The Kansas herald of freedom., 1855-01-13
Kausas Territory.

we copy the following very interesting
communication from the Kansas City
Enterprise. It was written by DR.. Lr-
ESs
The distance from this place to the
southern line Of Kansas Territory is geo
graphically lag miles, the corner of Kan
sas being 50 miles short of the corner OF
the Safe of Missouri. Near this corner
of the Territory, the Neosho (clear or
pure river, descending from the north
west, passes out of the Territory on its
southern line. The Neosho is bold,
rapid, rocky stream-water elear-unft
for navigation, but affording admirable
water power. The bottom lands along it
and its tributaries are of the finest de-
scription, and covered with excellent tim
Der, and in much greater quantity than
is found in the Kansas valley. The bot
tom lands on the lower portions of the
Neosho yield enormous crops of corn,
and every production common to the lat
itude of 81 deg. and have been known,
on rare occasions, to produce two full
crops of corn in one year. See reports
of Union Mission. The uplands within
this valley are generally of light sandy
or grayelly character, and well adapted
to the growth of smaller grains. Lead
ore and stone coal are found upon its trib-
utaries; and the streams and springs are
lasting, as well as the latter are cold and
pure The river has its sources near the
Kansas river, west, and north of Council
Grove, which is found upon its main
branch, $50 miles from this place.
The climate of this valley is delightful
iy mild, its timber of better description,
and more abundant than that of any other
valley in the Territory, and its springs
and water power also surpass greatly that
of any other portion of it.
Emigrants wishing to explore, or settle
in this valley, should pursue the Santa
Fe road to Council Grove, and there as
cend or descend the valley, as they may
please. With It's surprising beauty of
scenery--its broad and fertile bottom
lands, beautiful timber, perennial springs,
and mild and beautiful climate. they can
not fail to be pleased Aside from some
commercial considerations, it is, in my
opinion, the most desirable portion of the
Territory especially as stock-growing
country. South of the Neosho, Verdi
girls, a considerable stream, by its nu-
merous branches, waters large, fertile
section of country :and, descending, passes
out of the Territory into the country
of the Greek Indians.
The Usage river, which crosses the
State line of Missouri about so miles
south of this place, occupies by its vari-
Gus tributaries nearly the whole country
between the State line and the Kansas
river, and from Neosho to within 80 miles
of the Missouri river.
Its tributaries on the south side are
Little Usage and Marmiton, on which
stands Fort Scott, Mine Greek, Sugar
Creek, Pottawabomie Greek, Middle
Greek, and on the north side Sugar Greek,
Bull Creek. Ottawa Greek, and One hun
dred and ten Creek. The whole of this
valley, west of the State line, is underlaid
by old secondary limestone, which, in
many portions, prevents the rise of Pc
renniaI springs. The streams are, con-
sequently, subject to run very low; and,
from the rolling surface of the country,
liable to great overflow of the bottom
lands. the soil is fertile, but in portions
of the valley the broad sheets of underly-
ing limestone approach near the surface,
and subject sucn portions to great injury,
when rains are not frequent. Other
portions of the same section are under
laid by magnetism limestone, which un-
fits the soil for the production of grass or
grain; butI speak of these only as defects,
and which only apply to the lower OF
eastern portion of this valley.
This river, with all Its lower tributa-
ries. has large supply of timber-much
greater than that of the Kansas river.
Its climate is milder than that of the last
named-grass rising much earlier in the
spring. with less of snow in the winter
and is greatly superior as stock-raisine
country.
The defects pointed out are more than
atened for by the large deposits of lead
ore, and immense coal beds, and fine
water power, found within the section
referred to. The upper portion of the
Usage valley, though less amply sup
piled with timber, may be superior to the
lower in soil and supply of spring water
EmigIants who may feel disposed tc
explore this valley, may take the road te
West Point, on the State line, 60 mile;
south, or more western one, to the Wes
Mission, about 40 miles from this place
or one still more westerly, to the Ottaws
Mission. about 90 miles west of the Mis-
souri, line. Bull Greek, on this side o
the Usage, will be found desirable eoua
uy-fne soil, and much good timber
The main OSage is fine country, large
amount of timber, and excellent soil, viii
many beautiful upper tributaries crossing
the Sante Fe roai
Pottawatomie Greek, Sugar Creek
Maine, and little Usage, all have excel
lent valleys The Shawnee reserve o
thirty miles, bounded ON the north by
the Kansas river, on the east by the Statt
line. on the south by their old survey
and on the west by line drawn from Tie
same across TO the Kansas river. is excel
lent country, and fills the space lying
along the SAFE line, and between it and
the Kansas up 10 the Missouri river
First above the reserve, and on the south
side of Kansas, we notice the Wakarusa
This stream rises near the Kansas, abou
40 miles west of It's mouth, and comes
down partly parallel to the main river,
It's valley filling all the space for some
distance between the Kansas and Usage
i tributaries. The soil of the lower portion
lof this valley is very 6ne-less supply oi
timber than on the Usage tribu aries
though considerable, spring ra-her scarce,
bu: abundance of rock, and some COAL
The country at the sources of this stream
IS iaferior-5roken, billy, finty-timbeI
scarce but fine for grazing.
From the reserve line, ascending the
south bank of the Kansas, the soil Is fine,
| t,-ax-arS..1 bv cr,aH short StraaunS faiiinu