Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1855-02-09
From ,As Liberty Herald.
KANSAS, No. 2.

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That part Of Kansas Territory bor-
doring on the Missouri river, possesses
a material advantage over the country
on the opposite side, with regard TO
sites for towns. health. and facilities for
settlement.
As far down as the river washes the
Territory, the banks are, with few
excepstions, composed Of solid rock,
and rise above high water mark, while
on the other side, they are low and
the country subject to be overfowed
for miles back.
For this reason, as well as from the
fact that these high bluffs are on the
west side Of the river and bottom, il
cannot but be more healthy, and
must have the chief of the river towns.
AS the land on the east side is too
low, 20 be- cultivated. and,is studded
with chose timber, not needed for the
adlasccnt lands in Missouri, there
will be an almostinexhaustable supply
for the rich prairies skirtIngthe western
side.
II was stated in my former COM
municaion, that we entered the Ter
ritory at the extreme northern boun-
dary, crossing at what was called the
Iowa Point. Immediately at this cross
ing is an excellent site for town: per-
haps unsurpassed by any in the Ter
ritory. From its position, il will
probably not have a rival in Is or 90
miles distance, and will likely be the
terminus Of regular boating. II will
doubtless be the prime depot for the
rich country back, and the principal
market for those exceedingly fertile
lands in north west Missouri.
1t is we'll watered, being almost
surrounded with. bold little streams,
some Of which can doubtless be used
for water power. II will have the ad-
vantage ofabundance oflumber handy,
inexhaushble quarries'of stone Of good
quality near, and a coal mine in the
adjacent region. This site is included
IN quarter section Of land. reserved
by the Indians for the Presbyterian
Mission among the Iowas, and will
probably be brought into market in lots
next spring.
Leaving this point, we travelled
over a few miles Of broken land, the
soil rather poor, and occasionally
coverered with point Of low, scrubby
black oaks, and then entered scope
Of rich and fertile land, abounding in
many places with hazle-bushes, and
here and there a heavy burr oak and
walnut tree. In the midst of this is
the Iowa Mission house, G miles from
the landing. This we consider an in
wiling point FOR settlement, espoc-
tally for Presbyterians. The location
is beautiful and healthy in the extreme;
IL is near TO what is supposed to be a
good coal mine good stone handy,
and fine springs in almost every di-
rection. But the principle recommen-
dation Of this point, is It's religious and
educational advantages. The Mis-
sion consists Of Rev. Mr.. Irwin and
family, Mr.. Williams and family, and
some two or three assistants. They
have large and substantial three
story brick building. already construc-
ted and completed, containing, besides
q commodious kitchen. family rooms,
dormitories, and a well fitted chapel,
convenient school rooms and indeed
almost every convenience for n good
school. Besides the quarter section
OF land already mentioned, the Indi-
ans have reserved FOR their use one
half section on which the building is
located, well improved. and one quar-
ter section 10 be located wherever they
may see fit in their lands. These,
when made available, will almost sup
port the mission Independently, and
enable them to employ good teacher
for department Tor the whites. In
deed, they have au accomplished
teacher already employed for this de-
partment. And while the missiona-
ries will still continue their labors for
the Indians, who reside some eleven
miles of. they will also render their
aid for the whites. Here, then, are
already in waiting, In the heart Of a
good country, and handy to what
will doubtless be good market, n
good seminary, with its teachers and
apparatus, a convenient chapel. with
its Pastor ready TO occupy il every
Sabbath. Sabbath school with its
teachers, and institution free from al
most all temptations, and under a
wholesome moral infence, and almost
independent Of the contingent support
Of settlers. Added to this, about II
miles from the mission is the Indian
Agency, where, besides large farm,
they have blacksmith shop, n car
penter shop, and store. 1t is only
thirty miles from st. Joseph, the prin-
ciple market in western Missouri.
This land, for several miles around
the Missouri. is reserved by the lndi-
ans, TO be surveyed at their expense,
and TO be set up for sale TO the high
est bidder, and the proceedes to. be en-
tirely their own. It will probably be
brought into market sometime next
season. when the purchaser viii not be
subject to all the uncertainties aud
vexations annoyances Of the squatter
or unsurveyed lands. About 8 miles
back from tho Missoui, the lands are
subject to pre-emption claims. s
Should any person wish more par
ticular information with regard to this