tee Star.I

Pan Handle and Vandalia lines) on the second
day crossing the splendid bridge over the Mis-
sissippi river, and after passing through the
tunnel he enters the union depot at st. Louis.
EMlGRANTS TO THE SOUTHWEST.
Looking into the forward car route over
fifty second-class passengers or emigrants We're
to be seen. Among them were men: women
and children. Nearly all of the middle and
southern states were represented and some
family parties numbered as many as ten per-
sons. AT st. Louis there is a general 'breaking
OF the passengers other than those bound for
Colorado take cars up the NJ. X. and T. Co. at
tached to the Pacific train bound for Kansas or
Texas
MISSOURI TOWNS.
AT an early hour in the morning the thriving
town of Sedalia, the headquarters of the NJ. X.
course, THE Big Y'' r. r. is reached. Passing
through fine country, gently rolling by the
towns of Clinton, Montrose, Schell City. Apple
ton City, and Nevada, Mo-, and FL. Scott, kan
Sas-all wearing the look OF prosperous, grow
ing places, and generally fronting the road
Parsons, in southeastern Kansas. is reached.
THE SINGULAR EXPERIENCES OF HON. S. s. BUR-
DETTE.
Appleton City is pointed out as the home of
Hon. s. S. Burdette, formerly Commissioner OF
the General Land Office and now of your city,
who it will be remembered that while holding
that position in May, 1876, suddenly disap-
peared from Washington, and in September,
ISL, suddenly reappeared at Appleton Mr..
as Union Colonel had seen much service i'm
this part of the state, formed a copartnelship
with Nh. f. j: Smith, and the firm having
offices at Sedalia and at Appleton built up a
large law practice. Mr.. Buidette being very
popular soon stood high with all classes as
citizen and lawyer. He left on his removal to
Washington many friends in this section of
country, who wished him every success, and the
community generally were surprised when they
learned of his disappearance and were unable
to account for ii; Every effort was made to
discover clue TO his whereabouts his Masonic
brethren and the secret service men OF the
Treasury especially making inquiries in this
country. while portraits and circulars We're sent
through the |. >. cOnSuiS to every quarter OF
the world; but beyond the fact that his reSigna-
ton was mailed a few days after his disappear
ance. no tidings could be obtained OF him. His
family and friends began to fear that he was
dead, and finally, when the most Sangune be-
gan TO feel hopeless as to any trace OF him
being discovered, he, in september, 1871, as sud-
found himself in Appleton City looking at
the residence OF his former partner, and
going to the door he Knocked. Mrs.
Smith answered and. recognizing him. ex-
answered, 'YeS. that is my name," and then
asked where he had been. His friends were at
once sent for, and, having been restored to his
family, he gradually fully recovered his reason
This singular episode in Mr.. Burdette'S exist
ence has since appeared to him like dream, he
having no recollection of leaving your city. or
the reasons therefor, and he first realized that
he was away from home and friends, when far
away from any settlement, il the interior of
Australia. After his return he remembered
having been IN London, next in the Island of st.
Helena. and finally in Australia. In February
last, Mr.. Burdette returned to Washington, and
from the manner in which he argued the Nc
Galrahan case gave proof that his mind is as
vigorous as ever. 1t should be stated that Mr.
Burdette had been suffering for years from an
acute disease OF the stomach and, having
the impression that it was incurable, he became
respondent and finally temporarily insane.
There are but few people In the section of the
country where he had spent so much of his life
who did not sympathise with him in his af1iic-
t1On, and now rejoice that he has been restored
fully to health. in mind and body.
A LIVE KANSAS TOWN.
The junction OF the main line OF the NJ. K and
T. railroad-ParSOnS-iSa q wonderful little town.
and seems to be full OF life and energy. but de-
pendS mainly on the NJ. X. and I. railroad. Ii
is only about eight years old, and now numbers
about $500 Inhabitants, and there are 10 houses
OF various kinds now in course OF erection. The
railroad has large stone shops here; there are
several hotels and churches, and there is q we'll
arranged brick school building, three stories in
height, superior to the school buildings in many
pers-the !Sun published by Milt' Reynolds,
well-known in Washington, lively republican
sheet, and the Eclipse, democratic paper. pub
lished by Mr.. Lamb. From this place narrow
guage railroad has been constructed to Wer
City, Cherokee county. a distance of 35 miles,
and a fine quality of coal is being brought over
it from the Weir City mines. This road will be
carried westward through the counties on the
southern border of the state, opening up vast
wheat-growing country. Every branch of busi-
ness seems to be brisk, the stores being crowded.
II would seem from the opinion of at least one
OF the inhabitants that the town is not prosper
GUS, for he says, "When first came here we
had shooting-match every night, but now
there amt more than one OF two a week, and
they always shoot the arms or legs. Why, the
coroner is starving to DEATH" II this was a true
picture years past, happily it is not the case
now, as the town is now regarded as a very
peaceaDle one.
THE NJ r. AND T. r. r.
first operated what is now the Neosho branch.
from Parsons TO Junction City, a distance of 15I
miles, and next constructed a line to Sedalia
Qnaking ' shaped route), which has been eX-
tended to Hannibal, Mo. Now, il has run
through the Indian country-the reservationsof
the CherOkeeS, Creeks and ChOctaWS-tO Denni-
son. Texas, making in all nearly 40 miles.
CIyILIZING INFLUENCE OF THE RAILROAD ON THE
INDIANS
1t is stated by some who have travelled over
the road frequently that Its beneficial effect is
clearly seen in the Indian country; that The red
men have made more rapid strides in civiliza-
ton In the past few years than ever before; that
each successive season their farms, school
houses and towns have a more modern look
This month The tribes held grand fair at Mus
cOgee, at which the exhibits are said to have
been far beyond those OF previous years and
ahead Of those OF some state fairs. AS an eVi-
dence that they are progressing in the ways of
the white man, we may state that racing was
skill between number Of brass bands in which
Kansas, Texas, Arkansas and native organlLa-
tfons took part;
THE SOUTHERN TERMINUS
or this road is at Denison, the Gate City OF
IeXaS, where a connection is made with the
Houston and Central Texas railroad, and over
this read there is now much freight, mostly cot
ton and hides, being brought northward, and
groceries, flour, &C., transported southwark
road has started westward, and over 40 miles of
it have been put in operation. At the head OF
this road is Col. Robert S; stevens formerly