Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1884-09-03
Over the Sunflower from Fort Scott
to Wichita.


scenery along the Leigni Valley rail-
road, and in truth it is picturesque
and grand, but for more beautiful
picture is presented to the traveller in
trip over the St. Louis, Fort Scott &
Wichita railroad, "Sunflower Route"
between Fort Scott and Wichita. For
a distance of several miles out from
Fort Scott, the route lies along
bright stream fringed with dense
growth of oak. elm and walnut timber
which is apt to leave the impression
that you are entering wooded coun-
try; this illusion, however, is soon dis
PEELED as the train energies from the
thicket and spins cut into the open
prairie. The iron horse goes mcriIy
rrancin2 over the smooth track. and
climbs TO HE summit of beautiful
sunny slope overlooking the bright
little stream, winding its way
like silver thread down between vast
stretches Of lnXuriant corn ranging in
hight from ten to fifteen feet, until it
is lost in the waters of the Big Nco-
sho. The road Oh both sides is hcdged
in by the ever-present sun-hower
which lifts its yellow head in many
places half the height Of the telegraph
poles, always suggesting the propriety
OF the popular name "Sun-fOwer
route" Looking across the valley to
the high rolling prairie beyond, as far
as the eve can reach, may be seen
large herds of cattle lazily cropping
the rich grasses; broad acres of luxur-
lent waving corn; bright painted farm
houses nesting in the midst of great
orchards Of peaches, apples and grapes
all cOmbinding TO form a picture of
rural granducr deligh tful to contem-
plate.
There are a number of growing
towns along the route, chief among
which are lola, the county seat Of Al
len county, situated in the great Neo-
sho valley 1t contains about 5000 in
habitants and is growing rapidly.
Yates Center, the county seat of
Woodson county. with population
of l 900, is also booming into promi-
hence. Next comes Toronto, Il
child of the Sun-fower road, situated
in the rich valley Of the Virdigris
Ii contains about 500 people and is
fast looming into prominence As a
point. Next we reach
Eureka, the handsome and thrifty seat
of justice of Greenwood county, stu
ated on Fall river at the intersection
of the "SunfiOwer" with the Howard
branch of the Santa Fee. This little
city contains about $500 people, has
fine stone court house, an elegant
school house of white limestone that
cost $25 900. There is a splendid hotel
and number of fine blocks of stone
aud brick, also three excellent Touring
mills. The train stops for supper at a
little place called Reece. Soon after !
leaving Rcece the long regular outline |
of the flint hills is seen looming up
against the western horizon present |
ing a truly picturesque scene in the
blazing rays of the setting sun. Up
this little chain of mountains the train |
climbs by a succession of steep grades
and winding curves. From the sum-
NIT the traveller gets magnificent
view OF the country for miles away and |
a fairer landscape is rarely met---the
beautiful undulating prairies 1.-The rich
pasture lands alive with fine herds of !
cattle, sheep and horses-the bright, /
cheerful looking farm houses, in the
midst o: fac orchards laden with gol- |
den fruit: the rich alluvial valleys |
away down along the no.
BILE rivers; the Neosho, the Verdigris.
Fall River, the Little Walnut and the |
Great Arkansas. Ii is a land for
strangers to admire and its inhabi-
ANTS to feel proud of. The road for
many miles on either side of the Flint
Hills is in fine condition; ballasted
with broken rock. Not u speck of
lust rises from such road bed; this
With a fresh breeze and animating
scenery, renders the journey very
enjoyable. The first important town
west of the Flint Hills is III Dorado,
he county seat of Butler county, sit
lated on the Walnut at The junction
Of the Suniower with the Florence
md Douglass branch of the Santa Fe.
1t has population OF ab ut $500 and
S among the most fipuri>hiug towns
n the state. Now the shades of night
began tn shut out the view and we
Jaw no more until the shri! whistle
IF the engine gave motto: that we
we're approaching WIGHT soon the
myriad tights of the great ci of the
'allcy blaze out before u aud we find
ourselves home again. RAMBLER