Mexico weekly ledger., 1884-03-20
THE KANSAS CORN TRAIN,
tn Route to Cincinnati, Laden
with Corn for Ohio.
THE GIFT OF sEDGWICK COUNTY.
Hundreds of People Review the Train
as 1t Passes Mexico.

ahe public being notified by the LEDG-I
Err Bulletin at what time the corn train
would be here last night, turned out in
goodly numbers to see the wonderful,
sight. W. E. Gray, Assistant Superinten-
dent of the Chicago & Alton railway, has
our thanks for telegraph pass to come
down on the o r train from where the
regular passenger met her, thus giving
us a good chance for inspection. InIs74
ohie helped Kansas; in 1884 Kansas paws
the debt.-Bread truly cast upon the wat
tiers. The train consisted of thirty-hve
cars, two cabooses and a passenger coach
pulled by engines Ice and 1871.
Upon the roof of the first car is a rep
resentation of an immense grassbopper.
indicative of the great grashopper plague
OF 1874. On the sides of several cars
were large scrolls bearing the inscription,
"Corn, with compliments of Wichita and
Sedgwick county, Kan, to the Ohio val
ley" At each end of the scroll was a
gfasshopper supporting it. Upon anoth-
er canvas was painted a huge ear of corn
drawn by a train of grasshoppers, with
one of these festive insects seated upon
it driving, and IN the distance was a sign
board bearing the information, ITO the
Ohio Valley" One of the most unique
OF all the designs was n cartoon repre-
senting upon one side Kansas clouded
with grasshoppers in 1874, and on the
other side flooded with corn in 1854. The
declining fortunes of the poor hoppers
was ludicrously represented. The head
OF a family was represented as struggling
to rescue his offspring from a food of
grain. Another device represented a
lank farmer with his emaciated COW and
'~'razorback" hog, literally besieged with
hoppers, while in close proximity to it
was another displaying the condition of
the farmer at present, with his diamond
stud and well kept herds. The next de-
sign represented cornucopia pouring
forth corn, with the inscription, "Cast
this bread upon the water, and thou
shalt find it after many days.
Upon several cars were painted three
large ears of corn, and underneath the
inscription, "Bread cast upon the wat
terS." Other ears bore the inscription,
Accomplishments of Wichita and Sedgwick
county, and the Atchison, Topeka s. Sam
ia Fe; Chicago & Alton; and Ohio &
Mississippi railroads." Kansas remem-
bers her own time of trial' was within,
upon another canvas.
The movement which led to this liberal
contribution on the part of Sedgwick
county was instituted about two weeks
ago by the board of trade of Wichita,
when in was determined that the city
of Wichita should contribute a car load
of flour to the sufferers from the Ohio
| flood. The matter was soon taken up
by the farmers of Sedewick county, who
desired to contribute also. The result
was that in a short time it wa arranged
that each township of Sedgwick county
| thirty-one in number, should furnish a
car of corn. The officials of the Atchison
Topeka & Santa Fc; Chicago & Alton;
and Ohio & Mississippi railroads readily
agreed to carry the train free to Cincin-
natl.
Upon reaching Cincinnati the corn, in
amount l2,400 bushels, will be sold by
the board of trade of that city, and will
realize at least $500, if sold at only the
market price. In addition to this amount
Sedgwick county contributed $500 in
cash to the flood sufferers, and the whole
sun will be distributed where needed.
Accompanying the train are Mr.. W. T.
Jewett, representing the farmers of Sedg-
wick county; Mr.. W. s.. White, editor OF
the Beacon, representing the citizens OF
Wichita, and Professor H, Worrall of the
Santa Fee land department, the artist who
designed and executed the notices and
cartoons.