Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1886-01-01

SollDlllCu. Lulu dlS lilOuSdIluS VI
acres of land unincloSed, and this is
used by the farmers for grazing his
stock on, while lie cultivates his incloS-
ure or saves the grass therein for winter
range. 1t would be foolishness to say
that every foot of the county can be
cultivated, for not more than three
f0urths can be; but the balance can be.
and is, grazed by cattle twelve months
i'll the year. These same hills are suited
for vineyards, too, and produce a fruit
uneXcelled in flavor. Whether a man
devotes his entire energies to tilling the
soil and raising grain, for which he can
get the very highest prices, or if he en-
gage in the cattle industry he can make
more money here than in any country
in the world.
/ CLIMATE.
This country hes both neat and cold.
the latter severe, occasionally: but the
beauty of 1t is that the winters are of
short duration. Up to the time of this
publication, January 1st, there has not
been two weeks during the winter that
one could not go about their business
without even coat on. Not more than
four inches of snow has fallen, and that
soon disappeared. Usually there is a
cold spell of week or ten DAYS in
January, and then winter is broken,
spring comes early, good grass APP
pe2ring usually in March. In summer
the days are never sultry, pleasant
breeze always blowing. Autumn is the
most delightful time, however, fol-
with warm days and still, cool nights
no more lovely climate was ever expert
enced.
ORGANIZATION.
The county does not have herd law
in any portion of it, and stock may run
at large, only being restrained under
the general stray laws. This has been
found best for poor and rich alike
Herd laws drives the stock out, and the
! farmer has to hunt further for a grain
! market, while if they are allowed to
run at large in the county, he can dis
pose of every bushel he can raise.
The county government is economi-
cally managed, the officers being up to
the average in point OF intelligence and
unexcelled by none in the matter OF
honesty.
SCHOOLS.
The public schools of the county are
in healthy condition. There are &C
organized districts; 1853 pupils en-
rolled out Of a school population OF
2,6l6. These figures are from reports
made last July. Average salaries OF
male teachers is $3.50; female teachers
S26.S3. New school houses are being
built as fast as the communities demand
them. and these are of modern and SUBJ
stantial styles of architecture.
CHURCHES.
Barber county supports churches and
preachers as all civilized people should.
The Christians, Presbyterians, Method
lists and Baptists, predominant, their
strength being about in the order named.
The United Brethren have a good fol-
lowing, and lately the Catholics have
commenced regular services at Medicine
Lodge.
POLITICAL.
The county is nearly evenly divided
between the two leading political par
ties. At the last election, three candi-
dates on each the democratic and repub
lican ticket being elected. The total
vote polled in November was 5000; but
little is said about politics except dur
ing one month in the year, and this is
so much better for the county.
POPULATION.
The population of the county, accord
ing to the census taken last March was
I, 500; but it has increased since that
time no doubt 1900, for the vote cast
being 1000 would represent popula-
ton of 10000. This population is made
up of people from nearly every state in
theUnion, besides considerable sprink-
ling Of foreigners.
TAXABLE WEALTH.
The taxable wealth of Barber county
on the 1st day of last March was made
up of the following:
S43.096 acres of land valued at COZ sol
4'isU town lots 1885
Personal property ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 65e, SIS
Total. -.-,..................s I.aes,o8I