Glass. 
 
 Rnnk f&47 
 
EL A_ 1ST D-B O O K 
 
 OF 
 
 CONTAINING A DESCRIPTION OF 
 
 'he Physical Geography and Geology of the 
 State. Its Natural Advantages and Re- 
 sources, its Railroads, Educational In- 
 stitutions, Stage Routes, Prices of 
 Land, Method of Procuring Gov- 
 ernment Land by Purchase 
 and by Pre-emption and 
 Homestead Claims. 
 Also, a Description of the Counties, &c. 
 
 By J. A. BENT, 
 
 PROFESSOR IN WHEATON COLLEGE, ILLINOIS. 
 
 CHICAGO: 
 
 PUBLISHED BY RUFUS BLANCHARD. 
 
 1869. 
 

 ■ 
 
 
PREFACE 
 
 The object of this Hand-Book is to give, in a very brief manner, such 
 information as may be useful to travelers, and more particularly to those 
 who may wish to emigrate to Kansas. The writer has traveled extensively 
 In the summers of 1867 and 1868, in the various parts of the State, and hag 
 collected facts, as he was able, from residents, from public documents, par- 
 ticularly Swallow's and Mudge's Geological Surveys, and public officers in 
 the land offices and the various departments of the State. As immense 
 quantities of excellent government land are open to the settler under the 
 Pre-emption and Homestead Acts, a full account is given of those laws, and 
 of the way to procure land through them. In describing the natural advan- 
 tages of the country, care has been taken not to make exaggerated 
 statements, 
 
HAND-BOOK OF KANSAS. 
 
 GEOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL SUMMARY. 
 
 Kansas, in form, is nearly a parallelogram. It lies between 
 latitude 37° and 40° N. and longitude 94.40° and 102° W. 
 Its mean length, from east to west, is abont 400 miles, and 
 its breadth is about 200 miles. Its area is about 80,000 square 
 miles, or 50,000,000 acres — an area considerably greater than 
 that of all the New England States, and about equal to that 
 of England, Wales, and Ireland. It was admitted to the 
 Union as a State in in 1861, being the thirty-fifth State. A 
 more than usual interest gathers round its early settlement, 
 from the fact that a strenuous struggle was made for years 
 by the friends of human freedom, against the propagandists 
 of slavery. The motto on the seal of Kansas is indeed signi- 
 ficant: " Per aspera ad astra," — " Through rough struggles 
 we reach the stars." 
 
 The moral of the severe and romantic history of Kansas 
 is, that in a fair encounter the right will at last prevail. 
 That while the deeds and names of oppressors and their 
 minions shall be held in execration, the fair fame and noble 
 souls of martyrs to liberty shall march on to future ages in 
 acclamations of blessing and triumph, A brief chronological 
 statement of the leading events in the settlement of th& 
 Territory, and the oiganization of a State government, is 
 all that will be attempted. 
 
 Kansas was a part of the Louisiana purchase made by 
 Jefferson in 1803, of Napoleon. 
 
 By the Missouri Compromise Bill, 1821, it was enacted, 
 that all the territory which lies north of latitude 36 Q 30c N. 
 excepting only such part thereof as is included within the 
 limits of the State (Missouri) contemplated by this act, slavery 
 and involuntary servitude, otherwise than in punishment for 
 crime, whereof the party shall have been duly convicted shall 
 
6 HAND-BOOK OF KANSAS. 
 
 be and is hereby forever prohibited." In May, 1864, by an 
 act of Congress the Territories of Kansas and Nebraska 
 were organized — and in Section 14 of this act it was declared 
 that the Constitution and all the laws of the United States 
 should be in force in these territories except the Missouri 
 Compromise act of 1820 — which is hereby declared inopera- 
 tive and void." This annulment of the Compromise Act, was 
 deemed a great wrong by the free states. The doctrine of. 
 Popular Sovereignty was held up to appease the intense dissat- 
 isfaction. Let the settlers of a Territory decide upon its 
 Constitution. In the same year and occasioned by the virtual 
 repeal of the compromise, the Legislatures of Massachusetts 
 and Connecticut granted charters to Emigrant Aid Societies, 
 whose object was to assist emigrants to settle these Territo- 
 eies, by affording useful information, procuring cheap trans- 
 portation and by rendering material aid in erecting milla in 
 the new settlements. 
 
 A large emigration began to flow in from the free Statea 
 M 1854. The town of Lawrence was founded by one hundred 
 men mainly from the eastern states. In the same year the 
 " Platte County Defensive Association" was organized in Mis- 
 souri, "To assist in removing any and all emigrants who go 
 there under the auspices of Northern Emigrant Aid Socie- 
 ties." Much excitement prevailed, and resolutions were adop- 
 ted in western Missouri in favor of the extension of Slavery 
 into Kansas. 
 
 A. Reeder, of Pennsylvania was appointed Governor and 
 arrived in the Territory Oct. 6, 1854. A delegate to Congress 
 was to be chosen Nov. 29. Armed bands from Missouri voted 
 so that out of 2,871 votes cast, it was subsequently estimated 
 by a congressional investigating committee that 1,729 were 
 illegal. 
 
 A similar result followed the attempt to elect members to 
 the territorial Legislature in March 30, 1855. Out of 6,218 
 votes, only 1,310 were legal, of which 791 were given for 
 free state candidates. Gov. Reeder set the returns aside and 
 ordered new elections in six districts. The result was the 
 choice of free state delegates except in Leavenworth, where 
 the Missourians again siezed the polls. Gov. Reeder went to 
 Washington, and on his return found himself removed from 
 his office. The alleged reason — irregular proceedings in the 
 purchase of Indian lands. The Legislature met at Pawnee, 
 July 3, and remained in session till August 30. t The fre« 
 
HAND-BOOK OP KANSAS. 7 
 
 state men chosen at the second election were expelled, and 
 their seats given to the pro-slavery men originally returned. 
 They passed an act making it a capital offense to assist slavea 
 in escaping into or out of the Territory, and felony punishable 
 with imprisonment at hard labor from two to five years, to 
 conceal or aid escaping slaves, to circulate anti-slavery pub- 
 lications or to deny the right to hold slaves in the Territory; 
 also an act requiring all voters to swear to sustain the Fugi- 
 tive Slave Law. 
 
 Governor Wilson Shannon, of Ohio, was appointed in place 
 of Gov. Reeder. He entered upon his duties September 1, 
 1855. A little later a free state convention was held at Big 
 Springs. After protesting against the doings of the Legis- 
 lature, they nominated Ex Gov. Reeder delegate to Congress., 
 and appointed Oct. 9 as the time of holding the election, 
 when Gov. Reeder received about 2,400 votes. " At the same 
 time delegates were chosen to a constitutional convention which 
 assembled at Topeka, Oct 23, and sat till Nov. 21. They drew 
 r*p a Constitution for the State in which slavery was prohib- 
 ited. 
 
 The public mind was so excited that many acts of violence 
 were perpetrated, and several men on each side lost their 
 lives. Lawrence was held in a state of siege for several days 
 by border residents from Missouri. On December 15, the 
 people voted upon the question of the acceptance of the To- 
 peka Constitution. Only 45 votes were cast against it. On 
 January 15, 1856, state officials and legislature under the To- 
 peka Constitution were voted for, and Charles Robinson was 
 elected Governor. The Legislature met at Topeka, March 
 4, and adjourned to July 4. Early in April armed bands from 
 Georgia, Alabama and other Southern States under Major 
 Buford arrived. On May 5, the grand jury of Douglas county 
 found indictments against Reeder, Robinson and Lane, and 
 other free state leaders for high treason, on the ground of 
 their participation in the organization of a state government 
 under the Topeka Constitution. Reader and Lane escaped 
 ou£ of the Territory, but Gov. Robinson was arrested and 
 kept in prison for four months. The U. S. Marshal took Maj. 
 Buford'smen into pay and armed them with Government mus- 
 kets. Lawrence was again besieged by a large force, and on 
 May 21, 1856 under promise of safety to person? and protec- 
 tion to property, toe inhabitants gave up their arms to the 
 Sheriff. The invaders immediately entered the town, burned 
 
8 HAND-BOOK OF KANSAS. 
 
 the hotel and Governor Robinson's house, destroyed two 
 printing presses, and plundered several stores and houses. 
 Civil war raged throughout the territory. A fight occurred 
 at Pottawattamie May 26, eight killed. At Black Jack, June 2, 
 Capt Pate, of South Carolina, and thirty men were captured. 
 For several months this state of things continued. The free >v 
 state legislature assembled July 4, and were forcibly dispersed 
 by IT. S. troops, by order of Col. Sumner. August 14, the free 
 state men captured Col. Titus and twenty men nearLecompton. 
 August 17, a treaty was formed between Gov. Shanon and 
 the free state men. A few days later Gov. Shannon was su- 
 perceded by Governor Geary, of Pa. Before bis arrival, act- 
 ing Gov. Woodson declared the Territory in a state of rebel- 
 lion. Quite a force, increased by 1,150 men from Missouri 
 under Atchison were collected to quell the uprising of the 
 people. August 29 a detachment from Atchison had attacked 
 Ossowatamie, which was defended by 50 men, who were de- 
 feated — 2 killed, 5 wounded and seven taken prisoners. Five 
 of the assailants were killed and SO houses were burned. 
 Atchison's men on the next day retreated before a body of 
 free state men from Lawrence to Missouri. 
 
 September 1 several free state men were killed, houses 
 were burned at Leavenworth and 150 persons forced to em- ; 
 bark for St. Louis. September 8, Gov. Geary arrived at Le- 
 compton, and Gov. Robinson and the other prisoners were re- 
 leased on bail. Gov. Geary called on all to lay down their 
 arms. He promised protection to the free state men who ac- 
 ceded to his command. The Missourians came over 2,000 
 strong, and marched to attack Lawrence. Gov. Geary inter- 
 fered with U. S. troops, and finally prevailed upon them to 
 return. i 
 
 January 6, 1857, the Legislature elected under the Topeka 
 Constitution, met at Topeka. The U. S. Marshal arrested the 
 President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House and about 
 a dozen of the leading members, and took them to Tecum- | 
 seh on charge of having taken _ upon themselves the office and , 
 public trust of legislators for the State of Kansas without law- J 
 ful deputation or appointment. The House on the next day 
 being without a quorum adjourned till June. Soon after this I 
 the pro-slavery territorial Legislature met at Lecompton, pass- 
 ed several acts, one providing for the election of members of i 
 a convention to frame a State Constitution. 
 About this time Gov. Geary resigned and left the Territory. 
 
HAND-BOOK OF KANSAS. V 
 
 Robert J. Walker of Missisippi, was appointed bis successor. 
 The election for delegates to the Constitutitnal Convention 
 was held June 15, 1857. The free state men declined to vote. 
 Only 2,000 votes were polled, though there were 10,000 voters. 
 
 At an election held a few months after, the free state men 
 being assured by Gov, Walker that they should be protected, 
 voted so that 7,600 votes were cast, electing M. J. Parrott del- 
 egate to Congress, and 9 of the 17 councilmen, and 27 of the 
 89 representatives. An attempt to neutralize the effect of 
 this election by means of a false return from Oxford, Johnson 
 county, a place of eleven houses, it was affirmed that 1,624 
 persons had voted, and a corresponding roll of names were 
 sent in, copied in alphabetical order from a Cincinnati direc- 
 tory. This return was rejected by Governor Walker. 
 
 The Lecompton Constitutional Convention soon after pre- 
 sented a constitution for the suffrage of the people, only one 
 article to be voted for, viz : "Constitution with slavery," or 
 " Constitution without slavery." 
 
 Many of the provisions of the constitution were highly ob- 
 jectionable. No amendment could be made before 1864. 
 Gov. Walker condemned it in the strongest manner and went 
 to Washington to remonstrate against its adoption by Congress. 
 But he found it had already received the approval of the 
 president before his arrival. He resigned, and J. W. Denver, 
 of California was appointed in his place. The free state men 
 generally declined to vote at the election of December 21, 
 1357, for the adoption or the Lecompton Constitution. 6,143 
 votes were proclaimed from the precincts along the Missouri 
 border, when there were not over 1,000 voters. The Constitu- 
 tion being thus nominally adopted, an election of officers 
 under it was to be held January 4, 1858. The Territorial Leg- 
 islature at a special seesion passed an act submitting the Le- 
 compton Constitution to the direct vote of the people on the 
 same day with the Lacompton State election, and the result 
 was a majority of 10,226 votes against it. Congress, after .a 
 long discussion referred the matter to the people of Kansas at 
 an election on Aug 3, 1868, when it was again rejected by 
 10,000 majority. Soon after the territorial Legislature called 
 another convention to frame a constitution which was made 
 and ratified by a large majority. Shortly after the rejection 
 of the Lecompton Constitution, Gov. Denver resigned and 
 Samuel Medary of Ohio, was appointed to his place. 
 
 The Territorial Legislature met January 1859, and passed 
 
10 HAND-BOOK OF KANSAS. 
 
 an act submitting to the people the question of calling still 
 another constitutional convention. The election was accord- 
 ingly held March 27, and the result was a majority of 3,881 in 
 favor of holding a convention. Delegates were elected and a 
 new constitution formed at Wyandotte, July 27, in which shv. 
 ery was prohibited in the State" of Kansas. This Constitution 
 was ratified October 4, 1859, by 4,000 majority. The long 
 agony was over. The rights of men were secured. 
 
 At the first election under this constitution, Charles Rob', 
 eon was elected Governor. After the inauguration of President" 
 Lincoln the battle fought on the prairies of Kansas was fought 
 out for the whole land, and now our flag waves more truly than 
 before, over the land of the free and the home of the brave. 
 
 SURFACE. 
 
 Kansas may be regarded as"a vast plain, diversified on its 
 eastern and northern borders, and sloping from the vicinity of 
 the Rocky Mountains to the eastern boundary. South of the 
 Kansas River the slope is slightly south of east, 
 of Kansas River is 850 feet above the ocean, 
 gradual and uniform; for 132 miles it is by rail 
 as follows : 
 
 Wyandotte to Lawrence, 39 miles, 
 
 Lawrence to Topeka, 26 miles, 
 
 Topeka to Manhattan, SjJJ miles, 
 
 Manhattan to Ft. Riley, %& miles, 
 
 Average, per mile. 
 
 Starting from Atchison to Muscatah, 25 miles, 
 
 To Big Blue, 65 miles, 
 
 It is about 60 miles trom Atchison to Wyandotte 
 by water, allowing a foot descent per mile 
 
 Big Blue at Irving, 3 i 
 
 Big Blue at Manhattan, ~ 
 
 Rise from Manhattan to Irving, 
 
 Barometrical measurements are as follows: 
 
 Mouth of the Kansas River above the sea, 
 
 Shawnee Mission, 
 
 Olathe, 
 
 Tecumseh, 
 
 Ft. Riley, 
 
 Mouth of Saline River, 
 
 Ft. Atkinson, long. 100 ° , 
 
 Arkansas River, near west line of State, 
 
 The 
 
 mouth 
 
 The 
 
 rise is 
 
 road 
 
 report 
 
 62 feet. 
 
 60 
 
 (t 
 
 120 
 
 «i 
 
 54 
 
 n 
 
 2.25 
 
 H 
 
 , 164 
 
 (t 
 
 153 
 ite 
 
 << 
 
 e: 
 377 
 
 u 
 
 242 
 
 (i 
 
 134 
 
 u 
 
 850 
 
 a 
 
 991 
 
 " 
 
 1,047 
 
 (« 
 
 1,234 
 
 " 
 
 1,459 
 
 " 
 
 1,592 
 
 " 
 
 2,330 
 
 it 
 
 3,047 
 
 t< 
 
HAND-BOOK OP KANSAS. 11 
 
 Rise for first hundred miles about 2 feet per mile. 
 
 For second and third hundred miles, 6 feet per mile. 
 
 For fourth hundred miles, 7 feet per mile. 
 
 The bottoms or river valleys constitute a most important 
 oart of the state. The rivers being generally shallow, with 
 -banks deep enough to prevent inundation, the adjacent allu- 
 vial soil, which is everywhere deep and rich, is especially well 
 adapted to farming. The width of these bottoms varies and 
 an generally greatest on the larger streams. The soil of these 
 .ottoms vary in depth from 2 to 50 feet — but usually is from 
 2 to 5 feet. They are free from swamps and sloughs. The 
 soil is porous and somewhat sandy, and is very easily worked. 
 The water from beneath so perculates laterally that by capil- 
 lary attraction the ground contains moisture even in time of 
 dry weather, and good crop3 are secured in seasons that would 
 be unfruitful in stiffer soils. There is little or no waste land 
 in these bottoms. In this respect they differ widely from the 
 bottoms of the more eastern states. The settlements have 
 been principally first made in these bottoms, not only for their 
 productiveness and proximity to water, but also because tim- 
 ber is found only near the river courses. 
 
 In passing out of the bottoms there is often a narrow strip 
 of quite rolling country which along some of the streams is so 
 broken and abrupt as to be styled 
 
 BLUFF^. 
 
 These, in connection with bottom lands, furnish all the 
 variety necessary for varied farming. Fruit and some kinds 
 of small grain can be raised with great success on these bluffs. 
 They also usually contain rock, and springs of never-failing 
 water, and thus the settler can w h ease build his houses, 
 barns, stock yards, and farm walls, and have pure water ever 
 at hand. In most parts of the State the rock is so stratified 
 beneath the soil as not to interfere with the cultivation of the 
 land ; it crops out on some of the most steep bluffs so as to be 
 visible in the ravines. No State in the Union is so generally 
 and so well supplied with rock, and at the same time so fre# 
 from its being in the way of cultivating the soil. 
 
 Stretching off from the bluffs and covering the divides be- 
 tween the rivers are the 
 
TI A*nT=li O U K OF K A^ S AS. 
 
 PRAIRIES AND PLAINS. 
 
 In the eastern part of the State the general features of 
 these prairies are as beautiful and magnificent as can be con- 
 ceived of. They are entirely different from the flat, monoto- 
 nous prairies of large portions of Illinois. They excel most 
 of the prairies of Iowa in being free from swamps and sloughs, 
 while in depth of soil and productiveness they are not surpassed 
 by upland prairie in any of the States in the Mississippi 
 valley. This is saying much, but the average crops of the 
 last ten years will bear out the statement. In the north- 
 eastern counties, Brown, Doniphan, and Atchison, the surface 
 is quite rolling. The soil is rich and of a mulatto color. In 
 the northern counties, west of these, to the Republican river, 
 the land lies more gently rolling, and for the general purposes 
 of grain growing and stock raising it is not surpassed in the 
 State. 
 
 In the central counties on each side of the Kansas river, 
 the prairies are finely rolling, and become more level as we 
 advance westward. The tributaries of the Kansas are usually 
 of sufficient distance from each other to afford divides wide 
 enough for very broad prairies. The soil is deep on the sum- 
 mits, and seems to be nearly as rich as the bottom land. The 
 soil is thinnest on narrow divides, which are cut by frequent 
 ravines. 
 
 In the interior of the State the face of the country becomes 
 more flat and uninteresting, except as a hunting ground for 
 buffalo. The stinted but nutritious buffalo grass grows on the 
 vast plains west of Fort Hays. The prairies approach as a 
 general thing nearer the Kansas river than on Platte river, 
 which runs nearly parallel in Nebraska. The appearance of 
 the country is more varied in Kansas. The timber in the 
 eastern part of the State of Kansas is more abundant and of 
 better quality than in most parts of Nebraska. 
 
 In the eastern counties, south of the Kansas river, there is 
 quite a variety of surface, but generally very rolling. In 
 Linn county there are many mounds of great extent and 
 beauty. It would be difficult to find in any prairie country a 
 more picturesque region than in passing from Fort Lincoln to 
 Paola. The summits of many of these mounds is of sufficient 
 extent for many large farms, and what is quite surprising, 
 water is often found in abundance, while beneath, in the val- 
 lies it is found much deeper below the surface. The prairies 
 
in Bourbon county are rolling and ridgy. Loose stone is 
 excessively abundant on the surface of many of the ridges. 
 In Crawford and Cherokee counties, the loud praised neutral 
 lands, the general appearance is very fine. In the first named 
 county the land is magnificently rolling, but scarce of timber. 
 In Cherokee fairly rolling, but in the southern part there is 
 more bottomland on the Neosho and Spring rivers, which flow- 
 across the south-west and south-east corners. 
 
 The southern counties west, as far as the sixth meridian, 
 are all, as to surface and soil, well adapted to farming. The 
 general features of the prairies, as you proceed west, is gently 
 rolling, some are level; but all are free from marshes and 
 sloughs. 
 
 Of the vast plains in central Kansas it is not necessary to 
 speak, for until the lands east, more rich and more desirable, 
 are occupied, few emigrants will ever think of going to a 
 country where irrigation would be necessary to render crops 
 abundant or reliable. 
 
 On the whole, Kansas, for two hundred miles west of its 
 eastern boundary, may be said to be as fine a prairie region 
 as can be found in the United States. The surface is as favo- 
 rable as any equal portion of our country for farming with 
 machinery, and for grandeur and magnificent proportions no 
 region, unless it be eastern Nebraska, can equal it. There 
 being no mountains, and very little rough or broken country 
 in the state, it is easy to travel in auy direction in the unset- 
 tled portions. Persons wishing to examine the country would 
 do well to have their own conveyance, as then they can go in 
 any direction, and avoid the great expense of livery establish- 
 ments. 
 
 RIVERS. 
 
 The most important river is that after which the State is 
 named, and if the Smoky Hill river is considered as a part of 
 it, it is the longest river within the State. The Kansas river is 
 so called as far west as Solomon's Fork. It is not as wide as the 
 Platte, neither has it so swift a current. It is deeper, and at 
 times is for a short distance, navigable. It is a more interest- 
 ing river to the traveler, partly because there is more timber and 
 shrubbery on its banks, and also because the bottoms are 
 narrower, and in consequence there is more variety of land 
 scenery. Bluffs often approach near the river, and rocks crop 
 out, making the country seem more like the river regions to. 
 
! ±ra:^xHBTnm OF KANSAS. 
 
 the eastward. The principal tributaries to the Kansas river 
 on the north are — The Stranger, which heads in Atchison 
 county, and runs due south. This is not a large stream, but 
 is well timbered. The next — 
 
 The Grasshopper, a more important stream, which rises in 
 Nemaha and Brown counties, in the north part of the State. 
 Its course is nearly south, and it empties into the Kansas 
 river, between Topeka and Lawrence. For Kansas it is well 
 timbered. The country along this river is becoming well set- 
 tled. It flows through the noted Kickapoo reservation, which 
 is now being settled by whites. The Soldier, Cross, Red Ver- 
 million and Rock rivers are small streams which flow south 
 into the Kansas, east of the 
 
 Big Blue river, which, though not one of the largest, is yet 
 perhaps the most interesting river in the State. This river 
 rises near the Platte, in Nebraska, flows a little east of south, 
 enters Kansas in the Otoe Reservation, in Marshall county, 
 and flows nearly one hundred miles in Kansas, before it emp- 
 ties itself at Manhattan, in the Kaw or Kansas river. This 
 river is mainly fed by springs, and flows steadily through the 
 dry season. It has beautiful bluffs on each side, which contain 
 magnesian limestone rocks, which crop out so as to be dis- 
 tinctly visible at many points, yet not so as to impair the 
 beauty of the varied forms and deep verdure of the sides. 
 The channel is usually deep cut, and the water of a clear sky- 
 blue tint"; beautiful groves skirt the stream, and the current 
 is swift. Opportunities for good mill sites are frequent, and 
 building rock of excellent quality abounds, also Gypsum. 
 
 At Marysville the proprietor of one of the largest flour 
 mills in the State tried the experiment of covering the roof 
 with plaster obtained from gypsum rock near by. The exper- 
 iment did not prove a success, as the hard finish cracked 
 badly. The value, however, of these rocks must be great, 
 when, by the usual manner of exhausting land, there shall be 
 need of a coat of plaster to fertilize the soil. 
 
 The Republican. This noted river rises not far from Denver, 
 in Colorado, and enters the State about one hundred and 
 thirty miles west of the Missouri. It flows over a hundred 
 miles in Kansas, and empties into the Kansas river at Fort 
 Riley. In its main characteristics it resembles the Kansas 
 river. It has many tributaries on each side, and these cut 
 up the country so that the bottoms are quite different from 
 the level and everywhere arable valley of the Platte, in Ne- 
 
HAND-BOOK OF KANSAS. I*> 
 
 braska. The soil on this river is very rich, and the r.bundance 
 of the grass and the varied surface render this the chosen 
 haunt of countless herds of antelope, deer, and buffalo, and 
 hence, from time immemorial, the Indians have made the 
 Republican their favorite hunting ground. It will be no easy 
 matter to remove them so that they will not return to pursue 
 their noble game. 
 
 The Soloman and Saline rivers are important streams, run- 
 ning nearly parallel with the Republican, and entering Kansas 
 river within seventy miles of Fort Riley. The valleys of these 
 rivers are noted for their fertility. West of the outlets of 
 these rivers is the — 
 
 Smoky Hill river, which enters the State from Colorado, 
 and flows due east in the State over a hundred miles, and 
 then makes a sharp bend south, and then north in Ellsworth, 
 McPherson, and Saline counties. The Union Pacific Railroad 
 (eastern division) passes up the valley of this river for quite 
 a distance. The country is arable as far west as Russell 
 county, but from that region westward the stinted buffalo 
 grass betokens a country too dry to be cultivated, unless arti- 
 ficial irrigation is resorted to. There are no settlements worth 
 naming west of Ellsworth station. There the wild Indian and 
 his game are the only denizens. The cars run through this re- 
 gion, but until they pass to inhabitants that dwell beyond these 
 naked plains, they run to no profit, and the curiosity of sight 
 seers is soon gratified. In the wide-spread solitude the trav- 
 eler feels relief in the thought that the iron horse will soon 
 bring him back to the abodes of civilized man. 
 
 South of the Smoky Hill river, is the Arkansas river, which 
 enters the State from Colorado, on the 38 ° north latitude, 
 and courses in a south-easterly direction, and passes out of 
 Kansas into the Indian Territory in Cowley county, about a 
 hundred and twenty miles west of the eastern boundary. As 
 this large river is mainly west of that part of the State which 
 is of interest to the emigrant, little need be said. 
 
 In south-eastern Kansas the principal rivers are — 
 
 The Wakarusa, which rises near the Kansas river, in Wau- 
 bansee county, and flows nearly due east through Shawnee and 
 Douglass counties, and empties into the Kansas about twelve 
 miles east of Lawrence. The valley of this river is noted for 
 its deep black soil. There is a good supply of timber, and 
 some of the best farms in the State may be found between 
 this river and the Kansas. South of this is — 
 
16 HAND-BOOK OF KANSAS. 
 
 The Marias Des Cygnes, which becomes the Osage river. 
 This is a fine river, well supplied with rock, its margin is well 
 timbered. This, with its numerous affluents, passes through 
 a prairie region of unsurpassed variety and beauty. Settle- 
 ments have been made both on the valleys and uplands, and 
 all seem to be in a highly prosperous condition. South of this 
 are the Large and Little Sugar rivers, and the Marmiton, a 
 small stream through Bourbon county. This is well tim- 
 bered, and abounds in rock. 
 
 /Spring River, a noble, clear stream, flows from Jasper 
 county, Missouri, through the south-east corner of the famous 
 Cherokee lands. This stream abounds with fish, flows over a 
 rocky channel, and is skirted with good timber. 
 
 The Neosho courses diagonally through south-eastern Kansas. 
 This is one of the finest rivers in Kansas, or rather so consid- 
 ered, in respect to its surroundings. Its timber is abundant, 
 and of excellent quality. The soil, both in the bottoms and 
 prairies adjacent, is first class. There is coal to be found at 
 convenient distance, and the climate is very mild, and well 
 adapted for growing the more tender varieties of fruit. 
 
 The same may be said of the Verdigris river, which flows 
 parallel, and is shorter and smaller. Settlers are rapidly 
 occupying the regions on both of these favored streams. 
 
 Last and greatest, the — 
 
 Missouri river flows with its troubled, turbid flood along 
 the north-eastern border for nearly two hundred miles. This 
 is the only stream that in an import sense may be said to be 
 navigable. It is a difficult and dangerous river. Its ever- 
 changing channel, its swiftness, all combine to make it so. 
 The staunchest boats and most experienced pilots are needed 
 to do business on its waters. But its valley is the richest and 
 best adapted for agriculture in the Union. Not even the 
 world-renowned valley of the Mississippi can equal it. 
 Equally rich bottoms there may be, but such a universal ex- 
 cellence of both bottom and prairie land cannot be found in 
 equal extent on any other river. It rises in mountains filled 
 with gold; but richer far the regions through which it flows, 
 gleaming with the golden corn and the broad grain fields. 
 
 The State of Kansas is remarkably well watered. Not only 
 are there many streams of large size coursing through each 
 part, but the tributaries of these form a complete net-work 
 of ever-running streams, which afford great advantage to the 
 farmer and stock raiser. In most parts the smaller streams 
 
HAND-BOOK OF KANSAS. 17 
 
 Lave their source in unfailing springs, and thus the water is 
 cool, and the supply not likely to fail in a dry time. During 
 the present summer, which was very hot and dry in the part 
 where the drouth was the severest, most of the streams afford- 
 ed water in abundance for stock. The small streams generally 
 flow in narrow and deep-cut channels, and are not unfre- 
 quently concealed by the rank vegetation, so that the traveler 
 often finds himself on the very verge of a rivulet before he 
 is aware. They rarely flood the country, and in no part of our 
 country, except Nebraska, which in this respect is like Kan- 
 sas, is there so little waste land. 
 
 Fish abounds in many of the rivers. For commercial inter- 
 course the interior is destitute of navigable streams. 
 
 WELLS. 
 
 In most parts of the State so far as settled, well water 
 is abundant and easily obtained. Ordinarily it is found at 
 from fifteen to thirty feet. In many parts no rocks obstruct 
 the digging. So far as came under the observation of the 
 (writer, the water was clear, and free from unpleasant mineral 
 taste, except in some parts of the south-eastern counties. 
 The water there, in certain localities, seems to be impregnated 
 with sulphate of iron. It may not be unwholesome, but to 
 persons unaccustomed to it is disagreeable, especially in warm 
 weather. Most of the well water is hard. As a whole, the 
 eastern half of the State is very highly favored in this most 
 important matter. For certainly no one thing conduces more 
 to render a country, and especially where long warm seasons 
 'prevail, desirable, than an abuudance of good water. In 
 many parts springs flow out from the sides of bluffs and ravines, 
 ]and "in places not a few they burst forth upon the gently 
 rolling prairies. 
 
 SOIL. 
 
 j In speaking on this subject, reference will be bad to soil in 
 
 ithe eastern half of the State. It may be stated, in general 
 terms, that no region, unless it be in adjoining States in the 
 valley of the Missouri, equals, and none surpasses, this for 
 general excellence. The soil, both in the valleys and on the 
 uplands, is uniformly of good depth, in most parts of unusu- 
 ally good depth. There are some small regions where there is 
 an exception, as on some of the ridges of the south-eastern 
 
18 HAND-BOOK OF KANSAS. 
 
 counties. In passing over the stony ridges in some parts of 
 Bourbon county, and some other counties, the presence of a 
 peculiar weed discloses the fact that the soil is shallow, and 
 underlaid by solid rock. So in the north-western part of 
 Pottowattomie county there are hills and ridges so full of 
 flint stones as to interfere with cultivation, and to seriously 
 detract from the fertility. So also in other counties there 
 are small spots where the presence at the surface of small 
 sand stones of brown and reddish hue, give warning that the 
 soil is inferior. But aside from these exceptions, there is a 
 wonderful amount of first-class land. The soil is easily worked, 
 and does not retain water on the surface after heavy rains. 
 The rolling nature of the prairies also aids in the matter of 
 drainage. There are no marshes, sloughs, or excessively wet 
 and sour land. The land is not liable to bake and become 
 lumpy in a dry time after heavy rains. It is also sufficiently 
 sandy to scour ploughs well. In fine, it is warm, workable, 
 and possesses the ingredients necessary to produce the grain 
 and vegetables belonging to the temperate zone in the great- 
 est profusion. Another peculiarity is, that however deep the 
 plough may go, the subsoil, upon exposure, seems to become 
 as fertile as the darker soil near the surface. 
 _ On this subject, in addition to what will be said in the ar- 
 ticle in this book on the Geology of Kansas, the writer would 
 condense from the report of Professor Swallow, the following : 
 The best classification of soils is based upon the proportion of 
 Silica, Alumina and Lime. A large proportion of the soils of 
 Kansas are composed of these three earths in such propor- 
 tions that is difficult to say which prevails. This is the case 
 with nearly all of those founded upon the " Bluff Formation." 
 If such a soil have an abundance of decayed animal and vege- 
 table matter, and depth enough, it will be all that could be 
 desired. And this is precisely what we have in Kansas. 
 
 The prevailing upland soil is a fine, sandy mold of the fol- 
 lowing chemical composition : 
 
 Silica, .._ 17.02 
 
 Alumina and per Oxide of Iron _ 11-05 
 
 Lime _ 3.25 
 
 Potassa _ _ 1.05 
 
 Magnesia 1.63 
 
 Carbonic Acid 2.83 
 
 Water 2.43 
 
 Loss 14 
 
 100.00 
 
HAND-BOOK OF KANSAS. 19 
 
 This composition gives the ingredients most desired to 
 form the basis of a soil and its sub-soil ; as the soils formed by 
 mixing with them a sufficient quantity of organic matter will 
 be strong, light, warm, or in common parlance, kindly, rich, 
 soil. The organic matter will supply the phosphorus, ammo- 
 nia, sulphur and humus needed for the sustenance of the crops. 
 The clay and magnesia, lime and humus will give the soil great 
 power to absorb moisture, and the humus and magnesia great 
 capacity for retaining it. 
 
 This Bluff Formation underlies the soils in nearly all the 
 highlands of eastern Kansas. In all the eastern tier of coun- 
 ties from Doniphan to the Indian Territory, in Jefferson, 
 Jackson, Shawnee, Douglas, Franklin, Anderson and Osage, 
 and portions of Coffey, Lyon, Wabaunsee, Brown, Nemaha, 
 Riley, Greenwood and Butler. 
 
 Throughout the whole belt of country occupied by the 
 gypsum-bearing marls of the permian systems, the soils of the 
 valleys and slopes, and even many of the highest ridges are 
 wonderfully productive. As in the valleys of the Smoky 
 Hill, and on Gypsum Creek, and the head Waters of the Big 
 Blue. In all this region the piairie grasses are very luxuriant 
 and often grow very thick and to the height of eight or ten 
 feet. The bottom prairie produces a light, rich, silicious 
 soil, and is particularly adapted to corn, hemp and wheat. 
 The drift, when it lies near the surface, fills the soil with 
 sand, pebbles and boulders. The brown flint pebbles and 
 boulders which sometimes appear on the ridges, are from the 
 drift. These very much injure the soil ; but fortunately they 
 occupy only a very small area in the entire state. 
 
 THE COAL MEASURES 
 
 , Produce a varied effect, but the thick, bluff deposit which 
 covers nearly all the coal strata inthe State, prevents deleteri- 
 ous effects. Some of the very best soils in the State over- 
 lie the coal measures. Such are the soils of Kansas. Though 
 lying abjacent, on the east and north, to the finest and richest 
 ■agricultural regions of the continent, Eastern Kansas suffers 
 nothing in the comparison for a most beautiful and produc- 
 tive country. 
 
NATURAL SCIENCE OF KANSAS. 
 
 The following brief summary of the Geological Surveys of 
 Kansas, was prepared by John B. Parker, Ph. D., B. D., 
 Professor in Lincoln College, Topeka, Ks. : 
 
 SURVEYS. 
 
 The Geology of Kansas has been investigated under the au- 
 spices of the State Government, first by B. F. Mudge, A. M., 
 Professor in the Kansas State Agricultural College ; there- 
 after by Prof. G. C. Swallow, assisted by Major F. Hawn, C. 
 H. Logan, M. D., and Tiffin Sinks, M. B. 
 
 TOPOGRAPHY. 
 
 The surface of the State is chiefly undulating, rolling in 
 the eastern portion, more level in the middle, and broken as 
 we approach the mountains towards the west. 
 
 The principal streams flow from west to east, bordered on 
 each side by wide terraces which lead back to the high prai- 
 rie land. The margins of nearly all the rivers with their af- 
 fluents are bordered by timber, which is sufficiently abundant 
 in the eastern portion of the State for all practical purposes, 
 but rapidly diminishes after passing the junction of the Ke- 
 publican and Smoky Hill rivers, towards the west, both in 
 quality and quantity. 
 
 The natural drainage of the State is almost perfect. This 
 is partly effected by the general undulations of the surface 
 and the nature of the soil, which rapidly absorbs all deposits 
 of moisture, and partly by the gradual rise of the land from 
 its eastern border — about 900 feet above the level of the sea 
 — towards the west at an average ascent of about three feet 
 to the mile. By virtue of this inclination, the streams have 
 rapid currents from west to east seldom overflowing their al- 
 luvial bottoms. There is also an entire absence of swamps 
 and marshes throughout the entire State. 
 
 GEOLOGY. 
 
 Kansas occupies an interesting position in the geological 
 development of the American Continent. According to the 
 general law, North America has its elevated mountain borders, 
 and a low or basin-like interior. The Appalachian chain of 
 
HAND-BOOK OF KANSAS. — -"TT 
 
 mountains was heaved first from the briny deep. The conti- 
 nent then had a slow uplift, raising the surface gradually 
 above the ocean level from east to west, until the Eocky 
 Mountain chain at length broke through the thickening strata 
 and shoots its peaks by virtue of the pent up gasses far above 
 the general level. Our State thus lay a longtime beneath the 
 briny deep after the surface of the land east of the Mississippi 
 river had been lifted above the ocean level. We have, there- 
 fore, a very full development of nearly all the rocks from the 
 lower carboniferous upward. Starting at the south-eastern 
 border of the State, we cross the edges of these out-cropping 
 strata as we pass north-west toward the Rocky Mountains. 
 The rocks of Kansas have been divided into sis geological 
 systems as represented in the table on page 22. 
 
22 HAND 
 
 Tabular View of the 
 
 •BOOK OF KANSAS. 
 
 Geological Formations in Kansas 
 
 Periods. 
 
 Epochs. 
 
 Age. 
 
 Rocks in Kansas 
 
 Thickness. 
 
 Past 
 Tertiary. 
 
 
 Man. 
 
 
 
 
 Pliocene. 
 
 Mammals. 
 
 Not yet exam- 
 ined. 
 
 
 Tertiary. 
 
 Miocene. 
 
 
 
 Eocene. 
 
 
 
 Cretaceous. 
 
 Reptiles. 
 
 Cretaceous. 
 
 295 
 
 Secondary. 
 
 Jurassic. 
 
 
 
 
 Triassic. 
 
 Triassic. 
 
 338 
 
 
 Permian. 
 
 
 Upper Permian. 
 Lower Permian. 
 
 141 
 
 
 563 
 
 
 Carboniferous 
 
 Coal Plants. 
 
 
 Coal Measures. 
 
 2000 
 
 Plaeozoic. 
 
 Devonian. 
 
 Fishes. 
 
 L'r Carbonifer's. 
 
 150 
 
 
 Silivian. 
 
 Mollusks. 
 
 
 
 
 Cambrian. 
 
 
 
 Azoic. 
 
 No Animals. 
 
 
 
 
HAND-BOOK OF KANSAS. 
 
 CD 
 
 fcX) 
 O 
 
 •aUopaBjfAV 
 
 '90a9JM«1 
 
 •e^dox 
 
 
 •J9TI.UJH ■« 
 
24 HAND-BOOK OF KANSAS. 
 
 The following nomenclature has been adopted in the last 
 report of the Geological survey of the State : 
 
 SYSTEM I.— QUARTENARY. 
 
 ALLUVIUM. 
 
 Soil everywhere, from 1 to 6 feet. 
 
 Sand-bars — Missouri and Kanzas rivers, from 20 to 30 feet. 
 
 River bottoms, humus, all streams, 20 to 30 feet. 
 
 BOTTOM PRAIRIES. 
 
 Sands, clays and marls, 25 to 30 feet. 
 
 BLUFF. 
 
 Silicious marls and sands on all the highlands under the 
 soil, 1 to 150 feet. 
 
 DRIFT. 
 
 Sands, pebbles and boulders, 1 to 2 feet. 
 
 SYSTEM II.— TERTIARY. 
 In Western Kansas, but not yet examined. 
 
 SYSTEM III.— CRETACEOUS. 
 In central Kansas, — but partially examined, 295 feet thick • 
 
 SYSTEM IV.— TRIASSIO ? 
 338 feet thick. 
 
 SYSTEM Y.— PERMIAN. 
 141 feet in thickness. 
 
 LOWER PERMIAN. 
 
 563 feet in thickness. 
 
 SYSTEM VI— CARBONIFEROUS. 
 
 COAL MEASURES. 
 
 Upper Coal Series, 391 feet in tliickness. 
 Chocolate Limestone Series, *79 feet in thickness. 
 Stanton Limestone Series, 74 feet in thickness. 
 
HAND-BOOK OF KANSAS. 25 
 
 Cave Rock Series, 75 feet in thickness. 
 
 Saring Rock Series, 88 feet in thickness. 
 
 Well Rock Series, 238 feet 6 inches in thickness. 
 
 Marais Des Cygns Coal Series, 303 feet in thickness. 
 
 Pawnee Limestone Series, 112 feet 6 inches in thickness. 
 
 Fort Scott Coal Series, 142 feet 10 inches. 
 
 Fort Scott Marble Series, 22 feet 8 inches. 
 
 Lower Coal Series, 353 feet in thickness. 
 
 LOWER CARBONIFEROUS. 
 
 120 feet in thickness. 
 
 ECONOMIC GEOLOGY. 
 
 The nature and cultivation of the soil determine to a great 
 extent the character of a people. All soils are formed by sec- 
 ondary causes from rock. Soils are distinguished into three 
 general classes, viz : Silicious, Argillaceous and Calcareous, 
 according to the three principal subsistences of which they 
 are composed predominate. Many of the soils of Kansas 
 unite sand, clay and lime in such proportions that it is difficult 
 to tell to which class they belong. But as the character of 
 the soil is determined by the underlying rock being distin- 
 guished from it, the limestone which underliDS a large por- 
 tion of the State mixed with the accumulating vegetable 
 mold, gives it a light, warm and productive soil. The soil of 
 our river terraces is generally light, rich and silicious, and is 
 well adapted for the abundant growth of cereals which are 
 little affected by drouth. The soil of the high prairies has 
 suffered by comparison with the rich alluvials and has, we 
 think, been underrated. Although eastern Kansas lies 
 contiguous to one of the richest agricultural districts on the 
 east, yet it suffers nothing by the comparison. This is proved 
 by the abundance of the finest timber and grasses, and by 
 large crops of all the cereals common to this latitute. 
 
 COAL. 
 
 The coal-bearing rocks of Kansas are about 2,000 feet in 
 thickness, and cover an area of over 17,000 square miles. 
 There are 22 distinct and separate beds ; ten of them rangi- 
 ing from 1 to 7 feet in thickness, making an agregate thick- 
 ness of over 25 feet. There are outcroppings of coal in 20 
 counties. The quality of the coals of Kansas is ■ to a large 
 
26 HAND-BOOK OF KANSAS. 
 
 extent good, being free from sulphur and other impurities so 
 common in other states. Large beds of Lignite, or Brown 
 Coal, are reported to exist in the western part of the state. 
 
 SALT. 
 
 There are large deposits of salt in the state, and the man- 
 ufacture of salt is carried on to some extent. Salt works 
 have been established at Ossawatomie from which an excel- 
 lent article is produced. It is supposed that at no great dis- 
 tant day Kansas will manufacture a large amount of salt for 
 exportation. 
 
 GYPSUM- 
 
 Gypsum, or sulphate of lime, exists in the western part of 
 the state in large quantities. Beds of it occur from 1 to 10 
 feet in thickness. At Gypsum Creek a massive bed occurs 
 about 16 feet in thickness. These plaster beds will enable the 
 farmer to fertilize the sandy ridges of western Kansas to any 
 extent desirable. 
 
 LIMESTONE- 
 
 Limestone of the finest quality occurs in abundance in 
 nearly all portions of the state. In a large part of the state 
 it crops out on nearly every farm, affording material for stone 
 fences and buildings. When properly burnt it produces ex- 
 cellent lime. Marble, a fine variety of limestone, also occurs 
 in some places. 
 
 WATEE. 
 
 The whole area of the state is well supplied with streams of 
 living water. Springs are of frequent occurrence and wells 
 can be sunk into the underlying limestone and sandstone and 
 pure water be obtained. 
 
 TIMBEE- 
 
 Kansas is supplied in its eastern and central portions with 
 sufficient timber for all praetical purposes. Along all the 
 rivers and creeks are belts of timber from a few yards wide 
 to several miles. Since this portion of the state was settled, 
 and the annual fires have ceased, the breadth of timber is 
 rapidly increasing. In the western portion of the state there 
 is great destitution of timber, and it is of inferior quality. 
 
HAND-BOOK OF KANSAS. 27 
 
 FRUIT. 
 
 Nearly all the varieties of fruits which are raised in the 
 older states, are doing well in Kansas. Peach orchards are 
 this year producing from four to five thousand bushels of 
 peaches. Farms cultivated for thirty years have produced 
 well every year except the year of 1860. 
 
 TIMBER. 
 
 In addition to the above article the writer would add : 
 The timber of Kansas is found along the water courses. In 
 most parts of eastern Kansas there is a moderately good sup- 
 ply. Since settlements have been made, and prairie fires 
 have been kept down, young forests are growing up rapidly. 
 The abundance of good coal in most parts supplies fuel, and 
 the rock furnishes material for houses and enclosures. In 
 addition to this, the mildness of the climate renders it less 
 necessary for the comfort and general prosperity that there 
 should be much timber. 
 
 On the Missouri, the Big Blue, the Arkansas, Neosho, 
 Spring River, Marias Des Cygnes, Wakarnsa, and the Kansas 
 rivers, there is much valuable timber. Owing to the immense 
 swells of the prairies, the country appears to the traveler 
 much more destitute of timber than it really is. The timber 
 is of moderate height, aud lies hid in the deep depressions, so 
 as to be out of sight, even when not far off. There is no 
 doubt that the growth of hedges and artificial forests.will do 
 much to counteract the unpleasant effect of strong winds, 
 and also to modify climatic conditions, so as to render the 
 country less liable to the evil effect of extreme dry and hot 
 weather. The State has voted very liberal bounties to those 
 who grow hedges and forests : 
 
 An Act to encourage the growth of Forest Trees. Approved February 
 15th, 1866. ' 
 
 Section 1. Every person planting one acre or more of prairie land 
 within ten years after the psssing of this Act, with any kind of forest trees 
 and successfully growing and cultivating the same for three years, or one 
 half mile or more of forest trees along any public highway, said trees to be 
 planted as to stand, at the end of said three years, not more than one rod 
 apart, shall be entitled to receive for twenty-five years, commencing three 
 years after said grove or line of trees has been planted, an annual bounty 
 of two dollars per acre, for each acre so planted, and two dollars for one- 
 half mile, for each half-mile so planted, to be paid out of the Treasury of the 
 county in which said grove or line of trees may be situated. 
 
23 HAND-BOOK OF KANSAS. 
 
 The bounty to be paid so long as said grove or trees are cultivated and 
 "kept alive, and in growing condition. 
 
 That the County Assessor shall not assess lands planted and encumbered 
 with forest trees any higher than the lands adjoining, on account of the said 
 lands being so encumbered. 
 
 The following are the most important varieties of trees : 
 Black Jack Oak — Quercus Nigra. 
 White Oak — Quercus Alba, 
 Red Oak — Quercus Rubra* 
 Burr Oak — Marcrocarpa. 
 Black Oak — Tinctoria. 
 Water Oak — Aquaticna. 
 White Elm — Ulnus Americana. 
 Red or Slippery Elm — Ulnus Rubra. 
 Black Walnut — Juglans Nigra. 
 White Walnut — Juglans Gathartica. 
 Cottonwood — Populus Canadensis, 
 Box Elder — Negrundo Aceroids. 
 Hackberry — Geltis Occidentalis. 
 Honey Locust. 
 Willow— Salix. 
 
 Shell Bark Hickory — Garya Squamosa. 
 Pignut Hickory — Garya Porcina. 
 Pecannut Hickory — Garya Glivaformis. 
 Sycamore — Platanus Occidentalis. 
 White Ash — Fraxinus Americana. 
 Sugar Maple — Acer Nigrana. 
 Red Mulberry — Morus Rubra. 
 Linden — Tilia Americana. 
 Crab Apple — Mai us Goronaria. 
 Wild Cherry — Gerasus Serotina. 
 Osage Orange, or Bois D. Arc. 
 
 SHBTJB3 AND VINES. 
 
 Elder Shoemake, or Sumach Green Brier 
 
 Gooseberry Hazel Pawpaw 
 
 Prickly Ash Raspberry Blackberry 
 
 Prairie Rose Grape of several varieties, some very good. 
 The Wild Sunflower abounds in the greatest profusion. 
 
 FENCES. 
 
 In the eastern counties the farms are mostly enclosed by 
 
HAND-BOOK OF KA.NSAS. 29 
 
 rails and boards, some by hedges, some by wire fence,. and in 
 south-eastern and central Kansas by walls. Stone walls can 
 be put up in many parts with very little expense, from $1.50 
 to $3.00 per rod, as the rock is easily obtained at or near the 
 surface. The climate of Kansas is very favorable to the 
 growth of the Osage Orange ; a good hedge can be grown in 
 four years. The opening of railway communication with 
 south-western Missouri and the Indian Territory on the south, 
 will aid immensely in supplying sawed lumber at easy rates. 
 At the present time, Oak, Walnut, and Cottonwood lumber, 
 can easily be obtained at moderate rates. Pine lumber has 
 to be transported from the Mississippi river, except on the 
 south of the State, where it is obtained from Missouri and 
 the Indian country. 
 
 BUILDIHG MATEEIAL. 
 
 Kansas lumber costs from $20 to |40 per M at the mills, 
 pine lumber at $50 to $90, shingles cost from 7 to 11 per 31. 
 Brick can be had at from 7 to 10 per M. Good rock is easily 
 obtained in most parts of the State, and no new part of our 
 country has so large a proportion of stone houses as Kansas, 
 and many of them of very fine appearance. 
 
 COAL. 
 
 In addition to what has been said, it may be remarked 
 that the coal of south-eastern Kansas is much of it of very 
 superior quality. It is often found at the surface of the 
 ground, and in strata from two to eight feet thick. It is sold 
 at from 5 to 12^- cents per bushel in regions where it abounds. 
 
 COAL OIL. 
 
 There are indications of this in many parts of the State, 
 especially in the south eastern ; sand stone is found saturated 
 with it. There are also large deposits of asphaltum. Tar 
 Springs have long been known in Kansas. Nearly all the pe- 
 troleum found is of the dark, thick, heavy variety known as 
 lubricating oil, which is more valuable than the thin amber- 
 colored varieties which also have been seen. 
 
 STAPLE PRODUCTIONS. 
 
 Wheat, corn, oats, barley, rye, buckwheat, sweet and com- 
 
30 HAND-BOOK OF KANSAS. 
 
 mon potatoes, sorgho, pumpkins, turnips, melons, tobacco, 
 flax, hemp, cotton, and all kinds of garden vegetables do well. 
 There have been good crops in Kansas since the exceedingly 
 dry season of 1860. In some strips of the State the extraor- 
 dinary heat and dryness of July and August of 1868 rendered 
 the later crops poor — the wheat was fair. In most parts of 
 the State there are fair crops this year. The productiveness 
 of the Kansas soil may be seen by examining the reports 
 made by the U. S. Commissioner of Agriculture. 
 
 It appears that Nebraska and Kansas (these two States are 
 rery much alike in fertility) lead all the States in the yield 
 per acre of wheat, and corn and oats. The average of wheat 
 in Kansas for 1865 was over 24 bushels per acre. Many fields 
 yielded 40 bushels of spring wheat to the acre. In southern 
 Kansas winter wheat is raised with good success. Corn often 
 yields from 40 to 100 bushels per acre. Common potatoes 
 generally yield well, and are of fair quality. The sweet 
 potato yields well, and is of excellent quality. All vegetables 
 thrive well that grow in the temperate zone. 
 
 I. E. Bruce raised, in 1868, 1400 bushels of wheat on forty 
 acres, or at the rate of 35 bushels per acre ; he netted $2000 
 on that one crop. John H. Wilhite raised (1868), by actual 
 measurement, on ten acres, 583 bushels and 22 lbs. of clean 
 wheat, or nearly 60 bushels per acre. Judge R. J. Harper 
 left at the office of the Manhattan Standard a sample of sweet 
 potatoes of his own raising, the largest of which measured 22 
 inches in circumference, and weighed 5 lbs. 8 oz. One of 5 
 lbs. 1 oz. was raised in Potto wattomie county, 1868. Mr. 
 Whedon, of the Wakarusa, has raised, this dry, hot season 
 (1868), eight acres of corn that will yield 65 bushels per acre, 
 and two acres that will yield 200 bushels per acre. Mr. 
 George Lambenson, of Monrovia, raised on fifty acres 2000 
 bushels of wheat, which he sold at $2 per. bushel. Robert 
 Blake, of Waubansee, raised (1868), on thirty-two acres, 500 
 bushels of wheat, and 2500 bushels of potatoes. 
 
 POPULATION AND PRODUCTS OF KANSAS, 1867. 
 
 The following is from Surveyor General Sleeper's report, 
 prepared for the interior department : 
 
 Estimated population of Kansas 300,000 
 
 Number of acres improved 2,000,000 
 
HAND-BOOK OF KANSAS. 31 
 
 Live stock. No. of head. Price per head. Total. 
 
 Cattle 1,000,000 $25 .$35,000,000 
 
 Horses. 150,000 50 9,000,000 
 
 Mules 10,000 100 1,000,000 
 
 Hogs 1,000,000 5 5,000,000 
 
 Sheep. 100,000 8 300,000 
 
 Total value of live stock $10,300,000 
 
 Grain, <&c. No. of bushels. Price per bushel. Total. 
 
 Corn 40,000,000 50 cts. ...$20,000,000 
 
 Wheat 2,500,000 $1.75. _ 4,375,000 
 
 Potatoes .. 1,000,000 1.00 1,000,000 
 
 All other products 10,000,000 
 
 Total value of crops of 1867 $35,375,000 
 
 Total value of farm and agricultural 
 implements .$40,000,000 
 
 FRUIT. 
 
 Wild fruit is abundant for a country so open. Grapes of 
 superior quality are found along the streams in the timbered 
 regions. Wild plums also abound. Most varieties of the 
 small fruits are found. Great success has attended the efforts 
 made to grow choice varieties of grapes and peaches. The 
 southern half of the State bids fair to rival the best fruit- 
 growing regions in our country. The climate is genial, the 
 warm season is long enough to mature all varieties, the sky i« 
 ;olear and dry, so that the most important conditions for supe- 
 rior fruit here exist. Peaches were exceedingly abundant in 
 1868 — grapes also — the Concord, Delaware, and Catawba, all 
 do well. lUntil apple orchards reach bearing age fruits of this 
 ort can easily be obtained from the adjacent counties in Mis- 
 souri. Great quantities were hauled into Kansas from Missouri 
 In 1868. Melons and squashes and tomatoes grow to great 
 size, and are raised with great ease. Mr. Harvey Allen raised 
 in 1868 a quantity of large peaches, one measured 10f inches 
 in circumference, and weighed 9-^ ounces. 
 
 CLIMATE. 
 
 As might be expected from the latitude, the climate is mild, 
 ! compared with more eastern climates it is dry, and yet in 
 
32 
 
 HAND-BOOK OF KANSAS. 
 
 eastern Kansas this peculiarity is not excessive, and does not 
 ordinarily interfere with the growth of good crops. Meteor- 
 ological observations have been made at all the military posts 
 since 1819, or for a half century. The observation of rain-fall 
 were commenced in 1836. By a comparison of these records, 
 we can arrive at the best possible understanding of the rela- 
 tive and actual state of the case : 
 
 Ft. Leavenworth, Ks. 
 
 Ft. Riley, Ks 
 
 Ft. Scott, Ks 
 
 St. Louis, Mo 
 
 Cincinnati, Ohio 
 
 Pittsburg, Pa 
 
 Spring. 
 
 Summer. 
 
 Fall. 
 
 Winter. 
 
 53.76 
 
 74.05 
 
 53.66 
 
 29.76 
 
 55.85 
 
 79.12 
 
 56.09 
 
 27.98 
 
 54.75 
 
 74.95 
 
 55.27 
 
 32.93 
 
 54.15 
 
 76.19 
 
 55.44 
 
 32.27 
 
 53.80 
 
 73.70 
 
 53.60 
 
 33.80 
 
 48.97 
 
 71.47 
 
 51.43 
 
 30.59 
 
 Year. 
 52.81 
 53.47 
 54.48 
 54.51 
 53.70 
 50.86 
 
 The extreme variations in the spring months are great. 
 This no doubt is owing mainly to the influence of the plains. 
 The winds sweeping down the rocky mountains are unopposed 
 in transit across the intervening country. After a warm day 
 in spring a very cold one may succeed, when a strong wind 
 from the west sets in. Fruit growers would therefore do 
 well, by mulching or by planting on the northern exposures, 
 to retard the spring growth of fruit trees and vines. This 
 accords with the experience of fruit growers in western Mis- 
 souri. Orchards in that region upon high northern exposures 
 are not only more hardy, more productive, and longer lived, 
 but also more certain to produce each, year than when south- 
 ern exposures are selected. The limiting period for frosts in 
 Kansas is the last of May, though they rarely occur after the 
 15th. 
 
 SUMMER TEMPERATURE. 
 
 The isothermals of 70 ° and 75 ° include the States of Ne- 
 braska, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Upper Tenne- 
 see, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. The 
 State of Kansas shows a little higher temperature than any 
 of these. The arid plains south-west of the Arkansas river 
 tend to produce this result. Their influence in heating the 
 air is often felt as far east as the Mississippi river. Hot 
 winds of long continuance sweep along from the south-west 
 with withering influence. The summer of Kansas usually has 
 four months rather than three. The mean temperature for j 
 Sept. 1865 did not fall at any time time below 70 ° . 
 
HAND-BOOK OF KANSA3. 
 
 33 
 
 In autumn, ordinarily, there is less variable weather, yet in 
 November very sudden and considerable changes often occur. 
 Destructive frosts do not often occur till after September. 
 
 In winter the variations in temperature are often sudden, 
 bat the winters are not continuously cold. The mercury 
 rarely remains at or below zero for a longer period than three 
 days. 
 
 In all essentials the climate of Kansas is the same as that 
 of the more eastern States in the same latitude, viz : Missouri, 
 Southern Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. The growth of timber, 
 hedges, and orchards, will no doubt ameliorate the tendency 
 to extreme hot and cold weather, as the State becomes more 
 thickly settled. 
 
 BAIN. 
 
 The extraordinary drouth of 1860, which prevailed over the 
 entire State, has occasioned a wide-spread misapprehension 
 of the real state of the case as relates to the danger from 
 want of rain. It is by many supposed, that severe drouths 
 are to be expected very often. Let us examine the tables, 
 and see how the case really stands for a long term of years: 
 
 RAIN FALL IN INCHES. 
 
 No. 
 
 , _ Spring. Summer Fall. Winter. Year. Years 
 
 *t. Leavenworth, Ks. 7.32 13.03 7.5*7 3.42 31.34 30 
 
 Ft. Riley, Ks £.62 10.68 E.81 2.72 24.90 5 
 
 ft. Scott, Ks 12.57 16.87 8.39 4.79 42.12 10 
 
 at. Louis, Mo 12.30 14.14 8.94 6.94 42.32 19 
 
 Pittsburgh, Pa.- 9.38 9.87 8.23 7.48 34.96 18 
 
 Cincinnati, Ohio 12.14 13.70 9.90 11.15 46.89 20 
 
 The aggregate amount of rain fall in Kansas, as compared 
 yith the more eastern States, is about one -fourth less. But 
 t isworthy of notice that the winter months show the main 
 elative^ deficiency, and as this occurs during the absence of 
 egetation, it is of no great practical importance ; there is deci- 
 led positive advantage ; roads are usually dry and in fine condi- 
 ion for hauling grain to market in the winter season. The ad- 
 antage to the stock raiser in the condition of his herd, must be 
 twice apparent. The grass on the prairies is not so much 
 ^ijured as would be the case if there were more rain in win- 
 pr. The maximum amount of rain in the average occurs in 
 he months of May and June, when most needed for agricul- 
 ural purposes. The amount of snow that falls is usuallv verv 
 
 2 
 
34 HAND-BOOK OF KANSAS. 
 
 slight, and it remains but a short time. The mean annual 
 rain fall in eastern Kansas is 32.78 inches, in western Kansas 
 24.00 inches. The mean for Minnesota is 30 inches, for Wis- 
 consin 82 inches, and for Michigan 30 inches. "Dr. Sinks, 
 whose report, printed in Prof. Swallow's Geological Report, 
 is well worthy of perusal, remarks that the drouth of 1860, 
 occurring as it did, when even under the most favorable 
 circumstances, the productions were not equal to the demand, 
 cast a doubt on the agricultural capacities of the State. A 
 false notion, once adopted, is clung to with pertinacity, for 
 the reason that but few will take the trouble to investigate for 
 themselves. In 1880 the relative deficiency of rain was quite 
 as great in southern Missouri, Arkansas, and western Tennes- 
 see as in Kansas. While a drought is by no means a desirable 
 occurrence, an excess of rain is equally injurious. The gene- 
 ral proposition that the whole Mississippi vallley is more 
 damaged in its grain and root crop3 by an excess of rain 
 than from a deficiency, will scarcely be questioned. As com- 
 pared with that of the States of Ohio, Pennsylvania, and 
 Kentucky, the soil of Kansas requires less measure of rain 
 to develope its fuli productiveness. 
 
 The following is from Prof. Swallow's valuable geological 
 survey of Kansas: 
 
 " The State has the temperature of Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Ken- 
 tucky, and Missouri. 
 
 *• The climate is extremely pleasant and healthful. It has been feared 
 by some that Kansas is more subject to drought than the older States in the 
 Mississippi 'Valley, but a careful examination of the amount of rain in the 
 various western States, as given by the records kept at the military posts 
 and other points, shows that as much rain has fallen in Kansas, for the last 
 forty years, as in Missouri, Illinois. Indiana, Ohio, or Kentucky. 
 
 "We also have the testimony of the Indians, Missourians, and others, 
 who have lived in this State for the last thirty years or more, that there has 
 been no serious drought, in their memories, previous to 1860. 
 
 44 The following note from the head chief of the Kaskaksia, Peoria, Pian- 
 keshaw, and Wea confederate tribes, is a fair sample of the testimony col- 
 lected from the old Indian farmers : 
 
 4 Paola, Miami Co., Kan., Oct. 80, 1865. 
 
 Prof. G. O. Swallow — Sir : I have cultivated my farm in this country 
 for thirty-five years, and have raised good crops every year but one, A. D. 
 1S60, and have had no serious injury from droughts previous to that year. 
 The experience of other farmers, in my tribes, is the same as mine, inrespect 
 to crops and droughts. 
 
 I Signed ] Baptists Peoria.' 
 
 41 Thus we see that the cnly exceptions to the general rule are those which 
 ooeur in all countries." 
 
 WIHDS, 
 
 The prevailing winds in summer are from south-west, south, 
 
HAND-BOOK OP KANSAS. 35 
 
 and south-east, and in winter they are exactly reversed. Du- 
 ring the spring and fall these points are about equally repre- 
 sented ; direct east and west winds are rare. Long continued 
 south winds usually bring rain. The average force of the 
 winds is greater than in the more eastern States, and they are 
 more constant. 
 
 In conclusion, Dr. Sinks remarks: " For the eastern half 
 of the State the measure of rain, excepting for the winter, 
 is quite equal to that of Pennsylvania and New York, and 
 amply large. West of 98th meridian there may reasonably be 
 some doubt as to the sufficiency. The amount for the summer 
 however is quite large, and, compared with that of the Euro- 
 pean plains, those of Germany and Russia, which sustain a 
 large population, the difference is decidedly in favor of the 
 plains of Kansas. The valleys of the Arkansas, Smoky Hill, 
 Solomon, and Republican, are peculiarly rich in grasses, 
 which would seem to be decisive of the general question of 
 the sufficiency of rain. When this region shall have been 
 reclaimed from the dominion of the wild buffalo and the 
 wilder Indian, its productive capacity will be found to be far 
 beyond that accorded by geographers. The resistless march 
 of the hardy pioneer, and the commercial demands for an 
 iron bond connecting the Atlantic and Pacific, will soon 
 crowd them from their haunts, and not entirely imaginative 
 will be the bright picture of quiet homes, cultivated fields, 
 grazing herds, and a teeming population, spread over the 
 fabled arid plains of Kansas. 
 
 SALUBEITY. 
 
 An unhealthy country can never be a desirable country to 
 live in. One of the strongest inducements which Kansas 
 holds out to emigrants is the fewness of its natural advantages 
 for disease. It is an elevated, well-drained country, contain- 
 ing no swamps and sloughs, and muddy and feculent river 
 bottoms. Its water courses are rapid. The climate is not 
 severely rigorous in winter, and though sunny and hot in 
 midsummer, it is gratefully tempered by regular breezes and 
 cool nights. The winters are dry, with clear skies and pure 
 bracing air. The well water is abundant, and free from dele- 
 terious admixtures. Even in the richest river bottoms there 
 is a remarkable freedom from malarious influences, which are 
 so ruinous to the health of the dwellers in the American bot- 
 
86 HAND-BOOK OF KANSAS. 
 
 toms, and other like locations on the Mississippi and 6ome of 
 its tributaries. For so new and so fertile a country it is truly 
 remarkable that there is so little of fever and ague. Dr. C. 
 A. Logan, in his report to Prof. Swallow, on the sanitary rela- 
 tions of the State of Kansas, well remarks: "A wet soil is 
 productive of a rank vegetation, with its proneness to rapid 
 decay; thus furnishing in profuseness one of the most essen- 
 tial elements of fever. In addition to this influence of a wet 
 soil in favoring vegetable growth and decay, the meteorologi- 
 cal condition is decidedly and insalubriously affected thereby. 
 This is brought about by the excess of moisture with which 
 the air is charged, whereby the secretions of the skin are 
 impeded in direct proportion to the degree of saturation, and 
 the internal organs are burdened, to a greater or less extent, 
 with the office of removing effete materials, which, in health, 
 it is the function of the skin to eliminate. 
 
 " On the other hand, a moist atmosphere, if it be a cool one, 
 is equally productive of disease, though of a different nature, as- 
 suming more generally the shape of rheumatism and pulmonary 
 disorders, the latter being quite as fatal in their effects as the 
 diseases called into existence by heat and a high dew point. 
 
 " Kansas, by reason of its physical aspect, its soil and its 
 high winds, is thoroughly drained. Its streams are swift. 
 There is rarely any springy soil. In Ohio, Indiana, and Illi- 
 nois, the streams generally flow through wide valleys, and have 
 low banks, whereby the land is subject to inundation ; a sub- 
 soil, tenacious in the highest degree, being usual to those 
 localities, the water does not drain off with facility, and much 
 of it is left to be evaporated, and assist in the production of 
 malarial fevers. In such regions the fevers are of a very per- 
 nicious character at times, the sinking chills and congestive 
 fevers being regular and dreaded visitants. Kansas, to a great 
 extent, is exempt from violent malarious fevers. Intermit- 
 tents and remittents of a mild type are incident to the vernal 
 and autumnal months, but they yield readily to appropriate 
 treatment. 
 
 " To sum up, ague and bilious fever are the prevalent fevers 
 of the spring and autumn months, but, originally of a mild 
 character, they are becoming more so, and less frequent, year 
 by year, a3 population flows into the State. Epidemic visita- 
 tions are most violent where the general health rate is below 
 par. Kansas is favored in respect to such diseases. Bad 
 forms of diarrhea, dysentery, erysipelas, scarlet fever, small 
 
HAND-BOOK OF KANSAS. 37 
 
 pox, cholera, diphtheria, spotted fever, &c, rarely occur. 
 Rheumatism is rare in eastern Kansas, but is common in the 
 high regions near the rocky mountains." 
 
 Consumption — It has been known for years that certain 
 localities are remarkably exempt from this dread disease, and 
 prominent among them are the regions of the far north-west, 
 and the elevated regions of the rocky mountains. The infer- 
 ence is, that a dry, cold atmosphere is preventive of the disease. 
 Kansas is more favorably circumstanced for preventing the 
 development of consumption than any other portion of the 
 Great Valley. 
 
 STOCK RAISING. 
 
 The fertility of the soil, the mildness of the climate, the 
 excellence of the native grasses, all combine to render Kan- 
 sas equal to any portion of our country for the raising and 
 fattening of stock. Like Nebraska, the State is well adapted 
 to grazing in the regions considered too dry for ordinary 
 farming, while in the eastern part of the State grain can 
 easily be grown to finish off stock for market. On the Smoky 
 Hill, the Arkansas, and the Republican, there are immense 
 regions where stock can be kept the greater part of the year 
 without any artificial shelter. Sheep do well in all parts of 
 the State. Immense herds are now driven into Kansas from 
 the State of Texas, and after being kept a year, become 
 very much like the stock raised in more northern regions. 
 The facilities that now exist for transporting cattle to market 
 greatly enhance the profitableness of this kind of business. 
 For generations stock raising is like to be the most important 
 business in the State. The myriads of buffalo which now 
 darken the plains west of Fort Ellsworth, must give place to 
 herds of domestic cattle, and the Indian hunter to the bold 
 and hardy herder. Then, instead of a few buffalo robes, those 
 vast regions will yield innumerable horses, mules, cattle, 
 and sheep. 
 
 FENCING. 
 
 In the most eastern portion of the State fences are made, 
 but as population increases and fills in further west, herding 
 laws will be passed, so that great expense will be saved. In 
 many parts stone walls are built around whole farms. The 
 great abundance of rock, in nearly all parts of the State, 
 renders it easy to do this. In some parts, in south-eastern 
 Kansas, loose stone on the surface suffices to do this, at a cost 
 of $1.50 to |3.00 per rod. 
 
38 HAND-BOOK OF KANSAS. 
 
 Osage Orange hedges are resorted to in all parts with great 
 success. This kind of hedge can be grown in four years, so- 
 as to make a first class fence. The State encourages the 
 growth of hedges by certain exemptions in respect to 
 taxation : 
 
 An Act to encourage the growing of Hedges and building of Stone Fences. 
 Approved February 20, 1867. 
 
 * * * # * 
 
 Sec, 2. That any person planting an Osage or Hawthorn fence, or who 
 shall build of stone a fence of four and one-half feet, around any field, 
 within ten years from the passage of this Act, and successfully growing and 
 cultivating' the same, or keeping up said fence until it successfully resists 
 stock, shall receive an annual bounty of two dollars for every forty rods as 
 planted and cultivated, or built and kept up ; the bounty to commence so 
 soon as said fence will entirely resist cattle, and to continue for eight years 
 thereafter. Said bounty to be paid from the treasury of the county !n 
 which said fence may be situated. 
 
 &AILE0ABS. 
 
 Since the conclusion of the war, an unparalleled zeal has 
 been manifested for so young a State to develope her resour- 
 ces by projecting and voting aid to projected railroads. At 
 the present time there are 600 miles of railroad in running 
 order. The principal one is the Union Pacific railway, E. D. 
 This, starting at Leavenworth and Kausas City, traverses the 
 entire State from east to west through its central, and in some 
 respects, best portions. It follows the Kansas and Smoky 
 Hill rivers. The route is very favorable — being very straight 
 and having very uniform and easy grades. It is supposed that 
 this road will fork northward to Denver, Colorado, and south- 
 ward towards Santa Fe, New Mexico, and be extended to 
 Southern California. There are vast coal beds along this route. 
 At Junction City there are extensive quarries of Magnesian 
 Limestone, beautiful, easily worked and conveniently near 
 the track. Gypsum abounds also. This road is completed for 
 405 miles to the western border. 
 
 The Central Branch of the U. P. R. R. commences at Atchi- 
 son and is completed for 100 miles to Waterville, on the Lit- 
 tle Blue River, in Marshall county. It is proposed to extend 
 this railroad to connect with the U. P. R. at or west of Ft. 
 Kearney, Nebraska.. This route passes through some of the 
 finest farming and stock growing regions of the State. Mag- 
 nesian Limestone of fine qudity and Gypsum abound in inex- 
 haustible quantities in the region where it crosses the Little 
 and Big Blue rivers. 
 
 The Kansas City k Fort Scott Railroad commences at Kansas 
 
HAND-BOOK OF KANSAS. 39 
 
 City and passes through the eastern tier of counties southward 
 through Fort Scott to the Indian territory, to intersect the 
 railroad from Galveston, Texas. This road is graded to 
 Olathe and the rails are now being laid to that place. 
 This route is through a country of extraordinary beauty, 
 fertility and great natural resources, mora particularly 
 coal. The climate is mild and well adapted to the growth 
 of grapes, peaches and other fruits. Mr. Joy, of De- 
 troit, who has obtained the vacant lands in the south-eastern 
 part of the State is interested in pushing this road through so 
 as to anticipate the time when 
 
 THE LEAVENWORTH, LAWRENCE AND FT. GIBSON RAILROAD 
 
 shall reach the State line. The railroad that gets through 
 first is to have the right of way through the Indian Territory 
 free of cost. The L. L. and Ft. Gibson Railroad is in running 
 order from Lawrence to Ottawa, 27 miles, and the grading 
 has been completed for 23 miles further south, and will bo, it 
 is thought, in running order for 50 miles by January, 1869. 
 Like its rival, it passes through a very beautiful and rich 
 country. Its course is nearly due south, through the second 
 tier of counties, to the valley of the Neosho. This road also 
 is intended to connect with the Galveston Railroad. 
 
 THE ATCHISON, TOPEKA AND SANTA FE RAILROAD 
 
 commences at Atchison and passes in a south-western direc- 
 tion through the Capital to Emporia, Lyon county, and onward 
 towards New Mexico. Coal abounds along this line and the 
 soil is of first quality. Grading is now going on simultane- 
 ously from Atchison and Topeka, southwesterly. It is thought 
 50 miles will be completed within a year. 
 
 A branch road from Lawrence is projected to intersect this 
 road at or near Burlingame or Emporia. This railroad will 
 pass along the valley of the Wakarusa River. 
 
 The Missouri River Railroad is built, connecting Kansas 
 City and Wyandotte with Leavenworth. 
 
 The Southern Branch of the Union Pacific from Ft. Riley 
 down the valley of the Neosho, has a land grant and will 
 probably be built soon. 
 
 The Atchison and Pikes Peak Railroad, is now styled the 
 Central Branch of the U. P. R. R., described above. 
 
 There is a strong probability that a railroad will be built 
 from Lawrence to Pleasant Hill, Missouri, nearly parallel 
 with the U. P. R. R., E. D. 
 
 A railroad from Leavenworth to Atchison, or a continuation 
 
J 40 HAND-BOOK OP KANSAS. 
 
 of the M. River raihoad is contemplated. This would make 
 a direct route from the Nebraska U. P. railroad from Ft. 
 Kearney to St. Louis, without crossing the Missouri river. This 
 railroad will very probably be extended along the valley of 
 the Missouri river up to Omaha. 
 
 The St. Joseph and Denver railroad commences at Elm- 
 wood, opposite St. Joseph, Mo., and passes in a due westerly 
 course towards Colorado, via Troy, Seneca and Marysville. 
 The road has been graded from Elwood to Troy. 
 
 A railroad route has been proposed from the C. B. U. P., 
 commencing at the Big Blue and passing toward Junction 
 City. 
 
 All of the above named roads will pass through very fertile 
 regions and the ease of construction render it probable that 
 all of them will soon be built. The zeal manifested in Kan- 
 sas in preparing the way for a net work of railways, speaks 
 well for the enterprise and wisdom of the people who are so 
 ready to vote aid in the regions through which they are to 
 pass. Certainly no State so new has done so much. The im- 
 pulse which the opening of railroads will give has already com- 
 menced in advance of their construction. Population is flow- 
 ing in with unexampled rapidity, and the price of land is rap- 
 idly advancing. 
 
 LAND DISTRICTS. 
 
 There are three United States Land Offices in the State. 
 The Topeka land district embraces the north-eastern portion 
 of the State, or all that portion east of the sixth principal 
 meridian, and north of township 23 south. This district em- 
 braces the healthiest and most thickly-settled portion of the 
 State. Nearly all vacant land is disposed of, except land 
 within the railroad limit of twenty miles on each side of the 
 roads that had United States grants. The greater quantity 
 of this land is along ihe C. B. U. P. railroad, and can be 
 obtained only by actual settlement under pre-emption and 
 homestead claims. 
 
 The Junction City Land Office embraces all the State directly 
 west of the Topeka district. There are immense quantities 
 of minimum-priced lands open to entry under pre-emption 
 and homestead Acts, and but little open to private entry. 
 
 The Humboldt Zand District embraces all of the State from 
 the Missouri State line to the western boundary below the 
 22 township line — or all not included in the other two dis- 
 
HAND-BOOK OF KANSAS. 41 
 
 tricts. The lands in the eastern portion of the district' are 
 largely taken, except on the Osage Indian Reservation, which 
 is adjacent to the Indian Territory. 
 
 From what has been said it will be manifest that there are 
 but few opportunities to obtain government land except by 
 actual settlers. For these there are millions of acres open, 
 and as it is a matter of great importance to the emigrant to 
 know how land can be obtained, and under what conditions, 
 a full official statement will be g ! ven of the United States 
 land office regulations: 
 
 U. S. GENERAL LAND OFFICE REGULATIONS. 
 
 There are two classes of public lands, the one class at $1.25 per acre, 
 which Is designated as minimum, and the other at $2.50 per acre, or 
 double minimum. 
 
 Title may be acquired by purchase at public sale, or by ordinary " private 
 entry," and in virtue of the Pre-emption and Homestead laws. 
 
 1. At public sale where lands are "offered" at public auction to the 
 highest bidder, either pursuant to Proclamation by the President, or public 
 notice given in accordance with directions from the General Land Office. 
 
 BY PRIVATE " ENTRY " OR LOCATION. 
 
 2. The lands of this class liable to disposal are those which have been 
 offered at public sale, and thereafter remain unsold, and which have not 
 been subsequently reserved, or otherwise withdrawn from market. In this 
 class of offered and unreserved public lands the following steps may be 
 taken to acquire title : 
 
 CASH PURCHASES. 
 
 3. The applicant must present a written application to the Register for 
 the District in which the land desired is situated, describing the tract he 
 wishes to purchase, giving its area. Thereupon the Register, if the tract is 
 vacant, will so certify to the Receiver, stating the price, and the applicant 
 must then pay the amount of the purchase money. 
 
 The Receiver will then issue to the purchaser a duplicate receipt, and at 
 the close of the month the Register and Receiver will make returns of the 
 sale to the General Land Office, from whence, when the proceedings are 
 found regular, a patent or complete title will be issued ; and on surrender 
 of the duplicate receipt such patent will be delivered, at the option of the 
 patentee, either by the Commissioner at Washington, or by the Register at 
 the District Land Office. 
 
 LOCATIONS WITH WARRANTS. 
 
 4. Application must be made as in cash cases, but must be accompanied 
 bv a warrant duly assigned as the consideration for the land ; yet where the 
 tract is $2.50 per acre, the party, in addition to the surrendered warrant, 
 must pay in cash $1.25 per acre, as the warrant is in satisfaction of only so 
 many acres as are mentioned on its face. A duplicate certificate of location 
 will then be furnished the party t to be held until the patent is delivered, as 
 in cases of cash sales. 
 
42 HAND-BOOK OF KANSAS. 
 
 The following Fees are chargeable by the land officers, and the several 
 amounts .must he paid at the time of location : 
 
 For a40-acre warrant, 50 cents each to the Register and Receiver-Total$1.00 
 For a 60-acre warrant 75 cents " " " " " $1.50 
 
 For an 80-ac re warrant, $1 " «« " " " $2.00 
 
 For a 120-acre warrant, $1.50 " «' " " " $8.00 
 
 For a 160-acre warrant, $2.00 " " " " " $4.00 
 
 AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE SCRIP. 
 
 5. This Scrip is applicable to lands not mineral, which may be subject 
 to private entry at $1.25 per acre, yet is restricted to a technical " quar- 
 ter section;'''' that is, land embraced by the quarter section lines indicated 
 on the official plats of survey, or it may be located on apart of a " quarter 
 section," where such part is taken as in full for a quarter, but it cannot be 
 applied to different subdivisions to make an area equivalent to a quarter 
 section. The manner of proceeding to acquire title with this class of paper 
 is the same as in cash and warrant cases, the fees to be paid being the same 
 as on warrants. 
 
 PRE-EMPTIONS TO THE EXTENT OF ONE QUARTER SECTION, OK 
 ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY ACRES. 
 
 6. These may be made upon " offered " and "unoffered" land, and hi 
 certain States and Territories west of the Mississippi, including that part of 
 Minnesota east of the river, may have legal inception by actual settlement 
 upon unsurveyed land, although in such cases no definite proceedings can 
 be had as to the completion of title until after the surveys are officially 
 returned to the District Land Office. 
 
 7. The Act of 3rd March, 1853, extends the pre-emption for one quarter, 
 or 160 acres, at $2.50 per acre, to every "alternate" United States or 
 reserved section along the line of railroads. 
 
 8. The Act of 27th March, 1S51, vol. 10, page 269, chap. XXV, protects 
 the right of settlers on sections along the line of railroads, where settlement 
 existed prior to withdrawal, and in such cases allows the tract to be taken by 
 pre-emptors at $1.25 per acre. 
 
 9. Where the tract is " offered," the party must file with the District 
 Land Office his Declaratory Statement as to the fact of his settlement 
 within thirty days from the date of said settlement, and, within one year 
 from that date, must appear before the Register and Receiver, and maka 
 proof of his actual residence on and cultivation of the tract, and secure 
 the same by paying cash, or by filing warrant duly assigned to the Pre- 
 emptor. 
 
 10. Where the tract has been surveyed and not offered at public sale, 
 the claimant must file within three months from the date of settlement, and 
 make proof and payment before the day designated in President's Procla- 
 mation for offering the lands at public sale. 
 
 11. Should the settler in either of the aforesaid cases die before establish- 
 ing his claim within the period limited by law, the title may be perfected 
 by the executor, administrator, or one of the heirs a by making the requisite 
 proof of settlement and paying for the land ; the entry to be made in the 
 name of " the heirs " of the deceased settler, and the patent will be issued 
 accordingly. 
 
 12. In those States and Territories in which settlements are authorized 
 by law on unsurveyed land, the claimant must file notice of settlement 
 within three months after the receipt of the township plat of surrey at the 
 District Land Office, and make proof and payment a3 required under 10th 
 head in the foregoing. 
 
HAND-BOOK OF KANSAS. 4:3 
 
 LAWS FXTKNDING THK HOMKSTKAD PRINCIPLE. 
 IS. The original Homestead Act of May 20, 1862, gives to every citizen, 
 and to those who had declared thtir intentions to become such, the right to 
 a homestead on surveyed lands. This is conceded to the extent of one 
 quarter section, or 160 acres, at $1.25 per acre, or 80 acres of double mini- 
 mum in any organized district embracing surveyed public lands, except in 
 the five Southern Land States hereinafter mentioned, where the right is 
 restricted to SO acres minimum, and 40 acres double minimum. 
 
 14. To obtain homesteads the party must, in connection with his appli- 
 cation, make an affidavit before the Register or Receiver that he is over the 
 age of twenty-one, or the head of a family ; that he is a citizen of the United 
 States, or has declared his intention to become such, and that the entry 
 5s made for his exclusive use and benefit, and for actual settlement and 
 cultivation. 
 
 15. Where the applicant is prevented by reason of bodily infirmity, 
 distance, or other good cause, from personal attendance at the District Land 
 Office, the affidavit may be made before the clerk of the court for the county 
 within which the party is an actual resident. 
 
 For Homestead entries on surveyed lands in Kansas, Nebraska, and 
 Dakota, fees are to be paid according to the following table : 
 
 Commissions. Fees. 
 
 Payable when Payable when Payable when Fees 
 entry is made. Patent issues, entry is made, and cost. 
 "$4 00 $4.00 $10.00 $18.00 
 
 2 00 2.00 5.00 9.00 
 
 1.00 1.00 5.00 7.00 
 
 4.00 4.00 10.00 18.00 
 
 2.00 2.00 5.00 9.00 
 
 will issue his receipt showing such payment, and will 
 furnish a duplicate to the claimant. 
 
 19. An inceptive right is vested in the settler by such proceedings, and 
 upon faithful observance of the law, in regard to settlement and cultivation 
 
 or the continuous term of five years, and at the expiration of that time, or 
 within two years thereafter, upon proper proof to the satisfaction of the 
 Land Officers, and payment to the Receiver, the Register will issue his cer- 
 tificate, and make proper returns to this office as the basis of a patent or 
 complete title for the homestead. 
 
 20. Where a Homestead settler diesbefore the consummation of his claim, 
 the heirs may continue the settlement and cultivation, and obtain title upon 
 requisite proof at the proper time. 
 
 Where both parents die leaving infant heirs, the Homestead is required to 
 be sold for cash for the benefit of such heirs, and the purchaser will receive 
 title from the United States. 
 
 21. The sale of a Homestead claim by the settler to another party before 
 completion of title is not recognized by this office, and not only vests no 
 title or equities in the purchaser, but would be prima facie evidence of 
 abandonment, and give cause for cancellation of the claim. 
 
 22. As the law allows but one Homestead privilege, a settler relinquish- 
 ing or abandoning his claim cannot thereafter make a second entry. 
 Where an individual has made settlement on a surveyed tract, and filed his 
 pre-emption declaration therefor, he may change his filing into Homestead, 
 yet such change is inadmissable where an adverse right has intervened, but 
 i n such cases the settler has the privilege of perfecting his title under the 
 pre-emption laws. 
 
 28. If the Homestead settler does not wish to remain five years on his 
 tract, the law permits bim to pay for it with cash or warrant?, upon making 
 
 
 Price 
 
 Acres. 
 
 per acre. 
 
 160 
 
 $1.25 
 
 80 
 
 1.25 
 
 40 
 
 1.25 
 
 80 
 
 2.50 
 
 40 
 
 2.50 
 
 18. The Receiver 
 
44 HAND BOOK OF KANSAS. 
 
 proof of settlement and cultivation from the date of entry to the time of 
 payment. 
 
 This proof of actual settlement and cultivation must be the affidavit of the 
 party made before the local officers, corroborated by the testimony of two 
 credible witnesses. 
 
 ~ 24. There is another class of Homesteads, designated as "Adjoining 
 farm Homesteads." In these cases the law allows an applicant, owning and 
 residing on an original farm, to enter other land lying contiguous thereto, 
 which shall not, with such farm, exceed in the aggregate 160 acres. Thus, 
 for example, a party owning or occupying 80 acres, may enter 80 additional 
 of $1.25, or 40 acres of $2.50 land. Or suppose the applicant to own 40 
 acres, then he may enter 120 acres at $1.25, or 40 at $1.25, and 40 at $2.50, 
 if both classes of lands should be found contiguous to his original farm. 
 In entries of " adjoining farms " the settler must describe, in his affidavit, 
 the tract he ovvns, and is settled upon as his original farm. Actual resi- 
 dence on the tract entered as an adjoining tract is not required, but bona 
 fide improvement and cultivation of it must be shown for the period required 
 by statute. 
 
 25. Lands obtained under the Homestead laws are exempted from 
 liability for debts contracted prior to the issuing of patent therefor. 
 
 26. It is the duty of the Registers and Receivers to be in attendance at 
 their offices, and give proper facilities and information to persons applying 
 for lands. 
 
 JOS. S. WILSON, 
 Commissioner of the Genet al Land Office. 
 
 INDIANS. 
 
 The tribes in the eastern half of the State are friendly to 
 the whites, and in a measure civilized. Many of the people 
 of these have left for regions south and south-west. Except 
 the more civilized, they seem disposed to sell out and leave. 
 There are a few hundred left on the Diminished Kickapoo 
 Reservation in Brown county. So there are some in regions 
 along the eastern border, but they are so few in number as 
 to be no ground of fear to the whites. The wild Cheyennes 
 and Arrapahoe Indians roam over the western part of the 
 State, and are there very troublesome at times. Their destiny 
 is to disappear before the pale faces. The policy of removing 
 them to a region south of the State, so as to render the Paci- 
 fic route free from their presence, is likely to be carried out. 
 Many of the wilder tribes will be reluctant to leave their old 
 buffalo hunting grounds, but the security of commerce and 
 civilized men will make it necessary. ' 
 
 RAILROAD, STAGE AND STEAMBOAT ROUTES. 
 
 Persons wishing to reach Kansas from the east can have 
 choice of many railroad routes. From the region of Chicago 
 the most eligible route is by the Chicago, Burlington, and 
 Quincy, and the Hannibal and St Joseph roads, to northern 
 
HAND-BOOK OF KANSAS. 45 
 
 Kansas. Or by the various routes from Chicago and the 
 country south to St. Loui,*, and thence by the Missouri Pacific 
 railroad to Kansas City. This is an admirable route for those 
 who wish to reach central and southern Kansas. The connec- 
 tions are close and the time good. To one wishing to go to 
 Fort Scott, the Pleasant Hill daily stage route is the quickest. 
 There is also a good daily stage route Sedalia, Mo., to Fort 
 Scott, also from Kansas City. From north-western Illinois 
 and from Iowa the best route is by the North- Western to 
 Council Bluffs, and thence by Missouri Valley railroad to St. 
 Joseph, thence to Atchison, or Leavenworth, or Kansas City, 
 all the way by rail. In the warm months many go by steam- 
 boats from St. Louis to the eastern termini of the railroads in 
 Kansas. Persons wishing to go to the northern tier of coun- 
 ties should go to Atchison. Daily mail routes diverge from 
 Netawaka, Ccntralia, Frankfort, and Waterville, on the 
 C. B. U. P. railroad. 
 
 From the Union Pacific railroad, eastern division, there 
 are daily stage or railroad routes from Lawrence, Topeka, 
 Manhattan, and Junction City, north and south, and also 
 frequent routes from the smaller intermediate stations. 
 
 From Fort Scott there are daily stages to Pleasant Hill, Mo., 
 Sedalia, Mo., to Kansas City, and tri-weekly to Garnett and 
 Humboldt and Baxter's Springs. From Baxter's Springs 
 there is a tri-weekly stage to Humboldt and to Carthage, Mo., 
 and south towards Fort Gibson. To Emporia, the most direct 
 route would be from Topeka by daily stage. 
 
 Railroad fares are from 5 to 11 cents per mile. Stage fares 
 are from 10 to 12 cents per mile. Steamboat fares about the 
 same as railroads, with meals and berths included. The 
 Steamboats on the Missouri river are generally of the first 
 class. Livery charges are usually, for buggy, from $3 to $5 
 per day. 
 
46 HAND-BOOK OF KANSAS. 
 
 TABLE OF DISTANCES 
 
 On Union Pacific Railway, E. D. Miles. 
 
 Leavenworth to Lawrence, 33 
 
 Kansas City to State Line, .._ - - _ 1 
 
 £ tate Line to Armstrong, _ - 1 
 
 44 " 4l Munice, 1 
 
 " " " Secundine, — 9 
 
 ,! " 4f Edwardsville, 12 
 
 • ( " Tiblow, - 16 
 
 4 ' " " Lenape, - 22 
 
 " 4i " Stranger, 27 
 
 " " " Fall Leaf, --_ 31 
 
 " . " " Leavenworth and Lawrence Junction, 36 
 
 " u " Lawrence, _ 38 
 
 14 " Buck Creek, 45 
 
 44 " " Williamstown, 47 
 
 (t »* u PerryviHe, 50 
 
 44 " Medina, 52 
 
 " 4t " Grant's Station 60 
 
 44 4 ' " Topkka, 66 
 
 44 " 4< Silver Lake, 77 
 
 14 44 i4 Cross Creek, _ 82 
 
 44 4 ' St. Mary's.. 98 
 
 44 " Wamego, 103 
 
 " 4; St. George, ..110 
 
 " " 4S Manhattan, __ 11*7 
 
 44 " Ogden, 129 
 
 44 " Ft. Riley, 135 
 
 44 " Junction Citv, 138 
 
 44 4 ' Chapman's Creek, 150 
 
 " 4l Detroit, 156 
 
 44 " Abilene, - 162 
 
 44 " " SandSpring, 166 
 
 44 " Salina, 185 
 
 M 44 " Ft. Harker, 218 
 
 44 44 " Ellsworth, 222 
 
 44 " Walker, .-. 274 
 
 " " Hays City, 288 
 
 44 "Antelope, - 340 
 
 44 4< 4t Monument, 386 
 
 •• " " Sheridan, 495 
 
HAND-BOOK OF KANSAS. 45 
 
 EDUCATION. 
 
 The following summary of the educational interests of the 
 State was furnished by John D. Parker, Ph. D., Professor in 
 Lincoln College, Topeka, Kansas: 
 
 The people of Kansas, true to their noble ancestry, early be- 
 gan to lay the foundations of government in the intelligence 
 of the people. The baptism of blood which they have received 
 has taught them anew that liberty must be cemented in virtue 
 and knowledge. The 16th and 36th sections of land were set 
 apart by Congress in the organic act constituting the State to 
 be a perpetual and inalienable fund for the support of com- 
 mon schools. 
 
 The essential features of the present admirable school sys- 
 tem of the State are as follows: 
 
 Each civil county is divided into as many districts as there 
 are neighborhoods requiring separate schools. Each school 
 district is deemed duly organized when the officers, consist- 
 ing of a Director, Clerk and Treasurer, shall be elected, who 
 shall constitute the district Board. It is the duty of the 
 board to select such sites, and build, hire or purchase such 
 school house3 as the qualified voters of the district shall 
 agree upon. To hire teachers ; to determine the length of 
 time more than three months each year that a school shall be 
 kept, unless determined by the legal voters ; and to have a 
 general supervision over the schools and school property. 
 Two or more districts can unite for the purpose of establish^ 
 ing a graded school ; and there is a special law regulating 
 schools iu towns and cities. 
 
 2. Each county elects, biennially, a Superintendent of 
 Common Schools. It shall be his duty to divide the county 
 into a convenient number of districts ; to visit schools, ex- 
 amine teachers, grant and revoke certificates; apportion the 
 school funds ; and have a general supervision of the school 
 interests of the county. 
 
 3. A State Superintendent of Public Instruction is elect- 
 ed biennially by the people. It shall be his duty to visit each 
 county in the State at least once in each year ; to file and pre- 
 serve official reports of public and private schools ; to hold 
 in connection with the County Superintendent a Teacher's In- 
 stitute in each year, in each Senatorial District of the State ; 
 to apportion to each county the amount of school fund be- 
 longing to it ; to submit to the Legislature an annual report; 
 and to have a general supervision over the common schools 
 of tbe State. 
 
48 HAND-BOOK OF KANSAS. 
 
 4. The public schools are maintained by funds derived 
 chiefly from four sources : 1st, by the interest and rents of 
 the perpetual school fund ; 2nd, by the annual levy and assess- 
 ment of one mill upon all taxable property of the State ; 3d, 
 by the sale of estates of persons dying without will or heirs; 
 and 4th, by the proceeds arising from fines and estrays in the 
 several counties. 
 
 The following summary of statistics for 1866—7, is taken 
 from the report of the State Superintendent of Public In- 
 struction : 
 
 Number of School Districts, 1,172 
 
 " " white persons between 5 and 21 years, 58,308 
 
 " "colored " " " " ...., 4,535 
 
 " " white children enrolled in public schools, 36,944 
 
 •« "colored " " » " 2,505 
 
 '* " attending select schools, academies and colleges,. . . 4,243 
 
 Average daily attendance, 20,573 
 
 " time school has been taught for white children, 4.4months 
 
 " " " " " " colored " 4.8 " 
 
 Number of teachers employed, 1.205 
 
 '■ " " in select schools, academies & col. 107 
 
 " " " in all schools, 1,312 
 
 Average wages paid male teachers per month, $39.44 
 
 " " female '« " " $28.14 
 
 Amount paid for teachers wages in public schools, 170,436.39 
 
 " disbursed to counties from annual sebool fund, 37,961,36 
 
 ' ; raised by direct tax for public schools 273,057.18 
 
 " amount derived frcm various sources for public sch'ls. 342,271.92 
 Number of school houses — log, 241 ; frame, 339 ; brick, 15 ; 
 
 stone, 108, 703 
 
 Total value of school houses $573,690.0S 
 
 Amount added to school fund for the year, 86,653.44 
 
 " of permanent school fund now invested and bearing 
 
 interest, $96,796.56 
 
 THE STATE UNIVERSITY. 
 
 The State University, located at Lawrence, Douglas county, 
 has been organized with a President and six Professors. It is 
 situated upon the brow of Mount Oread, near the city, and 
 commands a magnificent view in every direction. The en- 
 dowment of the university consists of 46,000 acres of land 
 which was appropriated to it by Congress in the act admit- 
 ting the State. This institution possesses a fine apparatus 
 and a choice cabinet. 
 
 STATE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE. 
 
 The State Agricultural College, the oldest institution of 
 the State, is located at Manhattan, Riley county, at the junc- 
 tion of the Kansas river and the Big Blue. The buildings 
 with eighty acres of land inclosed with a stone wall, are sit- 
 
HAND-BOOK OF KANSAS. 49 
 
 uaied on the high land about two miles west of the city, com- 
 manding a fine view. This institution came into possession of 
 90,000 acres of the best land of the State, by the act of 
 Congress establishing agricultural colleges in the several 
 States. The College is organized with a President and five 
 Professors. It possesses the Mudge Cabinet, (a gift by Prof. 
 B. F. Mudge), and a fine apparatus and library. 
 
 STATE NOBMAL SCHOOL. 
 
 The State Normal School is located at Emporia, in Lyon 
 county, in the Neosho Valley. The endowment of this insti- 
 tution consists of 46,000 i.cres of land. The institution has 
 been organized with three Professors. 
 
 WASHBURNE COLLEGE. 
 
 Washburne College, located at Topeka, the Capital of the 
 State, is under the supervision of the Congregational- 
 ists. It has been organized with a faculty of three Profes- 
 sors and three instructors. This College, after the New Eng- 
 land style, is to receive an immediate endowment under the 
 College Society. The building, grounds, cabinet, library and 
 present endowment, are estimated at $30,000. Dea. Ichabod 
 Washburne, of Worcester, Mass., has made a donation of $25,- 
 000. As there was several other institutions styled Lincoln, 
 the name has been changed as above. 
 
 PARKER UNIVERSITY. 
 
 Parker University, located at Baldwin City, is under the 
 supervision of the Methodist Episcopal Church. It has been 
 organized with a President and six Professors. This institu- 
 tion owns 700 lots in Baldwin City, 1,800 acres of land in 
 the State, and buildings, grounds, apparatus, library and cab- 
 inet, valued at $30,000. 
 
 HIGHLAND UNIVERSITY. 
 
 Highland University, located at Highland, Doniphan county, 
 is under the auspices ef the Old School Presbyterians. This 
 institution at present has no endowment and no college course 
 arranged. 
 
 LANE UNIVERSITY. 
 
 Lane University, located at Lecompton, Douglas county, 
 is under the supervision of the United Brethren. It holds prop- 
 erty to the amount of $40, 000,— $30,000 being in buildings, 
 and $10,000 in lots and endowment fund. The preparatory 
 school is organized under the common school law. 
 
50 HAND-BOOK OF KANSAS. 
 
 OTTAWA UNIVERSITY. 
 
 Ottawa University, located at Ottawa, Franklin countv, is 
 under the auspices of the Baptists. Four or five year? ago 
 the Ottawa Indians made over 20,000 acres of land for the en- 
 dowment of a school to be open for the tribe for all time. A 
 fine building, still unfinished, has been erected. The insti- 
 tution is in debt about §30,000. This institution has opened. 
 two departments, one for white, the other for Indian children. 
 
 WETMORE INSTITUTE. 
 
 Wetmore Institute, located at Irving, Marshall county, i3 
 under the auspices of the New School Presbyterians. The 
 institute, including the grounds, furniture, library and ap- 
 paratus,„has cost about $8,000. 
 
 WESTERN CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY. 
 
 The Western Christian University is located at Ottumwa. 
 Coffey county, is under the care of the Christian Brotherhood. 
 The institution has property estimated at $15,000, but no en- 
 dowment fund. 
 
 EPISCOPAL FEMALE SEMINARY. 
 
 The Episcopal Female Seminary is located at Topeka, the 
 capital of the State. 
 
 In addition to these institutions, the M. E. Church is estab- 
 lishing an Academy at Hartford, in the southern part of the 
 State. The Old School Presbyterians are laying the founda- 
 tion for an institution of high literary character, at Geneva, 
 Allen county. The Catholics have established three semi- 
 naries of learning at Atchison, Leavenworth and Topeka. 
 
 THE ASYLUM FOR THE DEAF AND DUMB. 
 
 Is located at Olathe, Johnson county. The present number 
 of pupils is twenty-two. 
 
 Besides these, the Institution for the Blind is located at 
 Wyandotte, Wyandotte county ; the Insane Asylum at Ossa- 
 wattamie, Miami county, and the State Penitentiary at Lea- 
 venworth, Leavenworth county. 
 
 DESCRIPTION OF COUNTIES IN THE STATE. 
 
 Doniphan County. 
 
 This county lies in the north-east corner of the State. It 
 contains 880 square miles. It has a river boundary of over 
 60 miles. The main creeks flow east and north. The bluffs on 
 
\ 
 
 HAND-BOOK OF KANSAS. 51 
 
 the Missouri river in some places are near the river and at 
 some places they recede and the bottoms are -wide. Most of 
 the bottoms are above high water mark. The bluffs are 
 from 50 to 200 feet in height — sometimes abrupt, but often 
 ao rolling as to be suitable for cultivation. Much the largest 
 portion of the county is high, rolling prairie, and well adapt- 
 ed for farming purposes. The scenery is very fine and the 
 country is very beautiful. The soil of this county is excel- 
 lent. The Bluff formation underlies it. The color is of the 
 Mulatto tinge. The bottoms are exceedingly rich on the 
 Missouri river. Below White Cloud there are heavy beds of 
 limestone, shales and sandstone. The former makes good 
 building and fencing materials. Some coal has been found. 
 All the staples of this latitude do finely here. Fruit also has 
 done well here, especially on the high and northern exposures. 
 
 Major Hawn remarks : "My observation in this and other 
 States in the west, leads me to believe that southern expos- 
 ures for fruit should be avoided as well as deep valleys." The 
 roots of trees grown on our deep, porous, subsoils, penetrate 
 the earth to a great depth. The [roots of indigenous trees 
 are often found at the depth of twenty feet below the surface. 
 It will be readily seen that roots lying below the influence of 
 atmospheric changes are constantly urging their sap to the 
 surface, and upon a favorable condition above, in the winter, 
 send it to the branches and buds.. The apple tree particu- 
 larly responds to such changes, for it is an exotic of a colder 
 and more steadfast climate. Such favorable conditions are 
 constantly occurring during the warm days of our genial 
 winters, succeeded by nights of cold and hard frosts, freezing 
 and vitiating the sap sent up the day previous, to the injury 
 of the tree. These deleterious effects may be modified, if not 
 counteracted, by selecting northern slopes or hill summits for 
 the orchards. The temperature between day and night on 
 northern slopes is more in equilibrium, in consequence of be- 
 ing less under the influence of the solar rays and having a 
 freer circulation of air on the hill tops. The healthiest and 
 most prolific trees are found in such locations. 
 
 Troy is the county seat. This is a fine village in a central 
 position, on a high, rolling prairie. The St. Joseph and Den- 
 ver Railroad has been graded to this place from Elwood. This 
 latter place is opposite St. Joseph, Mo. The site is low and 
 the power of the Mississippi river in high water was such as 
 to carry away most of the old site. Should the railroad be 
 
•52 HAND-BOOK OF KANSAS. 
 
 ^extended, the want3 of commerce will probably lead io some 
 precautionary measure to prevent a recurrence of such a 
 •catastrophe. Wathena is a lively town, a few miles w:st of 
 Elwood. The German element is strong here. In the south- 
 eastern part of the county is Doniphan, an important export- 
 ing place on the river. In the north-eastern part of the 
 -county White Cloud and Iowa Point are important river 
 towns. A little south of these and six miles from the river is 
 a very neat and flourishing village called Highland. 
 
 Brown County 
 
 Lies west of Doniphan, and except it has no Missouri river 
 bottom, it is very much like that county. It is already set- 
 tled up quite considerably. Hiawatha is the county seat. The 
 noted Kickapoo Reservation lies mainly in the southern part 
 of this county. The Indians are few and live on the dimin- 
 ished reserve. This noble body of high, rolling land is water- 
 ed by the Santrelle or Grasshopper and the Little Grasshop- 
 per. It has passed into the hands of the C. B. U. P. R. R., 
 which road passes through the southern portion of it for about 
 15 miles. Several thriving towns have already sprung up and 
 settlement by an enterprising class of people, is advancing 
 at a rapid rate. The railroad company which has the head of the 
 land department at Atchison, offers about 150,000 acres of 
 this reservation for sale. -The land is from 20 to 40 miles 
 from that city, — is of the first quality and has considerable 
 timber on the Grasshopper and its tributaries. These lands 
 are exempt from taxation for six years. They are sold on 
 time to suit purchasers, from three to ten years credit. The 
 interest being respectively 6, 1, 8, or 10 per cent, on differ- 
 ent payments. The prices ranging from $3 to $10, except a 
 few choice tracts, immediately adjoining railroad stations. 
 Facilities are rendered to purchasers of free excursion tickets 
 and moderate charges for transportation of household furni- 
 ture and building material. For information about this 
 company's land, address the Land Commissioner, (W. F. 
 Downs,) AtcJiison, Ka/nsas, 
 
 Atchison County. 
 
 This county lies directly south of Brown and Doniphan, 
 on the Missouri River, 16 miles wide by 25 long. It is very 
 much like these counties in general characteristics. Atchi- 
 son, one of the oldest towns in the state, is the county seat 
 
HAND-BOOK OF KANSAS. 53 
 
 nd the principal commercial place of the county. It is sit- 
 lated in the great western bend of the Missouri River. It is 
 
 growing city and contains many fine residences, stores and 
 hurches. Population 10,000. It bids fair to become an im- 
 >ortant railroad center. The C. B. U. P. R. R.,the Atchison, 
 'opeka and Santa Fe R. R., and the Atchison and Nebraska 
 Jity R. R., and the Atchison Division of the Missouri Pa- 
 cific R. R. to Leavenworth, will all soon be completed, it is 
 bought. 
 
 Another has been projected to Lawrence. A large and 
 :onstantly increasing business is here carried on. The lo- 
 ation is very fine. The land rises immediately high above 
 he river, and the bluffs in the rear of the city afford a high 
 md noble view of the country in the valley of the Missouri. 
 There is a steam feiry boat here to Winthrop, on the M. R. 
 T. R, R., in Missouri. 
 
 Persons wishing to visit the northern tier of comities 
 hould come to this city, and by railroad they can advance 
 vestward 100 miles to the Big Blue, in Marshall county. 
 
 Brick i3 largely manufactured in this vicinity. 
 
 The prices of land in the three counties in the north-east 
 part of the State, a few miles back from town, ranges for im- 
 proved property from $10 to $25 per acre. For wild land 
 from $8 to §10 per acre. There is considerable timber, good 
 water, and in many parts stone. 
 
 In 1860 (the year of drouth,) there was more than halt a 
 crop of wheat and corn raised in this county. 
 
 The other towns of note are Sumner, Pardee, Port Wil- 
 liam, Monrovia, Mount Pleasant, Muscotah, KennekukandNe- 
 tawaka. Population over 20,000. 
 
 Nemaha County. 
 
 This countv is 24 miles east and west, by SO north and 
 south. It contains nearlv 500,000 acres of land, some 10,- 
 |000 acres of which are still open for occupation by actual 
 isettlers under Homestead and Pre-emption acts. Other wild 
 land ranges from $4 to $10 per acre, and improved land^ runs 
 from $10 to $40, according to improvements and proximity to 
 towns and timber. This county is well watered. The prin- 
 cipal streams are the Nemaha, Deer, Hams, Tennessee 
 Spring, the East Vermillion, Illinois Wolfleys, Turkey and 
 Wild Cat. These afford stock water in abundance, and_ tim- 
 ber is found on their bottoms. Limestone abounds, suitable 
 
54 HAND-BOOK OF KANSAS. 
 
 for fencing, building and for burning into lime. Coal isfounc 
 in (several localities, and is used for culinary and smithinj 
 operations. Brick can be and are made in the various parti' 
 of the county. The soil is uniformly of good quality. 
 
 The Central Branch U. P. R. R. passes through the middle 
 of the southern half of the county. Wetmore and Centralia 
 are the most important railroad towns. Seneca is the count? 
 seat. This is a fine and enterprising village, some eight miles j 
 north of the railroad. Several churches exist here, and a! 
 good interest is manifested in common schools. It lies near 
 an important tributary of the Great Nemaha, and timber is 
 found within a convenient distance. Albany is a good town 
 in the north-eastern part of the county. There are quite a 
 number of other villages. This county is certainly to be 
 commended for the interest manifested in educational and 
 other important matters. It well deserves the attention of 
 those seeking new homes. 
 
 Marshall County* 
 
 This county is 30 miles square, and in its general nat- 
 ural characteristics, is much like Nemaha county. It 
 would be difficult to find anywhere, land lying more favorable 
 for extensive farming, and affording better advantages 
 for stock raising. The lailroad at present terminates at 
 Waterville, on the western side of the county, after passing 
 through its southern half. The principal streams are the 
 Big Blue, the little Blue, the Black Vermillion, the Red Ver- 
 million, Horse Shoe Creek, Clear Creek and Salt Fork. Rock 
 is quite abundant on the Blues and the smaller streams, but 
 does not injure the soil by cropping out on the rolling prai- 
 ries and bottoms. It is generally found on the river banks 
 and ravines. The magnesian limestone of the permian for- 
 mation abounds on the Blues, and is of great beauty and is 
 most easily worked out, and cut into any desirable form. 
 Gypsum in thick beds is found near Marysville. This makes 
 a plaster equal to Nova Scotia plaster. It will also be of 
 great value as a fertilizer when the soil has deteriorated by 
 constant use or rather abuse. Marysville is the county seat, 
 distant 10 miles from the railroad. One of the best flouring 
 mills in the State is at this place. It is situated on the Big- 
 Blue. There are stage routes to this place from Frankfort on 
 railroad, daily. From Beatrice, Nebraska, a tri-weekly. 
 There is a route to Pawnee City, Nebraska, also to Washing- 
 
HAND-BOOK Of KANSAS. 
 
 55 
 
 on, the county seat of Washington county. The most im- 
 lortant railroad towns are Frankfort, Irving and Waterville. 
 U Irving, which is north of the Little Blue, there is an acad- 
 emy, styled the Wetmore Institute. It is a pleasant location, 
 bhere is a stone building and a campus containing 20 acres. 
 The scenery here is very fine. The limestone crops out very 
 listinctly on the upper parts of the conical bluffs. Several 
 marries are worked near this place. On the Horseshoe 
 >eek there is a very flourishing German settlement. In the 
 Wtheast corner of the county there is quite an Irish settle- 
 nent, around St. Bridget. A church here is to be erected 
 10 by 80 feet. . 
 
 The following are examples of the extreme productiveness 
 Wf the soil in this region: Anthony Sharp threshed 85 bush- 
 sis of oats off of one acre of upland, in 1866 ; W. P Madden 
 ■aised 50 bushels of wheat to the acre the same year. Mich- 
 lel Murray raised 80 bushels of corn per acre on bottom lana. 
 These, of course, are above the general average. Wild grapes 
 are so abundant in this region that quite a considerable quan- 
 tity of wine is made yearly. A beautiful variety of gray 
 &late is found in this vicinity ; also stone coal. The Otoe 
 Reservation extends two miles into this county from Nebraska. 
 At Oketo, on the Big Blue, just south of the Reserve, is a new 
 mill. The prairie in the northern part of the county, for 
 magnificence of appearance, cannot be excelled. The grad- 
 ual descent from one swell to another will be for miles. And 
 the clumps of trees and groves along the Blue and its tribu- 
 taries afford as beautiful and picturesque a scene as can be 
 found in any prairie country. The Indians on the Otoe Re- 
 serve number about 500. They live at a village (the agency) 
 [some 5 miles north of the Kansas line. They are friendly to 
 the whites. «,-,*. 
 
 Mr. Guittard (a ranche man), informs me that a field of com 
 which I saw in 1867, yielded 80 bushels per acre. His wheat 
 crop that year was heavy. 
 
 This year, 1868, the drouth, coupled with an extraordinary 
 hot term, has cut off the corn worse than in I860, when they 
 had half a crop. For the last twenty years good crops have 
 been the rule— failures the exception. A spring throws up 
 water sufficient for 1,000 head of cattle on the borders of his 
 prairie farm. It neyer diminishes in volume in dry times and 
 does not freeze in winter. 
 
 As illustrating what can be done in Kansas by industry, 
 
^® HAND-BOOK OF KANSAS. 
 
 perseverence and aptness for pioneer life, listen to the stor 
 of a German emigrant on Snipe Creek: In the spring V 
 1859, Charles Scboltz, his wife and seven children, the elde; 
 not over 15 years of age, journeyed with an ox team, an ol 
 wagon, some household stuff and a few dollars, their who!' 
 property, to the banks of Snipe Creek, a tributary to th 
 black \ ermillion. Taking a squatter's claim, they attempted 
 to raise a little corn and wheat and to prepare a cabin. THu 
 crop of the first year was of course quite small. 
 
 During this year a remittance from the old country of threr 
 hundred dollars enabled them to procure a land warrant fon 
 $110 and the quarter-section on which they had settled was 
 their own. Their next move was to procure a cow, a pair oi 
 fowls and another yoke of oxen, as one of the first yoke was 
 fame. -Next some farming utensils, and some ^dispensable 
 things to render their cabin comfortable Then there must 
 be some winter clothing and shoes, and the money was all 
 gone. J 
 
 As they had raised but little, and what wheat they had was 
 needed for seed, the older children found employment with 
 people inthe country around. None however were within 
 several miles. By an economy and industry such as Germans 
 possess, they survived the first winter. Eleven bushels of 
 wheat was sown in the spring of 1860. Some corn also. The 
 cow furnished milk, but eggs were saved to increase their 
 poultry. Then came the unparalleled drouth. The wheat 
 was harvested with knives, and amounted only to the seed— 
 —11 bushels. The corn was scant, and the prospect in the 
 autumn of the second year looked more dreary than in the first. 
 Ihe famine awakened pity abroad, and this become what our 
 German called donation year. But even free gifts were ob- 
 tained with difficulty by him. Three times did he make a 
 trip with his ox team to Atchison, a distance of over 70 miles 
 before he could obtain anything for his family. Either others 
 had stepped in before him and all was gone, or his being a 
 German, as he thinks, in aland of strangers, was the reason. 
 At length on the third trip he returned home with some corn 
 and a few additional bushels of wheat for seed. 
 
 During this year they had no meat, but lived principally on 
 corn bread, water and molasses. The spring of 1861 opened 
 auspiciously. All their wheat had been saved for seed, and it 
 brought them a noble harvest. They had corn in abundance 
 for home use, and some few vegetables. Not a moment 
 
HAND-BOOK OF KANSAS. 57 
 
 U wasted but ground was broken, and trusting in 
 od £5 labored on with a cheerful heart. Their wants were 
 f: They all persisted in working,^ prosperity attended 
 
 ^£ writer visited this part of Marshall county in 
 eierof 1868, he turned aside a little from the direct 
 utefomGuittards to Frankfort, to see the noble stone 
 fan-ion S the farmer on Snipe Creek. He is still over a 
 Ue from the nearest inhabitant. He was found driving a 
 ancrplow and two of his sons were also plowing. He had 
 So acrel inclosed. His cabin was surrounded by a small city 
 ,f wheat stacks. He had 600 bushels of old corn in his crib 
 brTh bitter experience of the first two years had taught 
 Sm not to sell off the last bushel before harvest. He had 
 00 native "rape vines in his garden loaded with grapes. He 
 ras ereclfnfastone mansion nearly 40 feet square, the rock 
 efnt well Jut and finished, for he had learned he trade of 
 Kn? mason in Germany, and had taught his children the art. 
 iHon^s in the winter season had got out the rock from a 
 marrv a mile off, and the walls were above the first story. The 
 Xrwa ten feet deep, rock on the bottom, rock on the 
 m and in one half, for it was divided into many compart- 
 nentsbv thick stone walls,-there was a stone arched ceiling 
 for his dairy operations. In no part of pur country east or 
 K didlever see amore thoroughly built cellar. Even the 
 liar stairs were of rock. In the blazing heat of this pas 
 summetthe rock cellar was cool and airy, proof alike against 
 
 ^mre'dVelftbere had been none from the first. The farmer 
 Lndhs wife, sons and daughters, had done all. He. is now 
 the owner of over a mile square of rich and and it is nearly 
 allpaWior? As I strolled away from his house a mile a 
 noble nerd of TO head of cattle, led by a large and well 
 Wt sire a PP ro a ched me. They showed by their tameness 
 that they had a kind master. As I looked at that herd so fat 
 and osjl then from an eminence in the prairie turned- 
 Cthe lar*e and elegant mansion approaching completion. 
 Ind surveyed the broad acres already plowed for the next 
 Ws crop of wheat, I could but exclaim what a noble result 
 irom^oZll a beginning. How "f>™%££^£™ 
 of the soil than to be a hanger-on of an over-ciowded city, 
 a miserable dependent on party spoils. 
 ™ any one ready to say! would that I had gone to Kansas 
 
68 HAND-BOOK OP KANSAS. 
 
 one year after the drouth, when land was cheap ? There ar 
 
 to-day thousands of homesteads ready for occupants cheane 
 
 o? a hisho m e° bta,ned bj HerrSch ^;and S ome P wfchinsghi 
 
 Washington County. 
 
 This county is adjacent to Marshall county on the west and 
 OOO^ater 6 "" " 8 ° ^ *^> ° r C ™4 ™ «Kj 
 
 The Little Blue and its affluents water the northern and 
 
 we^n Pa T tt an no^ e ***?*■ ° f the Be P^Iican the south 
 Irn lT;f I °, ed r ^ Ver flows around the south-western 
 
 corner of the county. Tnis is a fine country, bein- well C i 
 
 8mw lth r* e ? P° Sse ? shl S g°od soil and hav'ingco°n derabfe 1 
 Jv £ ' i Dd X? st q UMrtU ies of rock alone its lamer stream, 
 which also afford good mill privileges. g streams, 
 
 As this county is beyond the terminus of ths C, B U P ' 
 S the la ° d can ^e had by homestead claims in tracts of 
 th. S 7 d °T? blC the am0Unt that can be had along side of 
 tr. t ?' Pr f: em Pt^s can obtain 160 acres at A. 25 per 
 acre, and by availing himself of both rights, 240 acres can in 
 five years be obtained by an actual settler for $290 ' 
 
 Along the Little Blue many Homestead claims have been 
 Z t „ / ? on - refflde . n te cannot buy land here, it will continue 
 to be a desirable region to which to come. Should the pre 
 rent proposed policy of keeping the Indians off their favorite 
 Wing grounds onthe Republican be carried out, this re" ion 
 will be crowded with settlers, who wish to attend to stock 
 
 Z7L, Gy T m T d ^^ nesim limest °ne and fLu4n 0U s 
 sand-stone abound. From statements made by residents I 
 
 So* ^ I'd Tito** ™ ^^ '^^JuZlTsto 
 tnose raised in the more eastern counties. This year th* 
 
 buU nZ S r eSeVere than in the Missouri river count es 
 but in 1860 the grass was very luxuriant along the Republican 
 The re is quite a large quantity of land selected foffi a *rf " 
 cultural college in this and Marshall counties. These lands 
 are soM on long time at prices from $3 to $7 per acre! 
 
 ■JX? K 1Dgt i n !? ^ C0Unty Eeat » situated on Mill Creek or 
 south branch of the Little Blue. This town is pleasantly 
 ocated, and there are saw and flour mills near. Wei water 
 is good and easily obtained. The C. B. UP raUroad wTll 
 probably p a?a by Washington to Fort Kearneyf The^ounSei 
 west of this are represented to me to be 'very fertOe and 
 
HAND-BOOK. OF KANSAS. 59 
 
 ixceedingty well watered, but at present are so over-run by 
 hdians in "the summer, that white people hesitate to go fur- 
 her for present settlement. When the railroad is completed 
 Emulation will follow. 
 
 Clay and Riley Countks. 
 
 ; The^e lie directly south of Washington and the western 
 >art of Marshall counties. The Republican flows diagonally 
 hrou^h Clav, and the Big Blue bounds the eastern side of 
 liley° while the Republican and Kansas wash its southern 
 >oundary. Along these rivers the soil is very rich, and 
 hese are desirable counties. The bottoms on the Republican 
 'ary in width, but are frequently four miles wide. The river 
 Is 200 yards wide. Some settlements have already been made 
 n Clav and more in Riley county. _ 
 
 Manhattan, on the Union Pacific railway, is the county seat 
 >f Riley It is pleasantly located near the junction of the 
 3ig Blue and the Kansas rivers. The Wild Cat runs a little 
 fl-est This is an enterprising town, having many fine houses. 
 Hie 'Congregational, Episcopal, Presbyterian, and Methodist 
 denominations here have churches. The Agricultural College 
 is established at Blue Mont, about one mile up the Blue river 
 ?n a fine eminence. The scenery here is most beautiful, and 
 it continues to be so on the Blue through the State to Nebras- 
 ka. The educational advantages here are .of a high order. 
 Everything promises a large and important place. There is 
 I fine water power at Manhattan. A dam has been constructed 
 three miles above the town, and by conducting the water 
 down, a fall of 24 feet may be obtained. _ 
 
 Oden is a thriving German town. Fort Riley is a military 
 nest, and is a refitting point. There is quite a tract held by 
 the government for the Fort. Rock is very abundant. Tim- 
 be*- is rather scarce. The railroad has some lands^ m Riley 
 county, so also has the Agricultural College. Prices vary 
 from $2.50 to $1 per acre back from towns, Improved land 
 proportionately higher. 
 
 Pottawatomie County. 
 This is a large county. It contains much fine land. In 
 aome parts there are gravelly and flinty knolls It is well 
 watered by the Republican, Rock Creek, and the Red Ver- 
 million. Much land formerly held by Indians now comes into 
 market. In general characteristics much like Riley. The 
 
60 HAND-BOOK OF KANSAS. 
 
 county seat is Louisville, on Rock Creek. The railroad towi 
 are — St. George, in a fine region, abounding in rock, an 
 well adapted to the growth of grapes — Wamego also is at a 
 important point— and St. Mary's, which is the center of th 
 Pottowatomie Reserve. There is a Catholic school here ft 
 the education of Indian youth of this tribe. 
 Jackson County. 
 
 This is a large county, containing 552,000 acres, of whicl 
 several thousand are open to pre-emption and homesteat 
 settlements. Apart of the Kickapoo Reserve extends int<| 
 the northern part of this county. The soil is good, surfac<! 
 favorable, water can be obtained easily, and there are man)! 
 streams, among these the Cross, Soldier, Straight, Bills, East 
 and West Muddy are the most important. Several varieties ! 
 of limestone and good sandstone are found. There is a fail 
 amount of timber. Coal also is found in moderate quantity. 
 The two Union Pacific railroads in Kansas pass, one near the 
 north line, the other near the south line. The Santa Fe ! 
 railroad from Atchison will pass through the south-eastern 
 corner. A good degree of interest is manifested in common 
 schools, and there is a Methodist seminary at Circleville, 40 by 
 50 feet, built of stone, at a cost of $5,000, also a graded 
 school at Holton, the county seat, in the northern part of the 
 county, at which place there are several churches. This 
 county being near but not cut by railroads, will be very favor- 
 ably situated for stock raising. Land rates from $3 to $10 
 for unimproved. Timber from $5 to $30. This is a very 
 accessible county, and well worthy the attention of emigrants. 
 Jefferson County. 
 
 This county is highly favored in its location, having several ! 
 of the most populous cities of Kansas not far from its borders. 
 It is also well watered, the principal stream being the Grass- 
 hopper, which, with its tributaries, waters the west half of 
 the county. The Union Pacific railway passes through the 
 southern tier of townships, and the Atchison and Santa Fe 
 railroad is to pass diagonally through the north-western 
 townships. Oscaloosa is the county seat. Grasshopper Falls 
 is an important town in the northern part of the county, and 
 south of it, on the same river, Ozawkee. Land in this county 
 much as in Atchison county. 
 
 Leavenworth County. 
 
 This is, and will continue to be, one of the most important 
 
HAND-BOOK OF KANSAS. Qt 
 
 counties in the State. It contains the most populous city in 
 the State, and its river and railroad facilities will always., 
 make it commercially a most important region. The Stranger 
 'and its affluents water the county through its entire extent 
 n the interior, and the Missouri on the north-east. Timber 
 s abundant. Real estate is, for Kansas, high. Leavenworth 
 is an opulent, beautifully located, and finely built city of 
 20,000. The view from the heights in the rear of the city is 
 charming. Above the city is the Old Fort, which has been 
 in important military post for a long series of years. This is 
 i very fine point, and the buildings connected with the fort 
 present a noble front to the traveler on the river. There is 
 i very valuable government reservation around the fort, 
 which will very likely be sold, as the seat of military opera- 
 ions must move westward. Leavenworth has a very "substan- 
 ial appearance, many of its houses being of brick. One of 
 he branches of the Union Pacific railway commences at this 
 :ity, and unites with the main line at Lawrence. It runs 
 tbout 30 miles in this county, and in such a way as to accom- 
 tiodate all parts of it except the north-west. The building of 
 ^railroad bridge across the Missouri is a necessity, if this 
 ity would maintain her pre-eminence in this region. The- 
 ridge is contracted for. 
 
 Wyandotte County. 
 
 This is in territorial extent the smallest in the State. It 
 les mainly between the Missouri and Kansas rivers. Contains 
 luch bottom land of the richest quality. Along each of these 
 lvers there is a railroad, so that no county in the State 
 quals it in proportional supply of river and railroad facilities. 
 
 Wyandotte is the county seat and principal place ; but 
 apsas City, which lies adjacent, dwarfs this city at present. 
 >uindaro is a river town. Land in this county is of course 
 eld high. Kansas City, in Missouri, is now growing the 
 lost rapidly of any city in this region. A railroad bridge is 
 [early completed here across the Missouri. 
 
 Johnson County. 
 
 ] This county is bounded on the north by the Kansas river 
 hd Wyandotte county, and on the east by Jackson county, 
 lo. It partakes of the unsurpassed fertility of the adjacent 
 ountry in Missouri. It is rather sparsely supplied with tim- 
 er. Small streams flow in all directions from it, and afford 
 
62 HAND-BOOK OP KANSAS. 
 
 stock water. It lies at the very gateway of the State, 
 and now that the Kansas City and Fort Scott railroad is 
 being built, the magnificent prairies of this county will no 
 doubt be filled up with an enterprising and wealthy class of 
 settlers. Olathe is the county .seat. 
 
 Douglas County. 
 
 This is one of the richest, most populous, and most desir- 
 able counties in the State. It is watered by the Kansas and 
 the Wakarusa, and their tributaries. The bottoms are exces- 
 sively rich on both these rivers. There is also on the rivers 
 and smaller streams an abundance of timber. In the early 
 settlement of Kansas this county attracted attention by its 
 great natural advantages. Lawrence is one of the most 
 important cities in the State and the county seat. Its history 
 will never be forgotten. Twice has it been given to the 
 flames by invaders. Its citizens were repeatedly butchered 
 in the most horrid manner. But in each instance, after tem- 
 porary adversity, it has arisen more beautiful than before, j 
 The city proper lies south of the Kansas river, on a noble j 
 elevation. There is a good bridge over the Kansas river. 
 The depot of the Union Pacific railway is on the north side, 
 and the village there is called North Lawrence, or Jeffer- i 
 son P. 0. There is considerable attention paid to manufac- j 
 turing. In Lawrence there is capital, and with it enterprise, j 
 The State University is imposingly located on the crowning j 
 eminence, the view from which is surpassingly beautiful, i 
 Several railroads are projected from this city, besides the 
 Lawrence and Galveston railroad, which is already completed i 
 nearly to Garnett, county seat of Anderson county. The soil I 
 on the Wakarusa is very deep and black, and produces very ! 
 heavy crops, especially of corn and grass. There has been i 
 more attention paid to fruit growing in this region than in 
 other parts of the State. Grapes do well. Peaches were j 
 exceedingly abundant this year (1868). 
 
 Baldwin City is a fine point. The College here is under the 
 management of the Methodists. The country around is high 
 rolling prairie, and very fertile. Rock is abundant. Lecomp- 
 ton was noted in the early history of the State, but at present t| 
 is not flourishing. Big Springs, Tecumseh, Sigel, Black Jack, 
 Prairie City, Willow Springs, Clinton, and Marion, are less i 
 important villages. 
 
 Shawnee County. 
 This "ia a first class county, both from excellence of soil, 
 
HAND-BOOK OF KANSAS. 63 
 
 abundance of rock, water, and timber, and from its present 
 and prospective railroad facilities. The Kansas and Soid : er 
 rivers run through the northern tier of townships, and the 
 Wakarusa through the southern. Mission Creek and the 
 Shangeniongee water the western and central parts. The 
 rock here is of better quality than in some of the coun- 
 ties more eastern, and is quite suitable for building purposes. 
 The Union Pacific railway passes in the Kaw valley through 
 the northern townships. The Santa Fe railroad from Atchison 
 passes diagonally through the county from north-east to south- 
 west. These two roads will bring every farm in the county 
 within a few hours ride from a railroad. The surface is very 
 favorable for farming, and the bottom lands on the rivers are 
 not excelled in Kansas. Topeka, the county seat, is also the 
 capital of the State. This is noted as the place where 
 the Free State Constitution was formed. It is beautifully 
 situated, much like Lawrence, on a fine elevation on the 
 south side of the Kansas river. It is growing finely, and the 
 State House (the walls of one wing of which are up) bids fair 
 to be one of the most imposing and beautiful structures of the 
 kind in the Union. The United States Land Office for the N. E. 
 district is located here. The rock used is procured from the 
 magnesian limestone quarries at Junction City. Lincoln Col- 
 lege is located near the State House, and is in successful opera- 
 tion. A female seminary is established here. Land in the im- 
 mediate vicinity of the capital is rapidly advancing, but good 
 farm land can be had at from $5 to $12 per acre for unimproved, 
 and at corresponding rates for improved. For a man of 
 means this is certainly a good region to go to. There are 
 some noble farms on the Wakarusa bottom. Some of the 
 leading towns are Tecumseh, Indianola, Dover, Auburn, 
 William sport, Richland, and Big Springs, 
 Wabaunsee County. 
 
 This is a large county. Has the general characteristics of 
 the adjoining counties already described. Quite a quantity 
 of the Pottowattomie Reserve lands are now offered for sale. 
 Kansas river runs on the northern border, and Mill Creek 
 waters the central portions. The land in the southern part 
 ia on the divide between the streams flowing north and south. 
 Wabaunsee is the county seat. 
 
 Davis County. 
 
 This county is bounded on the south by the Kaw and Re- 
 
64 HAND-BOOK OF KANSAS. 
 
 publican rivers, is less in size than Waubansee, but much like 
 it; has greater railroad facilities, and is very important on 
 account of the extensive quarries that are already worked at 
 Junction City, and which extend along the line of the rail- 
 road. Junction City is well located on the borders of the 
 Military Reserve belonging to Fort Riley, and a few miles 
 west of that Fort. The United States land office for the north- 
 western part of the State is established here, and immense 
 quantities of land open to homestead and pre-emption settle- 
 ment belong to this district. North-west of this place, up 
 the valley of the Republican and Solomon, are some of the 
 most inviting regions in our country. The Neosho river has 
 its source from the southern boundary of this county, and 
 the Neosho Valley railroad is to commence at Junction City, 
 and run down to the south-eastern portion of the State, and 
 there connect with the Galveston railroad. It is very probable 
 that a railroad will also be constructed from Junction City 
 to some point on the Big Blue, to intersect the C. B. U. P. 
 railroad from Atchison. 
 
 The Kansas river above this region is called the Smoky 
 Hill. The proprietors of one of the quarries have a fine lime- 
 kiln, which can be made to burn 500 bushels of lime per day 
 from the waste fragments of rock. 
 
 Dickenson County 
 
 Is an extensive and good county. The surface is level in 
 many parts. The soil fertile. Timber is rather scarce. Abi- 
 lene is the county seat — a railroad town, and noted as being 
 the headquarters of the Texas cattle business. Vast herds 
 of cattle are driven to this region, and shipped on the cars 
 to be finished off in Illinois and more eastern States. Great 
 opposition has been manifested by many of the citizens of 
 Kansas to the introduction of these cattle, still they were 
 brought in, and sent eastward, at the rate of thirty cars per 
 day, much of the past season, in spite of outcries about 
 Spanish fever, &c. 
 
 Saline County. 
 
 This is a large county. The Union Pacific railway passes 
 diagonally through it. It is admirably adapted for stock- 
 raising. There are valuable gypsum beds. The leading places 
 are Solomon City, and Salina, the county seat. Plenty of 
 government land to be had. 
 
HAND-BOOK OF KANSAS. 65 
 
 McPherson County 
 
 Is a very large and fair county. Not much settled as yet, as 
 it is off the railroad. 
 
 Marlon County. 
 
 Similar to McPherson in size and general characteristics 9 
 Watered by the Cottonwood. Timber scarce in most parts. 
 The Santa Fe railroad is expected to pass through the south- 
 ern part of the county. Marion Centre county seat. 
 
 Morris County. 
 
 A good sized county. The Neosho river heads here. 
 Along this river country is broken. In other parts high and 
 gently rolling prairie. Bottoms widen as the rivers flow 
 south. The gypsum beds in and north of this county have a 
 fertilizing effect. Soil very rich, and is likely to remain so, 
 however hard it may be cropped. Rocks crop out in some 
 parts. Water is abundant and good. Council Grove is the 
 county seat, situated on the Neosho. The southern branch 
 of the Union Pacific railroad is to pass through this county. 
 
 Chase County. 
 
 A first class county, watered by the Cottonwood and its 
 tributaries. Some timber on the streams. Along some of 
 the streams the land is broken, but generally it is favorable 
 for cultivation. Rock is abundant, and easily obtained. Gyp- 
 sum also is found. Black walnut, oak, and elm are also found 
 on the streams. Land at low rates can be obtained. Cotton- 
 wood Falls, on the contemplated Santa Fe railroad, is the 
 county seat. 
 
 ! Lyon County. 
 
 This is a long and large county. For natural wealth and 
 prospective railroad facilities, this is one of the very best of 
 the interior counties. It is watered by the head waters of the 
 Marias Des Cygnes, the Neosho, which runs diagonally across 
 it, the Cottonwood, and the head waters of the Verdigris, 
 The bottoms are broad, ranging from two to four miles. Prai- 
 ries rolling — somewhat broken on the Verdigris. Soil is 
 extremely fertile and deep in both the uplands and valleys- 
 Timber is found in considerable quantity. Well water pure 
 and abundant, and easily obtained at from 15 to 30 feet. 
 
66 HAND-BOOK OF KANSAS. 
 
 Emporia is the county seat. This is an enterprising place, 
 situated between the Cottonwood and Neosho rivers. Two 
 important railroads are expected to meet here. An enter- 
 prising class of settlers have located in this county, and a 
 good degree of attention is paid to the educational and reli- 
 gious wants of the region. The climate is mild, and the 
 latitude adapted to the more tender varieties of fruit. The 
 Neosho valley is thought to be superior for the growth of 
 wheat. The washings of the immense deposits of gypsum 
 existing at the head waters of the stream, are supposed by 
 some to exert a very decided influence in producing the result. 
 Forty bushels of wheat to the acre are not unusual returns. 
 This valley certainly has unsurpassed attractions to those 
 wishing a mild climate. 
 
 Osage County. 
 
 This is a large and central county. It is very fertile, and 
 the surface is admirably adapted to agriculture. The head 
 waters of the Marias Des Cygnes ramify the entire county, 
 and the valleys are well supplied with timber. The Atchison 
 and Santa Fe railroad is to pass through the north-western 
 part of it. Coal is found inconsiderable quantity. Limestone 
 rock is abundant. Burlingame, the county seat, is a point on 
 the Atchison and Santa Fe railroad. 
 
 Franklin County. 
 
 This is a noble county. Medium in size, having a diversi- 
 fied surface and rich soil, well watered by the Marias Des 
 Cygnes, being bisected by the Lawrence and Galveston rail- 
 road, well supplied on that stream with timber, and being 
 near the abundant coal measures on the south-east, it presents 
 great attractions to the settler who can bring some capital 
 with him. Unimproved land is from $5 to $10 per acre. 
 
 Ottawa, the county seat, is a very fine town. An Institution 
 of Learning is established here. An unusual degree of neat- 
 ness prevails for a county town so new. 
 
 This county must be well adapted for fruit growing. Grapes 
 and peaches "did vrell in 1868. 
 
 Miami County. 
 
 This, like Franklin, is well watered and timbered. Abounds 
 in rock. It is bisected by the Kansas City and Galveston 
 railroad. Lies adjacent to one of the richest counties in 
 
HANDBOOK OF KANSAS. 67 
 
 Missouri. There is an endless variety in the scenery. Soil 
 exceedingly rich. Paola, the county seat, is a fine growing 
 town on Peoria creek. Ossowatomie is noted as the scene of 
 Ossowatomie Brown's exploits. Now that the old border diffi- 
 culties are ended, these border-tier counties have a glorious 
 prospect before them. Unrivaled in beauty and advantages 
 of climate and soil, they must advance to the front rank of 
 the farming and fruit-groAving counties. 
 
 Geologically, this is a county of unusual interest. The va- 
 riety of rocks is great. Saline springs are found, and worked 
 with success — very good salt is obtained. Petroleum, or 
 tar f-prings, are found also in various parts. The oil obtained 
 is of a dark color, and is good for lubricating purposes. 
 Some coal also is found. 
 
 Linn County. 
 
 This county, in size and natural advantages, is much like 
 Miami county. The Marias Des Cygnes, or, as it is often 
 called, the Osage river, waters the north-east part of the 
 county. The Big and Little Sugar creeks water the central 
 portions, and affluents of the Little Osage the southern parts. 
 This is an exceedingly well watered and, for Kansas, well 
 timbered region. The country in the vicinity of the principal 
 streams is quite diversified in surface. The bottoms are un- 
 usually wide — the rolling portion sometimes is broken and 
 in many portions, especially the southern, there are very many 
 mounds of great beauty. Indeed there is no part of Kansas 
 that affords so great a variety of pleasing scenery. Rock is 
 abundant — both limestone and sandstone — which is well 
 adapted for building and fencing purposes. Coal in very 
 considerable quantity is found in the southern part of the 
 county. Lead is found in Mine creek, near Potosi. 
 
 The Kansas City and Galveston railroad will bisect this 
 county. Take it all in all, this is one of the most desirable 
 counties in the State. Mound City is the county seat. No 
 jovernment land in this county. Land can be had, second- 
 hand, at from $5 to $12^ per acre. 
 
 Bourbon County. 
 
 This county, in size, is about like the other border-tier 
 counties. Like them, it is well watered, the principal streams 
 being the Little Osage, Mill Creek, and the Marmiton. The. 
 surface is varied. Mounds, ridges, rolling prairie, and fine 
 
68 HAND-BOOK OF KANSAS. 
 
 bottom land are found in all parts of the county. One thing 
 that is noticeable, as one comes southward through the 
 southern border-tier counties, is this : on the top of ridges 
 and mounds stones and solid rock often appear on the sur- 
 face. This peculiarity is more marked in Bourbon county 
 than in those more northern. Frequently, on ridgy portions, 
 enough loose stone is on the surface to wall a farm, in order 
 to get the stone out of the way of the plow. While this is 
 so, immediately adjacent will be large interval portions 
 very free from stone or rock at the surface. Another pecu- 
 liarity is, that the soil is often thin and underlaid with rock 
 on the highest points, and yet the whole will be finely grassed 
 over. The presence of a peculiar weed indicates such land. 
 While this is so, there is a vast quantity of first-class land. 
 The emigrant will have to be more particular than in some 
 other parts of the State, if he would obtain first-class land. 
 
 The leading advantage of this county is the abundance of 
 good coal. This is often found cropping out at the surface 
 of ravines, and sometimes on the high places. The vein is 
 often from five to six feet thick. In grading the streets of 
 Fort Scott immense quantities were got out. The abundance 
 and good quality of the coal about Fort Scott will render that 
 a fine point for machine shops and factories. The soil is 
 partly of the black and partly of the mulatto variety. The 
 latter is regarded as the richest, and is especially good for 
 the growth of wheat and other small grain. One of the thrif- 
 tiest vineyards and fruit orchards that I saw in Kansas was 
 near Fort Scott. The soil, climate and surface of much of 
 the land, wilt render this one of the very best fruit-growing 
 regions of the State. Well water is not found easily in some 
 portions, and owing to the presence of minerals, some wells 
 are considerably impregnated, so as not to be pleasant to the 
 taste. 
 
 Fort Scott was formerly an important military post. Now 
 it is the most important business point in south-eastern Kan- 
 sas. It is growing finely. There are several churches and 
 some fine brick stores. This promises to be a railroad center. 
 In addition to the Galveston road, one to Sedalia, or Pleasant 
 Hill, Mo., will probably be soon built. Land in this county 
 is held at from $5 to $12£ per acre for unimproved prairie. 
 
 In boring for petroleum, a vein of coal was found fifteen 
 feet thick, and, still deeper, a salt spring, where brine was 
 very strong. A very fine black variety of marble is found in 
 
HAND-BOOK OF KANSAS. (39 
 
 the southern border of the county, it admits of a fine polish, 
 and is beautifully clouded, it is, however, very hard, so as 
 to be worked with difficulty. 
 
 Neutral Cherokee Lands. Crawford County and Cherokee 
 County. 
 
 These two counties lie in the south-eastern corner of the 
 State. They contain a little over 800,000 acres. They were 
 purchased by the Cherokee Indians of the United States 
 about thirty-five years ago, for $500,000 in gold. The Chero- 
 kees have not occupied them, and have made repeated efforts 
 to induce the United States to buy them back. By treaty of 
 1866, the lands were placed, in trust, in the hands of the 
 Secretary of the Interior, to sell in a body, at not less than 
 |1 per acre, cash. The Emigrant Aid Society made an ar- 
 rangement for them, at a dollar per acre, when Hon. James 
 Harlon was Secretary. By this sale, only a part of the pur- 
 chase money was to be paid down, and the unpaid balance 
 was to run on at 5 per cent, interest. Secretary Browning- 
 obtained an opinion from the Attorney General adverse to 
 the validity of the sale made by his predecessor, and Mr. Joy, 
 of Detroit, Michigan, bargained for them. To save litigation, 
 a compromise between the Emigrant Aid Society and Mr. 
 •Toy was effected, and a supplementary treaty was made with 
 the chiefs of the Cherokee Indians, in the summer of 1868, 
 and ratified by the Senate, by which treaty the lands were 
 sold to Mr. Joy on essentially the terms made originally with 
 the Emigrant Aid Society ; $75,000 has been paid, and the 
 balance is to be paid when the pre-emption claims of settlers, 
 and the " head right", claims of Indians, in all amounting to 
 1600 quarter sections, or 256,000 acres, or about oue-third of 
 the whole tract, are paid up. These claims are to be satisfied 
 with the United States government, upon an appraised valu- 
 ation, of from $1.50 to |3 per acre. The head-right claims 
 are kept, or deeded away, by such Indians as took a half sec- 
 tion, in lieu of their interest in the Cherokee tribe. Mr. Joy 
 pays $1 per acre on what land remains. 
 
 Not a little excitement prevails among the recent settlers, 
 lest the new proprietor shall use his control of the lauds to 
 their injury, by demanding unreasonable prices. This excite- 
 ment will probably subside when it is ascertained on what 
 terms land can be had. Mr. Joy says he is disposed to make 
 favorable terms, and as soon as a railroad route from Fort 
 
70 HAND-BOOK OF KANSAS. 
 
 Scott has been located, lie will arrange the prices according 
 to worth and distance from the track. 
 
 These neutral lands have long been known, and have been 
 praised in the highest terms. They are principally prairie. 
 The climate is mild and healthy. The surface is for the most 
 part gently rolling. The soil is of fair average quality, some 
 parts being very rich, and other parts being second class and 
 gravelly. Spring river, a noble stream, runs through the 
 south-east, and the Neosho through the south-west part of 
 the Cherokee Lands. There is fine timber on each stream ; 
 and there are good mill sites. Fish abounds in Spring river. 
 This country is a good fruit, winter wheat, and stock region. 
 Coal of good quality in vast quantity is found in all parts, and 
 is easily got out. The main drawback, so near as I can judge, 
 is, that the well water, in many parts, is so impregnated with 
 mineral as to be unpleasant to the taste, especially in warm 
 weather. Well water is easily found. In some parts very 
 good springs of good water are found. This region is adjacent 
 to the famous lead mines of Jasper and Newton counties, in 
 Missouri. It is well settled, for so new a country, in the south- 
 ern part of the Cherokee Lands, or where the land is best and 
 timber most abundant, on the Spring, Neosho, and other 
 rivers. Crawford county is sparsely supplied with timber, 
 and is less settled. The surface is gently rolling for the 
 greater part. There is much mulatto soil. Baxter Springs, 
 on the borders of the Indian Territory, is the county seat of 
 Cherokee county. This is a thriving place of 1500. It does 
 a large business with the surrounding country. Pine lumber 
 is hauled up from the Indian country fifty miles, and is worth 
 from $25 to $50 per M. 
 
 Near Baxter's Springs is Lowell, a fine young town, having 
 a good water power at the junction of Shoal creek with 
 Spring river. Oak lumber is here worth $25 per M. Black 
 Walnut $35 per M. Owing to the peculiar state of things 
 about land titles etc., the influx of emigration, which was 
 strong, is retarded. The prices of land, where the claim is 
 on the United States, is rather high. 
 
 Neosho and Labette Counties. 
 
 These lie adjacent to the Neutral Lands on the west. They 
 are both watered by the Neosho river, which is a guaranty 
 of their excellence. Timber along the water courses is abun- 
 dant, the climate mild," soil and surface good. This region 
 
HAND-BOOK OF KANSAS. 71 
 
 is fast filling up. Canville is the county seat of Neosho county, 
 and Chetopah is the leading town in Labette county. This 
 place is only a year old, yet it contains many fine stores and 
 hotel?, and bids fair to become a very important trading 
 place. It is located in the south-east corner of the county, 
 near the Neosho. 
 
 The country directly west of these counties is mostly Osage 
 Indian land, but will soon be occupied by white people. The 
 country is a fine one, especially on the Verdigris and its 
 tributaries. The mildness of the winter will make this a favor- 
 ite region for stock raising. 
 
 Allen County. 
 
 This county lie3 directly west of Bourbon county. It is 
 watered in the western half by the Neosho, and is a very fine 
 county. Much like Bourbon in its natural advantages. 
 
 Humboldt is the county seat, and the location of the 
 United States Land Office for Southern Kansas. There is 
 much land that can be had for homestead and pre-emption, 
 settlement in this district; the government land is however 
 sold in the eastern counties for several tiers from Missouri 
 State line. 
 
 Anderson County. 
 
 This is much like Linn and Franklin counties, though not 
 traversed by so many water courses. The northern part is 
 best watered. The Leavenworth and Galveston railroad is 
 now being graded to Garnett, the county seat, and this will 
 hasten the settlement of this county. 
 
 Coffey County 
 
 Is a first-class region. Soil excellent. Timber abundant. 
 The Neosho river runs diagonally through the center. The 
 Neosho Valley railroad, or South Branch, is to pass through 
 this county and its county seat, Burlington. Many good set- 
 tlements have been made, and considering its being a little 
 off the great avenues of travel, it is growing rapidly. 
 
 Woodson County. 
 
 There is much most excellent land and timber along the 
 streams which flow through all parts of this county, viz : 
 the Turkey, Owl, Neosho and head waters of the Verdigris. 
 The upland portion is also good. Neosho Falls is the county 
 seat. 
 
72 HAND-BOOK OF KANSAS. 
 
 Greenwood County. 
 
 This is a very large and fertile county, well watered by 
 Fall River and other tributaries of the Verdigris. This is 
 exceedingly well adapted for stock raising, as the latitude is 
 favorable and grass luxuriant. Good timber is found on 
 many of the streams, and first class farms can be made. 
 Janesville is the county seat. 
 
 Butler County. 
 
 There are good bottoms on the"' White Water and Walnut 
 Creeks, — timber and rock abound, — a good grazing country, 
 Chelsea is the county seat. 
 
 CENTKAL AND WESTEBN KANSAS. 
 
 Most of this region is as yet unsurveyed. In the northern 
 tiers of counties where government surveys have been made, 
 there are some most beautiful regions in Republic, Jewell, 
 Smith, Phillips, Osborn, Mitchell, Ottawa, and Lincoln 
 .counties. No region in the world is more completely reticu- 
 lated with streams and creeks, than in the northern -counties 
 just enumerated, the affluent waters of the Republican and 
 Solomon rivers. The Buffalo and Elk that make these re- 
 gions their favorite haunt are no fools. Luxuriant grass does 
 not grow on arid and sterile soil. 
 
 By recent advices from the General Land Office (1869), 
 Commissioner Wilson announces that 22 townships, north of 
 the Arkansas river, around and including the United States 
 Military Reservation at Fort Zarah, have been surveyed. 
 The survey including an area of 497,400 acres. The surface 
 is gently rolling, and the soil mostly second rate. (By second 
 rate in government surveys is meant good land, but not in 
 depth and fertility equal to the richest bottoms.) The tract 
 is watered by the Arkansas river, which bounds it on the 
 Fouth, Plum, Cow, and Walnut creeks, tributaries of the Ar- 
 kansas. The land along the Arkansas is mostly level, in some 
 places inclined to be too wet for cultivation, and the soil is 
 mostly of the first quality. Along the creeks the soil is of 
 excellent quality, and well adapted for agricultural purposes. 
 The lands setting back from the streams are more rolling, and 
 the greater part of them only suitable for grazing purposes. 
 A part of this tract includes the divide between the Arkansas 
 and the Smoky Hill rivers. This portion is high, and in places 
 broken. Lime and sand stone are found in every part in 
 
HAND-BOOK OF KANSAS. 73 
 
 abundance. Timber is scarce except on a few of the streams. 
 This region holds out good inducements to those who wish to 
 follow stock raising. 
 
 In the extreme western portion of Kansas, the time has 
 not yet come to speak positively of its capabilities, but it will 
 probably become a good pastoral and farming region. A few 
 years will throw light on this subject, as now the U. P. R. R. 
 will introduce adventurous emigrants who will rush past the 
 fertile valleys and plains of eastern Kansas, in hope of a 
 more golden region beyond. When prairie fires shall be 
 prevented by countless herds that shall keep down the prairie 
 grass, forests will grow up. The never ceasing breezes will 
 yet be made serviceable in pumping water to irrigate what 
 has been called desert. And it is not altogether visionary to 
 suppose that the time will come when the most arid portion 
 of central Kansas shall bud and blossom as the rose. 
 
 .CONCLUDING KEMARKS. 
 
 It may seem to the reader that, in the brief description 
 given of the various counties, all are praised, while the defi- 
 ciences of all have been omitted. To such I would say : go 
 and see. As the traveler passes from one county to another, 
 he is constantly surprised to find endless variety, but no ste- 
 rility. On every hand magnificent prairies and beautiful 
 valleys, but no unsightly objects. Some variation there is in 
 soil and climate, in quantity of timber, rock, coal, and other 
 natural advantages ; but all, yes all, is very good. 
 
 Kansas, although without mountain scenery, and dashing 
 rivers, and vast forests, is still peerless in beauty. JNor will 
 she become less beautiful, when her broad surface is dotted 
 over with cities and villages, churches and gardens, and or- 
 chards, and countless herds, and waving fields of golden grain. 
 Midway between the oceans, at the base of the loftiest moun- 
 tain range, and by the side of the mightiest river of the con- 
 tinent, she is set, the emerald gem in the empire of States. 
 
 The emigrant will travel long, and in the universal excel- 
 lence of soil, be puzzled where to choose. Probably the best 
 way for him will be to gain, from a general description, a 
 knowledge which will enable him to decide which part of the 
 State affords the particular advantages which he seeks. Then 
 let him go thither, and, from personal inspection, select such 
 a location as strikes him best. It'is not enough that the land 
 be good, but it must be well situated, well watered, well sur- 
 rounded, to render a settler contented. 
 
74 HAND-BOOK OF KANSAS. 
 
 There are great facilities afforded in Kansas for procuring 
 unimproved second-hand land. There are, at the several 
 United States Land Offices, and in the principal cities, persons 
 in the land business who have lands for sale. The Union 
 Pacific Kailway Company offer great facilities to those seek- 
 ing for land, at their land office at Lawrence. They have 
 agents also at the leading stations nearest the lands for sale. 
 They offer land at very reasonable rates, and give long time 
 if it is desired. It is needless to add that, other things being 
 equal, land near a railroad is, for farming purposes, much 
 to be preferred. 
 
 Along the railroads that had land grants, there are opportu- 
 nities to obtain lands by homestead and pre-emption ; but in 
 the eastern counties this opportunity will soon be gone, as 
 settlers are constantly entering their claims. At this time, 
 most desirable government lands to be had off the Pacific 
 railroads, are in the country on the Big and Little Blue, the 
 Republican, and Solomon rivers ; these belong to the Junction 
 City Land District. If a person is very limited in means lie 
 had better not push to the most unsettled parts. Such an 
 one would be more apt to succeed in a region where there is 
 some settlement already made ; where he can, in case of fail- 
 ure of a crop, find employment, and where he can, by helping 
 others, be helped in return, especially by machines. 
 
 A young man would often do as well to hire out a year, and 
 look around, before he locates; but having selected a farm, 
 the main thing for success, after industry, is to stick. Go to 
 work at once to make a desirable and permanent home. Set 
 out fruit trees, vines, hedge rows, shade trees. Commence 
 operations in this line the first season^ and devote some time to this 
 ivork every year, and never forget to protect from cattle and prai- 
 rie fires every improvement of this hind. If, for the first few 
 years, great headway is not made, do not give up, do not sell out 
 for a song, or even for cost of improvements, hodd ox — work 
 on, and be sure the land in Kansas will, at length, lift you up 
 and make you independent. 
 
POPULAR VOTE OF KANSAS 
 
 BY COUNTIES, AT THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION 1868. 
 
 Allen County S93 
 
 Anderson — 742 
 
 Atchison. . . , 2,231 
 
 Bourbon 1,929 
 
 Brown S69 
 
 Butler 22S 
 
 Chase 314 
 
 Clay 196 
 
 Crawford 744 
 
 Cherokee, no returns. 
 
 Coffey 898 
 
 Cloud Ill 
 
 Davis 627 
 
 Dickenson , 292 
 
 Doniphan 2,270 
 
 Douglas 3,034 
 
 Ellis 239 
 
 Ellsworth., 294 
 
 Franklin 1,349 
 
 Greenwood 439 
 
 Jackson S66 
 
 Jefferson 1,992 
 
 Johnson 2,210 
 
 Labette 7S3 
 
 Leavenworth 5,001 
 
 The above table will afford as reliable an estimate as can 
 be made of the relative population of the various counties. 
 
 Lima 1,725 
 
 Lyon 1.056 
 
 Marion 99 
 
 Marshall! 742 
 
 Miami, 1,801 
 
 Morris 327 
 
 Nemaha 863 
 
 Neosho 1,117 
 
 Osage • 505 
 
 Ottawa 185 
 
 Potto watamie 913 
 
 Republic 65 
 
 Riley 717 
 
 Shawnee... 1.810 
 
 Saline *65 
 
 Wabaunsee 374 
 
 Washington 25S 
 
 Wilson • ■ • • 560 
 
 Woodson 344 
 
 Wyandotte 1.197 
 
 Total 45,067 
 
 Allowiag 7 inhabitants fo r 
 every voter, population 815,476 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 Agricultural College 43 1 
 
 Area . . 5 
 
 Altitudes 10 
 
 Arkansas River 14 
 
 Allen County 71 
 
 Anderson County 71 
 
 Atchison County 52. 
 
 Big Blue lj 
 
 Bluffs 11 
 
 Bourbon County , 67 
 
 Butler 72 
 
 Buffalo Grass 12 
 
 Brown County 52 
 
 Chase County , 65 I 
 
 Central Kansas . . -, 72 
 
 Coal Measures 19 & 25 1 
 
 Climate 31 
 
 Cherokee County 69 j 
 
 Crawtoro" County 69 j 
 
 Clay County 59 
 
 Coffey County 71 
 
 Davis County 63 
 
 Depth of Soil 11 
 
 Dickenson County 61 
 
 Doniphan County 50 
 
 Douglas County 62 
 
 Education -47 
 
 Fences 28 & 37 
 
 Franklin County .66 
 
 Fruit .31 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 Geology of Kansas 20 
 
 Governors of Kansas 6—9 I 
 
 Government Land 7-4 
 
 Gypsum 14 & 64 
 
 Greenwood County 72 
 
 History of the Settlement of Ks. . . 5 
 
 Homestead Land , . . . 41 & 57 
 
 How to succeed 56 
 
 Hedges 38 
 
 Indians 44 
 
 Institution cf Learning 4S 
 
 Institutions, Benevolent 50 
 
 Jackson County 61 
 
 Jefferson County 60 
 
 Land Districts 40 
 
 Labette County 71 
 
 Linn County 67 
 
 Lyon County 65 
 
 Leavenworth County 60 
 
 Lumber, Price of. 29 
 
 Limestone, Magnesian . . 54, 58 & 64 
 
 Marble 68 
 
 Marion County 65" 
 
 Miami County 66 
 
 McPherson County 65 
 
 Morris County 65 
 
 Marias Des Cygnes 16 
 
 Marshall County 54 
 
 Missouri River 16 
 
 Nemaha County 53 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
 
 PAGK. 
 
 Neutral Lands 69 
 
 Neosho .River 16 
 
 Neosho County 71 
 
 Osage County 66 
 
 Osage River 16 
 
 Pre-emption Laws 42 
 
 Prairies and Plains 12 
 
 Population SO 
 
 Productions 29 & 31 
 
 Popular Vote, 186S 75 
 
 Pottawatomie .County ...... — 59 
 
 Repeal of Missouri Compromise.) 6 
 
 Rain! 33 
 
 Railroads 3S & 44 
 
 Rivers. 13 
 
 Republican River 14 
 
 Ripley County 59 
 
 Republic County 72 
 
 Saline County 64 
 
 Shawnee County C-2 
 
 Surface of Kansas 10 & 12 
 
 Smoky Hill River 41 
 
 PA CSS. 
 
 Spring" River it; 
 
 Soil it 
 
 Shrubs 23 
 
 Schools, number of 
 
 Salubrity .....*. go 
 
 Stock raising. ... 37 
 
 Stage Routes 45 <fe 54 
 
 Steamboat Routes 45 
 
 Stations on U. P. R. W. E. D 46 
 
 Trees 28 
 
 Timber 12,26 & 27 
 
 Vines 28 
 
 Wakarusa river 14 
 
 Washington County 5s 
 
 Wabaunsee County 63 
 
 Woodson County 72 
 
 Wyandotte County 61 
 
 Western Kansas 72 
 
 Wells 17 
 
 Winds 84 
 
 Washburn College 4.9 
 
Ma? Issued with this 
 
 publication is in the 
 
 MAP DIVISION 
 
LIBRARY 
 
 CONGRESS