The Ottawa free trader., 1884-04-05
On the Fly.


If YOU will allow me | will once more
take up little Of the space of the TRADER
and write of other parts of Kansas which !
have visited since writing you from Cav
ker CITY. Boarding the train early in the
morning, after ride of some 40 miles on
the Kansas Central, Concordia was reached
of all the roads in Kansas think the *
c. is the worst, as far as accommodations
for the travelling public are concerned
From Concordia the Republican Valley
branch was taken to Junction City, and
several of the towns along the line visited
and fine little cities they were too, especl
ally Clay Center, the county seat OF Clay
county Although one of those gentle
Kansas breezes was bowling and shrieking
around the corners and up the streets
blowing clouds of dust into your face, nc
matter which way you turned to escape
the streets were crowded with people and
teams. The place itself is IA model little
city, possessing some very fine brick busi
ness blocks, two or three tirstclass hotels
and two as live newspapers as there are
west of Kansas City, doubt if there is "
richer or more fertile section of country in
the state than that bordering the Republi
can river.
From junction City Abilene was mex
,i,,in ntr
may Judge of the extent Of business done
in this city, will say that the stock of one
Of the leading merchants here invoice,
this last winter 100000. The name o
the merchant is J. f. Bonebrake, and hi
place of business covers half block. |
would take very large eastern city t.
support firm like this, and yet Abilene
has less than 1000 population. Manhattel
was the next stopping, very enterprlsln!
little city, situated at the junction of th'
Blue with the Kaw river. If your humble
servant ever regretted not being Il "goo'
shot it was here, as the rivers were full o
geese and ducks, and the hunters wer
having splendid sport.
From Manhatten the next jump was t
Topeka. The depot is situated in Mort
Topeka, the city proper being mile or
south; and would say right here that
any of your readers would fully appreciat
the capitol and largest city of Kansas, t
ride up town in street car. If the
should happen to walk up the long grad
70 the city, no amount of grandeur in IN
shape of stately buildings and lofty spire
will arouse their wonder or appreciation
Well, the best comparison ! can make
that Topeka is young Chicago. TIL
legislature was in session, and fine, intc
lectual looking body Of men they We're to'
At present the capitol buildings consist {
two structures, but the additions, whe
completed, will make "A very imposing pill
Of masonry. think the La Sale count
court house would discount either Of til
buildings as they now stand About
third of the population are colored, an
quite number of the police are negroes.
Monday morning early-it was NJ
bright, but cloudy and misty, it havin
rained the previous might've wended o,
way through the mud and mist to III
Santa Fe depot to take the train for tn
place-Emporia, Emporia contains in til
neighborhood of 5000 souls. Its building
both business, private and public are SUI
stantial, and many of them quite elegar
Its streets are well laid out, and fe
weeks ago street cars were introduce
giving it every appearance of ilourishil
young city. The Normal school buildir
located here is one of the finest edifices
this part of the state. Emporia is rapid
growing, as are almost all Kansas towns.
One thing that strikes the travel
through Kansas is the absence of manufa
.ories in her many cities and towns. Al
another thing that strikes some pret
hard is the difficulty experienced i'm y,
ting anything 10 wet ones whistle" in Il
way of schooner" of beer or wbisl
straight. In most Of the smaller towns |
toxicating liquors cannot be procured
any price, which is very hard on real
thirsty man. Consequently few prisone
are found in county jails in counties whe
drinking Is most prohibited.
The weather has been very pleasant f
the past few weeks, and today is lovel
Overcoats being useless Some fine raj
have fallen during the past week, and d
winter wheat and rye along the road loo
splendid. The crop prospects were new
better than at present, consequently Kans
people are happy.
All for the present.
VERY respectfully, DUKE.