The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1886-04-27
KANSAS.

Ed. SPIRIr: Having been silent for
some length Of time will again knock for
The winter is over and spring has
come to. stay. Farmers are busy plant
ing corn, grest many being already
through. Trees are beginning to look
green, and everything out doors looks
green and beautiful. The last winter in
Kansas wss verv cold, coolest fold set
tiers inform me) ever known since Kan.
sas was admitted into the Union, which
was in 1851, rs years sgo. But still the
people did not seem to mind the cold
weather and terrific storms as much as
people in Ohio, as the atmosphere is light
and dry.
For one month the spring emigration
has been coming into Kansas from the
Ease States. many more coming this
spring than last. I guess the people are
being convinced of the fact that Kansas
is blessed with good, productive and
never failing soil.
Kansas, ii years sgo was eaten up by
q grasshopper invasion, dried up BY an
unexpected hot spell, or wound up by
rumors Of threatened Indian invasion
then hundreds. yes thousands. OF people
got discouraged and sold their improved
farms and government claims for mere
nothing, glad to get what they could, in
order to get money enough to 60 back
East to the friends they bad left. Now
wonder what those individuals, who then q
got discouraged and did not have the
pluck to stick to it, think to-day, il they
we're to come back to their old fsrme,
that they deserted years ago without
faith or. any pros oect OF the future. and
6nd that those farms are worth from $50
to $50 per acre.
Just the other day I.had q converse
ton with y newspaper man about old
times and how they used to get discour.
aged, and be told me about one man in
particular. He said: 81 have never for
got the last visit Of one strong, robust
man who came in my offis to- pay up his
subscription and give Us Eis parting curse
for having tolled him into this country,
pointing all the while to bis dilapidated.
lean team, which, hitched 10 wagon
that contained his family and earthly ef.
fects, stood down on central Avenue. No
explanation OF the fact that We bad been
honest and that we believed all that we
had written could molIify him. He pull
ed out in the direction of Indiana leav-
ing rs dumh-overwhelmed."
What would that man say to-day II be
owned that farm down on Little Wal
nut" With its blooming orchard. and
green growing meadows and mellow
plow lands. worth from $50 to $50 per
acre, or SS, 600 cash, at low estimate /?
We need not stop to tell what Kansas,
the cities ard villages dhe contains is to-
day. Every body ksows the one and can
do the other.
Eldorado, the metropolis OF Butler
County, is growing immensely fast 10
population; the water works are compile.
ted; gas Is being put 10 and telephone
system is talked of.
Not long since ! met gentleman that
lived in Butler County. Kansas, for nine
wears, tha, was formerly OF B'ownsville,
Monroe County, Oaio. He asked me
how John B. Noll was. getting along and
when ] informed him that he was dead
several years ago. 1t kind OF surprised
him.
A large portion Of the emigration are
making their way out to Western Kan.
sas. where the land ia yet cheap, and
where they can yet obtain Government.
land that is unoccupied. The writer was
out in that country last October and will
again start for there about the 6rst OF
Nav. In Scott, Wichita, Greeley and
St. John Counties, Government land can
vet be obtained. The coil is very pro.
ductive, as the crop raised in the sod last
year clearly sho ws, and the sandy soil is
conceded to be the best fruit. South Of
the sandy region, Which occupies about
200 square miles. the country changes TO-
gentle, undulstipg plain covered with
thick coat OF buffalo grass. The soil
is rich and OF, uniform quality to the
depth OF Eve or six feet. This land is
nearly all claimed and occupied by en-
terprising squatters.
Local news from this country would
probably not interest your readers, but
sill saw that e N. Smith. formerly OF
Woods6eId. was elected Mayor OF Edo
RADIO at the spring election. Mr.. and
Mrs. E. K. Morris intend to pay their
old home in Monroe visit this coming
summer. All the other folks Of Monroe
are doing we'll and seem TO enjoy the
q u Eonrn