Kansas weekly herald., 1855-06-29
From Kansas Territory.
.respondence Of the Republican.


Correspondence of the Republican.
CAIHouN, K. T., May %.
When it is Considered that the act of Con.
gress organizing Kansas into a Territorial
Government only became alaw about year
ago, the mind of the traveller is struck with
tastonishment at the rapid progress which
has been made in its settlement. Passing
into the Territory from any point on the Mis-
souri, river. the eye meets everywhere with
the squatter's claim, evidenced In most in
stances by a roughly constructed log cabin,
with from ten to forty acres of land broken
up and enclosed, ready for cultivation. AS
the entire country is yet unsurYeyed, the
settlers have not risked much by construct
ting costly residences, lest when the lines
are run they should be left upon the land
of some older claimant. The country IS now
filing up with hardy, energetic, and in
telligent population, mostly from slavehol-
ding States, with decided determination
to make Kansas what it necessarily must
and will be, a slave State. The Eastern
aid men are becoming discouraged and are
daily leaving the country, with curses on
the heads Of those who induced their emi-
grafton.
While the agriculturist is engaged in
subjecting to tillage the rich prairies and
woodlands of this favored land, commercial
men, alive to their interest, have been en-
ployed in selecting points, both on the
Missouri and Kansas rivers, at which to
transact the business for the Territories of
New Mexico, Utah and Kansas.
am now writing from the town of Cal
houn, recently laid out by the most ener-
getic and enterprising men of the Terito-
ry. 1t is situated on the North bank of the
Kansas river, between seventy and eighty
miles from its mouth, In the midst of as fine
a country as the eye of man ever beheld.
It is at point which will for years to come
be central to the population of the Territory.
Muddy Creek, Rock Creek and Grasshop-
per streams, convenient to the place, afford
an abundance of fine timber, while the Kan
sas River on the North side is heavily tim
| bered. There are also large quantities of
coal In this section.-About one mile from
This place two large veins have been discoy-
cred, showing at the surface thickness of
thirty inches. Several good buildings, as
we'll as a first class steam saw mill, are in
course of constitution. This town site has
struck my mind as having been selected with
more than ordinary care and forethought.
1t is upon the only bluff to be found on the
! North bank of the river, from its mouth te
the neighborhood of Fort Riley. Upon this
bank of the river a railroad can be con.
stucted with scarcely any grading, from the
Missouri River to the mouth of the Blue
or the Kansas. A grantof land, such as
has been made to the Hannibal and st 10.
Iseph road, would build this road withou
one dollar of individual or State subscrip
tion. That this road will be built, shoult
the navigability of the Kansas River no
do to rely upon, needs not prophet II
foretell. Since my sojourn here have
seen upon the river three steamboats, il
ltwenty-four hours, an actnal and positiv,
demonstration of the practical navigation o
the stream. ~ .-.--.
/ The rapid Development of the agricul
tural resources of the vast and fertile plain
Of this Territory, as well as its minera
wealth, is but adding another mighty AM
strong arm to the already extended com
merce of your city. In view of the settle
ment of this country, St. Louis may wei
be proud of her position commercially con
side1ed.
The people manifest no concern abou
! the return of REEDER. A large majority
: from what can learn, would prefer his re
} turning to private life.
Il may continue my travels 10 Fort Riley
] and in that event you shall hear from m
! again. 49, L s TRAVELLER.