Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1855-04-10
LETTER FROM KANsAS.
Climate seiLRsssurcss- General Views &c.

: Tho following letter from our late fellow
townsman, DR.. J. II. Day, is the most favorable
one we have ever seen of the climate and resour-
ces of Kansas. Those who know tho Doctor may
be assured that what he says is correct. Not
Kansas possesses many advantages |
over other Territories, We are still of the opinion
place, both as regards it's soil and climate. and
its general adaptability to money making. We
hazard the assertion, that many who are now de-
lighted with Kansas, will eventually wend their
steps to our own Territory, and make this their
home. Yet, after all, there is no doubt but Kan
sas will fill up rapidly and become large State,
from the fact that it has the slave holding infu-
enco to back it.
LEAvENwoRTH, KANSAS TER,
March 9th, 1855.
WIN. L. AMEs, Eso.-Dear Mr:-When left
your place promised you letter, but as you are
permanently fixed in st. Paul, did not suppose
you wanted to hear from me Immediately; l have
settled down hope permanently in Leavenworth.
This is one of the most delightful and handsome
town sites ever substituted two miles below
the Fort; it has a rock-bound shore-an easy
grade to the rver-an undulating surface just
sufficient for drainage-beautiful elevated ridges
with numerous handsome building sites-fne
springs of the best water gushing out of the river
bank from the lodges of limestone. have pur-
chased in town lots and out lots adjoining the
town to the full amount of my ''pile." The town
is increasing beyond anything have ever SEEM
When came here last October, there were but
four unfinished buildings and four or five fami-
lies. l was convinced then as am now, that
Leavcnworth would be the commercial town of
the country-in fact the Cincinnati Of the Missou-
ri river. We now have Eve large warehouses
erected-some ten stores-one large hotel-two
steam saw-mills-a printing press, and all the
trades and professions that 90 to make up a thr-
wing western town. Property is rising more rap
idly than have ever seen it in St. Paul. Shares
sold last fall at So to $400-now they are selling
at 81 .O0O-land adjoining the town site has sold
at 500 per acre, cash. should have said that the
town numbers about 500 inhabitants-the is
from IS to 100 carpenters at work and buildings
are going up every day.
The country is one of the finest agricultural
portions of the whole Mississippi Valley. Mime
sofa cannot compare in point of soil and produc-
tons. All the grains, vegetables and fruits raised
in this latitude are produced here in great abun-
dance. see here the old fashioned blue grass,
timothy and red clover that pleascs the farmer
The country is beautifully diversified with slopng
hills and fine valleys, with clumps of trees or
groves finely interspersed; some of the hills
crop out at the top with lodges Of limestone
Stone coal is found in e great many places and is
believed by those acquainted with coal regions,
to be good. All the land is rch and covered with
the most luxuriant sward of grass. Timber is
said to be scarce, but there is enough for all prac
teal purposes. There will be no need of clear
ing or grubbing to make farm, stone being SO
handy Will be used to great extent for fencing
Emigrants have been coming in all winter and an
unprecedented rush is looked for this spring
Speculatons in town sites are rife; towns arc
being laid oat all over the country and lots in
town command a coed price and ready SALE
Grain and provisions are scarce and high in con-
sequence of the drought and large Influx of set
tiers. Fall wheat looks fine, and good crops arc
anticipated. We arc not under the necessity of
shipping grain and provisions to any great extent
from st. Louis, such articles are largely pro
duced in Missouri. Our winter has been the
HHCSt C'Ci SiN. W L HttNC iidu III &C COlu opSitc
Of snow storm which lasted each about a week
the river did not close. 1t is now warm and
pleasant as May, that we no fires,--we are
looking every hour for boat :--severa have been
telegraphed to be on the way with large numbers
of emigrants. am highly pleased with the coun
try, particularly with the climate. Men have
been able to do out door work at any kind of bu-
siness all winter. There is no sickness now and
has been less than | have ever seen among the
same number Of people. Our district numbers
about 1000 souls.
The rapid advance in property here will enable
the sagacious and careful to make handsome for
tunes in very short time. Lands in Missouri
are worth from $40 to 500 per acre for farming
purposes, and they will be worth the same in Kan
sas so soon as the titles are secured. This coun-
try is situated different from most new Territories
being contiguous to an old settled State we do
not suffer for want of the necessaries of life.
The town of Weston, in Missouri, eight miles
from us, was nearly destroyed by fire last night.
This town numbers nearly 5000 inhabitants and
nearly three blocks of the most business part were
burned.
.l.a am, very truly yours,
j. II. DAY.