The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-08-21
Sixth District NelUs Notes
Items and "reminiscences by An Old Timer With His
Ear to the Grass Roots.

county seat contests, and in some of
them lives have been sacrificed. The
writer of these notes was a visitor to
the Sixth district during the organiza-
ton of several counties. History does
not record g. fatality in any, of them
because of county seat scraps. a The
counties of Graham, Sheridan, Chey-
enne, Decatur, Cove, Wallace, Logan
and Thomas organized while your
itemiZer made regular trips for the
came to be misunderstanding" was
in Sherman county, when rifle pits
were dug to keep off the invaders who
were on the way to Eustfs, the then
county seat, with a wagon to move
the county records to the new seat OF
MISUNDERSTANDING. The books
were safely moved without gun be-
ing fired. With such a record the
Sixth district has in county organiza-
tions is it any wonder the district has
and crops, and this year several of her
counties raised 100 per cent wheat
crops. Besides the pioneer sod houses
of the early days gave way to luxurl-
Gus and modern homes. 1t Is also
claimed that eight or ten of the big
wheat counties of the district viii this
year raise close to one-third Of the
crop in the total yield in the state.
An enthusiastic picnic was put on,
!
started up to see If there was oil or
gas in Trego county. Probably S,OOO
or more people witnessed the opening.
The promoters will go to the depth OF
labout 5000 feet unless the stuff Is
found closer to the surface. People
gathered from all parts Of the county
and enioyed community picnic.
Downs has celebrated her forty
first birthday, July 81. The writer at
tended the first one, which was a re-
union. gold, soldiers and picnic COM
bIned since then he was a visitor to
most of them until the last fifteen
years, when her anniversaries have
been carried on without his presence.
Thousands of people have attended
these annual celebrations. They were
also big dra wing cards for politicians
! of all political faiths. and they
preached about the grandeur of the
then short grass country Tina.
country now bein~ a garden. they don't
attend sn often. The people don't 20 to
them to hem politics discussed. ind IN
stead to visit and have an enjoyable
good time. One of the most notable
of these birthday Anniversaries wa'
before tho Kansas Prohibition law was
in effect. i seemed there was plenty of
! free boar for all who cared to enjoy
smile" The railroad hauls e<cur-
sio. trains every wear +oaded down
with people from both branches of the
Salon1hr, valley end as far east as
Greenlenf This Anniversary celehra-
ttion is the OILY orr the Downs Deonle
observe They put on ~ entert airfr1r
nrogranl and &c draws the crowd. Tho
town was named in honor Of Mai. W.
F. Downs vghn was general superin-
tendent % The Central branch (now
Missouri Pacifirl during fla construc-
ton. At first Il v-as thou~Ht tn name
the town povvr7et-i1tn. h''t ttss was oh
iectad to and willie vrns f-o1nad- Tt
Sc both a rasse-79e~ en1 f-e'o''t diy'
sion and tho only objection. 3s any 1T
all. fhe RAILROAD runs almost thru +l'n
heart If the business section. which
has led m strife hatwa4n the moth
and south sides. IT is situated in thn
center of a grest wheat aSd corn belt.
The town has a lot of pushers. and
every year the visitor can see many
changes in her growth and buildings.
A wheat raiser named Lee threshea
his volunteer crnn nna- ouinte~. Cove
county, ana # Welded f'~tv-one bushels
an acre II there are those who want
70 he shov-7 This Weld. the r-row1r will
furnish affiaavits from himself. the
thresher and Tho hired hands Has
anv one heard Of a larger yield than
this?
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Of A. A. ciIIisnie.
OF the Rexf6rd News. viii he moro
than pleased to learn that he won out
in the choice Of the PeDublicons for
| the Legislative nornina tior in Thomas
county The writer of these notes has
known him for years. He has made
| a srcress of his newspaper. always
publishing one Of the clear nest and
newsiest, and working for the upbuild-