Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1885-12-13
THE EMPIRE OF MEADE.

THE EMPIRE OF MEADE
| The story of the rapid growth of Kansas
communities has been told so often as to be-
come monotonous, but the history of Mead.
county does not belong to the same category,
MS it was born full grown.
a year ago it did not have 200 bona fide
| inhabitants and WAS occupied only as a cat
tie range; now it has more than 5000 popu-
| ation.
Meade is in the southern tier of counties,
its southern boundary being the panh andle
f the Indian Territory, commonly called
the Neutral Strip, or No Mans Land, which
| separates the southwestern portion OF the
tate from Texas. Its western boundary is
evenly eight miles from the western line OF
| Ia" s'Xie, the un"rgahiz-d counties of Sew
I'D, Stevens and Kansas separating it from
colorado. The location has this decided
,dvantsge: Every citizen of this portion
{ the Stale is familiar with the worse than
Chinese wall which the Indian policy of the
government has erected along the southern
border of the 81 ate rs far west n the lOOth
meridian. The wall ends few miles east OF
he southeast corner of Meade county The
Indians have no claim upon the Neutral
strip and it is eng rapidly filed with
settlers. This affords gate through which
-ho IF ~. ~...~ ~ Al nm
INSTRUCTED psthpay 10 the rich table land.
If western Texas.
RAILROADS.
Railroad men have already recognized
the advantage of reaching the south through
Meade county instead Of more easterly
route, which would require them to traverse
more than 200 miles Of unproductive terri
tory. The north and south line first expect
ed here is the extension of the Chicago,
Dodge City and Southwestern road, which
has already secured valuable franchises and
is on good financial footing. The compile
ton of the line is further assured by
The fact that Judge Hill,one of the projectors
of the Fl. Scott & Wichita road. is at the
head Of the enterprise.
Another road that Meade county is ex-
pecting in the near future, is the extension
ofthe Wichita & Western road from King
man.
STREAMS AND WATER SUPPLY.
Crooked creek extends through the coun-
ty, from north 20 south, its length in the
county, counting mcanderings,n not being less
than ninety miles. This stream Is fed by
springs, atfordng constant supply of stock
water. In the valley, along this stream, are
numerous marshes and ponds, where water
traverses the southeastern portion of the
country, has also constant supply of living
water. The depth Of the wells in the coun-
try varies from twenty TO over 100 feet. |
While the latter depth might be urged as an
objection BY those who are accustomed to
getting water much nearer the surface. it |
has the advantage of absolute purity and an
uniailing supply. The water IN the deep |
wells is usually raised by pumps run by |
wind mills. Crooked creek at Meade Cen |
ter has sufficient volume and fall to supply |
power for considerable manufacturing |
business. Abou. three miles southwest of /
town is a large spring which alone would |
furnish power Tor good Touring mill. |
One and one-half miles southeast, of town Is |
u natural curiosity in the shape Of salt |
well, 100 feet or more in diameter, and Of |
unknown depth. II was found in 1879 by |
the falling in of the earth The land in the
vicinity slopes gently 20 the northwest and /
does not suggest anything of u volcanic
nature. The water rises in the well 10 with
in thirty feet of tie surfsce and contains the.
highest percentage Of salt thst water will
hold in solution. The writer heard
several explanations as TO how
he well came - be there, but the mos: sat
sf-ctory reason for is exi.tenc Is the one
advanced by the cowboy, who gave i; as his
'pinion that the bottom hid dropped out"
The well and the land adj lining hss been
placed or the list a. mineral land and Is sub
&c; TO entry a. such. When the country
requires facilities for transportation the well
Will doubtless be great source Of revenue
o it, owner.
AREA AND SOIL.
The dimensions Of the county are thirty
hree and half miles north and south BY
hiriy miles eas. and west, and therefore con-
aims more than 900 square miles or nesrly
$1,000 acres. The northern ps-, Of the
'ouniy Is, to a large extent valley land "
NJ along Crooked creek or some Of is
numerous sf,'uents. Further south, where
he branches join the main stream, the valley
: narrower. The lArses; portion OF the
,ounty consists in level uplaads, in which.
nAay contend, the soil j: equal TO the best
ALLEY land. The rich Goa: Of buffalo o.
.ramula grass which grows on these up
sais seems 20 bear out this theory. /, IS
'nly along the rAvines and breaks Of the
:rea1ls tina; poo. lands can he found Be;
ven the rough land, though constituting
u; small percentage OF the county, : ns:
Disadvantages, IS il stcsis 81 ineIhsustsble
upply OF gypsum, which 3 81 eIcellen;
ubsiiiute for line. Aezis county les i'm
vest OF the ossse diminished -
e-ve. and Is sabjec. to entry By HOMESTEAD /,
redemption or timber culture. Amos;
very quarter Ia. been fled upon snd those
sho desire TO secure land there row uus;
'urchsss a re,iaq Of . former c
laiaas, e. Sgy 6sstsd ias3 Tbs san b q