The Belmont chronicle, and farmers, mechanics and manufacturers advocate. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1848-1855, 1854-09-01

f. t1I'1 o}posite shore, q beau
~ n 81 - ne Gtasshopper and
pi5HA1 cbims Capt. Baker
thinks "A tDo|hty:o the mouth Of
the KaH91 = 3 tdibf so miles by the
river. WXX 8 tt
For the neH 4 hies tbe country in our
course presenftd same general features as
those iustgIssn- 81 both si1es, alternating
prairie and tmjber1 Il tapable of settlement.
We passed sirss Sin orf &rry; his house and
farm are very pictutesqnely situated on an
emnence where the upland and prairies comes
down to the river.
About 100 miles from the mouth Of Kansas
(by Capt. Bakers estimate,) we passed, on
the north side, fine bluff with clumps Of
trees on the top, rich rolling prairie in the
background, and heavy timber above and be-
low. A little farther up, on the left bank, a
high prairie bottom comes in, which swells
gracefully away southwark, with copies Of
timber, presenting to the enraptured pioneer
sites for the choicest farms. Settlements
are being made there on both sides Of the
river
Passing onward, we come to the mouth of
Soldier Creek, which has its rise far up
north, and gives variety to the landscape by
its dark iiue of ringing timber. We next
saw Pappan's Ferry. His house is on the
right, in fine timbered bottom; while on
the south high praires, such we have already
noticed, come down to the river. Here we
crossed the Pottawatomie line, about 1l5
miles from the mouth Of the Kansas. Tim
Der on both sides of the river. We next
passed some prairie bluffs, on the south, about
100 feet high soon after which, we reached
the Great Crossing. There are three ferries
together-with Pottawatome settlements,
stores, and the Baptist school and mission on
the south ide; and, every few miles beyond,
there was the same succession of groves and
prairie on either hand, presenting unegualled
situations for farms.
Uniontown was next seen. 1t is made up
of about twenty log cabins, and is situated on
the south bank, about mile from the river.
Steaming onward, we passed Red Bluffs and
Darlings Ferry; and little farther beyond
is Mill Creek, a considerable stream, on
which the Pottav atomies have erected mill.
The soil here is Of red mulatto color, and is
very productive; up this little river we saw
fine groves Of timber and many high mounds,
forming scenery Of surprising beauty.
Above Mill Creek, on the south, we passed
an excellent prairie town site. A little far
ther on the same side, there are lofty banks
OF red mari with high prairie in the rear. We
saw large band Of Indians who had been
holding council in the neighborhood, and
here the carcass of a huge buffalo tloated past.
Again had the rich bottoms and prairies
on either side of US; and when we could with
draw our gaze from the country near by, we
caught glimpses Of the splendid portions
stretching far beyond. Coming to an Indian
wood yard 10 cords of wood were taken or
board, for which was paid the sum Of $37 80
This is new employment as well as prof
table one for the redmen; and the owner:
promised to have Is or 20 cords more ready
by the time the steamer returned. Our fine
little craft was a most interesting sight tt
most of them; and she was examined, from
the bank, by over hundred whom curiosit,
had drawn together to see what had made
such shrill whistler They were very anima
ted; and commerce may, yet ;nfuse industri
Gus habits into many ofthe Indian race.
About mile further up. and a little bacl
from the ryestsis the aCathoic Mission. -
Skimming gssl6e for about 25 miles farther
we reached the mouth of Vermil!on River
emptying from the north, the timber on it.
banks forming dark line through the land
scape for many miles along its course. Tive
miles, or SO, above, we passed the western
Pottawstpmie, ,lne--supposed to be 10 mile:
by water frNRthe mouth of the river.
And from this western line, let it be re.
marked, all the country westward and north.
ward is open for settlement.
From this boundary to its mouth, the Kan.
sas River presses on the southern bank
touc hing the upands every four or five miles
while on the north side, from pointjust be.
low the mouth of the Blue, down some 30
miles, there is continuous bottom or )
miles wide-larger and more magnificent
than the far-famed American Bottoms telow
st. Louis. Here excellent corn has been
raised by the half breeds for many years.
The soil is black sandy loam- kind, warm
and quick; and PRODUCES much earlier in the
season than farms in the same latitude east.
Emigrants to California or Oregon, who are
aware Of this fact, prefer to cross the Missou-
ri River at Parkevilie, and take the great
road up the Kansas Valley, on the North side,
on this account. They find most excellent
grazing for their stock by the LIST of April,
often earlier. We have not seen swamp
or wet slough, nor any stagnant water, in the
1 Valley drained by the Kansas River. The
streams generally speaking, flow over gravel
! Iy beds; most Of the bottoms are high; the
few that are low are of dry sandy character;
and the pruiries are rolling enough TO drain
! the water freely.
Passing the west line of the Pottawatomie
nation, we entered upon open prairie, often
reaching the river on both sides; now and
then a small grove, AM light fringe of tim
Der dh the Banks. On the right, in "A great
prairie Bottom in bend of the river extend
| ing back to Rock Creek, Mr.. Perry has made
selection for stock farm; and little way
above his claim. there s another great bend,
offering tempting indpesment to some other
enferOrisj1g farmer who has taste for stock