Smyrna times., 1855-07-04
ynttrtstmg Ertttr,
Correspondence Of the Smyrna Times.
A Trip from Lafayette, Ia, to Kansas
Territory.
MANHATTAN, X. r., June 4th, 1855.

MANHATTAN, N. :, June 4Ll, lS0O.
DEAR BROTHER We boarded the cars and
took leave of Lafayette for Indianapolis, sixty
four miles distant. Gay spring was dawnng
upon us-a few days of pleasant April having
lust elapsed-and we were looking anXiOusly
for fragrant flowers and the green verdure of
ufsthe season, which tend so much to cheer
one after having passed long and dreary win
ter on the banks of the Wabash. Whilst
ourneying towards the capital, the subject of
Kansas emigration was introduced To US this
was the most important theme discussed, the
object efOur visit being to join Christian colo.
nysa out to emigrate to Western Mississippi
soil. Of this colony, shall speak more par
ticularly by and by.
The land over which the rail road runs, par
takes very much of the prairie, in color and
appearance, it being of light, alluval nature
about one-half the land along the line is covered
with timber and trees of younger growth
Crops in this section of the country are back.
ward this spring, and the farmers generally are
expressing serious apprehenslons in regard to
the first yield. But they are proverblal for
.hoping" and % fearing" without warrant, we
may yet anticipate a tOlerable return for thelr
labors.
We spent a night and part of day in Indi'
annapolis with our old Delaware friend L. p IL.
talked about affairs in Smyrna and vicinity
a knowledge OF which we received through tn,
columns of the Times. The day was bright
and the very air refreshing-thus awakening
the finer feelings of our nature and inspiring
us with desire to view the capital in its sum
Iner robe, but, to our discontinue, no budding
trees OF blooming flowers, no fragrant odors G
richly blended colors met our gaze from tn
splendid lawns and fower-mOunds of the cit
---those bright ornaments, for which lndianapo
lis is so much noted.
The land along the route leading from tn
capital to Cincinnatti, has been mostly timber
ed, but is now extensively cleared. The fac
St the country has rolling tendency, and tn
soil is of yellow clay; if we may judge frol
its appearance, the land is not exceedingly fe
tile. The bottoms of the rivers and streams al
solid masses of rock. AS we approached Law
renceburg, on the Ohio, the land became mo-
billy and picturesque. Lawrenceburg, fro
its position, is place of importance, 1t being
station for the wealth. of the Miami and VIII
water vallies. and tie terminus of the Viii
Water canal. The scenery from here to Ci
cinnatiis beautiful; the canal on the one sif
and the river on the other, aided in its appea
auce by the towering hills and gentle yalli
with che yivacity of navigation, reminds us
she world renowned North River scenery.
After having remained fourteen days in
Queen City of the West, we thought our Z
plorations nearly complete. On the easte
extremity of Cincinnati, is very fine natu
observatory completely overlooking that G. g
and, also, Covington and Newport on the h
tucky side. We walked the streets from
to day throsgh the principal parts, sometir 2
by sourself, and sometimes with one Of I
friends of the Kansas Association. Our q
panyn regretted the delay which necessa
awaited us, but arrangements facilitating