Plymouth banner. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1852-1855, 1854-07-27

Westward the car Of empire takes its way

Westward the car of empire takes its way
DEAR FORJN.-After roaming over some
three or four hundred miles Of the Terrific
ry,l SIT down to give you the first leaf from
my journal. Bordering on Missouri. and
hey ond il is a beautiful country, envelOp.
ed BY the Platte and Arkansas rivers, and
sire tching far away to the Westward.
The Kansas Basin, embraces about
l 90. 900 square miles. rich in all the re-
sources Of great country, and when de-
veloped. will enrich the channels of
commerce. Through the centre of this
great Basin" flows the Kansas Tor Caw)
river, a noble stream. about 400 yards
wide. and formed by the union Of those
Of the Republican Fork and Smoky Hill.
Many rivulets having their source under
the roots IF the Sierre Mudre (Rocky
Moun,sins) flow along their channels,
and the union Of those form the two lat
ter streams, which make up the Kansas.
On either side the stately oak, walnut,
hickory, &C.. compose the 'leafy forest.
which is from ten to twelve miles in
width; aud in this strong hold of nature
| one may trace the Indian trail leading TO
the ferry. A strange footprint is now
seen in the Indian path. The red man
hears louder and keener crack from
neighboring rifle. The sound of the pi
oneer's axe echoes amid natures soli-
tude," and revenls TO him the unwelcome
truth that the pale faces are invading his
once happy home. Three months ago
this noble s.ream'was ruffled only by the
light canoe. as it sped its way down
stream: the camp fires burnt brightly on
the bank, and the Indian was happy in
sporting along the river. But the steam
boat-that innovator Of western life. is
now ploughing the surface OF the river.
and the noise Of its waves are heard BY
the ,etreating red man. The "Excellen-
cy." fine steamboat, has made five sue
cessful trips up to Fort Riley. and if nee.
essary can run up to the Republican
Fork. distance Of about 200 miles from
the mouth Of the river. The country
has challenged the attention of the bold
pioneer, il has set our union all agog
and thousands are flowing into this great
basin. Already the intrepid Hoosier has
planted his stake. and is preparing to
bring his family 10 his western home
As soon as the Nebraska Kansas bill re-
ceived the autograph ofPresident FIERCE.
thousands buckled on their bullet pouch
es. slung their rides, mounted their hor-
ses, end were off to lay a claim on the
prairies of Kansas; and. before many will
wake from rip Van Wrinkle sleep,
this country will be teeming with her
thousands of bold and hardy pioneers.
The characteristics Of the country are
highly approved by all who visit il. The
is plaster. or sulPhate Of lime. having
lustrous mulatto tint. AS far as quail
ties of fertility ore capable of making a
country great, the kansas Basin" is
} greater than any other equal-sized patch
of the earth's surface. Lovely prairies
stretch out before the eye, gracefully RI
sing in picturesque beauty. dotted here
and there with pleasant groves. The
rolling prairie is laced with meander.
: ing streams. BY which il is irrigated
literally chequered with winding ravines.
This rich diluvial soil is covered with
luxuriant prairie grass, upon which count.
less herds OF cattle are grazing. The
farmer Of this country only feeds his cat
; tie three months in the year, for
they thrive best upon the prairies. The
grass is green from the vernal until long
after the outumnal equinox. Some say
the sea rcity Of timber will be a draw bac k
in .he Kansas Basin. Not SO; for fuel.
there is coal in abundance: and lumber
for building purposes, can be Obtained
from the tmberlands that border on the
fine streams which Aow through various
portions Of the Territory.
The land around Fort Leavenworth.
was the frs, upon which the intrepid pi-
oneer planted his ''s.ake." Being high
and rolling it presents many inducements
to settlers. The Government Farm"
nea: the Fort. is one Of the finest farms
} in the West. containing about twenty
five hundred acres Of deep deluvial prai-
ris land. 1t yields large crops of grain.
The BOSS Farmer" can sit in bis cottage
| door, and goze upon thousands Of acres
Of waving grain. and count the herds OF
cattle that quietly Craze in the distance.
This beautiful farm will soon be sold and
J will command large price.
Upon high bluff is situated the Fori
the present capital Of Kansas. whence one
can view the SANDY waters" of the Mis-
souri,. rolling on to mingle with the
{ Father OF Waters" and note the steam
, boats as they daily touch the landing nj
the Fort. Already the dauntless spirit
y of the Westerner has added life and re-
D new-d anergy to steamboat navigation;
3 he has abandoned his wagon and taken
. passage on the boat. as the readiest way
Of reaching the Kansas Basin. HuHdreds
land at Fort Leayenworih but finding NO
Z accommOdat ions. push out in the beauti.
full country, to find home.
( OF Indians there are ;everal tribes. -
3 The Kickapoos are near the Fort. and all
, the land not reserved by them is taken UP
. long ago. The Delnwares own the lar.
gest extent Of country; embracing as il
/ does 100000 acres. The tribe mum.
bers about 700. they have reserved zoe
z acres for each one Of the tribe, and the
residue of this land is to be sold to the