Smyrna times., 1855-07-04

; immense width, and of several divisions, also
, present obstacles in the way of the mariner.
If this river flowed like the Ohio, it would be
navigable at all times, but, like the Mississippi,
1t cuts under trees innumerable in time of
treshet; the snags thus collected in the water
have wrecked many noble steamboats,. In con-
sequence of these difficulties we were unable to
run at night. The scenery in some parts was
very pretty, but confined chiefly to the north
side. Several very fourishing towns are situ-
ated along the river, the principal of which are
St Charles, Glasgow, Jefferson City, Boonville
and Lexington. The capitol at Jefferson City.
on the north side, is beautiful freestone build
ing, standing on the hil close by the rivers
edge, and separated little from the rest of the
town. The city presents business aspect,
though we did net stop long enough to ascer-
tain much about business affairs. Some towns
which have been built on the river are now at
some distance off, the river having seen fit to
take another course. Care in the selection of
a site would obvate this difficulty but we must
hasten on, lest your readers will weary.
We made Kansas City, a distance of four hun
dred miles, following the serpentne course of
the river, from st. Louis. This is a little far
ther than the distance laid down in the map,
but boatmen here generally count the distance
according to the stage of the water. We had,
when we landed, been fourteen days out from
Cincinnati, including time spent at intermedi-
ate towns. Kansas City is in Missouri, but
within sight of the Kansas river. 1t stands on
a high bluff, and presents quite buslncsslikc
appearance. Here it was found that our boat
could go no farther until the Kansas raised; so
it was concluded to wait at the mouth until the
melting of the snow on the Rocky Mountains
would enable her to proceed to Fort Riley
Some of the passengers becoming weary OF the
, DELAY of the boat, took overland routes, going
in different directions, in order to investigate
the country, while the rest remained with the
boat. TO pass away time agreeably, the Wyan-
!, dot Indians were invited on board, and a grand
| reception given them. Some were civilized
! and graduates Of eastern schools. We had
D never seen an Indian upon his native domain
until we arrived at Kansas City. Among
t number who were regarding us with curiosity,
g we noticed young squaw Of delicate features
4 and of light yellow complexion, dressed in
3 our costume, with rich, gay colorcd, plaid
D dress, a red Merino shawl and black kOssuth
e hat, with heavy feather and redundancy of
n rings on her fingers Afterwards we found at
f the Missions a number who were well educated,
: they being able to converse fluently in our Ian
t guage. Thinking it would be too monotonous to
2 wait in suspense for the use Of the river, we
: took the overland route in company with others
:, to Lawrence City. There has been a great
q deal said about Kansas through the newspapers
e in regard to the rapid increase of population III
IS its towns and the marvellous productions of the
e soil, which we found to be untrue. We shal
o endeavor to append untarnished truths as far a.
y we are informed, request was made of the
IS driver to inform US when we crossed the line
y into Kansas, which he did. We entered thu
n Shawnee reserve in timber land of young
r growth. In about an hours travel, the wide
e prairie opened upon our view with all the beau
ID ties Of a rolling landscape, ornamented with
e young growth of wild prairie grass, and few
ID tender flowers. 1t was unusually tardy for til,
e 18th of May, owing to the extreme drough
a which had prevailed for nine months--the long
J. est within the recollection of the Indians
I'd Rains fall at regular seasons, almost withou
he exception, and those seasons come just at til
;e time when most beneficial to agriculture an
ut vegetation. The soil is very rich, of dar
n loam, and several feet in depth. The sub-soi
mt is alluvial and of great frmness, Judging froI
ur the labor performed in digging wells and Gel
ed lars; the wells are of, what we have been use
he to call, great depth, they measure about 60 O
in 20 feet; the water is good, but, in degree,
IS is of hard character, partaking of lime-ston
si- properties.
as In our travel we continued to look and az
Its mre. Among us were Pennsylvanians, Wo
at verines, Buckeyes, Suckers and two Delawar
he ans, all of whom united in the sentiment an
Ter expression, "Wel it is the prettiest countr
ne | ever beheld." To me it was something entirel
he new to see such genial mixture of fields an
ire woodland, almost entirely arabic, waving ia
ne ther in the distance than "human ken " cou
we reach. On a distant hill, we saw a long tra
,rn OF Santa Fe wagons encamped for the nigh
,ur Gas the sun was sinking low DER the westel
to main." On the neighboring hilIsides larg
herds of cattle were feeding, while here al
M there on our road were encamped emigra
ing companies with the provisions, stock and ute
ing sls indispensably necessary for the cOmmenc
lall ment of successful life in Kansas--some we
the busily cooking, and all seemed elated with jo
We expressive of golden prospects known only
,am themselves. AS for us, our wagon was unco
ugh cred, and we had to look for a roof to shelf
and us from the "falling dew and the chilling mi
erly night wind" The driver contemplated fndil
me- entertainment at q Yankees who was marri