The Ottawa free trader., 1884-01-05
From Gods Country.
HAYS CITY, kan., Dec. 2S.

HAYS CITY, kan., Dec. ~.
As many of your renders have never
visited Kansas, at least at this time of the
year, q description Of the towns and coun'
try along the K. i. aud some Of liz branch
es may hc Of interest 10 them. Leaving
Kansas City we pass al"ug he line OF The
K. p. road through Ltw,eu Topeka, The
capitol. and then un beyond through as
pretty y country ~ uuc cOnlh Hish to iooE
upon, for, although Il - ma winter, 'ht
traveller imagines It IS early spring as ht
gazes ont ol the car window into The
bright sunshine aud upon the immense
fields Of whest and rye tha, stretch rs far
as the eye can see ON ei,her side ot The
road, their deep, rich, grefn making n very
pretty contrast with the yellow buffalo
grass covering the hill tops beyond.
We stop at junction Ci'y--and -four
ishing little city 1t is-s,tua,cd on the Re
publican river, and 1873 miles west of Kan.
sas City. Here we take passage on q
branch road running up to ConCOrdia, 20
miles distant, following the river, winding
along through the Republican Valley,
passing through fourislnng towns and by
,inely cultivated farms, with the owners
comfortable homes pecping from among
the trees or standing upon toe hillsldes
overlooking the valley. The road ter
inmates vt Concoriia, An cnterprislng
town of some 5000 inhabitants, on the line
OF the Kansas Ccntrai t. r.. and surround.
ed by fine farming and stock country,
Nearly half the population are French.
Its buildings are exceedingly fine for so
small a town, particularly its churches,
school houses and hotels, with many hand
some residences and business houses.
'rhe place is rapidly growing, one OF Its
chief advantages beng fine dam across
the Republican river, giving hundreds of
horse power for manufacturing purposes.
New buildings are being erected on every
hand, business Is good, and the place is
rapidly growing, having increased some
800 ia population during the las, year.
Leaving COncordis we return to June
lion City, take the main line again, and in
an hours ride find ourselves in Sabina,
passing through several smaller towns
during the ride. Sabina IS situated on the
Smoky river and is one OF the l,vellest
towns in Central Kansas. 1t boasts of q
population OF between 5000 and 1000,
nestles in the midst Of as fine farming
region as can be found IN the state; has
three flrstclass newspapers, It's buildings
are substantial, many handsome business
houses, churches, residences, and as to
schools no city. of it, size can excel, and
from present Indications fine college
will soon be added to Its educational
facilities. The Holly system furnishes
water 10 the city for cxtinguishlDg fires.
1t boasts of as fine little park as can be
found in the state. perfect little gem.
It's hotels are away up;" and large
roller skating rink furnishes amusement
and exercise for the young people. In fact
Sabina is u model little city.
Leaving Sab,ns we take branca road
aud visit Mcpherson. 35 miles to the
southwest, the county sea, OF Mcpherson
county Mcpherson CLAIMS TO be the lead.
ing wheat growing county of the state.
Talk about enterprise, right here in this
town Of less than 1000 inhabitants you
will find plenty Of it, 1t IS the cleanea!,
pset,,est little town have run across.
don't believe there are hardly half dozen
shantles In the place, the residences being
comfortable and oozy, and many Of them
very handsome. Walking along its princl.
pal business street on Saturday after
noon you would imagine yOn were IN Il
town ten times its size as you glance up al
the three story business blocks, with tull
plate glass fronts in every store, and filed
to their utmost with the fines. goods, and
the streets crowded with teams and people.
AcIc, wv, tuSh pChooio nAO va tia' pN''' tho
principal school building beng one Of the
finest in this part of the state.
One thing the traveller takes particular
notice Of In travelling through Kansas is
her school houses, Tor In every ioUn, with
bu! few exceptions, no matter hoS smtll
and insignificant the town, there stands IN
iull view fine school building. helng in
many cases the finest eiices IN the place
Hoping have nO' intrudoI and taken
up too much space Of your valuable
columns or worried the patience o'' your
readers, will close Tor the present,
Respectfully, DUKE.