Kansas weekly herald., 1855-02-09
Yrsa, TO CEay Cossaasy, .No.

On Oatufday the ZUtn January last, be-
ing fully equipped with good horse and
buggy, we set out for the county of Clay,
once famed as the border county of Missou-
ri. but now in the centre of a large agricul-
tuIal and wealthy region of country, dense
ly populated by a thrifty and enterprising
people. The weather up to our starting
had been as mild as autumn, and the suns
rays as genial as that of Indian summer
Every thing bore the aspect of freshness
and .vigor. Inspired with the hope of see
ing our "better half" we were off at rap
id rate, and soon passed the Fort, where
the Stars and Stripes. were floating to the
gentle breeze from the top mast of the flag
staff, the military were out, looking for all
the world like true representatives of Uncle
Sans power and greatness. Passing a
portion of 'sUncle Sans Farm" whose large
fields and pastures were filled with grain
and stock, we reached the Ferry, (Which is
at the Fort, and well managed by Mr. Yo-
cum } and crossed the river without any de-
lay. From thence we whirled over beau
tiful road, stopping at Mr.. jarrett Todd's,
and exchanged buggies, getting the loan of
his, much the finest one, and passed on to
Mr.. c. Cockerills, near Platte City, where
we spent the evening, and parsook Of the
hospitalities of our friend for the night
But mark the change! From calm and
clou Hess sky, with pleasant sunshine and
balmy southwestern breezes, on Saturday,
we found the next boisterous and clustering,
with keen northwester SO peculiar to this
country, blowing with such hoarse and
shrek tones, that causes one to shudder as
at the approach of some danger. The earth
was covered with snow to an average depth
of eight or ten inches, and the tall trees of
the forest bending with its ponderous mass.
We were then In a quandary, and knew
not whether to go forward, return, or remain
in statu quo. But Da.y Crockett like, be-
lieving we were right, went ahead. Soon
obstacles and difficulties presented them.
selves in our way, not exactly mountains
high, but sufficient to deter any but the
stout hearted. The power of attraction
however, being greater than that of cohe-
sion, we surmounted the piles of snow. that
had drifted in the lanes to the depth Of six
or eight feet, by pulling down fences, break
ing down the heaps of snow, and driving
through fields and farms, and finally retrea-
ting tothe woods, and highways where there
were no lanes. After breaking down and
repairing some three or four times through
many trials and iribulations, we reached
our destination late that evening, at the
house of our hospitable old friend, James
Fleming, where we were kindly treated,
during several days of our stay.
The trip made, We were now happily
enseenced in our little family circle at our
friends house, surrounded by ''wife, children
and friends" We once more felt at home,
and though winters blasts may howl and
SHOWS drift in huge piles, they had no ter
rors for US then, for we were comfortably
situated, and as much relieved as mariner
at sea, after a severe storm, who had reach
ed the harbor Of safety. ,ear
Visiting Liberty, the county seat of Clay
we were much impressed with the neatness
and good order Of the place, and the sobri-
ETY. of its inhabitants. For be ii said to the
honor and credit Of the Getty Fathers" moi
a dram shop is permitted within the incor-
poration. We stopped at the. Thompson
House" kept by the very Prince of Land
lords, Mr.. MuRrHYs where by his assidi-
Gus attentions and good treatment every.
visitor is made. to feel perfectly, at home.
Mr.. THOMPSON, the proprietor sofithe bull
ding, is one ofthe most energelliie citizens Of
the town, and deserves great credit for the
erection Of such a magnificent apd commo-
ldious three story Hotel. We found him
engaged in most noble and plaiseworthy
undertaking. obtaining signatures to a pc
tition to the Legislature of, Missouri, pray
ing that body to memorialize Congress on
the subject of raising two mounted Regi-
menls Of Missouri volunteers, to act upon
the fronteers of Kansas, in protecting the
lives and property of erpigrants and traders
across the plains, from the depredations of
the Sioux and other tribes Of Indians. He
takes deepand lively interestin the affairs
iof Kansas, iss settlement and future well