Smyrna times., 1855-07-25
Criminal ArtItIts.
Correspondence Of the Smyrna Times.
Letter from Kansas Territory.
MANHATTAN, X. T., July 3. 1876?

MANHATTAN, *. T., July =, 1888.
DEAR B&orHER The want of a mail rout,
to our settlement has prevented my writing
sooner to the Times, as was intimated in INV
last communication.
We left you at the mouth of the BIG Blue
river, in the newborn city of Manhattan
This name was chosen and settled upon before
our party left the Queen City, and was one
the terms of agreement of which we shall
speak presently. The captain finding the
navigation of Kansas river, almost impractical
BILE, {" heaved to :" at this point, when the com
pany which had gone to the proposed site al
Fort Riley, returned to the boat, and negotia-
ted with the New England companies for this
site. 1t was formerly known under the names
OF BueLnont, Boston and London, which are
now condensed into Manhattan. The town
plot fronts on both rivers, and on either side is
a rich widespread valley hemned in with mod
est bluffs, rising in conlcal benches covered
with verdure, upon which are layers of lime
stone in circular grandeur. Just opposite-on
the other side of the river, the same graceful
mounds meet the vicw. The morning and
| evening give life and animation to the scenery.
particularly the latter, when Old Sol is drop
ping into his gollcn bed below the ives ern
horizon, stretching his shadows from peak to
peak and from hillside to hillside, spreading his
redness over the sky, whilst the herds are wind
ing their way honawlrJ, and the warblng
choristers are pitching their notes on the still
pure air in the valley Of the 3 Blue. This
location is naturally gooI first, it is the head
Of navigation which is very important aud
and valuIbe, and the Callto mia road runs
through the valley, which is also tt. path of
the Benton Pacific Rlilroll route This
railroad IS now in operation as far as Washing
ton on the Missouri, ana is graded beyond Jet.
terson City. 1t is thought here that this will
be the route first Completed, aud no Time or cx.
pense will be spared until it is done. The geo
logical advantages are extra; limestone in
abunlance; coal, from its bountcoasncss, it i.
thought, will be no o1jec; amoas rs; m1uliing
clay IS plentiful, and wafer can be obtliaed at
thirty feet from the surface of the earth tim
Der is sufficient for all purposes, except where
pine is needed; there would be no want Of
this article in this section of country, If the
ravagcs Of the prairie-tires were checked, as
to these Is attributed the scarcity that exists
where they abound. Manhattan lies west Of
all reserves" and is ascer.ained to be the
geographical centre of the United States
The weather has been rather pleasant few
days only having been unpleasantly warm
the thermometer ranging between 81 aud 90
degrees On the 18th ult., we had hail storm
which lasted about half an hour; the stones
were about the size of ground alum salt Rains
have fallen something Oftener than once a
week since the 2Sth of May, or during our
stay IN the settlement. The corn on the Drari
sod, planted about the first of June, looks
thrifty and fine, standing from two and half
to three feet in height, with some five or SIX
stalks in the hill. There is field of wheat in
the valley of the Big Blue, which looks prolific
and is just ready for harvesting. The corn
gets no cultivatng at ALT is Just planted
| by means of an axe, in the sod, and will yield
thirty bushels per acre, and sometimes more
the first season.
1t is rumored here that skirmish took place
on the plains, about a week ago, between seve-
raj tribes Of Indians, in which some fifty war
riors were killed. 1t is also reported that the
Sioux and Cananche tribes have stopped all
trains crossing the plains, which, being unable
10 proceed, have been thus compelled to abau
don their trips "Uncle Sam" is sending OF
his men to settle and correct the existing diff
culties. Quite number of the allied tribes
have passed by this place route for the "sea
a of war" We shall hear something more def
mite soon.
, The Kansas river is now rising, from thr
melting of the snow on the Rocky Mountains
| Small boats are to ply between Manhattan AM
the Missouri river, which will be greatly to ou
advantage, We anticipate the arrival of
e large number of emigrants next fall. Th
? health of our citizens is good-no sickness u
all having occurred amongst us.
. We have preaching twice every Sabbath
S and yesterday a Sunday School was organ
!. lied. Christianity is vigorously promote
among us, and we intend it to be co-equal wit
our temporal advancement.
!, As an opportunity Of sending this is NJ hant
. must close for the present uH
! stslssrr J. s.. HoFFEcKga.
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II WmAr is THE USE OF CoURrsHIP.-Wh.
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