The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1878-07-27
SOUTHERN KANSAS CORRESPONDENTS

SUMNER Co., Kans., July II, 1878.
Editors Register: Weather hot, and
scarcely energy enough to write; but
must resume my random talk about what
have seen since my last letter.
Montgomery county from Independ'
ence to the west line of the county is
we'll settled with enterprising farmers.
The eastern part of Chatauqua is
rough and billy, and but thinly settled
but the western portions of both Cha
tauqua and Elk are well settled. Big
Capey runs through the western portion
of these counties, and furnishes some
rich bottom lands. The crops looked
well, and farmers ought to be happy, but
there is always something to mar the
happiness OF mankind. We were told
that nearly all of these fine farms are
covered with mortgages, and it is only a
question of time when the present own
ers will have to give them up for prob
ably half their value, and leave the re-
suit of their tolls and privations to the
enjoyment of strangers, and they again
press on to the frontier, and make the
desert abound with cultivated farms and
happy b Jmes. Why cannot our farmers
learn this fact, that not one in ten can
borrow money at twenty, fifteen or even
twelve per cent, and in the end come
out even. Nearly every person who
borrows at these rates loses his farm, and
when tits paid, ifever, he is fifty per cent.
verse off than when he borrowed the
money. Give these money loaners a
wide berth. Struggle and fight man.
fully with adversely, and you will event
ually conquer, and be prosperous and
happy.
The Flint Hills make the eastern part
of Cowley county unfit for cultivation,
and there are but few inhabitants, but
the western portion contains the richest
farming lands through which we have
passed. The soil is deep, black loan,
and the crops show its wonderful fer
tility. The wheat crop here is very
heavy. The farmer could not ask for a
more bountiful season. From one point
we counted nearly two hundred large
stacks and ricks of wheat. But not
withstanding the heavy yield, the low
price of grain, and the long distance
from market presents serious obstacle
to the farmer. Wichita is the nearest
wheat market for the farmers of Cowley
County, and it is from 40 to 65 miles
distant. Wheat ut from 80 to 60 cents
per budAel will not leave very large mar
gin after paying the expenses of seeding,
harvesting and marketing. The farm
ers of this section are quite hopeful of
favorable solution of the transportation
question by the navigation of the Ar
kansas river. On the 5th of this month
small stern wheel steamer, the "Aunt
Sally" arrived at Arkansas City-at the
mouth of the Walnut river-from Little |
Rock, Arkansas. She was the first
steamer that ever assembled the river to
that point, and the event created great
excitement. She took in cargo of
5000 bushels of wheat for Little Rock. |
We understand that two or three other
steamers will embark in this trade. Let
the Arkansas become navigable, and this |
will be the most desirable farming dis |
trict in Kansas.
Winfield, the county seat of Cowley |
county, is a prosperous Gown of about |
1000 inhabitants. Several substantial |
brick buildings are in course of erection,
and everything betokens . bright future
for the young city. But l must close
for the present. B.