Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1885-03-12
Thomas County.

Hearing much about the fertility.
smoothness and the great adaptability
of the lands Of this county for stock
raising and farming, we last week in
company with our genial friend J. B.
McGonigal. paid Thomas visit. We
rode to Beloit over the Solomon Rail-
road, and after short stay in that live
ly city we seated ourselves in the ears
of the Central Branch for Lenora. We
know nothing of the condition of the
road from Beloit to Atchison, but from
BelOit to Lenora the road is in good
condition and doing good business, as
many land hunters are going west.
The ride from Lenora to Oberlin, where
the land Office OF this district is located,
is not so pleasant as it is made in hack
and the distance is 10 miles. The land
office has to be visited i'm order to see
the plats. If you are not acquainted
in the locality you wish to examine, it
is highly necessary that you engage
the services of some intelligent and
trusty person who will give you the
candid information you are seeking.
Our route was up the South Sappa from
Oberiin (see map and our first stop
ping place was at Fay Gibbs. an old set
tier who has lived here nearly FIVE
years. Squire Gibbs testimony is that
you can raise hay, grain potatoes, veg
etables and fruits. Our journey was
continued up the South Sappa passing
Cumberland post office, and ten miles
higher up, the Otterbourne post office.
Both of these places are the centers of
thriving settlements. We find an
of living water in this
stream, and the statements of the set
tiers are positive on this point. Our
journey led us from the South Sappa |
Valley across the fiat or divide to the
Prairie Dog Valley, striking the Dog
about 21a miles north of the present site
Of the Colby post office. Where we
struck the Dog is where the new town
site is located, and where the new pa
per is being published. The land be-
tween these streams is very fine, the
and being level and the soil deep and
rich. the drainage being sufficient.
Our return to Oberlin and the selec-
ion of our land being accomplished
We came home. While in Thomas we
lad two days of snow, fall of about
;hree inches. We were informed by
parties who have been in all parts of
he county that the general character
If the surface is smOOthe, the breaks
where they do occur. not being rugged.
You can get good idea Of the lay of
he land by knowing that you can drive
! horse and buggy over almost any part
If the county, especially the western
part. The present settlements are in
he north east part, but land hunters
ire numerous and the land is being
taken" every day. At present abou
me half of all the lands in the county
re open for settlement.
There is an abundance OF nutritious
Buffalo grass all over the county. Wa
er can be obtained at 4 depth ranging
rom II to 40 feet. At the new town
tie water can be obtained by digging F.:
lfty feet.
We saw no dead cattle while out
here. There seems to be plenty of hay
Orghum, millet and the everlasting l
uffalO grass.
You will not find babbling brooks or
Iagnificent forests, buc you will find
ONE of the finest land in the state, a
rier climate than east and about 200
rave and intelligent settlers. Let ev-
~ man be persuaded in his own mind
e sure you are right and then go
head.
ID. NJ. ID. /