The weekly Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1852-1855, 1854-11-02
The GIittorIng BLADE.
X ANsA =.


AS the settlement of this Territory is oc-
cupying large sha.e of the public mind
throughout the United States, we cannot
better occupy our columns than in giving
a brief outline of its geography, soil, and
productions. The boundaries, as given in
the law organizing Kansas, are as follows:
beginning at a point on the Western
boundary of the State Of Missouri, where
the thirty-sevepth parallel ofNorlh latitude
crosses the same; thence West on said par
allel to the Eastern boundary ofNew Mex
leo; thence North en- said boundary 10 lati-
tude thirty eight; thence following said
boundary Westward to the East boundary
OF the Territory of Utah, on the Summit Of
the Rocky Mountains; thence Northward
on said Summit to the forteth parallel of
latitude; thence East on said parallel TO the
Western boundary of the State Of Missouri;
thence South with the Western boundary
OF said State to the place of ofbeginning.' :
These limits give an extent OF about 2IO
miles from North to South, and about $50
miles from East to West, making an area
of nearly l4o, 900 square miles. The Mis-
souri, river, for distance Of I so miles, in
cluding its meanderings, forms the North
eastern 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 point near or
perhaps at the mouth Of the Kansas. The
Kansas, from the junction Of the Smoky
Hill and Republican Forks. flows almost
due East for 100 miles, and divides the
Territory for that distance into two parts
nearly equal. Almost all tho tributaries
ofthe Kansas flow into il from the Nortl
side, and their general course is from Nortl
and Northwest 10 South and Southeast
These tributaries are very numerous. til,
most important Of which are the Grasshop
per, the Big Vormillion. Little Vormillon
Big Blue, Little Blue, the Republican. anC
Solomon's Forks. Nine-tenths of tho wa
tors Of the Kansas are received from IL
North side. The lands in tho vicinity o
those streams and their rnumerous branche,
are well wooded with heavy growth o
oak, black walnut, hickory, and other val
liable timber. The soil of both prairie ant
timber is miracle of fertility, being tho
rich dark mould known as mulattoe land
The waters of these streams aro pure and
clear, running over pebbly beds, and az
fording constant and almost unlimited wa
ter power.
In the extreme Northern part Of the Ter.
ritory there are some fine streams flowing
into the Missouri, among which are lnde.
pendence creek, Wolf river. and portion
OF the Big Nemaha, and all its tributaries
from the South. These. too, are well tim.
bered, and have a constant supply Of water
contributed by thousands Of never failing
springs. An easy access to the immens,
bodies Of timber on the Missouri, will aiIorc
incalculable advantages in building u,
towns and cities, and opening farms in tn,
portion of the Territory adjacent to tina
river. The soil Of the entire Northcr
half of the Territory for one hundred an
fifty miles West from the Missouri is of III
very best quality and as well supplied wit
timber as any prairie country of equal Q,
tent. For purespring water it will rival an
portion of the United States. This is II
region OF country that for some years pa
has excited the cupidity of the fronLiermer
and more recently that of the Californi
emigrAnts. Its fame has gone abroa
through every neighborhood in our broa
land, as an almost fabulous paradise.
On the South side Of the Kansas river III
Waukareusa is the only tributary of note, ii
general course Of which is nearly parall
with that stream. The dividing ridge b,
tween the waters Of the Kansas and Arkal
Eas, is very near the former. The Wa,
kareusa is well timbsrsd and will afTol
water power. Almost the whole Of tn
region is drained by the minor tributaries
the Arkansas and Usage. These are sma
remote from each other, destitute oftimb
and frequently dry. Immediately bclo
the mouth Of Kansas, the Eastern bound