Manhattan Homestead from Manhattan, Kansas • 2

the reducing of a goodly portion of the soil THE HOMESTEAD. ciency generally shown. In one case, however, I noticed an advance class in Rhetoric, both the Radical and the Independent, begau the publication of the Manhattan Stand-ahd, which he has since enlarged to a thirty-two column paper. The country about Manhattan is rich in agricultural wealth, is being rapidly settled up, and compares in products and market value of the lauds very favorably with other portions of the State. The Kansas Pacific TCjlllttrnv aa a t)niri an1 inn linfo L-I 1 1 Kansas State News.

There are eighty-four Masonic lodges in Kansas, and a membership of 8,122. A capitalist is proposing to establish a foundry and machine shop at Emporia. There are at present at the Abilene stock yards over fifty -two thousand head of cattle. The lady who is teaching the school at Louisville, Pottawatomie county, receive $05 per month and obtains board at $3.50 The Builriiiul (htzitte, jmbli-hed in Chicago, weekly by A. N.

Kellogg, 101 Washington street, is tho most perfect paper of its kind in the country. It contains railroad news from the whole world, and articles of value on all the current topics of the day. Good Health. This is one of the best magazines that conies to our table. It contains articles of great value to those who pruw sound sense and correct living.

It is prepared by a master hand. The uim in The improvement in human health the lengthening of human life. Alexander Moore, publisher, 11 Bromfleld street, Boston. Two dollars a year. The American L'itomolofMt and Botanid, for Juno, contains valuable information in its different departments, and we do not see how any fruit grower or floriculturist can afford to be without it.

Two dollars a year. R. P. Studley publishers, 221 Main street, St. Louis, Mo.

The June number of the Western, Pomto-gist, is well illustrated and filled with interesting matter. Mark Miller is editor and, proprietor, I)es Moines, Iowa, and J. Stay-man, of Leavenworth, assistant editor. One dollar a year. Arthur's Home Mitgizine for July is on our table.

T. S. Arthur is a prince among writers, and the Home Magazine is one of the best monthlies we get. Only $2.00 a year. Address T.

S. Arthur Sons, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Children's Hour published by T. S. Arthur Sons isa splendid, magazine for children at $1,50 a year.

Peterson's Ladies National for July is -'A Perfect Treasure." The Sun Shower, a choice engraving, adorns it, and fashions and storief, and patterns and recipes fill it up. Two dollars a year. Address Chns. Peterson, tlOO Chestnut street, Philadelphia. The Chicago Magazine, published by Mrs.

M. L. Rayne, 1 10 Dearborn street, is well got up. It is printed ou tinted paper, and contains a superior fashion plate, a piece of music and a choice variety of reading. $3.00 a year.

The American Builder is a publication rarely excelled for neatness, and from the array of interesting articles it contains, we should think it would bo invaluable to Architects and interesting to nil others. Address Chas. D. Lakcy, Chicago. Two dollars a year.

The Southern Kansas AOcocate is a new twenty-eight column weekly, published by C. L. Goodrich at Le Hoy, Coffey county. Mr. Goodrich was recently a resident of this city.

The paper is got up in good style, and well edited. We wish it success. The Moulton Independent is a very spicy twenty-four column paper that come to us rom Moulton, Iowa. to tillage and cultivation. To accomplish this great object the peo pling of tho pluins aud tho reclamation of the desert the Kansas racilic Kuilway is doing more, tor the whole country, than the Conirrcss, with its present material, can do in a scor of years.

As stated in tho KaiiMH farmer, their work is no less than the redemption of the vast plains on the line of its road, Iviuir midway between the Missouri valley and the Mountains. These plains are to lie tiikcn from the Indian and tho buffalo, their trackless surface covered by forests, orchards, hedges and farm build ings, breaking wind currents aim modifying Climate, until nature answers Pact to the work of the husbandman, in her most gen erous bounty of grain, fruit and flowers. The company has determined to test.iu the most careful and thorough manner, the capabilities ot soil and climate, throughout the entire brendth of this heretofore uncul tivated waste. To this mid a special agent nas Dccu appointed, to be known as tho "Industrial Agent of tho Kansas Pacific Kaiiway uompany under whose supervis ing care experiments are to be made by the company, aud bounties offered to induce private enterprise in the same direction. R.

S. Elliott, of St. Louis, is charged with the responsible duties of this position, and has already entered upon his work witn a zeal ana intelligence that is nuspie- ious oi me most iavorauie results. Iu a published letter, Mr. Elliott says; "The managers of tho Kansus Pacific Railway desire to aid, if possible, in solving the industrial problem iu Western Kansas and Eastern Colorado; and the 'Industrial Agent' ot the company is instructed to have experiments in cultivation tried at intervals along the road, across the entire stretch of 'the Ore-it Substantial encourage ment will be jriven to forest culture bv in dividuals, in the counties of Kansas west of ortHiIey; and in the counties eastward, plantations of trees will bo encouras-cd.

bv example, probably, as well as by supplying hocus auu niaiHs ai cost, as soon as the proper arrangements can be made. These "squaw patches." as we term them which are now to bo found at tho several stations all the way to Carsou, are looking very well, aud give promise of excellent crops of corn and patatoes. They have found great difficulty this season from the bug (probably the Colorado potato bug) in the growing of potatoes, than from the scarcity or rain. The showers have been quite frequent and seasonable. These little "squaw patches" are the harbingers of future blooming fields and broad acres of growing crops.

To show that there is water enough ou the high divide between Sheridan and Carson, we make a note of some of the wells sunk by the company. At North Fork the well is 25 feet deep, with an uuuiiuauce oi pure water a never-tailing supply; at Ellis tho well is 25 feet deep; Park's Fort, 7S feet deep, 0 feet in diameter, opened three years ago.and furnishes abundance of water; Coyote, 7a fc.et deep, steady Bopiuj uunaio, in icet: linunel, laij feet; Carlyle, 87 feet; Monument, 97; Eureka, 30 feet, (rood sunolv and Carson 85 feet. At the latter place the company is sinking an artesian well, which has now reached the depth of o0 feet, and at present luriusnes a nmiicu of bruekish salt water. The company will continue their boring several hundred feet, or until an artesian well is obtained. The reclamation of the plaius and the ucscn is uoi so iiimcuii a problem, utter all, and will, we feel confident, find a successful solution at no very distant period iu the lubure.

Literary Notices. The Cokpokal Maoazine. The July number of this beautiful juvenile is much enlarged aud improved, ns wull as finely illustrated. Its circulation has shot for ahead of that of any of its competitors. In matter it is entirely original, and of a very high order.

Its pages causo the eyes of nil our young peoplo to sparkle. In its new improved form it is ouc of the handsomest, as well ns cheapest, magazine we receive. Fins uiimberbeginsa new volume now is a good time to subscribe. One dol lar a year; sample copy, 12 cents. Pub- fished by Bowel! Miller, Chicago, 111.

The Mnnuftirturer nnd liuilder, Volume 2, umber 6, lies before us. It is a well illus trated and valuable publication. Price 1.50 a year. Address Western 27 Park Row, N. V.

The Bureau, "a Chronicle of the Com merce and Manufactures of Chicago aud the Northwest," has for some time been on our table. We find it an interesting publi cation. It is printed monthly, at sfJJ.OO per annum, and coi.tains valuable articles for all departments of life. 11 X- II a nuviJiY. oucu is me title of a Bohemian Weekly, published at 102 Forquor Street," Chicago, Illinois, which has favored us with an exchange.

The subscription price is $3.00 a year. We don't make much heudway with the cdito- 1, I'll runs, oui noiii me nmowmg we learn lUo terms of subscription Prcdplatue lift Xovinv ob.msl, pocinaje timto etvrtletini, roetle pouze H00c." We accept the exchange. A New Vknti uk is tiik Litkiiahv Fiicm. We have just received a beautiful eight-page quarto sheet, entitled JWkanfi C'llhye Journal, which is published in New York by S. S.

Packard, proprietor of MmtMy, and also of Packard's Business College. Our first impression was, that it was merely aa advertising sheet of the College, but a cartful perusal of its columns bs changed this hasty verdict for, while the publisher does not try to conceal the fact that he has under his immediate control the fuimt Hiitim fiHU fje. in teorhl, he is very ruodest and circumspect iu presenting its claims. Iu fact, knowing how such things are usually done, and knowing, also, what siibxtantiul grounds Mr. Packard has for sounding the praises of his institution, wc are at a loss to know hy he lets so fair an opportunity slip.

The Journal is, in all respects, a first class affair. It is printed in fine style on good paper, nnd fairly sparkles with intellect. IU contributors are the best iu the laud, and its editorial management is good. It has no superior. We have put it on our exchange list.

Jlmrtfc ami lhmr for the week (dated June 35) contains the first of a series of sketches entitled "Jethro Thrmip's Night Thoughts," by John Thomas who is no other than Pitrol, um V. Xa-by. Tbegnat humorist will take an honest country Unto the city, conduct him through the usual experience, and restore him to his home a sadder nud a wiser boy, satisfied that the peaceful, honest and temperate life of the farmer i) the best and life that can lived. recite too much on the out" style too many leading questions, hulls and suggestions. Advanced clnsssos should know for themselves, and tell for themselves without waiting to be "pumped" out.

But perhaps the presence of strangers, one of them a preacher, descanting on Greek and quoting Homer, aud the other a Bohemian giving Byron and I. S. Kallock as apostles of the Beautiful" may have as tonishcd.it not embarrassctl.thc class, lic teacher seemed earnest and competent, but the recitation was not a success. Tho military feature of the institution is certainly a a interesting one. I saw the pupils lu squads, under well appointed offi cers, go through a pretty thorough drill lieneral Uaviuson is a real, not a make no lievo, soldier, and will do much for the in stitution by giving tho pupils good bodily exercise and some useful soldierly habits of discipline ami obedience.

The discipline, if not as thorough as that we went through in the late unpleasantness, is certainly better matured. I rather think exercises of this kind will be more popular than practical agriculturo. I found Prof. Mudgo conducting a class in Algebra, and, although in the cabinet room and surrounded by antediluvian relics and fossils, he was quite lively and had an excellent recitation. The class dismissed, the professor turned to his collection of bones, stones, fishes, and reptiles, and was soon lost in the antediluvian ages.

Would it not be well, as the Professor grows old, to keep him out in tho prairie winds and dry him up so as to make another additon to the fossils Yours, Observer. From the Lawrence Republican. Reclamation of the Plains. The American desert is not wholly a myth. It once had an existence.

The old geographers did not perpetrate a huge joke in writing down a vast tract west of tho Missouri river as "desert." There is always a graiu of truth in almost every statement, even in the wildest works of fiction. In this case there are many grains of sand. The vast stretch of country extending from Sheridan, one hundred miles west, is one vast sandy desert, an arid waste. The only living things that inhabit the country aro prairie dogs. Buffalo pass and repass through tho country ia their great niigra-ttrry movements from north to south, but they do not tarry long in their annual journeys.

The prairie dogs are the solo inhabitants of this "wide-extended plain." This desert to-day is no myth. Riding at the ratei of twouty miles an hour, an entire day through this long weary arid waste one feids like taking up the cudgel in defense of the old geographers. To he sure, they have slandered our noble young State of Kansas in locating tho desert within the present geographical boundaries of the State; but in fact, as they marked it on the maps, they woro substantially correct. They only failed on correctly marking its metes and bounds. And it i3 quito possible that fifty or one hundred years ago, the desert actually covered a much larger space than it now does.

It is a fact beyond question that the desert is gradually receding. We have been informed, by au intelligent gentleman, that thirty years ago bullulo grass covered the prairies iu aud about Lawrence, and we have been told by Creek Indians that they have killed plenty of Buffalo at Okamulgee, the prescut capital of the Muscogee Nation. They further state that they have killed Cheyenne Indians in the same locality within thirty years past. Now there are neither buffalo nor Cheyenne Indians within 300 miles of them. Another fact: The prairie about Fort Harker and Ellsworth, four years ago, had very much thereseni-bluuce of the plains about Iluys City and Sheridan now, covered thickly with a mat of Buffalo grass, and with nothing else.

Now, the prairies around Ellsworth have very much the appearance of the lands about Lawrence. The thick, tail prairie grass is generally usurping the pluco of the bunchy bilfliilo grass, and weeds cotiimou to this section of the Slate are finding root. The country in the vicinity of Ellsworth is rapidly losing appearance of the plain, and the vegetation peculiar to that region. A very goes! toograpliic division of Kansas and Western Colorado would he into three grand divisions, to bo called the prairies, the plains, and tho desert. The first extends from the eastern boundary of tho State to Fort Harker aud Ellsworth, miles; the second from Ellsworth to Sheridan, 182 miles westcf Ellsworth; tho third from Sheridan into Colorado, say 130 miles.

The first comprises lands among the richest and best ou this continent, a country capable of supporting a dense population, and that is now filling up more rapidly than any other portion of this continent. The second, the pluins rugiou, is susceptible of tolerably thick settlement. It has some fine valleys, and the uplands are excellent for grazing purposes. Paradise valley, we are assured by Col. Webb, at the head of the National Laud Company in this State, is tho finest valley in the West.

It is about forty miles in length, and thickly covered wan a luxuriant growtu or tm; choicest timber, extending out into the plain a considerable distance from the stream. There are several other due valleys in the plains region, many of them containing a generous supply of timber, and the finest farming lands hi the world. As yet there are scarcely no settlements on thn plainl proper. The only difficulty in making this wholu region blossom as the rose with fertility, is the scarcity of rain, for right lu re Agassis has located the future great wheat -produc-ing belt of this co.U'iMnit. Of the capacities of the soil to grow nil kinds of grains und cereals, providing a more equable temperature of climate and seasonable rains cuif bo secured, there is no room fur doubt.

Can this be secured? And can this desert be reclaimed AV answer iiflirnm-tively and confidently predict that in one hundred years the wholi! region known now and appropriately termed the desert, will know no longer the Indian, the prairie dog, and tho buffalo grass; nnd that ia their places will be seen rich farms, thrifty orchards, splendid fields, (xuimvrciul towns and cities, where now are only arid wastes and prairie dog villages. Wo are safo in making the prediction, at all events, remembering that posterity will doubtless be us generous as we are, and will suy nothing concerning the dead, except it be in praise; but we make the prediction in all seriousness and earnestness. The prairies are alreadly being thickly settled. The heavy rains and frtquunt seasonable showers have killed the drouth iu Easter. Kansas.

The plains have beiu practically reclaimed, and are rapidly encroaching upon the desert, which is tiust receding, and will ultimately disappear altogether. But how, soonest and in the must practicable manner, to accomplish this great tnk, is a grave question, it is worthy the mind anil grasp of wisest statesmen and greatest political economists. Hero is an empirt covered by what we have termed the di-sort; and at present iris no misnomer, it embraces large portions of Texas. New Mcxii-o, Arizona, the Indian Territory, Kansas, Colorado, Nebraska and Dakota, in all not less than 100,000,000 of acres. Can this vast tract be redeemed and made susceptible of settlement Wc believe it can.

The fault is not in tho soil, hut in the lack of water. This difficulty can be overcome by breaking up the soil, planting treos, and building railroads, for we verily believe that tho theory is not altogether a fanciful one that the supply of railroul iron produces an equilibrium of electrical current, resulting in the men-lion of moisture and frequency of showers. We verily believe wc should have had a drouth in Kmisai this nr. hilt for the srHl-m-rit mn! ami MANHATTAN, JULY, 1870. From tht Standard of June 25th.

There baa been a superabundance of rain during the present mouth in the northern, western and southern parts of the State, but there is a dry streak through the middle, ffa Kansas Farmer- for June is a "fat take," as printers say. Where else can so much really valuable practical information for the people of Kansas be obtained for a dollar? LfeC every farmer send for it. Address Geo. T. Anthony, Leavenworth, Kansas.

We learn from parties who have been "out west," that the railroad garden experiment at Wilson Station and other points on the K. P. Road is a grand success. Garden "sas" and everything is growing luxuriantly, plenty of rain has fallen, and the soil is said to be as rich as Campania." Farmers have commenced harvesting their fall wheat in this locality. We noticed considerable' wheat on J.

Kimball's farm in shock last Sunday. The straw is quite short, but the yield of grain will be better than farmers anticipated some weeks ago. There are some pieces of very good fall wheat near here. Among the visitors from abroad in at tendance at the college examination we notice Gov. Harvey; Secretary of State Moonlight; Capt.

Anthony, of tho Kansa Farmer; Dr. Reynolds, of Fort KUey it. J. Strickler, Secretary of the State Agricul tural Society; Ex-Mayor Hetherington and ex-Senator Hippie, of Atchison; Statci School Superintendent, McVicar- Capt. Hanna, of the Satinet Herald; Dr.

L. Stern berg, of Ellsworth; Hon. T. wight Thacher, of the Lawrence Journal; JUr. C.

Holcomb, "of, Princeton, Gen. Graham, of Fort Riley and Rev. F. S. McCabe, ofTopeka.

From Minnesota. On the 8th inst. there arrived in this city a party of eighteen persons, representing' three families, who came all the way from Le Seuer county, Minnesota, by their own convey ance, a distance of 600 miles. Four wagons served to convey the party. They left Min-; nesota May 10, and came through 29 days, having stopped over every Sunday and 24 week days on the trip, and made a considerable detour to visit friends on the way.

Two of the families wre those of Morris and Lewis Eells, brothers of Horace Eells of this place. They came to take up their abode in Kansas. 1 About Town. Capt. McNay, General Agent of the Kan sas Insurance Company was town yesterday, stopping at the American House Greens have been vegetating since the recent showers, we saw three preamubula- ting our street after the rain of Thursday.

Dr. Clark has located here perma nently, and has an office over Mr. Higin- botham'sbank. Strawberries havedis-; appeared from our market, but new potatoes are in It is currently reported that some of the bachelors of Man hattan of long standing are going to marry soon. We cannot vouch for the truth of this, but give it as news.

So mote it be. Preparations are being made to cele brate the 4th "muchly." Wc, have not decided what party we will join but will celebrate any way. Manhattan sports another fine buggy. Wm. P.

Higinbotham is the It came from Cincinnati. The work of repairing the jail has not been completed yet. But two guests enjoy the hospitalities of the Sheriff now. Mr. Laffer lias sold the old hotel stand to a gentleman from the east who pro poses building a fine stone business house right away.

Dr. Hubschman's new residence is enclosed and will be, when fin ished, one of the finest and most commodious houses in the city. The Doctor will soou erect a business house on Wyandotte Avenue. Mr. Craig purchased this week three lots on Humboldt street from Col.

Huntress. The lots are well situated and we believe Mr. C. intends to build on them. Judging from tho amount of lumber consumed here and hauled away, the trade must be good.

Ten or twelve teams at a time have left town this week loaded with lumber. Thero is nil increase of 504 iu the valuation of property in the city over last year's assessment. Manhattan iu Brief. Manhattan, Kansas, the county sent of Riley couuty, was laid out as a town in the spring of 1855, by the joint action of a company from Boston, and one from Cincinnati, Ohio, whoe representatives came by steamboat, and landed at the site. The location is at the confluence of the Big Blue and Kaunas rivers, and is universally conceded to bo one of the finest in the Slate.

It has now a population of 2,000 souls, contains five fine stone churches, two banks, two hotels, three hardware stores, three drug stores and about twenty dry goods, grocery and other business houses. A new hotel, to be called the Adam House, Is nearly completed. It is tliroe stories high above the basement, having seventy feet front on two streets, nnd is built of the white magnesian limestone, which abounds in the vicinity, making it one of the finest hotels in the west. It will be opened about September 1, 1870. The Slate Agricultural College is located here, and commands a large influence educationally.

The building is of stone, three stories high, and finely located on Blue Mont, a gentle elevation west of the town. The Reentry surrounding Manhattan is very attractive, and the view from "Blue Mont" rarely surpassed for loveliness. In August, 1H59, Chas. F. De Vivaldi, an Italian refugee, (afterwards Minister to Brazil) began the publication of the ltV-rfr Kansat which lie continued for about two years.

It wm then ptihlMud a short time by James Humphrey, (recently Judge of the 8lh District Court) and in 1861, Mr. Josiuh II. Pillsbury (now post master nf Manhattan) purchased the estab-' llslimer.t and started the Manhattan Inde-Jikiit, which he pubii-hed till Iu E. C. Manning, began the puhliniiiou of the Knnsat Btdiral, and in September, 11 Mr.

L. Elliott. having piirrhvw-d anu a very large height and passenger business is The trado from the Republican River mainly comes to this depot and will do so till a branch road is constructed, which is now chartered, and likely to be built within a few years. Four miles north of the depot is the best water power in the Stan-, now owned and partially improved by the Manhattan Manufacturing Company. It is on the Big Blue river, and the power is inexhaustible.

Washington Correspondence. Washington, D. June 13, 1870. And first of Kansas, of which we read and hear so much. Summer has again returned the season in which those who contemplate emigrating or prospecting, with a view to finding a suitable home for the future, and many arc investigating the relative merits of the different sections and different States of the Union, to make the most judicious selection, we hear the advantages and disadvantages of the various sections of the country discussed, but the two great rival sections, in which the greatest interest centers, are the West and the South and of the former, Kansas leads off iu the array of Western States although she has formidable rivals, and which, despite her superior claims and advantages, take captive many of the westward bound hosts, marching on with determination to conquer the wilderness, to, plant civilization where, till but recently, the undisputed presence of the red mau and the wild beasts of the pluiu marked tho primeval state as nature fashioned it.

In this preliminary investigation of the matter, of course every accessible means is used in order to come to a determination. As for Kansas the best means for removing all doubt from the' minds of those who desire to seek a and to have them como to a speedy and final determination, is to have them go and tee. I say this knowing whereof I speak, having been one of this doubting class, myself, having seen, and of courso having been convinced, and finally committed. i If you can once get a man there, you are safe, as far as he is concerned for if he has any appreciative faculty in his composition he can but have faith in the country, with its multifarious blessings of climate, soil and limpid waters purling brooks diversified scenery, of grass-clad hills and green plains, traversed by streams, some larger, others smaller, adding usefulness to beauty and then the fields of golden grain, laboring with their weight of superabundance, which bring cheer to the expectant husbandman its delicious fruits and vegetable productions, if he fails, upon first view, to appreciate all this let him go he will bo no loss, but a living incubus wherever he may fasten. Then in order for one to fully understand and belieVc iu that country, it is necessary for him to see for himself.

It is hardly safe for one who has seen it, and who has a proper regard for his character as to veracity, to tell the whole truth to every one; but he must bo governed according to circumstances of place and person. For instance, if one should tell, iu Illinois, where they arc posted on the subject, that he saw a whole field of sod corn that would average, the field over, fifty or sixty bushels to the acre, they would not believe it and if he should say that the ears were from ten to fifteen inches iu length, and actually produce one of twelve inches, which, with the best conceivable intentions, was being car- ied around to exhibit as the average in that field, they would not believe him then, but would look at him In a way to make him feel that he had made a bad impress ion. So you talk to people here in Washington about sod corn they have no defi nite ideas about it, for they never saw any- thing of the kind. It is also well to sound your man before telling him much, to find out the stutc of his credulity. If he is found to bo very credulous you can tell him the truth according to the degree of his credulity.

Being a kind of a quasi Kansas man, or it being pretty generally understood among my friends that I hove been there and contemplate residing there, a great many come to me to get what information I am able to impart to them. But with my little experience iu seeing the country and telling about what I have seen, I invariably advise them to go mid see for themselves. To facilitate this object, and to afford means to those desiring to go to the west gener ally, a committee has been appointed (of which your correspondent is one) by the "Illinois State Republican Association," to procure a reduction of fure to the west and return, one point being Chicago, the other Kansas City. We have been negotiating for Rome time with the various railroad companies, but as yet have made no defi nite arrangements but we have reasons to expect that an arrangement will be made for half fure over the Baltimore and Ohio road. Thinking that the National Land Company would an interest ia the matter, and would be able to render assist ance, I addressed a note to the President of tho Company, hut for some cause I have, as yet, received no reply.

In view of the interest I know to be pre vailing here regard to Kansas, and the desire to see it and invest there, au arrangement, whereby those who yearly take their leave from business to recreate, could get cheap transportation to your State and back, would be conducive to tho iutcrcsts of tho Stale and to those taking advantage of the reduced rttes. I believe I set out with a promise to "jot down a few items of news and matters of fact," and commenced with Kansas which I have spun out to such length that I will have to defer mentioning the other topics that I had designed writing about to am th time, when, prob ably, I will not say much about Kansas, although a better t-ulject could not be selected, nor one as inexhaustible. M. Late to bed and early to rwe. Never gi tight and tuUertif" per week.

Gen. Web. Wilder, of the Leavenworth Conservative, Is getfing'up a new history of Kansas, which will be out in a short time. The Baptists are building a church at Leavenworth at a cost of $11,000. Mr.

Simmons, late of the Kansas City Times, is, we learn, about to start a Democratic dally paper at Baxter Springs. Six hundred and fifty-five homestead entries were made last month, at the Junction City land office. The official records show that Kansas now produces larger crops than any other State in the union. Cowley county, which had only five families in it last fall, now has a population of two thousand. The land sales of the Central Branch Railroad on three days of last week amounted to $24,000.

The Independence Pioneer says that Montgomery county will have 10,000 acres of prairie broken, up this summer. Cadet Sebree Smith, of Kansas, graduated at the West Point Military Academy this year. He stood, iu the order of general merit, fifty-third in a class of fifty-nine. There will be plenty of peaches in Jackson couuty this year. Tho trees generally have as many as they can stand up under.

The Presbyterians of Salina will put up a house of worship at that place, to be finished by October 1st. A projected new Catholic church at Cottonwood Falls will be stone 24x40. A Catholic church is begun in Alma Wabaunsee county, Morgan Cronkhite gets the job of building the additional State university buildings at Lawrence, for $43,000, The State Fair will be held this year at Fort Scott, beginning September 27th and continuing four days. Wo have received tho premium list, which is unusually largo and liberal. Ample provision has been made for the exhibition of agricultural, horticultural and floricultural products.

The arts, textile fabrics and natural history will receive special attention. AH articles for exhibition, will be carried free, and passengers at half fare. For any information desired, addressed II. J. Strick-ler, Topeka, Kansas.

Tuesday night a te rrific storm swept over the western part of Kansas and eastern part of Colorado. Twenty miles south of kit Carson, the terminus of the Kansas Pacific Railroad, hail stones fell as large as hen's eggs, and in some places hail lay on the ground three feet deep. The stage coach from Santa Fe to Kit Carson came near being wrecked. It would have been had it not reached a station iu time to bo saved from the fury of the storm. The top of the stage was very much damaged by hail, and but for their timely arrival at the station, passengers would have fared badly.

Lawrence Journal. Correspondence Leavenworth Timc-i (onicr-vutivs. From Manhattan. Manhattan, one hundred and twenty miles west of Leavenworth, is beautifully situated at the junction of the Kansas and Blue rivers. The country in the immediate vicinity abounds in most romantic scenery.

I doubt much if it is excelled, as to beauty, by any other scenery In the State. The river bottoms have the jfull luxuriant growthof an exceedingly rich soil havo thriving crops, fat herds, waving meadows and shadowy woods. Tho blulls lack the element of fertility, but are high and bold and afford soino splendid views. The visitor to Manhattan should be sure to visit Blue Mont, an abrupt, bold bluff rising above the town. It commands a splendid view of the Blue and Kansas val-lies with their high and varied verdure, and occasionally opening vistas of shining waters.

I ascended this hill last eveniDg and saw a sunset, a Kansus sunset, and never can I forget the glories of tho scene. I shall not attempt to describe the view but dear reader, use your first opportunity to see a sunset from the top of Blue Mont at Manhattan. Tho town of Manhattan, although, making substantial improvement, does not keep oqual pace with other towns and cities in the State. But the settlement of the sur- rounding country will soon bring Manhattan out in a good healthy prosperity. Thero are some good substantial buildings foing up in town.

The new hotel, which lajor Adam is building, is a fine substantial stone structure, and will be au ornament to tho town and an additional accommodation to tho public. The present hotel, tho American House, kept by Judge McKay, an old time friend of your paper, is a well managed and popular house. Everything in und around it, speaks of cleanliness, care and order The Judge is seem ingly cramped for help, but he runs a good hotel. Arrangements are now iu progress for tho construction of a bridge over the Kansas river at this point. The building of a good substantial bridge with the iucruuu of trade from tho south side of the river, and railroad communication with the Northwest, up the Blue or Republican valley, would secure a line futuro for this fine town.

The Agricultural College, as your readers well know, is located here, and is a great advantage to the neighborhood. The professors and their families mate a flue addition to the society of Manhattan. A good education to tho youth of the vicinity helps to give tone Young America" as it flourishes in Western Kansas; and tho necessary business connected with the institution helps tho material interests of the place. Already quito a number of additional buildings have been erected near the college building, including a flue hoarding hall for the students. This, by the way, is supplying a want, not second to the college iUelf.

Some one said. "Anjirniy goes on its belly," meaaiug of course that the question of a good supply of food is a vital one. Colleges and schools go considerably in the same unroinantic manner. If you would have a good Normal School in Leavenworth, you must make some provisions by which rates of boarding will lie reduced to cost for normal school students. Cheap boarding accommodations are essential to a successful school especially iu a new Stale.

I visited the school, and found things generally in good condition. The several professors and tho President of the Institution are all able, turnest and energetic. I witnessed exercises by several cIium-h and was struck with thr thoroughness and effi A Wise Ignoramus. We have been furnished with the following extract from an article published ia a Pennsylvania paper. It certainly shows the writer to be an ignoramus, or else a deliberate falsifier: "At Humboldt there are about a emigrant wagons filled with crying and children, whose tears at once reproach the folly of their husbands nnd fathers, and the cruelty of those who encourage them to shake oil' the dust of the East and move to tho West.

Emigrants to the West are returning In large bands, thankful only that their lives have not been lost. Kansas is so overcrowded that it is next to impossible for a traveler to find any sort of accommodation, and labor is a drug." To be sure accommodations are not the most ample in all parts of the. State, nor is it to ba expected in a new State that is rapidly filling up, that very good house accommodations can be given to all new comers. To make amends for this, however, the prairies are broad, the land is cheap so cheap that it is given away by Uncle Sam in many parts of the State and the man who comes here to live, cnu take his covered wagon to his quarter-section, and live iu that till he can build. Or, if he come by-cars, he can build a temporary house iu twenty-four hours, and a better one at his leisure.

The man who has the true spirit of a pioneer, can soon make a home in Kansas. This State is not the place for lazy men not the place for fools but it is a good country for the man who with a capital of energy, good sense nnd health, desires to make for himself and his fmnilv a and lay the broad fon of a comfortable competence for old Men who expect to live' by tin ir wits (with small capital th reat men who think they will lu re pigs walking ab nit ready to be tllcvd for the table who think to dig rousted potatoes from the bare prairie who expect literally to find the "hu.d flowing with milk nud honey" to gather great grapes of Kvh.J from vines their hands need not plant nn-n who think no I ibor is required of the luislian lui.f toil of the settler in inaki-ig his new home -ara not wanted in Ku.isiis. Such mu: may as well stay i.i the nut and be a burden still to the friends who have borne with them J' In! these nia vars." But men of muscle, men of bmios, men of liberal views and of good Coiiuno.i c.i.i find cheap and productive l.n.d i.i such men are welcome here. To such men the earth is ready to laugh with a harvest, when tickle-i with the hoe. Boom for 000,000 more of thee sturdy pioneer room for mendicants nor for drones.

Sale of School Lands. Last Saturdav morning the most s-ue- ccssl'ul sale of school laud that has ever takeu place iu our county occurred at the County Treasurer's office in this cilv. The sale was of Section Tow 10, Ilai'-e 5 cat lyi.ig immediately cat of Gov. Harvey's farm. The appraisd was made hi 50 acre lots and ranged from if to per acr-.

The average b.ir.g about I he 40 acres appraised at ran up to Oil, a.id that at was struck oil" i $13 The average price? r. htd -was $7.91, or ab.mt 2o per cent. ive the np- which is biirh. The la eid wasiii demand cither beniu of its quality or location, don't know which. Figuratively Mn-akiiiu, a fine woman niav lie said XL at fort v..