14 GUIDEBOOK OF THE WESTERN UNITED STATES. 
Tecumseh is on a low terraced slope in a sharp bend of the river. 
e name is that of a Pawnee chief and means 
Tecumseh. panther. From Tecumseh low river terraces extend 
Elevation 82 feet. westward for nearly a mile, to a point at which 
opulation 1, 024.* ° : 
Kansas City €2 miles. they give place to a wide, low flat that extends to 
opeka 
Topeka, the State capital, is one of the largest cities in Kansas. It 
has broad, well-paved streets, with parking and shade trees. Its 
name is an Omaha Indian word signifying the so- 
Topeka. called Indian potato. It is a division point on the 
Elevation ss6feet. Santa Fe Railway and the place of convergence of 
Kanne Clr te sites, Several branch lines and other railways. The general 
offices and extensive shops of the Santa Fe system 
are situated here, and there are many factories and local industries 
of various kinds, including quarries, brickyards, sand pits, large flour 
mills, and what is said to be the largest creamery in the world. It 
Scranton shale..... 170 
Howard limestone....10’ 5 Se ae 
Coali—7 
Severy shale ...70-., oo 
Topeka limestone 20-25, === ~ 
50 
peer Creeklimestone...25" 
e 
FIGURE 3.—Section showing succession of rocks in plateau south of Topeka, Kans. 
was from Topeka that the Santa Fe Co. began building a railway 
westward in 1869, but it did not reach Santa Fe until 1880. 
Topeka was the scene of many riots during the conflict between the 
abolitionists and the advocates of slavery. Here in 1856 the Free Soil 
legislature, meeting in opposition to the proslavery legislature, was 
dispersed by United States troops acting under orders from President 
Pierce. Five years later, after numerous elections and conflicts, the 
first State legislature assembled in Topeka. 
On leaving Topeka‘ the train goes nearly south up the valley of 
Shonganunga Creek and then up one of its branches which heads at 
the top of the plateau. The ascent is made by a moderate grade, 
about 125 feet in 5 miles. This plateau is made up of a succession of 
limestones and shales, shown in figure 3. A few ledges of limestone 
 Mileposts from Topeka to Isleta indicate distance from Atchison. 
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A acta Se 
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Be RE RE Aer EE Oe REESE EES OnE eS UNE yee > NR UTS SRE et teen Me Tene ee 
