The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1854-07-11
Correspondence Of the Baltimore Sun
INTERESTING LETTER FROM KANSAS.
SALT CREEK, "a miles from Fort Lcavenworth,

INTERESTING LETTER FROM KANSAS.
SALT CREEK, "a miles from Fort Lcavenworth, ,
KANSAS, Ter, June 7, 1854.
Al tho crossing of this creek there is at pres
ent an encampment of some throo hundred
Mormons, including men, women and children,
and about ono hundred and fifty wagons and
tents. This encampment is composed of Ger
mans, Swiss Norwegians, Scotch and English,
all of whom have recently crossed the Atlantic
This place is to be tho headquarters of somo
three thousand foreigners who aro now on
their way hiiher, previous to their taking up
their regular line Of march for Utah Territory
AT Kansas town on the Missouri river, about
thirty miles below, is to be tho starting point
OF some'four or five thousand others, destined
for the Same territory of many wives.
In this encampment arc many intelligent
and scientific gentlemen. Among others is
Mr. Lober, Swiss gentleman, intelligent we'll
educated, and fine chemist and machinist -
He is president ofth association and chief ell
der. Several of their little children have re-
Gently died Of the summer complaint and their
graves arc still fresh on yonder mound, made
with human hands, as Mr.. Lobers Mormon
Bible tells him, some l,400 or 1900 wears ago.
In digging these graves, bats of burnt brick
wore found, and from this fact he concludes
that there was here once a ratification, con-
structed by an intelligent and powerful race
OF people previous 10 tho discovery of this con
tincnt by Columbus This mound or remnant
OF once large fortification is commonly known
by tho name of Matrimonial Hill." IL was
here that the chaplain of Fort Leayenworth
met Lieut.. Hammond, of tho army, and his
intended "better half" all on horseback and
united them in holy matrimony, without the
knowledge or the consent of tho friends of
either party. Here, then, where the gay and
dashlng equestrian bride and groom once met
the Mormon Mothers have now deposited the
remains of their loved ones. How sad how
melancholy the contrast! No one knows the
hardships and trials poor emigrant woman
has to endure, (perhaps shc has somc six or
eight children, and one nursed at her breast,
as have been an eye witness to in more than
ono such case) but those who have witnessed
such heart-rendng scenes.
few days ago the delegation of Indians be-
longing to the Delaware, Kickapoo, Iowa and
Sac and Fox bands returned to their homes,
well pleased with tho treaties they had made
with their Great Father in Washington. The
Fort Leavenworth military reserve is on a
part of the Delaware lands and theirs is said
to be the finest land in all Kansas territory;
but they say it is stipulated that no one shall
squat or settle on their lands until it shall
have been surveyed and put into market for
the highest price. Such a treaty, provided it
can be enforced, will prevent this part of the
country from being settled for at least couple
of years, Notwithstanding the largo number
ofpersons who are daily riding over il select
ing sites for towns, farm houses, &c. 1t is
rumored that large number of desperadoes
are collecting in Platt county, Mo-, for the ex-
press purposeo of coming over to take posses
sion, "yi ct arms" and establishing at once
General Cass's favorite doctrine, ''squatter
sovereignty" Bo this as it may, the govern
ment may expect to have some difficulty with
Che sgluaitt.ers, for snch fine farming and gra.
ZiuS country as tHls 10 CdIi Icudiu lU iUnBor
wild and uncultivated. Better land Than is
here cannot be found anywhere in this country
ULelo Sam has two of tho prettiest and
finest farms-ono containing 500 acres, and
tho other LOO acres, all well fencod-on the
reserve, that ] have ever seen. 1t is often ask
cd what the government intends doing with
Fort Leavenworthl Will it abandon the whole
reserve, or will it retain only the quarters and
storehouses!
am told that about one-ffth OF Col. Step
tse's command deserted before leaving for
California. Does not Congress see that it is
absolutely necessary for the common soldiers
pay to be increased? The routes to Now
Mexico, Utah. California and Oregon must be
guarded with troops in order to give protection
to cmgrants against tho savage oe the pari
ries. But can the government expect to gel
soldiers for seven or eight dollars per month,
whilst wages for common ordinary labor is so
! high? Then lot Congress SEQ TO it, and act at
once. More anon. Us.