THE STATE OF KANSAS. 447 



settlers will be enabled to learn without a visit to the Land 

 Office the manner in which they can secure and perfect title to 

 public lands under the Pre-emption Act of September 5, 1841, 

 and Homestead Act of May 20, 1862. 



THE STATE OF KANSAS. 



Our sojourn on the plains impressed our party with a strong 

 belief that Kansas, at no distant day, will be one of the richest 

 garden spots on the continent. I have more particularly de- 

 scribed the central portion of the State, but both Northern and 

 Southern Kansas are equally as fertile and desirable. 



The United States Land Offices in Kansas are located at the 

 following places : Topeka, Humboldt, Augusta, Salina, and 

 Concordia. The rapidity with which Kansas is being settled 

 may readily be inferred from the fact that 2,000,000 acres of 

 its land were sold during one year, 1870. 



In our note-book, I find the outline of a speech delivered 

 by the Professor in Topeka, and I quote a single paragraph 

 as fitly expressing the common sentiment of our entire 

 number : 



" Gentlemen, great as your State now is in extent of terri- 

 tory and natural resources, she will soon have a corresponding 

 greatness in the means of development, and in a self-support- 

 ing population. 1870 holds in her lap and fondles the in- 

 fant; 1880 will shake hands with tlie giant. The whole sur- 

 face of your land, gentlemen, is one wild sea of beauty, ready 

 to toss into the lap of every venturer upon it, a farm. The 

 genius which rewards honest industry stands on the threshold 

 of your State, with countless herds and golden sheaves, 

 smiling ready welcome to all new-comers, of whatever creed or 

 clime." 



