Year: 1878

SEVERANCE, KANSAS, June "a, 1873.


EDrroR OF CHIEY:-For the last two weeks have
been visitor in this half) thrifty little city. and
while staying here, have learned little of her his
tory. If am correctly informed. this town is an off
spring of the ST. Joe D. C. R. R.. laid ont and built
up in part by that were at time interested
in the advaece of that road westward find the city
located within and surrounded by one Of the best
farming countries in the State perhaps the best) a
things being equal" Go where you may, abun
dant harvest awaits the husbandman. There seems
to be need of dissatisfaction among the farmers in
this vicinity. With good season and heavy crops
they must certainly look for good return to reward
them for their labor. The only complaint they seem
to have is, that they are cut of from competition in
the grain trade with other farmers in different parts
Of the County, on account Of the high rates of freight
charged by the st. Joe d. C. r. X. Co., thus not
letting them have equal show with farmers living
near the A. &. n Z. z. After listening to these CON-
plants, have taken the trouble to investigate the
truth Of the charges and have thus far found them
correct For number Of weeks prior to coming here,
was staying in Atchson, where daily used to see
the farmers the Streets with their grain for sale.
I.now meet the same men in Severance, and find that
they own and operate farms within three miles of
this town. They tell me that although their rail
road taxes have to be paid ont of their products, it
pays them generally six cents per bushel to haul to
Atehison. thus paying them good days wages to haul
their grain to an adjacent County, and build up
interest in opposition to their own. find, upon in
qury, that far west Leona some of the heaviest
farmers compelled to haul their grain several
miles, to Highland Station for the that the
market is two three cents per busel better This
they do, and at the time say that equal mar
- 80
that market. ST. Joe seems to be the natural point
for the reception of grain from this part of Donphan
County, and it seems to that, with her own inter
ests at stake grain emporium, combined with the
interests of the St. Joe D.. c. r. T., rates might be
secured by shippers that they make it profitable
for the farmers of this section to make Severance in
stead of other points, their market.


Now, gentlemen of 81. Joe, remember that perhaps
the largest oversight of your city neglect push
the road westward in time to make it the trunk line
to the Pacific; but that opportunity lost it is
that other legitimate commercial relations
be sundered by neglect of simple justice towards the
farming class of Doniphan County. also know that
the bridge at St. Joe has something to do with the
freights of grain route to ST. Joe. Would not
little less toll and pay better than higher
tolls and less cars in transit Would not your bridge
last almost long with constant in inactivity
think ask your consideration of this matter of
freights. 1t is true that you have expended large
sums of money to secure your bridge; and yet the
General Government is helping you some, and you
ignore the fact that you have received material
aid in securing these appropriations from the General
Government through the influence Of Doniphan Coun-
ty Now, if one good turn deserves another,
list with the interest of the St. Joe Bridge and St Joe
d. C. z. r. to give rates on the road that will
compete with the A. e.. K. r.; then the farmers will
hip with you, and Severance will show business
,apacity equal to any town in Northern Kansas.


G. H. NJ