Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1854-10-19
KANSAS TERRITORY.


may be of service to those who intend to
emigrate to that land:
Beginning at a point on the western
boundary of the State of Missouri, where the
thirty seventh parallel of north latitude crosses
the same; thence west on said parallel to the
eastern boundary of New Mexico; thence
north on said boundary to latitude thirty
eight, thence following said boundary west
ward to the east boundary of the territory of
Utah, on the summit of the Rocky Mountains,
thence northward on said summit to the for
tieth parallel of latitude thence east on said
parallel to the western boundary of the State
of Missouri; thence south with the western
boundary of that State to the place of be-
ginning"
These. limits give an extent of 210 miles
from north to south, and about $50 miles from
east to west, making an area of nearly 140, 900
square miles The Missouri river, for
distance of 80 miles, including its meander-
ings, forms the northeastern boundary of the
territory; that is, commencing four or FIVE
miles above the mouth of the Big Nemaha,
and running with the Missouri river to poi 1T
near or perhaps at the mouth of the Kansas.
The Kansas river, from the junction of the
Smoky Hill and Republican Forks, flow al
most due east for $50 miles, and divides the
territory for that distance into two parts near
ly equal.
Almost all the tributaries of the Kansas
flow into it from the north side, and their ge-
neral course is from north and northwest to
south and southeast These tributaries are
very numerous, the most important of which
are the Grashoppers, the Big Fermillion,
Little Nermillion, Big Blue, Little Blue, the
Republican, and Solomon's Forks. Nine
tenths of the waters of the Kansas are re-
ceived from its north side. The lands in the
vicinity of these streams and their numerous
branches are well wooded with heavy growth
of oak, black walnut, hickory, and other
valuable timber The soil of both prairie and
timber is miracle of fertility, being the rich
dark mould known as '.mulatto land" The
waters of these streams are pure and clear,
running over pebbly beds, and afford a con-
slant and almost unlimited water power.
In the extreme northern part of the terri
tory there are some fine streams flowing into
the Missouri, among which are Independence
creek, Wolf river, and portion of the Big
Nemaha and all its tributaries from the South.
These too are well timbered and have a con-
slant supply of water contributed by thousands
of never failing springs. An easy access to
the immense bodies of timber on the Missouri
will afford incalculable advantagesin in building
up towns and cities, and opening farms in the
portion of the Territory adjacent to that river.
Territory for $50 miles west from the Missouri
is of the very best quality and as well sup
piled with timber as any prairie country of
equal extent. For spring water it will excel
region of country that for some years past has
excited the cupidity of the frontiersmen, and
more recently that of the California emgrants.
It's fame has gone abroad through every neigh
borhood in our broad land, as an almost ia
bulous paradise.
On the south side of the Kansas river, the
Waukareusa is the only tributary of note, the
general course of which is nearly parallel
with that stream. The dividing ridge be-
ween the waters of the Kansas and the Ar
kansas is very near the former. The Wau-
kareusa is well timbered and will afford some
water power Almost the whole of this re-
Nv tho fril, nf tho
Arkansas and Usage These are small, re-
mote from each other, destitute of timber, and
frequently dry. Immediately below the mouth
of the Kansas; the eastern boundary line of
territory leaves the Missouri river, and runs
due South. In the angle formed by this line
and the Kansas is the Shawnees' permanent
| reservation of 200, 900 acres, embracing all
the good timber and choice land for forty
miles up that stream. The Osages, Kansas,
and other Indian tribes, also have large re.
servations in the eastern portion Of the terri
tory south of Kansas, which circumstance
| will retard for some time the settlement o
that region Along the north side of the
Kansas, the Wyandottes and Delawares have
a reservation ten miles wide, and extending
forty miles up that stream. The soil In the
south half of the territory varies greatly ii
quality A narrow strip of land on the Kan
sas and Waukareusa is good, and well cover
ed with timber, while those on the tributarie
of the Usage and Nesho. are thin, gravelly
and badly timbered. The country suitable
for cultivation south of the Kansas extend