Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1854-05-05
vORC TER Daily sPY....


The following description of the geographic
cal features and agricultural capabilities Of the
proposed Territory of Kansas, is copied from
the presbyterian"
PLATTE Cry, Mo-, March 81, 1854.
MEssRs. EDITORS AT this time, when so
much is said about Nebraska and Kansas,
some items of Information about the latter
may not be unacceptable.
The proposed territory of Kansas lies west
OF Missouri, extending three or four hundred
miles-bounded on the south by an extension
of the boundary line between Missouri and
Arkansas, and ON the north by the fortieth
degree of north latitude. 1t consists princi-
pally of beautiful and fertile prairies. The
timber is mostly confined to the neighborhood
of water courses. There is more wood, how
ever, in Kansas than in Nebraska, which lies
west of Iowa. and more i'll the eastern than
in the western portion of the territory, where
those treeless plains commence that stretch to
the mountains. The scarcity of timber is the
only drawback, and this must prevent parts of
it from becoming thickly settled for long
time. 1t would seem, that Providence de-
signs these immense prairies, stretching east
ward from the Rocky Mountains for thous-
and miles, to be the great grazing region Of
North America, just as he does the Mississippi
valley for grain, the gulf States for cotton,
Upon the large prairies of Illinois and Mis-
souri,, however, hedges and stone fences are
coming extensively into use, and the same
mode of fencing will be adopted in Kansas.
Coal is known to exist in different sections of
the territory, and it will probably be found in
sufficient quantities for fuel. q
| The soil is well adapted to grass and grain,
and in portions of it, especially near the Kan
sas river, there is excellent hemp land. For
farming purposes, that portion through which
the Kansas runs, with its numerous small
tributaries, is esteemed the most desira-
| BILE. The soil is surpassed by none in the
West, and at no very distant day, the valley
of the Kansas is destined to become Que OF
the most attractive in our country. 1t is sit
uated as near the centre of our country, also,
as need be; Fort Riley on the Kansas, one
hundred and sixty miles west of the Missouri
| line, being the central point of the United
| States, as near as can be ascertained. Along
the valley Of the Kansas, also, must some day
| pass the great thoroughfare between the At
lantic and Pacific, whether the first Pacific
railroad takes this route or not. Copper ore
| has been found also in this region.
1t is often asked whether this territory is
| likely to become a slave or free State. Of
| course, such question cannot be answered
with certainty now. The probability, how
\ ever, amounts almost to certainty, that Kan
sas will come into the Union as free State.
Such luxuriant and attractive region will
draw large emigration from the free States.
| 1t is understood, that already large numbere
| in Ohio and New York are preparing to come
as soon as it is opened for settlement. A large
number will go there from Kentucky and Mis-
souri,, without slaves. A few will go with
servants, but the number is small that is dis
| posed to run the risk,