The Leavenworth weekly times., 1879-06-26
THE ARKANSAS VALLEY.
Notes OF Two Of Her Richest Counties
Harvey and u e cE'her-on-The Rapid
Growth OF NewtOu-The F!at:erinG
Outlook for Mcpherson County,

NEWTON, KAs., June II, 1879.
Newton, the capital city OF Harvey
county, is recognized by all persons who
have visited it, as the most prosperous OF
the many good towns situated on the main
line Of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe
Railroad; and notwithstanding the fact
that the rsilroad company deemed it nee
essary, in the interest of the road
and its employees, to remove from this place
division headquarters, which had for so
long time be established here, that 1t SEEM
ed very important factor in the business
interests and very life of the town; and
notwithstanding the further fact that there
were not few Of the knowing ones who at
once presaged a great falling off in the
amount of business annually transacted
here, still | am glad to be able to state, af-
ter talking with many of the most enter
prlsing and substantial business men of the
city, that such predictions and fears were
unfounded, and that, instead Of any dimin-
| ution in trade being perceptible,
there has been gradual and
healthy growth in the same.
IMPROVEMENTS.
In passing around ard through the town,
one is forcibly impressed with the charac-
ter of the baildings being erected, both for
business purposes and private residences.
In no one season has the city improved so
much as during the present one, and in
saving this | Won d not be understood az
saying that the number OF buildings
erected this season. exceeds any previous
one, but | do say that in character they
far excel any heretofore put up.
The business men of Newton are charac-
terized for their enterprise and lberality,
and recognizing that the present season
would in all probability have much TO do
in deciding Il future of their city have put
their shoulders to the wheel, and, united in
one common interest and purpose, have go
advanced her interests that it does not re-
quire stretch OF the imagination to zee in
Newton at no distant day a city with a
population Of 5000.
HARVEY COUNTY.
Leaving Newton Thursday morning, the
18th inst, enjoyed for the first time a
drive through the rich and productive lands
for which this county is 80 justly noted. The
sight which greeted my vision on every
hand was an inspiring one; the fields OF
waving grain-wheat, oats, rye and corn in
almost limirless acreage, at once dispelled
any erroneous notions which may have been
formed in regard to the short crops; and
-k,lo 81 L.
that Of last year, still there is plenty and to
spare.
WHEAT AND CORN
are the principal crops. The wheat il be-
ing rapidly harvested / noticed a few
fields Of very fine wheat, of good length of
straw, large and well-6lled heads of plump
grain. OF course there are some poor
pieces, yet the wheat along the road trav-
eled, taken in the aggregate, will make a
good crop.
Of the corn / am warranted in saying |
that in this county | have seen the finest |
prospect for good cop of any have Wis
ited this season. 1t is true that a good |
rain would in many places be of great ben
eft, yet it il a subject Of remark that the |
corn should look a. we'll a. it does.
McPherson county and the
CITY OF MCPHERSON.
have heard much said in praise of this
county, and yet was hardly prepared for
the realization Of 20 much that is truly
beautiful in this, one Of the very bes, coun-
lies in the State.
ORGANIZATION.
The county was organized in the year
1870, and 30 rapidly has il increased in
population ths; to-day il numbers not less
than fifteen thousand.
The county is in the center Of fine sg-
ricultural district, being bounded on the
East BY Marion, on the west BY Rice AID