The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-08-03
TWENTY-SIX YEARS AGO.
Some Comparisons Made From the
Official County Statistics.

The first statistical report on the agri-
cultural and horticultural conditions of
Shawnee county was prepared in 1878,
while J. Lee knight was county clerk.
That report of twenty-six years ago, in
comparison with the report just compiled
by County Clerk Newman on the condi-
tons of Shawnee county, March 1, '1904,
shows few startling changes.
In 1878 the total number of acres of land
in Shawnee county under fence was u.s.
294, while this year the acreage under
fence is 274,066, and only 527 acres are not
under fence. These figures tell of the
hSng OF fou fas Wben Kng and
out his report there were 1881 acres in
the county unimproVed.
According to the reports the farmers
thought Shawnee county more of wheat
county years ago than they do now, for
acres of winter wheat, while last fall but
1865 acres were SOWn in Shawnee county.
AS the farmers gave up wheat raising
81, 005 acres of corn planted in the county,
while this year the acreage is &C. 45O. The
farmers also seem to have given more at
tention to oats, for this year there are
6,717 acres in the county, against 5,126 in
1873.
When Mr.. knight made out his report
Shawnee county could not boast of an
just 101 acres of cotton in Shawnee coun-
ty. Tobacco, however, was grown TO the
extent of 81 acres in 1873, While now not
Shawnee county was a good deal of
butter county twenty-six years ago, Tor
1886 pounds were made annually by the
farmers, while now the annual produc-
ton of country butter is 421. 500 pounds.
Years ago the farmers made 1850 pounds
of cheese annually, while now the annual
production of home made cheese is 1.106
R tories in ISIS IS was Sse s7,156 pounds.
TWenty-six years ago Shawnee county
boosted of ,241 horses and now has 1873
Mules have increased in number and pop
ularity, for Mr.. Knight polled 6o5 and and Mr.
Newman registered 1892 head. In 1878 the
milk cattle numbered 1879, and other cat
tie 1861, while. the figures now are 1Ol0
milk cattle and %, rs other cattle; Sheep,
however, outnumbered in 1873 the total [.
sheep count for this year of SIG, for Mr.
knight found 3,0S1 One strange feature
is that there is but a slight difference in
the number of hogs, for in 1878 24'615 were
In 1878 Shawnee county had As, 063 apple
trees, 2149 pear. 62.612 peach, 1,949 plum
pie, 5,345 pear, S1,565 peach, 6,7A plum, and
The population figures in 1873 were as
follows; City of Topeka d s, 4s4 in the four four
wards, an increase Of 5O9 over od the year
Lake township, 1855; Soldier township, l.
40; Topeka township, 1,S06; TeGumseh
port township. 541; Auburn, 7OO Dover
SIS, and Mission, 522. The census figures
this RdssS year aTe S q srer lake S
MenoI1en, S24; Soldier, 2, 40; Topeka town
ship. 5,465; Tecumsseeah, 1Gn Willia a50
yer, LAS: Mission, 1892 The total poPu.isaa-
ton of Shawnee county in 1878 was 1883
In the statistical roll prepared by ].
Lee Knight is the following under re
Compiled in compliance with
the law but without compensation
The first report in 1873 was made by r T.
L. Sanders. Rossville township: =;
T Tagaes M s. ". Wider. Topeka: A. 6.
Miller, Topeka; Perry Tier Pauline Peter
H ran McArthur. Topeka, and compiled
by County Clerk knight