The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-07-24

w. g. MALoNEy, Mayor.
Lieutenant JOHN MCGOWAN, Steamship Philadel-
phia, Sand Key.
From the Nebraska Territory.
FORT LEAvENwoRTH AND ITS SURROUNDING coUN-
TRY-ROCK CREEK AND THE ROUTE TO TURKEY
CREEK-A GENERAL VIEW OF THE COUNTRY
THE HON. STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS AND THE NE
RRAsKA TERRIT0RY-DEMANDs or THE EMI0RANTs
FOR CALIFORNIA, ETC.
TURKEY CREEK, Nebraska Territory
June Is, 1852. 5
JAMES GORDON BENNETT ESQ
Sir-Upon one of the first days Of this present
month, myself, with several companions, set out
from Fort Leavenworth, taking the new military
road, and, travelling in a northwesterly direction
for three days, we made the rocky crossing ON Tur-
key Creek, distant eighty. four miles from Fort
Leavenworth.) which We fordej without difficulty,
and now here we encamPed on beautiful bot
tom, lying between the fork made by Turkey Creek
and head branch Of the grand Nemaha River, the
waters Of which unite, distant about q mile below
US.
Crossing the bluffs which circle around the build
ings and farm called Sort Leavenworh, we struck
the beautiful bottom that spreads along Salt creek
(Which ] propose to call Kickapoo creek,) and
crossed that stream bridge erected for the con-
venience Of the military forces of the United States
Passing over the bottom, we assembled acclivity
which placed us on the highlands dividing the wa
tiers of Kickapoo creek, which flow directly into
the Missouri, from those of Stranger creek, tribu-
tary OF Kansas river. which stream is here known
by the name OF "kaw river The bluffs bot
toms, ridges, and mounds displayed by nature
around Leavenworth and through which meanders
the several branches of the stream called Salt or
Kickapoo creek, comprise a picture, or speck Of
scenery, OF incompatible beauty. From the high
lands. which rim the Kickapoo bottom, the road
pursues the dividing ridge between the waters tri-
butary to the Missouri and those which fall into
Kaw river, with timber and water on either hand
at short distances,) until the traveller will have
made about thirty miles, when it an easter
~ branch of Grasshopper river, called Ro,k creek
The lands comprised in the country between the
Kckapoo bottom and Rock creek, present an undu-
iating face with beautiful slopes aud tables. and
possess soil Of extreme richness. The timber in
cluded in the tract is sparse: but might be made
sufficient for its settlement. Rock creek is a rapid
stream-ts waters clear, flowing over beds of sand,
gravel and stone, and before they unite with those
of the other branches of the Grasshopper, they az
ford several good mill sites. Along the banks Of
Rock creek there some considerable groves and
strips of timber
Pursuing our route from Rock creek, and travel
ling very beautiful tables and slopes of prairie
land that give evidence of the greatest fertility,
and which lie within the most inspiring scenery, we
came to Willow brook, and lorded it at point dis
tant about five miles from Rock creek. Willow
brook is a minor tributary of the Grasshopper, of
little water, not sufficient for MILL and upon its
banks there but few trees From thence, through
lands Of equal fertility, with like lovely face, we
travelled four miles, and gained Mill brook, another
tributary Of the Grasshopper, and crossed it at
gravel ford. Mill brook is skired by considerable
timber-some of the trees large, and of much
value for building purposes. The waters of Mill
brook of considerable bulk, and they flow
rapidly beds Of sand. granite, and stone and
think they would be found available for several
mills.
Seven miles distant from Mil brook is ford on
the main stream of the head waters Of Grasshopper
river. We crossed it, and entered considerable
grove of timber, some of the trees Of which are Of
a good quality for building purposes. The stream
at the ford has considerable depth Of water, which
flows gravel bottom, and offers good mill
site. No river or stream Of water running through
this territory affords greater number Of mill sites
or those of more extensive power, than the Grass
hopper, the banks of which stream well clothed
with timber and this in many places is Of valuable
kind and quality
From the Grasshopper we pursued our road which
led along tables aud slopes of prairie lands of
the most extrayagant beauty and fertility of SOIL
for the distance Of about eighteen miles, when we
came to Muddy brook, another of the head branches
of the GrassLopper, and which we forded without
difficulty. This last is quiet, meandering stream
flowing over bottom of clay, sand and gravel, Of
a bulk Of water about equal to Rock croek-sufi
Gent for mill power wherever a fall can be found.
From Muddy brook to this point Turkey creek)
slopes of land which lie between Turkey creek and
Ogden brook, two Of the head branches of the
Grand Nomaha river, properly Nemaha river
Here there is rocky ford on Turkey creek distant
about fourteen miles from Muddy brook, which is
the last Of the branches of the Grasshoppe crossed
by the Oregon and California emigrants.
Turkey creek is good mill stream, and runs its
through lands OF the greatest beauty Of face
and fertility Of soil Ogden brook is Of less magni
tude but this, believe, may be made to subserve
some mill purposes. 1t meandcrs through lovely
tract of land, and. as well as Turkey creek, has
some groves and strips Of timber upon its banks
The Nemaha, in our own ne;ghborhood, is a narrow
but deep and sulen stream. This is not crossed by
emigrants for Oregon and California, who set out
from the Missouri below St Josephs, as tits believed
TO be by many, who mistake Turkey creek for the
Nemaha, which last they pass upon their right after
crossing Turkey creek.
For the benefit of future emigrants, will make
statistical note Of the streams of water which are
crossed by " the new military road leading from