Norton County, Kansas

Norton County History, Geography, Demographics, Cities and Towns, and Education

Etymology - Origin of County Name

In memory of Orloff Norton, Captain of Company L, Fifteenth Kansas Cavalry, killed by guerillas at Cane Hill, Ark., October 29, 1865. In 1873 the county was represented by one N. H. Billings, who, in consequence of his peculiarities, became a sort of butt of the Legislature. A member of the Senate at the time had the name of Norton changed to Billings, in two lines hidden in a paragraph of a Bill fixing the boundaries of certain counties. The next Legislature restored the name of Norton.

Demographics:

County QuickFacts: Census Bureau Quick Facts

County History

Norton County, one of the northern tier, is the fourth from Colorado. It is bounded on the north by the State of Nebraska; on the east by Phillips county; on the south by Graham, and on the west by Decatur. It was created in 1867 and named for Orloff Norton, captain of Company L, Fifteenth Kansas cavalry. The boundaries were defined as follows: "Commencing where the east line of range 21 west intersects the 40th degree of north latitude; thence south to the 1st standard parallel; thence west to the east line of range 26 west; thence north to the 40th degree of north latitude; thence east to the place of beginning."

It is 30 miles square. The county was prematurely organized in 1872. The prime mover in the event brought about the organization for the purpose of exploitation. He disappeared from the county in June and went to Topeka, where he prepared a forged petition and presented it to Gov. Harvey. It contained but 8 names of residents of the county. The governor refused to act upon it. Immediately he prepared an affidavit stating that there were not less than 600 inhabitants in Norton county. This was sent to the governor and a second petition stating that there were at least 600 inhabitants in the county followed. It asked for organization, made recommendation for officers and asked that Billingsville be declared the temporary county seat. Although this petition did not contain the name of a single resident of Norton county the governor acted upon it and appointed Richard M. Johnson to take the census. As Johnson was a fictitious character, Billings had things his own way in regard to the census, and a bogus census was gotten up in short order. It was presented to the governor on Aug. 22 and the same day the proclamation of organization was issued declaring Billingsville the temporary county seat.

Geography

The surface is prairie, bottom lands comprising 15 per cent. The principal streams are: Sappa creek in the northwest, Prairie Dog through the center, and the north fork of the Solomon in the south. They are lined by thin belts of native timber. Limestone, sandstone and potter's clay are found. A branch of the Missouri Pacific R. R. enters in the south from Phillips county, runs west and terminates at Lenora. A branch of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy enters in the northeast, runs southwest to Norton and west into Decatur county. The Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific enters in the northeast and crosses southwest through Norton into Decatur county.

Neighboring Counties:

• Furnas County, Nebraska (north)
• Harlan County, Nebraska (northeast)
• Phillips County (east)
• Graham County (south)
• Sheridan County (southwest)
• Decatur County (west)

Cities and Towns:

County Resources:

Norton County - KS-Cyclopedia - 1912