Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1855-05-05
KANSAS CORRESPONDENCE.
LFrrrns rEoN Mas. NicHoLs.
tf'om the i<ccne IN, ~ Newsl

Ma WoopwAnp ;--"Agrceably to promise"
my first pen tracks in this goodly territory arc
devoted, or dedicated to your columns. Time
and pressure of business admuuish me 10 say as
murh rs csn he said In a brief communication
for the instruction, rather than amusement, Of
your readers. We have had long and moro
tedious journey than VIC could anticipate so late
in the season. We started the 2Oih, arrived at
St. Louis Sunday, A. NJ, the 25ih, and went
directly Cd board the Kate SWEENEY (P. M
Chouteau capt; Messis Choutoau and Hopkins
clerks) where we were entertained in a most
kindly manner and Jared well I'LL we left Kansas
city for an overland route to this place. We
sci sail from ST. Louis Monday, A o'clock p.
NJ. and did not arrive at Kansas city ill about
o'clock p. NJ, tho next Monday, the river
being very low, so that we spent much time on
the sand bars--cighicen hours on one Of them.
Our party numbered one hundred and forty, ex-
elusive of children, Many sterling men and
women, and some miserable mcl--a feiD drunk
nearly all the time. There was some picking
of pockets-and it ought 10 be understood by
those who cmigraie, that as emigrants are ex-
pecicd to take with them something 10 sustain
themselves aud buy for future negds, gentleman
pckpoclcis are very likely to calculate the
chances for gain, and join the parties which
come out. A pair of gamblers came on board
our boat at Boonville, Mo-, having como up
from ST. Louis thus far on another boat loaded
with emigranis, and by tricks with a strap and
another with cards, succeeded in making raise
of ninety dollars among our young men, not our
Vermont or New Hampshire boys, and how
much they got of an old one or two whom they
enticed by strong drink to risk the "bet," we
could not ascertain. | note these facts to warn
others who may como after us. None gained
either in money or reputation who accepted the
challenge.
We spent the first night at the Bardwell
House, Rutland, sleeping from three 10 FIVE in
bed. Little sleep did get, and tho next
time pay for lodging in that shape, a, First
Class Hotel" with miserable breakfast 10
match the same, ii will be in Kansas, where
lodgings are scarce. Breakfasts, however, one
can get, even here, that are hot and well cook
ed. But Rutland was matched in its table fare
at Detroit and Chicago. Dea. Farwell, of
Fitchburg, acted as agent to our party, and an
excellent agent he was, looking aler the bag
gage of all, and especially caring for those no
were unable 10 care properly for themselves
women going out TO their husbands or friends
and the like. But to Kansas--what of The cleo
tionl The Missourians, emboldened by last
Falls success, came boldly up the river or by
teams and horseback, several days journey from
the interior Of Missouri-to vote. The number
is estimated by Missourans atien ihousand.-
The mass, low lived, drunken aud reckless, were
marshaled by leaders Of a higher grade in So
ciety, who were compelled 10 extreme measures
to keep their forces from robbery and man
faughter. One of these gentlemen frankly
confessed TO Massachusetts emigrant, that they
tapped the whiskey barrels and split the liquor
to keep popular sovereignty" from becoming
dangerous to its own advocates. Several men
felt obliged TO fly from this place, their lives
being threatened by the rowdy 'sovereigns' -
1t was only needed to point out such and such
ones as "aholltonis,s," and the cry was raised
'shooi, chang, ""lynch him." Private Judges
seized upon the popular feeling and took adj
vantage of ignorance of the haters Of abolit.
ionsts, 10 represent those they disliked, as
such.
In this place seven hundred Missourans as.
sembed and voted, threatened the judges ofihc
election, andd uringthe forenoon The free State
residents did not attempt to vote. Later in the
day, when the Missourans had scattered their
forces, some two hundred and fifty voted, about
two-thirds the actual number of free State men.
Every electoral District in the Territory but two
have sent in their protests TO the Governor. ask.
ing him TO call new election. lie is waiting
ihe decision Of the Attorney General, and if Mr.