The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-02-16
or We baye been favored with tho read.

~
ing of two letters from Lawrence, Kansas
territory, written by Mr.. Samuel Merrill,
formerly Of Saco, who went to that territory
in Sep.ember last. These letters nre ad.
dressed to his brother, Mr.. Daniel Merrill,
of saco, in reply to enquiries made by him.
We give few ext racls.
Under date Of November 9th, 1854. Mr.
Merrill says:-"My health was never bet
ter than now. have not seen IN unwel
day, except an attack of Chronic DiarrheaY
brought on by over-work and over-eating.-
Everybody hero has an astonishing appetite
get fat and rugged. have On idea tina,
Cholera, and such diseases, will never visi
here. The reasons are these: These lands
lie many thousand feet above the level Of
the sea. There is alwaysan air stirring
pure and. light. Only on the low banks Of the
rivers will people DO exposed to Fevcn.-
And these they can escape by using
rs much prccaution as people do ut home
The evenings hero being very fine. people
are in the habit Of exposing themselves,
But there has been no sickness yet. And
think rs soon as wo get good, comfortable
houses, this will be celebrated as ono Of the
most healthy places in the world. The place
I have selected, on the Wakarusa River
Lone !Treo Bluff so called by the In.
dams, can DO seen thirty miles. The saw
mill is running now and It looks fair for q
good price for labor in numbering, &c.
should like to have you here when the Dele.
ware lands come into market, for there will
DO chance for some fine timber.lands. Dc
not believe the harum-searum stories Of few
that get mad at the Lawrence Association
They ore telling Ges."
Under date Of Jan'y Goth, 1855, Mr.. M
says:-" You have given me the chance Il
advise you, that have long wished for
You say, you have made up your mind &c
come west. Enough said. I can now i'd
wise you what to do: Come right here 4
Kansas, as soon as possible.
al have sixty acres Of woodland. Thu
Bluff comprising about thirty acres, is
about 100 feet above the bottom land. Or
my farm are four layers Of Limestone ant
Sands'one.j These quarry about 7 inche,
thick, from l6 inches to 7 feet in length
and about 16 inches in width. This stone
is excellent for building and fencing pur.
poses and there is four times moro than il
necessary for these purposes on the farm.
The first layer, about 3 l 9 feet, pure Lime.
stone; Cd layer, iect, Limestone and Iron
and other minerals; Sd layer, s feet or more,
Limestone and other stuff; 4th, q layer Of
very nice Sandstone 9Th for grindstones ;
below is nice Soaps tone, Slate md Claystone,
and, probably, Coal. There is plenty OF
Coal within six miles Of mo.
"Thc water Of tho Wakarusa River is
cool and clear, very nice to drink, aud not
hard for washing. The wells all have good
water.
go What for you to do''-All kinds Of
work. have run tho engine for the steam.
mill for S2G0 per day-from IL TO -. a
machinc-shop will DO started this summer.
II you were here you could get SO or moro
per day, to start the new mill a, Topeka, or
the same to run the engine here. We arc
to have two steamboats, here next spring
Tho engineers on the Missouri River, get
from $3.50 to $l6O per month. You can
probably have chance on the River, or the
choice of five or six steam.mills to run. Mr..
Pomcroy has engaged six now s,eam.mills
for Kansas. There is much ,eaming and
jobs Of building to DO let out ia school
house. IN academy, college, and other
public buildings.
"The Indians about here arc very friend
ly indeed. Since Davis was shot by Kibby,
IA Missourian) the Delaware Chief says no
should send missionary over to ciyilize. the
Missourians. There are not tribe of In.
dams within 900 miles Of here but arc very
friendly, and trade here largely. We have
no fears rhatertr Of tho Indians. The rlv.
ers have not closed up here, not even the
Wakarusa, where il is still water.
" Experienced frut-growers tell me that
have q grca, place for raising fruit on tho
sides and shelves Of tho hills. Ihave-
acres OF the best bottom land you ever saw
Is good as the continent can produce. II
want to put in large crop this season.
Lawrence will afford q market for all that
AN be raised, at good price.
z" You can have your choice of claims
[hcro are 100 claims, 30 to 60 acres wood.
and, to be taken up at the new CITY 65
niles above hcre,and many others this side. I"
Henry WILSON. We intended to