Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1881-07-21
Letter from Kansas.
Emporia, Kansas, July 9TH 1851.

Mr., E.,i,Or:-
My silence for so long Il time
was not the result of carleSsneSs or want of in
tereSt but Of Il pressure Of other duties arising
from theposifiOn here occupy. During The
month Of May spent several weeks in Ohio.
attending the sessions the General Synod OF
the Reformed Church, and in June | spent
several weeks in Nemeha, Brown and Jackson
counties, in the northern part Of the state, at
tending the annual meeting OF the Kansas Clas-
sis and visiting some Of the missions of the
Church. During these visits | came in contact
with many families from Central Pennsylvania
among whom were Jonathan Kreamer aud
Mr.. HOckman, from Brush Valley, Calvin
Meyer and Mr. Boone, from Sugar Valley, and
many others, all OF whom are dong well in
opening up homes III this state.
The present week will be spent at home, and
l embrace this leisure 10 dropa few lines to our
many friends in Penns Valley.
The weather this spring has been favorable TO
growing crops, all of which With the exception
of wheat will be above the average. Wheat
however will be more than half a crop. While
it is true that our rail roads and land jObbers
continue to advertise the immense wheat crops
OF this state candor cOmpelS me to say that the
wheat crop is too uncertain to be depended up
on. And even were it as certain as it is in
Pennsylvania, other crops are more profitable
TO the farmer. Nothing pays better than cat
tie, sheep and hogs. Good steers two and
half years old. always ifnd a ready cash market
at prices ranging from $50 to $50. 1t VIII be
seen that where these cattle can be pastured on
the praries six months in the year, and wintered
on hayat So per ton, aud corn from 20 to p cts.
nor Is N It Ina n
liz raising wheat The same is true of hogs and
sheep. Two years agoa farmer borrowed 800
ana invested it in calves. A few weeks ago he
sold his cattle for $780, paid off his mortgage
and made another start in calves. And there is
no portion Oi Kansas better adopted to this
kind of business than Lyon county. The indi-
cations are that Kansas viii this year have the
largest corn crop IN her history.
In the early part of June we were visited by
the most fearful tornado known for many years.
EmpOria suffered but little in comparison with
surrounding towns. All the buildings and
fences on the Fair Grounds were demolished. 4
few dwellings in town were destroyed and some
others more or less injured. Among the latter
was the new st. Paul's Reformed Church, W hich
was built last year. About $35 will however re-
pair all the damage sustained by the church
At Americas, nine miles north, the storm was
more severe. The u L. Church, costing $4,000,
was leveled with the foundations, while Il score
OF smaller houses were also entirely destroyed
There the storm was accompanied by hail which
did much damage. Whole fields of wheat were
entirely threshed out, fruit was wholly destroy
ed, while the distinctions Of windows was fear
ful. At Usage, east of u.s. the storm was at its
highest. Everything within its reach was de.
strOyed, several lives lost and many persons
NOR or less injured
The exciting topic in this state is the temper
ance movement. AS you are aware at the elec-
ton last fall q constitutional amendment was
adopted, prohibiting the manufacture and
sale of intoxicating liquors of all kinds, save
| only for medicinal, mechanical and scientific
purposes. This law went into effect May 1st
The Liquor party has raised a large fund for
the purpose OF fighting the law to the bitter end
Test cases have been raised and the law in its
| various phases has been passed upon by the
| Supreme Court which has in every cas- G sustain
| ed it, In some few instances men sold openly
and i'll defiance Of the law. and have paid sever.