Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1854-06-29

\ correspondent or the ono State journal
writes an interesting letter from Council Bluffs,
Iowa, under date of june 10, from which we
copy the following:
ION Tuesday morning | took seat in a
coach, or a thing that was intended to supply
the place of one, from Independence throu gh
Kansas Territory to Fort Leavenworth My
good opinion of Independence, and Of the agri-
cultural richness and beauty ofthe country, is
not changed. 1t is very beautiful. In due
time we arrived at Kansas, at the mouth of
the Kansas River. 1t is not a place of much
importance. There are some good store-hou-
ses on the shore at the landing, but the site for
the town is rough and not at all attractive. 1t
is my Judgment that it viii not be second St.
Louis.
Four miles from Kansas we came to West
port This is back from the river and not in
sight of it, but the California trade and outfit
business has made it a point of some impor-
tance. There are several fine large brick
buildings going up. But | was compelled to
the same judgment about its future as [ was
about Kansas. l may be mistaken, but it does
not seem to me to have great prospect. The
Kansas is navgable for 300 miles by steamers
that Will carry at least leo tuus offright, and
| think there viii be towns up its waters that
will be the starting points for New-Mexico,
and that portion of the emigrants that take the
more southern route to the Pacific. The coun-
try is very rich and well timbered for the
West.
Fort Leavenworth is on the west bank ofthe
Missouri and in the new Territory of Kansas.
1t is entirely military encampment, the only
things that look like forts being pair of block
houses, with musket portfolios The barracks
are extensive and appegr to be IN fine order.
The store-houscs, &c, also extensive, and
are substantially built of stone. There is
farm of | 900 acres that is cultivated by Uncle
Sam. 1t is beautiful tract and in high
state of cultivation. Corn and oats are raised
in great abundance, for the use of the garri-
SON horses, &c The attempt was made to
cultivate this land by the labor of the soldiers,
but it would not work and 1t has been aban-
doned The corn was excellent and was kept
in beautiful condition. The landing is Of rock,
and is one of the finest and most substantial
on the river. 1t is myopinion that Fort Lea
venworth is the place for large town on the
west side of the Missouri, and in the Kansas
Territory 1t has position and nne coun-
try about it that viii make it attractive and
give it importance. l advise ambitious, en-
terprising young men who want to get into
new place, with good prospects, to stop at Fort
Leavenworth. 1t viii be the capital of Kansas
Territory.
Between Kansas and Westport we passed
an encampment of 3 900 Mormons that were
on their way to the Great Salt Lake. They
were waiting for the balance oftheir company,
and had been encamped there for several days.
They were in a fine forest, some were sleeping
in their wagons, but the most of them had
tents, and the woods and fields adjoining in
all directions were covered with these white
and fragile dwellings. Oxen are used for
teams Men, woman and children were scat
tered obout on all sides Blacksmiths' ham
mer were heard, and the hum of preparation
came up from all parts of the camp. 1t was
a singular sight, and fraught with many sug-
gestions and reflections upon this strange and
deluded people. These emigrants are gene
rally from Durope, and the most of them do
not speak a word of English They have
long journey before them. The cholera is
said to be among them, but | have heard so
many rumors of this disease out west on the
rivers, &c, and have seen so little of it, that [
have lost all confidence in the truth of these
stories
Before we passed the Kansas, we came upon
an encampment that attracted attention 1t
turned out tc u "rand hunting company for