The Kansas herald of freedom., 1855-03-31
tllat Topeka. OF al others, was the place.
Yours. respectfully,
Il. STRATT0N.
zrip 70 Kaazas.
STEAMER KArE swrSnEr. |

March II, 1855.
] Ed. HERALD OF FREEpoA sit may
not be uninteressing to tho readers Of
your paper and our New England friends,
10 hear from us on our way to Kansas.
Some of our company took the cars at
Boston Tuesday, the 9th inst, at q
O'Clock, P. NJ, for Albany, and were
joined by others at Worcester and Spring
field, on our way to Albany, where we
arrived about three o'clock Wednesday
morning, all in good spirits. Joined by
Others. we took che ears at Il O'Clock, for
Buffalo AS we glided along, various
lobjects of interest attracted attention, TO
amuse and interest the company. We
arrived at Buffalo about s o'clock in the
erening, where We were detained for
three hours, when we were off for Tole-
lido, Ohio, where we brought up at about
three, P. NJ, with jaded limbs and empty
Estomaehs, and yet we were not permitted
to satisfy our craving appetites, only as
we couid catch; for we were off for Chi
Ecago, where we arrived about four O'Clock
Friday morning, when We we're glad to
lpartake of a refreshing breakfast, furnish
led (by H. Phelps, Ohio Exchange)
Through the kindness of our energetic
Agent, LUXE p. LINCOLN, of Massachu-
Isetts, who accompanies us, and is untir-
ling in his efforts to make our journey
pleasant. Indeed, he seems interested in
Everything connected with the welfare of
the emigrsnt, bestowing unwearied atten-
ton to all our wants. and manifesting
feelings akin to paternal. He is deserv-
ing, and shall have, our warmest thanks,
land ardent prayers that his "manly shad-
ow may never be less"
Our ride from Albany to Chicago was
all we could desire, through fine coun-
try, with good accommodations. We
found the conductors on the Western
railroad to be men of noble bearing.
treating the passengers with great cour-
tesy.
] 1t is due to ourselves and the public
to say, that We were not little annoyed
by the manner in which the porters oil
the road handled our baggage, in chang
/ ing cars. Good trunks and boxes, sub
stantiaHy made, were stove to pieces in a
tmost shameful manner-beyond all en-
durance. Is there no remedy? Ought
not the railroad companies to be made
responsible for such reckless waste of
property, which is so very vexatious to
the travelling public? We found more
care in handling baggage after leaving
Chicago. Leaving the latter city at 81
O'Clock, we were borne with lightning
speed over the prairies of Illinois, allow
ing US buta "bird 's-eye" glance at the
vast plains spread out before US. Most
of our company having never seen prai-
rie country before, were greatly delight
ed, and at times perfectly captivated with
the splendid scenery, although much of
the country lies too fat to suit New
Englander yet we passed many places
of surprising beauty. Onward, in one
continuous routine of "jar and whistle, !"
we were borne toward the sunny South,
until little past midnight we brought up
at Alton, where we left the tilt of the
cars for the less fatiguing motion of the
commodious steamer, where our sleeping
company soon presented scene which
the comieal pen of SAKE would have
portrayed as ludicrous in the extreme
Some of our party having been in con
slant state of excitement for FIVE days and
nights, with little or no rest, were glad
of any change where nature could find a
little repose. As the leaden wand of
| Morpheus was removed from our eyelids
to more favorable group. who had for
gotten the tolls of a long journey in de-
licious dream, we saw that some were
mapping with distended jaws in remote
corner; others, in a reclining posture,
were wont to make a graceful bow to
every passer-by, while others were
sprawled at full length on the cabin floor,
snoring lustily, having very little regard
to the rules of etiquette or the annoyance
of their neighbors AT about 3o'clock,
on Saturday morning, we landed at St.
Louis, where We found good accommoda-
tions at the rate of one dollar per day.
The people of ST. Louis, during our short
stay, showed us great courtesy. Through
the kindness of B. Slater passage was
secured for our company aboard the
Kate Swinney, at the low price of ten
dollars, including board, to Kansas city.
As she was to take a trip down the river
to Jefferson Barracks to take on board a
company of U. S. troops, who had been
ordered to Fort Leavenworth to look after
, the Indians on the frontiers, some of cur
company went aboard, while others re-
mained in St. Louis to do business, pre-
paratory to leaving for Kansas on her
return. All went aboard about seven, P.
M, and we were off for Kansas. There
are about one hundred emigrants ON
board. La this number all the New
England States are represented, also New
York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio; all Of
whom appear determined to make Kansas
their future home. The captain and Off
GERS of the boat treat the company with
the greatest courtesy, anticipating our
every want. Everything moves like
clock-work among the waters, and the
table is furnished in manner to satisfy
the most fastidious. As the company
were desirous of maintaining the sane
tity of the Sabbath, It was Judged we
could do so as well on board the boat as
+ in the city of ST. Louis. Before starting,
however, we learned that we could have
religious worship on board, if desired.
Accordingly, at the usual hour, all were
invited to come into the cabin, and it fell
to my lot TO speak to very attentive con-
gregation. Bro. Trafton, from the Bib
licaI Institute, of Concord, preached In
the evening. l know not but NE have
5. improved the day, and enjoyed it as well
as at church in our New England homes.
There are on board l12 of Uncle Sans
troops, and ninety-fve horses. The
Kansas company appear to be of the
fright stamp to settle new country.
Nearly all, if not all, are Maine law
men. We have heard none of our COM
pany use profane language. We have
men of talent and worth, some of whom
are well supplied with the "needfll'
| In our company there are some thirty
4 n