The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-07
DEAD CITIES FOUND on
THE PLAINS OF KANSAS
Eastern Part of State Abounds in
Landmarks That Recall Once
Flourishing Places.
RAILROADS KILLED MANY

FREDONIA, Kan, March 6.-An old set
tier of forty or more years ago. as he trav-
els over the eastern part of Kansas, passes
By many historic landmarks.
Cities and towns that were staked off on
the virgin soil and given some classic name.
while flaming circulars, describing the en-
bryo metroI oils, were sent East 90 draw
the people and the dollars are now well
cultivated fields, producing fair harvests.
The site of Ohio City, once the county
seat of Franklin county, is one of these
landmarks. In April. 1850. it contained "a
few general stores. two fair hotels a
blacksmith shop, a schoOIhOuse and a
dozen or more dwelling houses. Business
was good and everything lively. with a
prospect OF a great boom. Men stood on
the street corners and painted in glowing
colors the coming glories.
One of the great roads leading into the
southern part Of the territory ran through
the principal street of this young city,
and an almost endless procession OF wag-
ons was constantly passing, some going
back and others bound for newer fields
The Indians from the Ottawa reserve, a
few miles north, were often seen trailing
through the place on some visiting or trad
The awaited glory of Ohio City passed
TO the beautiful Ottawa. on the banks of
-
1S64-1S65 and its destiny was forever
eclipsed.
Many OF its buildings and the county Of
fees were removed to Ottawa and the few
that were left became the abOdes Of owls
bats and creeping vermin. The town
plot. once full of promise, is now en-
closed I'm good farms. and the only re-
spectacle house left standing is on one
OF the well-tilled farms of p. p. Elder, of
Ottawa,
Two miles south. at the old emigrant
crossing on Middle creek and near the
present town OF Princeton, stands another
old landmark, Bolman's tavern. A great
square weather-stained signboard swung
from a pole In the front yard and in
formed the dust-covered or mud-bespat-
tered pilgrim that this was The TraV-
eler's Home" There was scarcely night
IN those early days but the old house was
well filed with persons in search OF some
new EldoradO, or going anu coming with
supplies OF goods
Since the days of railroads have come
the old Travellers Home has been con-
verted into a comfortable farmhouse
Central City. in thel west part of Ander-
son county. was staked of on a beautiful
plot of prairie along the Pottawatomie
In 1888, by Steven Marsh and his son. Like
many other Western towns that sprang
I'D on the frontier In an early day. 1t was
designed TO become a fourishing city.
Large results were looked for by those
who Invested their money III this new
place as good land surrounded the city
that was thought would soon be settled
by energetic people. while Eastern capital
would seek the enterprising center.
A large hotel was erected. Two general
stores. carrying "A fair stock of goods did
a large business for "A new settlement,
while a blacksmith shop and a sawmill
were added 20 the industries of the place
Several houses We're built. among them a
schoolhOuse. and many farmers were set
Ting on the new lands and opening good
farms along the stream. But somehow
things cid not boom with that speed char
acteristic of the West. The city came to
q standstill in the spring OF 1850. Some
moved away. while others came and filed
their places. A few were OF that restless
class OF Americans who are never salts
fed TO remain long IN any one place. For
several years the city had name OF be-
Ing alive. but IL was gradually dying. and
the hand OF destiny has almost stricken
81 from the map Of Kansas.