Pawnee City

Judge J. L. Edwards thus narrates how it was that he came to settle in Pawnee

County:

 

 "On the 9th of June, 1860, I arrived at Pawnee City. About three days previously,

in company with two teams headed westward, not far from Hiawatha, Kan., I met

with Hon. W. B. Raper and Uncle Joseph Woods, drawing goods from St.

Joseph to Pawnee City, Messrs. Butler & Raper having started the third store

located at this point the year previous.

Through the representations of these gentlemen, we were induced to change our

destination from the country on the Little Blue River to Pawnee City, a step I have

never regretted, and if it has been a matter of regret to the good people of this

county, all I have to say in extenuation of my own act in this respect is, Mr. Raper

is mainly to blame.

         "When I attained the highest ground on the divide between Turkey Creek and Jake's Run, the prospect presented to my view

         what I conceived to be the loveliest country I had ever beheld. No farms were then to be seen on the uplands. On every hand,

         as far as the eye could reach, stretched the prairie, covered with waving grass, which, with the gently sloping divides and

          intervening but scarcely perceptible valleys and ravines, it required no very vivid stretch of the imagination to convert into  

          a beautiful green sea, constantly agitated by the ever undulating motion of its sleepy billows.

 

But, so attractive as the country was, the genuine frankness of the people, their unfeigned kindness of heart, together

with the high moral tone which pervaded society generally, had the greater influence in terminating my travels and casting my

lot with the people of Pawnee County."

 

 

 

 

 

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