Indiana American., 1855-03-02

any part OF the territory. I regard
Fort Riley as the most prominent
point in Kansas; timber Is much more
abundant there than below, and tbe
soil is richer. besides being near tbc
center Of the Territory, and at the
junction Of the two great rivers. A
town-Pawnee-has been laid OF
some two miles below the junction,
where, undoubtedly, the capital viii
be located; and it is my candid opin-
ion that in a fow years this viii be
one Of the largest cities in the west.
Three towns have been laid off above.
The first was laid of by Capt. Lyons,
DIR. Hammond, and myself. (Cheto-
lab, the Indian name for Smoky HILL
it is six miles above Riley on the riv-
err This we think will be the the
county seat of the first county above
Fort Riley, The next is twenty miles
above Pawnee, laid off by Governor
Reeder, Judge lie Compte, and Eve
orsix others; it is called Montgomery;
and the third, laid off by the same
party, is fifty miles above the junction
Of Smoky Hill and Republican, and at
the junction of Smoky Hill and Solo
mon Forks. 1t is called Reeder. This
last is at the head of navigation and
will be one Of the big towns--qfier
whiie. l own interests in them all,
by which means / expect 10 become
very rich. My claim is adjoining Che
tolah; il is all timber, and all oak at
that. l have selected claim for Will
in two miles of Fort Riley--about
half timber. 1t is one Of the prettiest
situations l have ever seen, with a
good spring on it, and on the river.-
1t will in a few years be one Of the
most vniuable claims in the Territory.
And | want him TO come and secure
1t before il is jumped | wish you
would urge him to come soon- The
election Of the first Territorial Legis.
lature will take place about the mid
die of March. The Governor is at
this time having the census taken
The Legislature will consist of twenty
six members of the lower house, and
thirteen Councilmen. We will have
all the Missouri fire-eaters to fight,
but are not the least intimidated.-
Secret societies are formed all through
Missouri to make Kansas a slave State
They call their organization the Order
of the Blue. Governor Reeder told
me on yesterday that from the censu:
returns he has received, he think,
there is a majority Of actual resident.
in favor of making Kansas free-hs
is right-and says if any unfairness j,
used at the polls, it shall be fully in
vestigated, and no man shall receive
a certificate of election from him, un
less he has been elected by legal votes
/ have some idea Of being a candidat,
for the Council, in the Fort RILEY
district, but / have not fully determin
ed. The legislature will not be con
vened before the first Of May. TIL,
question of making Kansas slave o
free will be the great issue; it is tn
dividing line; Democrats, Wings. Free
soilers. Know Nothings and tn
Maine-Liquor-Law party forget thei
old isms, and unite or divide only up
on the slavery question.
Write to me, and send me occasion
ally copy Of the American, if nc
too much trouble. Direct to Wes
Port, Missouri. If you think any {
this letter Of interest to the public
you can have, If you wish, such por
tons published in the American.
have but little time 10 write.
j. r. MCCLURE.