The Kansas herald of freedom., 1855-02-10
a Trip up the Kansas Valley.

ILDltOh 11EhALD Of L REEDOM----l hdS
my fortune, a few days since, to be one
of party on an excursion up the valley
of the Kansas, and thinking, perhaps,
your readers might not be uninterested
in that part of the Territory, | concluded
to furnish them brief sketch of what
appeared of interest. Our party consist
ed of eight persons, of whom two were
fully prepared to enjoy the adventure,
of whatever character it might be, hay-
ing seen months of the widest and most
adventurous life. Leaving Lawrence, on
one of the most delightful of our winter
days, We were soon coursing our way
over the well California road and
we were surprised-as every one must
be who comes upon this road for the first
time-to find it having the appearance of
a long established and time-honored high
way. 1t seemed hardly possible that suf-
ficient travel could have passed over this
route alone, since it became an outlet of
emigration for the Pacific, to give it the
appearance of having been used for ages.
Having seen the road, we can almost
credit any story in reference to the amount
of travel it has accommodated and from
present indications, we trust it will not
be long ere the slow and plodding adven
turers will be followed by the swift wheels
of the iron horse, dashing on proudly In
his course to the western ocean.
As we drive on westward, new and en-
chanting scenery presents itself at every
step. The high and rolling prairie, skirt
ed on either side by the dark lines of the
Wakarusa and Kansas, and apparently
interminable in extent, gives promise
of permanent wealth and dense popula-
ton. The mind is forced forward little
to the time, not far distant, when beau
tiful cottages shall dot the landscape, and
rich waving fields of grain cover the soil,
If this scenery is truly enchanting in the
depth of winter, how much more SO VIXEN
decked in the robes of spring. While
Lawrence has such background, she
need have little fear for her future pros
perity.
Alter Is miles over such country,
we turned our course from the well-beat-
en- road we had been pursuing, and de-
scended towards the river-for it would
hardly be treating our friends of Tecum-
sch fairly to pass them without notice ;
but, upon arriving, we found neither bed
nor shelter; the scanty accommodations
had been all pre-engaged, and we turned
with reluctance to the last resort, the open
air. Finding spot somewhat sheltered
from the weather, after building large
camp fire, and spreading our robes and
blankets, We retired to as good nights
rest as is common amid the re6nements
of civilized life. | should have said
that, though we did not find shelter, We
found as good supper as we had had IN
the Territory; and l have no doubt
that all who will call upon our gentle
manly host viii succeed as well in one
direction, and probably better in another,
than we did. But Tecumseh is not, as
| yet, much of place, though its ssituation
appears good, and the surrounding eoun-
try rich and beautiful. What its future
may be know not; and my opinion, il
/ given. might not be very fattering to the
prospects of the proprietor ; so refrain.
| Beyond Tecumseh we found the country
of the same character as that before de-
crribed, though the course we took led us
more through the bottom lands than be-
fore. Passing a few cabins OF actual set
tiers. we came upon a beautiful rise ol
ground, at the western end of high and
exceedingly rich bottom. Here is stu
ated the new city-Topeka-less than
5 miles from Tecumseh. The right kind
of men and enterprise are found here
and though later in the start than heI
neighbors, she is thought to bid fair to
equal any. and outstrip many, IN the race
for population and empire.
| As We rode west from the high ground
on the outskirts of Topeka, we found
ourselves in the midst of one of the mos
delightful farming countries I ever be-
held and often, as from some new poini
the landscape would present itself in some
new and more attractive view, the excla-
nation would escape from one and ano'h;