The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1882-01-05
LYON COUNTY,
Interesting Statistical Information

Our county occupies an important
central position In the state, and the en-
ergy and intelligence of her people have
kept her always among the foremost
counties of the state in development, as
well as in the active part they have tax
en- in the affairs of The state There n
no county anywhere with an equal num-
Der of inhabitants whose record is freer
form crime of all kinds than this, and
none whose people are more industrious
and intelligent. Loading themselves az
ter the war with heavy public debt
for schools and railroads, they have paid
their burdens promptly and il good
faith, and It is with pride that they point
to the fact that their record as a
people has never even been tainted
with a proposition to repudiate or COM
promise their obligations Not a dol
lars worth of Lyon county bonds can be
bought for less than their face value.
These public burdens have been oner-
GUS, but all recognize that benefits have
followed which have remunerated for
the scrifices made to secure them. The
liabilities OF the county now are $249,-
OOc for railroads, and $4,000 for the
State Normal school. She has as assets
in three items about 100000, to-wit;
Court house property, $4,000; railroad
stock about $4,000; iron bridges
abou: 100000. Her school districts
are in debt $27,904. They have 106
school houses and other property worth
a total of $4,000. The city of Empo-
ria is in debt over 100000. about $685.
600 Of which is invested in her Holly
water works, $4,000 in a magnificent
new school house, and nearly the same
amount in the State Normal building.
All this goesto show that while our tax
es are a considerable item, the people
have invested the money for the wisest
and best purposes. None of it has been
uselessly squandered. Her public az
fairs have always been we'll managed.
Intelligent people coming among US see
the spirit of true enterprise that exists
here-see the broad and intelligent
foundations we have laid for prosper
Gus and opulent county, and do not hes
itate to cast their lot with US, as is
shown by the fact that our population
has increased from 5000 in 1870, to over
1890 in 1880. With such wisdom and
foresight as has characterized our peo-
pie, the next ten years, we may safely
predict, will witness another doubling of
our population.
As>may be easily imagined, people
displaying the Characteristics indicated
above, would take q prominent part in
the public Affairs of the state. During
the war Lyon col y was heard from con-
spiEaonsly. She sent about 400 men to
fneid from her fhen sparse population
Of bsst.a little ovsk 1900 Several bore
the Insignia Of responsible position
and came homewith well earned titles,
such as captain, major and colonel. In
politics, Lyon county has made herself
felt. Sine has furnished one of the SUI
preme judges, one Of the state auditors,
three terms the speaker of the house,
one the lieutenant governor, and is now
enjoying the distinction of being
the home of one of our United States
senators. In educational affairs she has
been very prominent. Being the seat Of
one of the state institutions of learning,
she has contributed largely to the edu-
cational thought and experience which
have resulted in such a splendid system
of public schools. Her county seat has
ever been regarded as one of the educa-
tional centers of the state. She has
been equally prominent in religious,
agricultural and horticultural matters.
Frequent state conferences, associations,
lod ges and conventions have been held
in our midst and the friendly interest of
the people of Lyon county in all good
works, as we'll as their hospitality, is
known throughout the state.
STATISTICS.
The following figures which show the |
valuation of property in the different
parts of the county where the taxes
come from, will no doubt be ofgeneral in
terest We may remark that while the |
total valuation of property is given by
the assessors at $4,52t, 1895, this is not |
one-third of its real value. No
one acquainted with the county and the
condition of its farms and wild lands
would pretend to say that they are not
worth more than $6,770, 116, which is
three times the amount they are assess
ID at. Neither would any one be SO
ash as to assert that the value OF town
OTIS, which is put at $6s8,OO2, covers
,ne-fifth of their real value. There is
mother important matter in connection
With the assessment of property in this
tate. The constitution exempts for
very property owner $500. If a man
las $199 in property he does not pay
ent in taxes, and if he has $e25 worth
lie pays only on $25s Under the last
property valued at $658, 800
Tipped through the hands of the asses
ors entirely. We believe fair yalua-
ion of the property of this county
would make ii worth at least $Ios-
10000. a~ gtUs
The following figures are an abstract
f the last assessment roll:
4