The Kansas herald of freedom., 1855-04-21
The EMigraq5.
Plaindealer's corresDondent.

Elaii1Sd1SI Correspondent.
We find the following letter in late
number Of the Cleveland Plaindealer, da-
ted Fort Riley, X. T., Jan. 81, 1856.
and copy it as it contains some few facts
that may be worth perusing:-
This Territory presents great variety
OF surface or soil, and the rich bottoms
along the creeks and rivers, are of great
extent and unknown depth. On leaving
the rivers the country becomes hilly. and
in many places it rises into elevated bar
rens, rocky bluffs and flinty ridges, out
of which burst springs OF the most beau
tiful water in the world. The Kansas
river-calied here the Kaw-rises in the
Rocky Mountains, and runs in an caster
ly direction through the heart of the
country, thus rendering it rich and fer
tile. The valleys of the Kansas and its
numerous tributaries are well supplied
with timber. which is principally compo-
sed OF cotton wood-or what we term in
Aurora button wood-hackbarry, oak,
and elm, with little hickory and maple.
1 don't mean to be understood we are
without the real hickory spirit in our
"plucks," if our soil is deficient.
should think about two thirds of the
Territory is susceptible OF a high degree
of cultivation. It's exceedingly healthy
here; the climate is mild and agreeable,
and it seldom SHOWS. We have had a
pleasant winter thus far, with not more
than about one week cold weather.
This is also fine stock growing coun-
try, as the grass grows through the great
or part of the year; requiring but little
labor to prepare for the winter;ng of the
stock.
There have been several town sites laid
efficiently, among the most important
are Leavenworsh, Lawrence, Tecumseh,
Pawnee. and Reeder. The town of Leav-
enworth is located on the Missouri river,
about one mile south of the Fort, from
whence it takes its name, and is in ve-
~ fourishing condition. Ithas hotel,
printing press, and store, with shops of
yarisns tradesmen. Lawrence is situa-
tad on the Kansas river. fifty miles from
Its mouth, and were it not for the extreme
sympathy its inhabitants manifest for the
negro race, it would be very desirable
point. Tecumseh is located on the Kan
sas river, about one hundred and twenty
miles from its mouth. 1t has beauti-
full site, well timbered, and very well wa
tered. Pawnee is beautifully situated on
the kaw or Kansas river, one mile below
the junction of the Smoky Hill and Re-
publican forks, and scarcely that distance
below Fort Riley. The impossibiIiiy for
some years, of settlements being made
upon the large Indian reservations to the
east, renders this, tits generally conceded,
the most suitable location for the seat of
government of Kansas for the present.
Reeder is eligibly situated on the Smoky
Hill river, at the head of steam naviga-
ton, and at the junction of the Grand Sa-
line and Solomon's forks. 1t is on the
most direct road to New Mexico, Utah,
California and Oregon, and consequently
presents unusual advantages to emf
grants setting out for the far West.
The valleysof the Saline and Solomon's
fork, and those of their branches, are ex-
tensively well wooded, and possessed of
an exceedingly fertile soil. Numerous
settlements are already being made upon
them. and they bid fair to become in
short time the center of a dense popula-
ton. In the immediate vicinity of Reed
er, are to be found most of the useful
minerals-tin, chalk, salt. gypsum, iron,
slate. marble and limestone, the latter
is suitable for building purposes--and
coal is supposed to exist. These advan-
tages cannot be overlooked by those who
are ambitious enough to take advantage
of it, and look forward to the day when
Feeder will be the great city of the West.
There are now several tribes of In
dians in this vicinity, viz: Kaws, Sacs,
Foxes, Pottawatomies, DelawaEes, Shaw
nees, Kickapoos, and Wyandots. These
Indians are at peace with the U. States.
The Sioux and other hostile tribes, living
a long way TO the north of here, there
fore there is no danger to apprehend from
them in this quarter
We have also considerable game, such
as deer, elk, buffalo. antelope, turkeys,
zaffies, grouse, ducks, partridges, de-,
DC, with any amount of wolves and pam
theirs, while the rivers abound with fish
of the finest quality.
Twill now give you short sketch OF
Fort Riley, and then close my limited de-
scription of this western sEden." This
Post was founded about twenty months
since, and received its name from Gen.
Benjamin Riley. of the United States Ar
my. 1t IS located on the Kansas river.
one hundred and City miles from its
mouth by land. on beautiful rise thar.
overlooks wide space of country. But
let US walk down 20 the town of Pavnee
We VIII ascend large bluff back of the
town. called Capitol Hill. After short
and easy walk we attain the summit. and
the sight that bursts on our view is truly
magnificent. At our feet flows the Kan.
sas river in all its grandeur, as it stretches
far to the eastueGd through delightful
valley, its meanderings may be easily
traced for miles by the dense forests, OF
cotton weod that line its banks. To the
north we see high rolling prairies. wide
plsias and broad valleys, here and there