The population of Kansas exploded when the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 opened up for settlement what had previously been reserved as Indian Territory. People flocked to the state enticed by fertile cheap land and the desire to cast their vote over the slavery issue in a new territory.
Today I passed through Newton, which, for a brief time, was the cattle trading center of Kansas. In 1971 two railroads were built into the area to ship Texas Longhorns to the growing northern market. This market was short-lived however, and the traders were quickly replaced by the growing Mennonite population emigrating from Southern Russia.
I certainly have entered Mennonite stronghold. The dominance of the Baptist churches has been replaced by Mennonite churches. I also ran into an ex professor from Harrisonburg. After I told him my sister went there he asked excitedly- "to the Mennonite school?" He did not teach at JMU, but rather the small Mennonite University there. I should have known.
A coldfront came through last night, so I awoke to a chilly 40 degree tent. The morning winds were a strong northwest cross. By the afternoon, however, the winds had diminished into a slight tail, the temperature was an energizing 65 degrees, and the land remained flat flat flat. I am enjoying the sweet smell of oil as it sits in black drums along the sides of roads, as pictured. Not joking- it is not bad!
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