Eastern times., 1855-03-01

Incidents of Travel.
Bio BLUE River, KANSAS TERRITORY, }
DEc. 25rH, ,sls54. {


DEC. 25rH, 1854.
FRIEND NEWMAN When last wrote to
you, promised afler had examined this ter
ritory. 10 give you some of my ideas Of the
country and its facilities and future prospects
| will, in this letter, give you history Of my
journey from Parkyille, Mo-, to this place, and
the appearance of the country through which
l passed, and will hereafter treat Of the coun-
try and its prospects.
crossed the Missouri river, opposite Park
Vile, in small boat or canoe, on the morning
of the 9th of December, in company with Rev.
H. A. Wilcox, of Rhode Island, who was my
companion du royage, whom found to be
fine gentleman, and most agreeable travel
ing companion. We had undertaken to view
the territory on foot, and in December, to make
journey of 1875 miles through a country al
most without habitations or inhabitants, ex-
cept Indians We crossed the river into the
reserved lands of the Delaware Indians on the
travelled on west, through heavily timbered
country,-presenting rich and fertile ap-
pearance in its natural state and condition,
but destitute of improvement or cultivation,
except an occasional Indian hut and corn
patch, and the great abundance of excellent
looking cattle and swine which we met at ev-
the edge of the prairie. Here, for the first
time, we had full realization of what in Kan
sas is called rolling prairie. 1t resembles
in appearance the vast fields in some parts of
the moderately hilly country of New England
Upon the margin of this vast field of dried
grass, half bred Indian, has erected neat
white two story house, and keeps sort of
tavern, We gave him short call, and should
have dined with him, had not the teams in
whose company we were travelling, and which
carried our provisions and camping utensils,
come up, and FASTENED our departure. We
passed on that day through beautiful rolling
prairies to Stranger Creek Here we en-
camped in the open air, cooked our supper by
our camp fire, rolled ourselves in our blan-
kets and buffalo robes, and slept soundly and
sweetl5 with the earth for our bed and the blue
canopy of heaven for our covering. | must
say that never enjoyed a better nights rest.
nor awakened more refreshed and invigorated
We were up and on our way before the rising
of the sun. Our journey this day was over
beautiful high rolling praires, scantily wood
ed, but possessing soil of great fertility
The country had the appearance of an old
settled country, whose inhabitants and dwell
ings had suddenly disappeared. This contin-
ued with little interruption, till at evening we
reached creek called Grasshopper, where
we encamped in deserted Indian hut, now
the residence of an Indian called Solomon.
An incident here occurred, which, as it
showed the honesty of this ''son of the forest -
| will relate. We reached the place of en-
campment late in the evening, and the men
with the teams called on Solomon for hay for
their horses, which he furnished them, and
they paid him for, as they supposed. AS we
were about starting the next morning, Solo
mon appeared at the door Of the cabin, and
presenting quarter eagle, said, "some Of
you gentlemen gave me very heavy dime
last evening"" The mistake was at once as
certained, and promptly and willingly correct
ed by the honest Indian. He asked for few
apples for his trouble in coming to US to cor
rect the error, which were readily given him,
and we parted, fully impressed with the be-
lief that there are honest men among all class.
es and races. Our place of encampment this
night was on Soldier Creek, which we reached
alter passing over much beautiful and rich
country, early in the evening. At this place
we parted company with the teams, which
had thus far attended US, and carried our pro-
visions and camping tools. From Soldier.
Creek to the Big Blue and Fort Riley, there
is opportunity TO get entertainment at reason
ahis Iis.a.,~es, vithes will, tiro Indian trade,
or at the missions. | will now close thi,
communication, which l write upon my knee
by the Pickering light of my cabin fire, prom
ising to give you a fill account of the re-
malnder of my journey and dongs in the val
ley of the Big Blue, on my return 10 Park
vile, when can find an opportunity to write
This country, in the neighborhood of the Blue
River, is the most beautiful | have even seen.
1t will undoubtedly be healthy for Northern
men, and is really the place for New England
emigrants. We should be glad to see few
hundreds from Maine early in the spring
Send them on. Truly yours, r.