Kansas weekly herald., 1855-01-05
For the Kansas Herald.
7 VI IIIC 4Ac1Iotko A4O4 .
Tour i7s Kansas.

OttT GEZ -EAGGztS4GSs
Mn. EDITOR Having just returned
from tour in Kansas Territory, I wish,
through the columns Of your widely-circll-
lated journal, to address few remarks to
my friends in the States with regard to this
country.
Leaving Leavenworth City, passed up
within sight Of the flag at the Fort and
struck the Great Military Road leading
West. Soon I crossed the range Of hills
OF elevated land lying couple of miles
from the Fort, and then entered the Salt
Creek Valley, which is very rich, and ap-
pears dotted all over with vein neat looking
cabins, someof them of very comfortable
dimensions. Along this valley there ap-
pears considerable timber. Going west,
soon came upon high rolling prairie that
stretches far off in beautiful, undulating
waves. It is not settled upon but is very
rich and delightful-Ioolling country. Fif-
teen miles from the Fort came to the eros
sing of Stranger Creek, a very pretty
stream. This creek is skirted with pretty
good bodies of timbered land. Leaving
this point, again emerged into prairie
country, and for distance of 25 miles there
is but one house, which is, however, a very
good stopping place. 1t is called Hickory
Point, named from strip Of land covered
with hickory trees that point up to the road.
The next stopping place is at the crossing
of Grasshopper, a very handsome stream
where the town of Osawkee has been laid
off. Passing onward, crossed a couple OF
small creeks and then passed over Soldier
creek, which is skirted by pretty large
body of timber land. Some two or three
miles beyond this, l came to the Pottowat-
tonne Reservation, lying on both sides OF
the Kansas river, embracing an area of 80
miles square OF 900 sections. A good por
tion of it bordering On the river is level as
Il floor and as rich as land need be. The
Catholic Mission is in this reserve; it is in
fourishing condition, some 200 Indian
toys and girls Icing in attendance at the
Mission school. Around the Mission is
considerable village of Pottowattomies and
some whites who claim descent from Potto-
wattomies and draw annuities from our Gov
eminent Several traders have also settled
here. Ipassed Christmas and day here,
and attended church, and for the first time
In my life heard seru1on preached it Pot
towat tonne, not by an Indian but by Mis-
sionary, who came some years since from
the South of France. I was particularly
struck with the marked attention and good
decorum Of the scores Of Indian boys and
girls, and, indeed, of all In attendance upon
religious worship. The church NUM- bers
some 600 members.
Leaving the Mission I next came, after
crossing small stream OF two, to Vermil-
lion river, and three miles from that / eros
sed Rock creek. These streams unite and
some five miles below their crossing dis
charge their waters into Kansas river
Along these two streams are considerable
bodies of timbered land, and here, also, is
q good site for town. From this place ]
passed on 90 miles to the Big Blue river,
which is stream of considerable size and
1 some 200 miles in length, all the way bor-
dered with good timber and soil OF. the
richest character.
Returning down the Kansas valley, fol-
lowed pretty much the same road Travelled
in going up. would say, here, that from
Big Blue it is 90 miles to Fort Riley, a shor
distance beyond which the settlements ex'
tend;-but for so miles west of the Fort, j
is said to be rich and productive country
Further than 80 miles the land is said to GO
of.into sandy, barren prairie Of almost in.
terminable extent. The Indians in travel.
ing over this prairie carry fuel on their po.
mics to use in case they should need fires
On my return-trip to Leayenworth