In 1874, Kansas was plagued with locusts (grasshoppers), which descended on the area and ate all the crops and any other living plant material in the area. According to the Kansas Historical Society, “the invasion began in late July when without warning millions of grasshoppers, or Rocky Mountain locusts, descended on the prairies from the Dakotas to Texas. The insects arrived in swarms so large they blocked out the sun and sounded like a rainstorm.
Barton Countys First Christmas Tree
![](https://gbtribune.cdn-anvilcms.net/media/images/2018/10/23/images/new_vlc_Barton-Countys-first-Christmas-Tree.max-1200x675.jpg)
![new vlc Barton-Countys-first-Christmas-Tree-pic.gif](https://gbtribune.cdn-anvilcms.net/media/images/2018/10/23/images/new_vlc_Barton-Countys-first-Christmas-Tree-.max-752x423.jpg)