The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1854-06-01

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draught boats from the opening of navi-
CATION (February,) till August; during
the autumnal months the water would be
too low. There has heretofore been no
business to employ boats on the stream.
One boat, I learn, is now in preparation
for running and making occasional trips to
Fort Riley near the junction of the Re-
publican with the Kansas. With regard
to the physical character of the country
in the neighborhood Of Fort Riley and on
the Republican, am not able to speak
from personal observation; but from in
formation derived from my neighbors who
have visited that country, it must be one
of the finest agricultural stock raising
districts in the territory, being rich open
champaign country, and richly watered
The neighborhood of Fort Lsavenworth
and Wyandot, like the rest of the "Far
West" subject its settlers to a training
and seasoning to these Bilious Intermit-
tents, so we'll known in the West, but still
l regard the country as healthy, SO far as
other complaints are concerned.
With regard to the chances of purchas-
ing lands of the Indians, nothing of the
kind can be done; because, since the foun-
dation of the government, it has kept the
reversionary right-the exclusive right of
purchasing or extinguishing all Indian
titles. No lands can as yet be purchased
in this Territory by individuals.
have no doubt but as soon as these
Territories are organized, the initiatory
steps will be taken immediately--that of
holding treaties for the purchase Of the
whole or part of the Indian domain This
done, they will, without unnecessary de-
lay, be surveyed and broughtinto market.
Then, and not till then, can any land be
purchased.
We have Bees in great abundance
Scarcely a family, either white or red, but
what have the hum of the 'slittle busy
bee." The great variety and abundance
Of Floral productions renders it very fa-
vorable to their products and multiplca-
ton. Game is scarce Such as are fond
of the excitement of the chase, snatch oc-
casional periods of enjoyment in wolf
OF fox chase in the winter. Others, who
prefer the sterner and more dangerous
excitement, go out to the Buffalo range,
distant about $50 miles. The common
squirrel is here; but it a singular fact
that they are all gray. A black squirrel
would te called a rara avis in this country.
l have heard of one and only one, and he
must have been on his way to California.
Of the common gray Rabbit itmig ght truly
be said, their name IS Legion We have
the large Gray Wolf and the Prairie
Wolf. Rats that burrow in the woods,
no end to them. Opposums, Wild Cats,
Pole Cats, Minks but no Porcupines.
With regard to the Piscatory tribes,
there is truly but little to boast of in our
waters. The Catfshis the reigning mon
arch in the Missouri and its tributaries
These are generally of an enormous size
weighing often $50 lbs. The old or
large Cats, are not very good eating, but
the young are better, or passable on a
scarce table.
There is the Buffalo fish, but they are
not considered any great affair with the
lovers of the fnny tribe; another also
called, from its peculiar shape, the spoon
fish, but I had never been so fortunate
as to see one; they are said to be fine eat
ing. There is also small fish, answer.
ing to the Lake Pearch, or Pierch. These
are all that are worthy of note found in
these waters. AS to the feathered tribes,
they are the same as in Ohio and Michi-
gan, except the Pelican and Paroquet.-
The former is as large as the lake Swan.
The Paroquet answers precisely in color,
size and shape to the Parrot, except in
''the gift of gab," though noisy enough
in all conscience. They herd in large
focks like black birds.
Schools are only to be found at Mission
ary station, except among the Wyandots,
who support and manage their own
They have three District Schools in opera
ton.
The moral, social, and physical condi-
ton of the emigrant tribes is, on the whole
improving and promising. The chief
drawback to their general prosperity is
their inordinate fondness for ardent spirits
but the Temperance cause, which is max
ing great headway, is correcting and root
ing out the miseries brought on by
"Fiery fell destroying drink.'
Among the Wyandots Division of
the Sons of Temperance was formed a.
bout six or seven months ago. It's mem
bership now amounts to over sixty. A
Division was lately formed among the
Shawness, and one will shortly be found
among the Delewares.
The indigeous tribes live remote from
this frontier, and have but little inter-
coursc with the enoiUrant tribes thOuph