davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Kansas herald of freedom., 1855-03-24
City Imnrouaments


From the above caption, dear reader,
we hope you win not imagine that we are
about to announce that tour streets viii
soon be lighted with gas, or s'that great
public works have been completed" /" or,
about to say, like one of our neighboring
cities, triumphantly, .sour city limits
have been extendedf' Not at all: we
wish merely to notice the fact, that not
withstanding the hard times, the dull
season and the winter, that our town has
been advancing in Improvements of a
most useful and permanent character.
On the wharf we notice Messrs. Rid
dlesbarger & Barley have macadamized
entirely to the river in front Of their large
warehouses. Also, we see hands at work
blasting rock, and extending our already
extensive leyee. Two elegant and COM
modious store-rooms have been fitted up
on Front street within the past month or
so. These store-rooms will compare IA
vorably with any west of st. Louis. The
energetic proprietors who now havecharge
of the principal Hotel, have been engaged
for the past month or so in fitting it up in
most elegant style.
We might here mention the building
of houses, shops, DC, which are and
have been in progress. Hands have been
engaged in building a culvert on Main
street, the past month or two. and this
improvement is nearly completed. Eve
ry improvement in our streets is matter
of great interest to all the friends of our
town, and We think all will be up and do
ing this, since all are being impressed
with its importance. In our public opin-
ion, the grading of our streets is the most
important work our citizens could engage
in. Hundreds of strangers come to this
town, and are deferred from settling here
on account of the broken appearance of
our streets. Why, then, will not the
property holders pursue liberal and far
seeing, instead of narrow and short
sight policy? We are aware that Kan
sas City has labored under many disad-
vantages heretofore, and we are far from
thinking our citizens have been delin-
quent. But we think it time they should
exert themselves to facilitate in every
way the development of the resources
which Kansas certainly has. Nature has
most generously bestowed her favors up
on Kansas City; and all that is needed is
to use the gifts, and follow the course SO
clearly marked out.
To rely supinely on the fortuitous ad-
vantages of our position viii insure to
our town the retardation of her growth
for years to come Whereas the proper
appreciation of our advantages, and a de-
termination to improve them by ener-
getic action, temporary sacrifice, and
liberal public spirit, will, in all human
probability, speedily consummate the
hopes of her most sanguine friends
| Kansas City Enterprise.
The Kansas herald of freedom., 1855-03-24
Another Saw-Miil.

1t affords US pleasure to state that a
couple of gentlemen. who have recently
arrived from the East, have determined
upon erecting a steam saw-mill in this
city, and will prosecute the work to COM
pletion as fast as possible. They viii
realize a rich return from their invest
ment, as would a half dozen others, If
they would engage in the same business.
Lumber is the great want of this region,
and saw-mills are the instrumentalities
which must be used to produce it. We
learn that several persons outside of
town are saving boards by manual labor
with whip saws and gentleman writes
US from New Hampshire. advising that
we resort to that expedient for supplying
ourpressing wants with boards. He says
two hands will saw two hundred feet a
day; but We are apprehensive the high
price of labor viii prevent the introduction
of that ancient mode of making lumber in
this locality, though it would appear
from two to three dollars day might be
made by each person engaged in the bu-
sineSs.
The Kansas herald of freedom., 1855-03-24
Whisky in Lawrence,

Like all other choice spirits, whisky
has its ups and downs, and is as liable to
be troubled with 6ores as editors or any
other public characters.
A few evenings since cask of old
Bourbon was quietly reposing in wag-
on before one of our Hotels, where Its
owner had taken lodgings, when some
public spirited character attempted to re-
lieve it of some of its superabundant life
by well-meant surgicaloperation. The
operation proved fatal to old Bourbon
An auger had been used as the lancet,
and the last drop of the old fellows blood
followed the steel. No mourners have
been seen going about the streets in con-
sequence thereof.
We think it safe to assume that those
who have whisky to dispose of will find
that it viii go off just as fast here as any
where else.
The Kansas herald of freedom., 1855-03-24
The Chained Lions.

Those who have read Bunyan's Pill
grirns' Progress, will recollect the fierce
animals which seemed to threaten the
timid Pilgrims with instant destruction,
atone pointof their journey to the Celestial
City. The Pilgrims, however. found that
the fiercecreatures were unable to do them
harm, and were only test to see what
kind of grit they had in them. Wehave
no doubt many who emigrate to this
country, will be reminded of this incident
by what they may hear and see in pass
ing through our neighboring State. A
friend states that he heard men talk of
hanging and shooting Abolitionists, as if
such pastime was one they were familiar
with and had a decided relish for. He
saw men who cursed hard and looked
murder at the quiet members of his par
ty. as though they were thinking what
delightful sport it would be to hang and
burn them whenever Senator A. should
give the word. But nobody was fright
ened. Not single Pilgrim trembled at
all this great show of fury and blood
thisstiness. 1t afforded much amuse-
mens and was subject of merry laugh
ter, to see these deluded men attempt to
frighten with salk ofgunpowder and hemp
the sons of those who fought the battles
of the Revolution, and whose ardent love
of liberty has grown with the growth and
strength of our country.
The Kansas herald of freedom., 1855-03-24
Self-szcrifcing.

The editor of the Kansas Pioneer is a
for seat in the Legislature of
the Territory. He talks like a patriot,
and is willing to sacrifice every personal
consideration at the shrine of success
Hear him:
As far as we are concerned, we shall
willingly submit our name to the decision
of the Convention and if we are not
among the chosen ones, we shall as will
lingly withdraw it, and give our mite in
support of the regular candidates. We
hope all others whose names have been
announced and spoken of by friends viii
do the same. This is the only way a re-
Cancellation can be reached, and we con-
slider it very important one. We con-
slider the triumph of our party of too
much importance to be split into subdi-
visions. Weare too strongly pro-slavery
in our views to hold out against the ma
jority of the pro-slavery soyereigns in
this Territory. We want to see pro-
slavery Legislature to man, or, at least,
large majority of the friends of SOUTH
ern institutions, represent our interes in
the halls of legislation. We want to be
governed by sound laws, and pro-slayery
men only are competent to make such
laws. Under their banner we have al
ways done battle, and under their guar
dianship we shall ever be found battling.
We have no sympathy for Abolitionists,
and the sooner they are made to believe
that the squatters of Kansas Territory
have no sympathy for their nefarious,
black, contemplate dogmas, the better.
We want no negro-sympathizing thieves
among US; they viii be running off our
slaves whenever a chance offers. Their
hearts are as black as the darkest deeds
of hell. Away with them-send them
back where they belong. Up with the
banner and the shout of slavery now and
forever in our land. Unfurl our glorious
flag, the stars and stripes, and let US
march onward with the constitution Of
the United States as our shield toa mighty
triumph of principle and right. Down
with every Abolition barrier that dare i'm
pede our way.
The Kansas herald of freedom., 1855-03-24
AooIitionists In TCane.a

The Abolitionists in this Territory, with
Gov. A. III. Reeder at their head, will
make desperate efforts 10 carry the cleo
ton for members of the Legislature, and
unless the true men everywhere in the
Territory turn out to a man, they may
succeed in electing a considerable portion
of the delegation; enough. at least, to
produce much angry discussion, and pre-
vent legislation by that body.
1t is very important that the first Leg
islature should be unit There will be
an immense amount of work to be done,
and no time should be lost in idle debate.
Our entire code of laws must be made,
which covers vast field; embracing the
formation of counties, the providing for
the early election of the various county
officers. locating seat of government, and
a thousand other measures which viii
take much time and labor 70 accomplish.
Then let every good man tarn out, elect
sound practical men TO Office, and we VIII
60 on prosperousiy to our high destiny.
-.SoUereign Sqnatter.
The Kansas herald of freedom., 1855-03-24
Following it up.

A Cleveland paper states 1.-The sue
cess of the Missouri slavery propagan-
dists in colonizing for the congressional
election in Kansas, encourages them to
play the same game in preparing for the
election of members of the Legislature
in March. The census of the Territory
is being taken. and the Lawrence cor
of the Milwaukee Sentinel
writes, January 99d. that loads of persons
are coming in from Missouri to be inclu-
ded in the census, and meetings are be-
ing held in Missouri for the avowed pur-
pose of encouraging men to go into the
Territory, and vote at the coming elec-
ton. No secret is made of these move
ments, public hand-bilis being posted
ayowing the object. The correspondent
writes No chance for freedom in this
trial; but we shall do all We can, rely up
on it,
The Kansas herald of freedom., 1855-03-24
important TO Settlers.
LAwREscE. March 9s. 1856.

LAWRENCE, March 90, 1856.
ED. HERALD OF FREEDOM: DEAR SIR:
The following letter from the Commis-
sioner of the General Land Office q.
Washington, is inalswer to one address
ed BIZ me in reference to the condition
and circumstances of claimants herea-
bouts, by which they are precluded from
settling and living personally upon their
claims. The points presented were these:
whether claimants are obliged to Ire
upon their claims during the erectiDsf OF
their houses ? whether they are obliged
to live upon their claims prior 70 any
other person doing so whether claim
ant can erect and finish such kind and
erteat of house as he chooses before he is
obliged to occupy personally or reside
upon his claim, or whether an interloper
or land pirate can go on during the pro-
cess of such building, be it ever so ex-
tensiye and valuable, and at the very
time of the completion of the same, with
assistance or without, in a few hours
time, throw together parcel of sods or
other temporary material, move into the
same, and pre-empt the claim and prop
erty of the bona tide settler The pc
culiar circumstances existing here in
reference to the difficulty of procuring
lumber and timber were fully presented,
and the question asked whether a claim
could be successfully occupied or Jump
ed" after the claimant himself or his
agents had deposited lumber, in whole or
in part, for house upon the same, and
was obliged to wait an indefinite time
upon our limping saw-mill for lumber to
prosecute it, he still asserting his inten-
ton to pre-empt. The answer is full and
perfectly conclusive. The work done by
the claimant should be simply '..of
character to indicate an intention to erect
a house." which should be prosecuted to
completion "as circumstances will per-
mit," specifying particulars. concluding
with the assurance that the spirit, instead
of the letter of the law would be obsery-
ed In the decision of the cause.
1t is clearly the interest of those mis-
taken men, who have Jumped" claims
through misapprehension of the nature
and intent of the law, to abandon the
hopeless and proftless contest, and Sc
cure to themselves undisputed claims
while they are still to be had in desirable
localities and of as good quality as can
be found in the Territory. Yours, DC,
E. D. LADD.
The Kansas herald of freedom., 1855-03-24
Ihe Southern Sioa.
To the Southern Rights Party.

The time has now arrived to test the
real interest the southern or States Rights
Party feel for the perpetuity of our insti-
tutions. Congress has at last blotted or
"expunged" from the statute books,
that unjust and unconstitutional enact
ment, the Missouri compromise, and SOL
emnly recognized the great doctrines so
long and fruitlessly contended for, by
that party. Now that the wall which
has SO long barred our progress has been
broken down, and We are permitted to
go, with all our property, whithersoever
we please, viii we permit this opportuni-
ty for restoring that just equilibrium be-
tween the slayeholding and nonslave-
holding States to pass unimproved p
We at the South are in the habit of accu-
sing our brethren in the -Siaveholding
States with being parsimonious. Is this
the fact? How stands the record? We
sec in New England, the land of Yankees,
usually considered synonymous with
parsimony, there has beena fund raised,
already largely over million of dollars,
to aid Free-soilers in coming to Kansas
for the purpose of making it free State.
Against this what is the South, the liberal,
generous South, doing? Echo answers,
what? Missouri has done nobly. "Sol-
itary and alone, she has met the Abolition
host; her sons have come in to meet the
enemy, and have defeated them. Fresh
supplies will still come, and again, at our
approaching election, we shall defeat
them. But can helong maintain the uR-
equal contest? The hordes of the North
must prevail at last, unless the letbaryic
South rouse herself from her slumbers
and come to the rescue with men and
money. Come, not as six months yolun-
teers, to leave as soon as the first battle is
fought, but come enlisted for the war,
vowing never to leave till victory COM
plete crowns our efforts. We are proud
to know that, so far, we have had no six
months forces, Though accused of it;)
our census shows that our army is still in
the field, and not one hOrs d. conl5at.
We feel that our cali win not beunheed-
ed. We know the people of the South !;
it is only necessary to show them that
danger is at hand; that they must rouse
themselves for the fight; and they villas
ever, rally, with men and means.
Let us here warn them that their pro-
genitors, the Cavaliers, lost many battle
which was already won, by that reckless
disregard of prudence, after the first Civ
ing way ofthe enemy We must remem-
Der that we can secure our rights and
immunities only by ceaseless vigilance
and untiring energy. We have the same
old foe to contend with that our fathers
had. And they seem TO have inherited
the same hatred to US, and to be urged
on by the same blind bigotry. 1t is on
ly necessary for us to profit by the faults
of our fathers, and we viii secure an
easy victory. Remember, too, that then
our ancestors were the oppressors; now
we, their descendants, are the oppressed.
Where vaior and rtgh fight in the same
cause the contest is never doubtful
Squafer Sovereign.
The Kansas herald of freedom., 1855-03-24
More Snow.

Contrary to expectation, we were Wis
tied on the 18th inst. by another cold
storm, which lasted for several days, dur
ing which period the earth was covered
about four inches deep with snow. The
weather was extremely cold, and the wind
high, and the spring emigration from the
East began to arrive in the midst of it,
and suffered much discomfort for the
want of suitable houses for reception, and
places for lodging during the night. 1t
is to be hoped that the cold weather of
the season is now over, though the rainy
season is rapidly approaching, which will
be quite as unpleasant to all, and far more
detrimental to health if improperly ex-
posed.
The Kansas herald of freedom., 1855-03-24
No Paper.

As we apprehended, we were unable to
get out paper last week. We used ev-
cry reasonable exertion to procure some
person to do our press work, but could
not find any one who would undertake
the task. This week we have called to
our aid some gentlemen who have recent
ly arrived who are wholly inexperienced
in the business, and with our own SER
vices hope to succeed in getting out pa
per; but fear it will be considerably be-
hind time, instead of in advance, as we
desired. We trust with the return of
warm weather to regain our own health,
so as TO ell such places as may be tempo
,arily vacant in the printing-office, as
well as to secure the aid of workmen who
arrive with the spring emigration. Be-
sides this, as soon as suitable place can
be erected in which to place our Power
Press and engine, we shall have those
valuable acquisitions in motion to lessen
the fatigue, and render more certain our
regular issues.
Our readers are little conscious of the
labor and expense required to publish a
paper, of the dimensions of the HERALD,
in this measurably unpeopled country
nevertheless, we trust they will SO far
take it into consideration as to excuse any
shortcomings which may be apparent, as
we assure them that no effort on our part
shall be wanting to give entire satisfac-
ton,
The Kansas herald of freedom., 1855-03-24
Emigrant Aid Society.

We are credibly informed that quite a
large number, probably several hundred
of these purchased voters. are now on
their way up the Missouri river. con-
signed to Messrs. Park IL Patterson, of
Pafkviile, and other coasignees at differ
ent points, for distribution, in lots to
suit; subject to the order of A. H.
Reeder, Esq. President of the Under
ground railroad, "a in Kansas Territory.
A stiIl larger number are said to be in St.
Louis, ready fer shipment on the first
boat. We hope the quarantine officers
along the borders viii forbid the unload.
ing Of that kind Of cargo.
A cargo Of rotten oranges cnce intro
duced death by thousands in Philadel.
phia, Tin the shape Of yellow fever. 4
more horrible disease, and one fotfcssse
5y many deaths, soe fear, may be the
consequence, If this mass Of corruption,
and worse than leprous loathsomeness, i
permitted to land, and traverse our beau.
tiful countsy.-Sorereisz Sgaatsr. =
The Kansas herald of freedom., 1855-03-24
Town of KenilWorth.

KENILwoRTH, X. T., March IS, 1856.
Ed. HERALD OF FREEDOM In glanc-
ING over a number of the numerous COM
munieations devoted to the interest of
Kansas, l find that the all-absorbing top
ic of letter-writers is the location of the
capital, and the enhancement of their re-
spectiye towns. Feeling that our own
beautiful town should not be forgotten,
when SO many of minor claims are men-
toned, have concluded to make known,
through the medium of your widely-cir-
culated and deservedly popular columns,
few of the many advantages it possess
es. and at the same time advance our
claims for the seat of government.
Keniworth is situated upon the east
bank of the Republican, about fifteen
miles from It's junction with the Smoky
Hill, and seventeen miles from the city
of Pawnee. The country for many miles
around the town is of that kind that at
once convinces the agriculturist and cap
italist that nature has been truly prolific
of her bounties, and has lavished them
with free and open hand upon this gar
den spot of Kansas. The soil is Of that
rich black species that has proven in the
States to be almost inexhaustible in the
production of corn. 1t can be broken
with the utmost readiness, and without
the large expenditure that so often accom-
panies the preparation of new soils for
the reception of seed. The lover of na-
ture becomes wrapt with admiration as
he beholds the diversified and picturesque
scenery that greets his eye on every side,
unrivaled in beauty, and unsurpassed
IN grandeur and majesty. Enchanted
he glances from the swift waters of the
Republican over the long vista of prai-
ries to the crenated hills, that eli the back
ground, and again returns only to be the
more astonished aid enraptured. 1t is
true that the whole Territory presents nu-
merous beautiful scenes and views; but
here they are as .'thick as leaves IN VAL
ambfosa' shade"
The surrounding valleys are all finely
timbered and well watered, the many
small streams that course their way
through them, on both sides the river,
being studded with large bodies of fine
oak, interspersed with walnut, that viii
soon succumb to the stroke of the az and
the click of the saw. There is not only
sufficient to supply the wants of our own
community, but surplus enough to be
The Kansas herald of freedom., 1855-03-24
oepenoent fp Nspap uan M ousas

shipped to those portions of our Terrific
ry that arc more destitute and seantily
supplied with this essential. There is at
presents large Joint Stock Company, en-
bracing some of the weaithiest capitalists
of the Territory, being organized for the
purpose of establishing mills. &C., for the
better execution of this purpose. That
they viii succeed 10 this audable enter
prise there can be but little doubt; and
we hope that their labors viii be crowned
with the reward they so Justly merit.
The location of the capital is a point
scf vital Importance to the true interest
of the Territory, and should be as near
central as possible, owing to the large
extent of country embraced in it-mak-
ing it highly probable that when she
knocks for admittance, the Territory will
be divided into two States. Should this
prove the case, this point viii prove as
near the eenter-in north and south
direction-of the State embraced in the
eastern part of Kansas as can well be
obtained but should it be admitted as
one, it will then be central in all direc-
tions. There may be objections raised
10 this, upon the score of the popula-
ton but when we look at it calmly for
"a moment, the objection vanishes like
mist before a summers sun for that
this portion of the country is more sus-
ceptible of sustaining dense population,
is evident from the superiority of the
soil, and greater abundance of timber,
over that of any other, without taking
into consideration the immense amount
of land that must for series of years be
lost to the settler through the Indian Re-
seryations in the easterly parts. Here
we are not hampered by such restrictions,
and the settler meets with no obstacle to
the retention of his claim.
We understand that Pawnee has been
very favorably spoken of as the point.
Without wishing to detraet in the least
from its many advantages, We would
merely suggest to the "powers that be "
that it would meet with a much more
hearty concurrence from the voice of
the people if the seat of government
should be located further west, and thus
prevent its removal, and any unneeessa-
~ expense in the erection of new public
buildings. That it must eventually go
westward we cannot doubt and should
it, the Republican or Smoky Hill must
provide the desired site. If, on the for
mer, it must necessarily be at Kenilworth ;
if upon the latter. we suppose either Sa-
line or Montgomery-either of which
would be more in compliance with the
general wish than that it should be loca-
ted more easterly. 4" ALMA"