The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1889-08-22
THslna Years in Kansas.

ED. REPUBLICAN:--TWel years ago
the writer made his first trip through
Kansas soliciting orders for an eastern
wholesale house. Looking 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 people COM
plain in Kansas, but such people will
complain in heaven if they ever get
there.
Twelve years ago Topeka contained
less than third of its present popula-
ton, and less than half of It's present
wealth. The one story frame store
rooms have given place to the magnifi-
cent stone and brick business blocks.
The modest resident cottages have
given place to beautiful and commodi-
Gus homes, with every modern improve
ment, and the poor men of that time
are the wealthy men of to-day. The
same may be said Of Emporia, Fort
Scott, Hutchinson and Wichita.
Twelve years ago Wichita was the
jumping off place" in southwestern
Kansas and the pioneer commercial
travellers use to make team trips to the
little hamlets of Wellington, Winfield,
Arkansas City and Caldwell, now cities
of wonderful growth and wealth with
street cars, WaterWorks, electric
lights, etc. At that time Har-
per county was just being
organized, for the second time, having
previously being disorganiZed for want
of population and the commercial traV-
eler who Ventured out into that coun-
try was considered a pioneer of
commerce indeed. The writer did not
make the venture until 1880 and he
we'll remembers how he had to 'sbrace
up'' the ''credit man. of the firm to
get goods shipped to the struggling
merchants doing business in Harper
county at that time. 1t is pleasing
reflection. to think and know that the
merchants recommended to credit by
me at that time are wealthy and pros
porous now. At that time the land
where the fiourishing city of Attica
stands was government land, and the
man who ventured the prediction that
the county of Harper would be the
garden spot it is to-day, would be a fit
subject for the lunatic asylum. Attica
| is one of the most remarkable cities in
the county. When the Southern Kan
sas railroad A. I. s. S. F. built west
of Harper City, the town of Attica
was laid out by the Arkansas Valley
Land Il Town company, and in less
/ than six months it contained a poDula-
ton of l 500 inhabitants.
The city was built on boom-ahead
of the requirements of an unsettled
country-and as a consequence, when
the railroad was built farther west, il
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
by a revival OF business and prosperity
| that is substantial. A SUI
| gar mill, costing S125, 000. 90.
is now successfully established. II
employees 150 men and Will pay out u
the farmers for cane, during the next
three months, at least $50, 600. It rs 9
sight worth seeing to drive around
Attica and see $500 acres OF sugar cant
ready for harvest, which will average al
least twelve tons to the acre, tSom(
4 fields will average fifteen tons to thu
acre. Cane is worth at the mill 81 .0l
per ton. Think of this eastern farmers
$1,000 per acre land producing
ing S24.00 TO 5000 per acre in one crop
In addition TO the sugar mills Attic
has WaterwOTks and one of the mos
successful creameFies in the state, ant
will soon have salt works rua by thi
same power as the sugar mill. Whii'
at Anthony I visited tile farm of l.. u
Brand. one of the leading merchants o
!. Anthony. and saw there the most pro