The Kansas herald of freedom., 1855-02-03
The Tourist.
Letter from Our Toarist.-No. v.

Will q u1IA nilt Vi SuOcEs 5ilu kHoHH Dy
the impressive title of the :. Stranger.
BY the way, there is an interesting ira
dition associated with the name of this
stream which may hereafter be presented.
Pursuing the winding course of this
stream, few miles north from the Kan
sas you find the "old government mill, ;"
now in forlorn and dilapidated condi-
ton; but which was formerly built for
the benefit of the Indians.
Not far from the locality of the mill, a
small tributary to the Stranger puts in
on the east side, having It's source in the
direction of Leavenworth, and another
from the west. In and around the forks,
as indeed along the whole course of the
Stranger and iLs tributaries, are valuable
bottom lands, covered with goodly sup
ply of timber; but as those localities, for
ten miles north of the Kansas, are on the
Delaware reserve, they are of course not
open for occupation by the pioneer, and
are introduced here merely as way marks
for those who may hereafter pour over
the Delaware lands on their westward
way to localities open for settlement.
The reserve Is very valuable section
ofcountry, an elevated and generally un-
dulating surface-excellent soil-abund-
ant in timber, and being bordered BY the
Kansas river its whole length-forty
miles-traversed transyersely by several
beautiful streams, and abounding with
occasional springs, it cannot be regarded
as materially deficient in the supply of
water. But with its present occupants it
is, with little exception, wild and uncul-
tiyated waste, and must remain so till a
different and more enlightened policy is
pursued by I" the powers that be-" Some
of the Delawares, it is true, are intelli-
gent, industrious, thriving, fencing farms,
cultivating the soil, raising stock, and
would like to have division of their
lands among themselves, and assume the
position of American citizens but many
of them are still wild and uncultiyated /;
and the present state of things seems
admirably calculated to keep them so-a
leech upon the nations purse without
benefit to themselves. The federal gov
ernment seems determined to countenance
and foster among them the spirit of idle
ness and useless extravaganza.
Every man must be aware that the
annuities granted by tie government, SO
far from being appropriated by them to
the cause of agricultural Improvements,
is bounty for idleness--inducing de-
pendence upon it to supply the necessi-
ties of life without labor The Indian,
like many white men, will not work until
he is obliged to-he depends on enough
from government to meet his most i'm
Perious and pressing wants-and idleness
and improyidence are the result his
land lies uncultivated-no benefit to him
self, and closed against all others who
would be glad to redeem it from its un-
cultivated state. None ever emerged
suddenly from state of barbarism and
ignorance to a condition of civilization
and social elevation, and it would be un-
reasonable to expect it of the Indian.
tt is equally absurd and impossible to
civilize, or Chrtstianize the Indian, or
else. without giving practical
to the law of labor. With
out it, "white man. would become a
burden to himself and others, if not a
worthless yagabond. Industry is the
alphabet of civil, social, moral, and intel
lectuai Improvement, without which ele-
men.ary and essential principle, no pro-
gress can be made. Toll is the parent of
all useful progress.
The high decree that man should till the soil,
As wisely hid u blessing in the toll.
And l do not believe that annuities are
judiciously bestowed upon able-bodied
men, rich in lands, and who have never
done the State any service, save to devour
the surplus produce of the earth, or ap-
propriate whatever amount of loose
change may be found in the pocket ol
Uncle Sam.
Over the rolling prairie with me once
more within five miles of the city of Law
renee, and | will introduce you, kind
reader, to settlement of Delawares, and
to the residence of one of the head chiefs
of the tribe-Si-cox-ie. He has, if not an
elegant abode, beautiful situation-or
a gentle undulation, crowned with an am.
pie growth of trees, near the margin O
the prairie just passed over, an abundant
spring of living water near his abode
while at the foot of the hill, and between
his house and some beautiful prairie bot
tom land-a portion OF which he hascon
yerted into a corn6eld-courSes along OF
It's winding way through prairie ana
woodland to its confluence with the Kan
sas, one of the most beautiful streams II
the country.
l take occasion to acknowledge my
obligation to the chief for his kind con
sideration for my welfare approached
his abode weary, hungry, and foot-sore
paused, looked around me, apparently a
/ a loss what movement to make. Tht
wife of the chief saw my hesitation, and
unlike white folks, kindly came out of th'
house to ascertain if fanything was wanted
By her / was informed that the chief wa
at home, and. was invited to enter tn,
house. I did so, and have seldom met
anywhere, among any people, a mor'
gratifying reception. 1 passed the nigh
with this shrewd. capable, long-headei
son of the forest. and in the morning
passedon to the valley of the Grasshopper
This is a very beautiful stream, fowine
over a fine grayelIy bed and at the poin
where approached it-low as are all tn
streams at this season-the water wa
about ten yards wide and clearer, sweet
er. and apparently purer water. l hav'
never tasted.
The intermediate route, from the resi-
dence of the chief. Si-cox-ie. to this local
ity-a distance of perhaps eighteen mile
lis level, and chiefly prairie. with tn
Kansas on the left, It's bottom land GOV
cred with heavy growth of forest-trees
and upon the right, and parallel with tn
route, is a range of high and somewha
ragged bluffs OF limestone. Several smal
streams were crossed, which wind thei