Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1886-12-16
KANSAS LETTER.

has been so fine, even for Kansas, this
fall that the "Oldest residents" say that
it ras hren very exceptional, and new
ones thought all they had read con-
cerning the Italy of America" certain
Iy tru, Monday morning, November
%, we were treated to thunder storm,
and all day Monday, bright and pleas
ant as was ever seen, the air seemed
like that of early spring time. Not un-
til a day or two ago have overcOats been
necessary, but now all is schanged. The
wind howls and careers around the
house, coming direct from the North
Pole, at least it seems as If it did, it is
so cold, and the ground is white with
snow. A year ago tomorrow, the 4th,
was, | believe the hardest blow on
record in Kansas. 1t was not q cold
wind and only blew S7l miles per hour.
1t can be imagined how things sailed
through the air. remember the date,
for President Taylor, of the State Nor
man School, lectured at Harper that
evening, under the auspices of the coun-
ty Teachers Association. The teachers
from Anthony drove ten miles in the
teeth of that terrible wind to attend
the lecture. 1t is needless to say that
they were well taken care of by the
good people of Harper, and after such a
ride as that, the kindness was appre-
ciated. Speaking of schools reminds
me that Harper has just undertaken a
new enterprise, has started Normal
College and Business Institute, using
the fine structure built for a Court
House, hv the citizens, in case the
coua atv seat was located there. 1t starts
out under bright auspices, and if it sue
ceeds will be a bright hought and good
thing for the city.
When the excursion of eastern agri-
cultural editors stopped at Harper they
were royalty entertained and departed
feeling that this part of Kansas was
worth seeing. They were under the
care of the Southern Kansas, several
of whose officers accompanied the ex-
cursionists. The train was q special
one composed Of palace cars. Perhaps
those eastern editors did not get their
eyes opened somewhat. If they did not,
it was their own fault, for they had ev-
cry opportunity furnished by the
Southern Kansas.
The Santa Fe system, of which the
Southern Kansas is very important
part, is reaching out all over the State
and has projected a vast net work of
roads which will serve as feeders to the
main lines and secure all the trade of
the country worth mentioning. One
branch reaching from Colony and not
constructed to Neosho Falls, is heading
for Yates Center, and the proposition
made by the company will be voted
upon in this place December 81. If
Yates Center secures this competing
line, her future is practically secure, for
the town has much to make it good,
among other advantages it has mine
of wealth in the stone found within
the corporate limits. Stone can be OBJ
tained there in any quantity and
of any quality. The surface stone is a
soft sand stone, used much for paving,
though that of lower strata has come
into high favor lately. Paving stone
of the finest quality are obtained in un-
limited quantity. Within the last two
years over three miles Of sidewalks have
been laid, all stone. The town contains
over five miles of solid stone pavement,
none other being seen. In fact the
citizens are not allowed to lay board
walks, so there are none in town, moth
ing but broad, smoothe paving stones
being used; as for size, when I was
there the other day, one was lying just
pried out, it was about three inches
thick, four feet wide and fifty feet long.
Sometime since one was loOsened which
measured six feet wide, six inches
thick, and over ninety feet long. OF
course such immense slabes are cut in
to lengths so they can be handled; so
far everything is done by hand, not
even a derrick for loading the stone,
the lengths are split by wedges and it
naturally is divided into strata of from
two inches to two feet in thickness.
Most of the business houses, the school
house and some private residences are
of this stone; it is quite soft when first
taken out, hardens on exposure to the
weather. If joint stock company
were founded and capital put into it,
and the business pushed as it warrants,
the town would want no better thing,
and railroads would be glad to come
here for the sake of the business it
would give them in carrying it to other
parts of the State. This is no exagera-
tion, it is capable of vast developments
and only wants some one to take the
matter in hand. C. L. E.
There was quite an interesting law
suit last Tuesday, before Justice Abbs,
of Ridgevill, Corners. Suit was brought
by Jacob Vernier, of Archbold. against