The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1880-05-27
v;sw az Eden Farm.

celebrated stock rancho lying q lew
miles southwest of Brook vile. In Oul
routewe pursued southwestern course,
and took occasion to see whether OF
not the representations Of the farmers
with reference to the wheat yield could
be verified. We found every wheat
field in fairly good condition, and
when the harvest comes We firmly be-
lieve the golden grain will he garner
ed in much larger qantities, and be OF
far better quality than last year. Al
ready the grain was turning" The
straw, though very short in places, av-
erages much better in height than We
expected.
We drifted away toward Soldier
Cap, i'm the vicinity of fine farms,
with good houses, orchards, barns,
hedges, and groves-where six or sew.
on years ago the lonely dug outs smoke
alone indicated that the land was not
given up entirely to its primitive in
habitants. The progress that is being
made in the improvement of our coun-
try now and the progress that has been
made in the last ten years, leads one
to look out into the future and wonder
what will be accomplished in the ten
years TO come. Ours is country
which needs but few touches from art
tomake it good resemblance of the
lands of the oldest civilizations. A
clump of trees, a hedge, field Ofgrain,
brown barn these few adOrnments
mingled promiscuously even in Il good
sized landscape, are all that is nece>-
.sary.
One is struck after lac leayes Brook
vile with the rugged hills which are
perched upon each side of the little
Spring Creek valley. These hills are
often surmOunted with peculiar rocky
formations, which look not unlike the
remnants of feudal castles. In one or
two instances we could almost imagine
that the castles were not even ruined,
and that Baron de CoOmbes lived over
in that castle with the three turrets
and Baron de Grangeum in the low
walled castle just opposite; that be-
meath those castle walls these "plumed
knights" would mingle in many an en-
counter which were not simple, harm
less jOusts, but deadly combats for
mastery; that then the drawbridge
would fall the portcutllis be raised and
peace come again to spread its
white wings over the savOry incense
of smoking venisOn ascending at the
friendly feasts of the reconciled barons.
At Terra Gotta We saw the huge yell
low bank Of clay belonging to Martin
Mullens, from which he is gradually
taking ear load after car load of materi-
al for the manufacture of fire brick,
pottery, &c, which he ships TO 81.
Louis.
Passing south Of Spring Greek, after
4 ride of about two miles, we arrived
at Eden Farm. Our readers will re-
member that this fine property, COM
prising about 5000 acres, was recently
sold through the real estate agency of
Hamilton l. Bender 10 Mr.. w. L..
Harrison, of Pennsylvania. II was
formerly the Paradise of the Texas
COW boy. Thrice happy was the Texas
man could he but herd his drove on
that land-considered the finest graz
ing land this side of Texas al least. 1t
long since attracted the cupidity Of
resident "cattle men" and many one
has wished he Possessed the wealth
necessary for its purchase. Messrs.
Crippen K DOnegan were the first to
become owners of large part Of the
present territory composing the farm.
Mr.. Crippen was succeeded by Mr..
Brown, a wealthy gentleman of Con-
cord, n. H.; and the firm of Brown 4
Donegan sold to Mr.. Hardison. a
person can gain no idea of the size and
beauty of this grand tract when he first
its limits. Ii is only
after quite AN extended drive about il
that he begins 10 comprehend the
great proportions and value of the
property.
The buildings are not so numerous
as they will be. but there is still such a
collection of them ~ To Ice strongly sug-
gestive of very large and thrifty farm
ing. There is a long shed for the
storage Of agricultural implements, a
work shop. a blacksmith shop, barns
and stables, sheep and cattle corrals
and the dwelling house. The build
ings are situated upon the banks of
Spring Creek and quite well sheltered
by hills. Half way up one of these
hills is grand spring; the sweet, cool
waters of which are conveyed by pipes
leading to the trough for stock, and to
the house. A snug little building ell
closes il. This water is as soft as rain
water and the supply is exceedingly
great-so great that it would almost
supply a village. Close at hand, in the
side Of the hill, is another spring, the
waters of which are led through q very
stone milk house which is
now being constructed. These are but
Two Of hundred springs to be found
upon this farm, and which are really
the source of the waters of the main
branch of Spring Creek. The creek
in this locality is fine, fresh running
stream, furnished with numerous
ponds. The waters never fail i'm the
iryest season. The cattle As they Craze
about are never more than few rods
rom water. A great convenience
surely, and profitable 10 the owner
We do not believe there are $500 acres
anywhere else In Kansas 80 well sup
,lied with pure water a. Eden Farm.
30 the most essential point" in val
liable stock rancho exists in most
emphatic manner"
There are 400 acres enclosed by q
,arb wire fence. The posts are Of
,edar and were purchased from parties
living down in the Indian Territory.
i an expense of about - cents per
,ost. There are 1899 acres under cuI-
ivstion-ssO in wheat. The wheat.
lot Notwithstanding the failure g., will