Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-08-22
TWELVE YEARS IN KANSAS.
Editor Emporla Republican.

Editor Emporla Republican.
Twelve years ago the writer made his
first trip through Kansas soliciting orders
for an eastern wholesale house Look
ing back to that time and comparing the
condition of the state to its conditions
now, its growth seems marvellous and
more like the result of one hundred
years than Of twelve, and yet some PEG
pie complain in Kansas, but such people
will complain in heaven if they ever gel
, there.
Twelve years ago Topeka contained
less than third of its present popula.
.. ton, and less than half of its present
wealth. The one story frame store
rooms have given place to the magniti-
: cent stone and brick business blocks
The modest resident cottages have
given place to beautiful and commodi
Gus homes, with every modern improve.
inent, and the poor men of that time are
the wealthy men Of today. The same
may be said of Emporia, Fort Scott
Hutchinson and Wichita. Twelve year;
ago Wichita was the dumping OIL
place" in southwestern Kansas and the
pioneer commercial travellers used to
make team trips to the little hamlets OF
Wellington, Winfield, Arkansas City and
Caldwell, now cities of wonderful growth
ana wealth, with street cars, water
works, electric lights, etc. At that time
Harper county was just being organized,
for the second time, haying previously
been disorganized for want of popula-
ton, and the commercial traveller who
ventured out into that country was con-
sidered pioneer of commerce indeed.
The writer did not make the venture un-
til 1880 and he well remembers how he
had to "brace up" the ''credit man
of the firm to get goods
shipped to the struggling mer-
chants doing business in Harper
county at that time. 1t is pleasing re-
Election to think and know that the mer-
chants recommended to credit by me at
that time are wealthy and prosperous
now. At that time the land where the
city of Attica now stands was govern
ment land, and the man who ventured
the prediction that the county of Harper
would be the garden spot it is today,
would be fit subject for the lunatic
asylum. Attica is one of the most re-
markable cities in the county. When
the Southern Kansas a., I. & S. F.
built west of Harper City, the town OF
Attica was laid out by the Arkansas Val
ley Land and Town company, and IN
less than SIX months it contained popu-
lation of 1, 500 inhabitants.
The CITY was built on bOom-ahead
of the requirements of an unsettled
country-and as consequence, when
the railroad was built further west, 1t
became so dead that it seemed beyond
resurrection TO all, except few deter
mined spirits who never ceased to work
for its welfare. The faith and work OF
these determined men is now rewarded
bv a revival of business and prosperity
that is substantial. A sugar mill, costing
1926, 900, is now successfully established
1t EMPLOYS $50 men and will pay out to
the farmers for cane, during the next
three months, at least 100000. 1t Is a
sight worth seeing to drive around
Attica and see $500 acres of sugar cane
ready for harvest, which will average at
least twelve tons to the acre, (some
fields will average fifteen tons TO the
acre. Cane is worth at the mill 81. W
per ton, Think of this, eastern farmers;
$1,000 per acre land producing
$40 TO 5000 per acre in one crop!
In addition to the sugar mills Attica has
water works and one of the most sue
cessful creameries in the state, and will
soon have salt works run by the same
power as the sugar mill.
While at Athony Visited the farm of l..
D. Brand, one of the leading merchants OF
Anthony and saw there the most prolific
crops | ever witnessed. On one piece OF
ground Mr.. Brand harvested crop OF
wheat averaging thirty bushels to the
acre on the 9Th of June. He then plant
ed corn with listers in the same ground
L. = ND m
assured crop that will average over forty
bushels to the acre. Figuring the wheat
at fifty cents per bushel and corn al
twenty cents, very low estimate, and
we find the land produces $23 per acre
pretty good for SO land. Kansas lands
purchased at present prices will be bet
ter investment than gold mine. Ii
produces corn, wheat, oats, potatoes and
nearly all kinds Of fruit i'll abundance
Commercial travellers who have wit
are investing in town property
and lands and many OF them
are making their home anC
Headquarters in central cities
} and are fast becoming identified with
their prosperous surroundings. Looking
back twelve years and having witnessed
, sure and steady progress all the time, il
) is not q sketch of the imagination tc
look ahead twelve years and see Kansas
| double its population and wealth. II
has now population of about 1900, 900
but it is capable of supporting at leas
10,0GO,00 Lands and homes are now
cheap, but present opportunities vii
soon be thing of the past, and it be
hooves the prudent man to secure {
nome in Kansas, All Kansans are PROUD
!, of their state and none more so that th'
resident commercial travellers who estab
lished the credit of its merchants anC
took such an active part in building VI
its commercial greatness. Twelve years
from now Kansas will be q leading man
ufacturing state as we'll as first in agri
; culture. The cities that have already
established and fostered diversified in
dusuies are the most prosperous, anC
: when other cities in the state do like
J wise, as they will, the lands of Kansas
: will increase IN value ten fold.
: COMMERCIAL TRAVELLER.
a / --
, EXCHANGE SHOTS.
More Trouble for the Railroads.