Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1879-07-03
Deferred from last week.
A Former BridgepOrter I'm Kan.
StaS.
EMPoRIA. LYON Co.. Kansas,


Mr.. EDIToR-I write for the benefit
of friends in the East in order that they
may have some knowledge of our where
abouts. We entered Kansas City in the
night, changed cars there, our former
conductor, kindly not only showing US
what car we had to take, but helping me
into the car. Something was wrong
with the machine-we were there some
time, during which l fell asleep, and did
not wake until our conductor annOun-
ced TOpekO-2O minutes for lunch. The
idea that we were at the capital of the
State, caused me to look out to see the
city, but alasl could see but few houses,
and they of an ordinary character.
was much pleased when came here
and learned that we had missed seeing
the best part of the city. Daylight found
us in vast prairie, which continued un-
til we got here, and do not know how
much farther We here found this town
situated partly on a high piece of
ground. Having since been round the
town. | find it is on ridge dividing the
Cottonwood and the Neosho rivers From
the last named river. the ground rises
rather abruptly-in One-half mile it ri
ses opposite the town, say 20 feet, that
also turns and takes a southeast course
until it falls into the Cottonwood, and
what the name is after that, know not.
The town is compact, and on a street
they call Commercial, are many fine
buildings, indeed. That street would
Outshine Main St, in Wheeling, the
houses being all clean and nice, and
more ornamental than We generally see
in the East. This street runs north and
south, and has one on each side of it, at
proper distances, and running parallel
with it. 1t has alsO-they' say-seven
corners running. from east to west. The
town is scattered around very much, and
reaches for miles each way.
The soil is good, black rich loan; in
deed, you have garden almost any
where, and the lay Of the surface being
so fine that one cannot find fault to it.
Just above is 1000 acres, I suppose lay
ing facing the south, and would make as
pretty and as good farm as lies any
where out of doors. But having written
Of some Of the good properties of this
beautiful country, l as faithful jnfOr-
nant, must give what is on the other
side. The terrible and terrific storms
hat pass this at times, are much dread
I'd; some have the chills and fever, but
10 one, am told, that will take proper
ARE of themselves, ever have it The
natter with which l have found the
most fault, since We came, is the very
lot sun, and the almost constant wind;-
)ut have thought the wind was kind
# blessing in disguise, as the heat of
he sun would be almost unbearable
without the wind. do not like the wa
er we drink, but hope will get to like
t. find the people social, pleasant and
greeable, rs far as aquainted. There is
aid to be II churches in town, repre-
enting as many denominations, and the
ocal papers say are all pretty well at
ended; and this fact should insure a
Ugh degree of morals, at least.
shall now attack daily news: Where
5 your county located? In the eastern
r central belt of counties, I9O miles
Outhwest of Kansas City go miles south
rest of Topeka, 81 miles from the east
inc of the State, and about midway
rom the north to the south line.
Young man, lay aside your habits of
ndolence, prodigality, and growing at
theirs for possessing (as you think),
lore than their share of this worlds
oods, and if you can raise as much as
'ill get even one acre Of ground. leave
here all your foolish notions that E p.
ihOdes and w. w. Holloway will share
18th you some day that time will new.
+ come. They each of them have chill
en-, who expect to receive share, and
ley are entitled to it You come here
nd practice that industry, care, econO-
" and frugality that each Of those gen. /.
emen have done, and you may raise
bove being GROWERS, to be good and
seful citizens. Lay away Therefore evi
rything that unmans you, and see tha-
on take some one as a model, who Is
orthy of imitation, and see that you
lise above mere hangers-on on society.
Iy best to all my friends.
JOHN Crooks.