The Kansas herald of freedom., 1854-10-21
The tourist.
Trip up the Kansas River.

We cannot giTe our readers more
faithful description of the Kansas Valley
than is found in the following excellent
article from the pen of Gao. S. PARKs.
editor of the Industrial Lsmiaary,
Missouri paper. CHAs. H. BRAsscoMBE,
Esq, and indeed all who have been up
the Kansas river. and viewed its beautiful
scenery, corroborate the faithfnlness OF
Mr.. Parks pen and ink sketches. The
writer introduces himself as follows:
In compliance with an invitation from
Capt. Baker and C. A. Perry, Esq, fle
enterprisine owners of the fine little steam
er Excel" We stepped on board at Park
vile, on the 10th of june, as one of the
party up the Kansas and Smoky Hill Riv-
ers. And here let US say that too much
praise cannot be awarded 10 these gentle
men for the successful efforts they have
made and are still making, to find the
channel and establish the navigation Of
the Kansas River: they have already ae
complished some half a dozen trips TO
Fort Riley; have delivered there all nee-
essary government freight, with speed,
care, and saving of expense hitherto un-
known; and they hsYe further concluded
TO keep their feet little craft on that river,
for the purpose OF aidiag settlers to reach,
with comfort and convenience, the places
Of ftheir destination in the beautiful Kansas
country, so long as the stage of water will
admit. This resolve Of theirs is good, and
will be at once profitable as business ar
rangement, and well timed as an immense
advantage TO emigrants. We do cordially
wish them, as pioneers of steamboat nav
igation in this gem of the far west
kansas-all the honor, and all the profit
to which their industry and enterprise so
richly entitle them.
Our party was q most agreeable one ;
consisting Of DR.. Hammond, u. s. A, and
iady-Miss Nisbet, Of Philadelphia, sister
of Mrs. Hammond-MFs. Perry and MIR.
and Mrs. Baker, with their fanilies-Mr.
Mills, Paymaster's Clerk-Mr. Castleman,
of Deiaware-Mr Murdoch, OF New York
Mr.. MeCann, of Yirginia-and our gen
tlemanly officers, Messrs. Baker, Perry and
Dixon. The exeursionists were not nu.
merons; there were enough, however: to
constitute pleasant and agreeable COM
pany. The ladies of our company were
the frst who have sailed up this beautiful
river Of the Prairies.
Casting loose from the landing at Park
vile, We passed down to Kansas City and
late the same evening, leaving the eddying
waters of the shIad Missouri" turning her
Prov towards the setting sun, heading
eaily towards the Rocky Mountains the
Excel was steaming at fine rate up
the Kansas. 1t IS more than 600 yards
wide at the mouth. The waters of this
river is mixed with sandy sediment, like
the Missouri; but is freer from snags, and
the banks are less liable TO wash and fall
in, and the current Is not nearly so rapid.
For the first hundred miles OF 50, its aver
age width will resel. 600 yards; from Pat
tawatoniie to Big Blne, 400 yards from
Big Blue to Fort Riley, 200 yards. The
Pawnee or Republican, and Smoky Hill
forks are scarcely 100 yards wide. The
Smoky Hill is the narrowest and deepest.
Below BniontoHn-about one hundred
and thirty miles. By water, from the Mis-
sour Riyer-the Kansas is quite straight,
but above that point it IS crooked. 1t will
be good navigahle river for two or three
months in each year-Perhaps three or
four in wet Seasons; penetraiing westward
as it does, into the heart of the continent,
it therefore must become most important
in commercial point Of view. Some of
our company joined US at Delaware
Abose that place the land Is heavily tim
bered On both sides of the rlFer-with
seas vide, high bottoms on either side.
Consisting of high, dry, rich aliayion. Ey-
err fye OF six miles ID this regioa We pass
ed fine bluffs on the river: aud on our
right, Immediately below the mouth OF
.Stranger.r theTa Is beautiful pne, with
open woods, and high, rolling prairie IN
the background. Just above tbe junction
of that stream sith the Kansas riser. there
is CREST bend, Ike horse shoe. where a
tract of excellent, high tsosloln land can Dc
easily enclosed by a short fence across tfn
neck. On the south side of the river, OPP
posite that bend, there is q pretty town
site, rising gradually from the edge OF ths
water-the plat covered with grass and
scattering timber, forming green lawn