Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1879-08-23
KANSAS LETTER.

EpIToH INTRLLIGENCER:-I have been reading
your valuable paper sometime, but have never
seen anything from the wonderful land' they
call Kansas.
Iwill speak more particularly of Montgomery
county as l am better acquainted with this por-
II III of the state. 1t lies in the southern part of
the state, joining the Indian Territory on the
south, Rutland county on the north, Neosho on
the east, and Chatanqua on the west. 1t Is much
larger than any Of tho adjoining counties, but
it is not SO wealthy thIckly settled; nut 1t
is, by far, the best land and has much better
range. Independence is the county seat, and is
situated in the northern part ofthe county. 1t
is n beautiful city and has beautiful surround
ings IL carries on great deal of business; as
much, perhaps, as any other city in the state
The Indians called II Hiwata, which means
Hay Town. COffeevllle is situated in the east
ern part of the county, and has a population OF
5000. Elk City, on the Elk river, has popula-
ton of 900. They are both fiourishng towns.
The scenery OF Kansas is grand. The prairie
is dotted over with "little log cabins" with
now and then II fine building of frame or stone;
trees, rivers. creeks, herds Of cattle and Indian
ponies aud mounds, both large and small. cover
ell with stone, some times by solid rocks cover
ing the entire top. There Is q range of mounds
acres They are entirely covered with cedar
and pine. They are just six miles north of In
dependence. on the county line. Blue Mounds,
west of town takes up one thousand acres. and
is entirely covered with rock. Round Mound
takes up three hundred acres. It is not SO large
around, but is Cne half mile to the top. They
are the only mounds that deserve a name.
The health OF the country Is exceedingly good
better than would be expected where it is so
warm.
Kansas is great corn anu wheat country.
The prospects for corn we've never better than
this year. There are but few farmers fixed
to raise wheat, but what little there was turned
out much better than in Missouri.
The fruit is not good this year "a common l.,
but with the exception of apples and peaches.
there will be plenty. Grapes and Wild fruit
are abundant.
We also have splendid schools hero. Three
high schools at Independence, normal school
~ White Post, and every township in the county
has a good frame schoolhouse, we'll furnished; /;
and generally with good teachers.
The society Of the country is very good. Every
one seems to have desire for pleasure as well
labor. Every one seems kind, obliging. So
ciable and unsellsh. There is where they differ
from MissOurians. But do not want to say any
thing against old Missouri, for after all 1t Is .
dear old place, and think it does very well.
but, ut the same time, 1 will frankly slmit,
that there is less sociabillty, feeling near akin
to selfishness and q disregard for strangers, and
determination to carry out their own plans re-
garllcss Of other peoples feelings. think there
Is, perhaps, more of that in Missouri than any
other state in the Union. But don't want to
press down too heavily on my native state, oh,
no!
The glorious Fourth passed off as every other
Fourth Of July does. PIcnIcs seemed to be the
order of the day. The fire cOmptny gave their
annual ball ut the Opera House; the Delaware
Indians gave II ball also. There were about two
hundred and fifty in number. "But all went
merry us 4 marriage bell"
The new railroad from Independence to Wen
field was completed the 29th OF July, and on the
LIST of August the company gave celebration at
Elk City. The first train that ran on the road
brought down fifteen hundred persons at one
time and twelve hundred ut another. There
was thought to be three thousand persons pres
ent. The company spared no pains to make
every one enjoy themselves; and l think they
did. There were several eloquent speakers
present. Among them were Senator Haskell, of
Topeka: Hon. Geo. Burchard, editor OF the In
dependence Kansan, and Hon. SamuelF. Spen-
Ger, one of Independence's prominent lawyers.
Music was furnished by the Independence and
Elk City bands, and was splendid. The display
of lire works was on an unusually large scair.
They closed with grand ball, where every one
seemed TO enjoy themselves. With few ex-
ceptions everything passed OF pleasantly. There
were one or two fights. resulting in the conduc-
tor Of the new road receiving several gashes on
his head, bat fights are nothing unusual ut q
picnic.
But where am drifting have just heard the
glorious call to ''come to supper. and what
man or woman would be proof against the de-
licious biscuits and fresh country butter and
milk that awaits me. And, beside, have given
you quite enough Kansas food for one time; but
tro"id not Dfre 'Otd Missouri for all Of
it, SO Will sign myself yours until it gets
cooler. "JUANlTA.H -