The Belmont chronicle, and farmers, mechanics and manufacturers advocate. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1848-1855, 1854-09-01

sngrily at US, for intruding on its pre-emption;
but she, too, must give way, with the red
skins, to manifest destiny. A little way
above, another huge buffalo hoated past; he
may have been anxious 10 slske his thirst in
the Republican or Smokykiil, lost foothold,
and got carried away by the rolling flood.
Passing the mouth Of the Blue, which
comes in from the north as nearly all the
tributaries Of Kansas do.) and appears to be
navigable for some distance, we we're pleas.
ed with Is fine bottoms and long streak Of
timber; while on the left, were conical bluffs
and high prairie mounds, with figured lines,
and steps rising one above another in the
distance, contributing to the scenery a very
romantic appearance. Immediately above
this important tributary, there is another
beautiful prairie bottom, sloping back north
ward farther than we could see; and on the
left, still another containing more than 1000
acres, in bend not more than three-foUrths
of mile across the neck. The cnticing
features Of the latter area little grove Of
timber on the height, cool, gushing spring,
and plenty of rock at hand in the bluff with
which to raise an enduring fence over the
narrow isthmus. The world does not pre-
sent more excellent situation for a stock
farm; indeed the whole line Of the main river
and branches, from here upward, may be said
to be adapted for continuous series Of such
farms. On the right bluff comes in to the
river, the first above the mouth OF the Blue,
Offering an appropriate town site; and we
saw stakes set on the slope, as well as
tent or cabin on the high prairie-indicatin
that our countrymen were there. Just above
there is clear running stream, and line Of
timber reaching far back. From this to tn
Fort the river winds like a natural canal
through green iowery meadows, with similar
scenery in the distance. On the left we saw
some splendid country for farms, up the val
ley of a stream, the name Of which we do
not recollect; there were fine groves OF tim
Der, and rich valley land. We understand
that several claims have been made there.
On Monday night, just before ref ching Fort
Riley. we were overtaken by tremendous
thunder storm. We were surrounded by
prairie; and the Captain had to lay his craft
close to the shore, aud cast anchor, there be-
ing no stump or tree to hitch TO. He is OF
opinion, that there should not be cabin on
steamers navigating these prairie rivers,
where the winds sometimes sweep along with
unbroken violence. We saw on the Pilot
Mounds in the distance, where the military
road leaves the Kansas bottoms, and passes
through depression in the bluff to the cross
ing of the Blue. We passed some small
creeks on the right, with settlements or
them; and Cark's Creek on the left, afford
ing some timber lands, and good springs.
A little after sunrise on Tuesday morning
we neared Fort Rley-its fine stone build
ings looming up grandly in the sunbeams.-
1t is located at the junction of the Republican
and Smokyhill forks of Kansas, on the second
bench or roll of the prairie, having higher
/ bluffs Immediately behind, from which the
building rock is quarried. 1t is soft limestone
ca silly cut into with pick, and car be spill
into any shape; we noticed the same horizon
tai strata cropping out at all elevated point:
in the prairie. Crossing the Pawnee or Re
publican fork by the Government bridge, we
had good view of the fine country between
the two rivers, which rises gracefully back
ward in high swelling prairies. Here there
is saw-mll Just started. We strolled up
the Republican, gathered some black rasp-
berries, and crossed spring branch, then
mounted high bluff whence we could see
the beautiful Republican Valley long way
up. 1t is nearly three miles wide, high, dry,
and level, with u loose black, rich soil. The
river flows in a serpentine course through the
prairie bottoms, at some bends making near
ly circuit of six or eight miles, and coming
back to within mile of itself again,-the
banks generally having light fringe of tim
Der, with occasional groves near the waters
edge, in the ravines, and on the bluffs. This
is truly delightful valley-the most inviting
for settlers we ever saw.
The "Excel' made short trip up Smoky
hill. Lieut.. Sargent, from the Port, accom-
panied us. We had an exciting time. Tie
constant announcement from the man who
heaved the lead, was, "No bottom" The rv-
er was full and the current strong, but we had
great difficulty in getting round the short
bends;--it keeps oil the course Of the main
Kansas; coming little more from the south
west. There is more timber on this river,
than or the Kansas above Pottawatomie, and
llc SOIl ID UGltcI' w oDoSi'Su uSSP
deposit Oh the bluffs, beneath black soil, and
the bottoms inclined up prettily from the rv-
er. A little way up, we saw band OF Fox
Indians crossing over, going north on buiia-
10 hunt; and their motley pi ocession stretch
ed along over the praries for miles. Here
and there in the party, was carried pole,
with a swans neck or eagles head and tail,
&c. stuck upon it for flag. They had with
them about five hundred horses; all Of which
looked well. Great was the surprise mani
tested on seeing the excel" putting along
up these unknown waters; but, poor fellows,
the startling scream of the shrill steam whis-
tie, and the impetuous snortng OF the iron
horse, will soon scare off the buffalo and 9TH
er game from your hunting-grounds, to re-
turn no more--you, too must follow in their
trail, or succumb to the irresistible influence
of civilization.
Some 40 miles up Smokyhill, an extensive
bed of gypsum has been tornd, specimens ot
which have been tested and proved to be of
superior quality; we brought small specimen
home with us. Salt is also alledged to be ve-