The Kansas herald of freedom., 1855-11-17
fom 9na haS
Council City-The New York Settle
Yuent in Kansas.

Council City-The New York Settle
ment in Kansas.
Had ihe following article only appear
ed in regard to the Council City enter
prise, instead of having occasion TO CEN
sure any person Cor misrepresenting the
facts, we could have published it with
our endorsement. 1t is evident the ar
ticle was furnished By some truthful
member of that company, and fully sus-
tains our statements in regard to that
association.
As the history Of this settlement is in
teresting, an account of its objects, the
advantages of its position, the good
Judgment and faithfulneSs of Its direct
ors, the obstacles surmounted and its
prospects of great and lasting success,
authentic accounts concerning 1t are al
ways desirable amidst the frequent mis-
representations to which all the free aspi-
rations in the new Territories are liable.
Council City is the name originally
designed for the town site. which was
selected by the Exploring Committee of
the American Settlement Company of
this city, in October, "a; but it has
been extended, to designate the entire
community, chiefly consisting of stock
holders of the company. who occupy
claims of 100 acres along the wooded
banks of Dragon and Switzer's Greeks.
north and south of the great Santa Re
road. As yet there has hardly been any
building on the city-site, as the large
steam saw-mill was delayed on the way
for months, and partly because the draw
ing for lots has been but recently COM
menced, the settlers being occupied on
their claims, where they reside. These
extend ten miles in one direction, about
twelve in another, &C., the number OF
settlers being variously estimated at from
500 to 800 or 900 persons.
The direction of the Kansas operations
in New York, has been thrown upon a
few hands, and left without that volun-
tary pecuniary support which the ether
company 1.-THE Boston Emigrant Co. has
received. The latter has received prob
ably, to the amount of $50, 700, and has
the prospect of much more. Although
the difficulties and labors of the New
York directors have consequently been
rendered very great, and strict economy
has been practiced, under self-imposed
restrictions, certain great advantage:
have resulted to the enterprise from the
scarcity of means. Several men at first
in the service have dropped off, whose
loss is regarded as great gain whilst
the absence of all specializing features in
the enterprise has given it great favor
with actuel settlers, who find it planned
and conducted for their benefit, and
neither for rich capitalists nor selfish
schemers.
Some unfriendly reports have been
circulated against the New York Settle.
ment Company, which naturally produce
E temporary effects until the truth is known
but it is remarkable fact that all partie:
agree in praising the location in the high
est terms. 1t has never been objected
to,-abounding in a fertile and deep soil
good water, limestone, coal, &c, will
an unusual supply of timber for that re
gion, and being on the great road to thu
, West, The climate is generally remark
ably healthy, not case of death or ever
illness having occurred through the las
; winter and spring. But within abou
three months, cases of bilious fever hav'
appeared-some probably brought there
and others caused by drinking creek wa
ter instead of that from the wells, ant
, four persons have died-Mr. NJ. c. Ha
, vens, one of the local committee Mr
! Stewart, and two children. This, how
ever, is small bill of mortality for sucf
a population, especially under the cir
cumstances.
One of the Directors, resident, ha'
, his saw mill now in operation, and sew
eral others have sent or come East 70
their families. One clergyman reside
there, and another breaches regularly
alternating with Lawrence or some othel
settlement. A Sunday School has Ions
been in operation, and day school il
kept by young lady from this city. OF
the summit of the finest swell of tho
+ rolling prairie, which overlooks scene
of great fertility, extending from ten tc
twenty miles on all sides. There being
no good navigable stream in Kansas, the
Santa Fe road is the grand tboroughfare
and may be the line of the Pacific Rail
E road.
Council City is about 80 miles in the
interior, the most westerly settlement ii
that direction, and seems destined to be
prosperous and influential The only
money received by the Directors of the
Settlement Co. is from the sale of stock,
each share of which (S1o) represents q
town lot chiefly rs by $50 feet each,
for (which about sc, 900 has been received
in all. The balance ON hand, like much
of the rest, has been sent to pay for Ger.
tain Improvements of immediate import.
ance on the spot. The constitution pro,
hibits the contracting of debts, and pro.
vides for an orderly, temperate and intel
ligent community. such as already exists
w T. Courier d. Enquirer.
Characteristic.