The Kansas herald of freedom. [volume] (Wakarusa, Kan. Territory) 1854-1860, 1855-06-23
Letter from Kansas.
WILD Car CREEK, K. t.
-April 80, 1855.

April 80, 1855.
BRo. VISA city association, con.
sisting of thirty-fve persons, has been
famed at the junction of the Big Blue
and Kansas rivers, and the town has been
named BosToN! If properly managed,
and filed up with the same kind of men
who are now here, it is destined to sway
an influence in the affairs of this Terri
tory that viii not dishonor the name as
sumed. Never have | seen site pos
sessing SO many natural advantages-the
beautiful with the practicai--as this
1t is situated at the base, and between
two high bluffs, one and a half miles
apart; the one upon the Big Blue and the
other upon the Kansas. 1t is beauti-
full plain extending from both rivers, and
rising gradually into highlands between
the bluffs. The plain furnishes an ex-
cellent chance for stores and business,
and the highlands for private residences.
The material for building is abundant in
the shape of limestone in the bluffs. The
surrounding country for great distance
is rich with sufficient timber for building
purposes for years.
The landings upon bothrivers are good,
and the military road from Fort Leaven-
worth to Fort Riley with the Central
Railroad to the Pacific must both pass
through the place, as the great natural
highway pointed out by the finger of
Omnipotence.
Gen. Pomeroy, the Agent of the Aid
Company has promised us steam mill
of thirty horse power, sufficient to carry
two sets of saws, planning machine,
shingle machine and grist mill. He is
coming up in the first boat TO locate it.
As it will be one of the most improved
mills, with sheet iron chimney, we can
calculate upon its being soon under way
after the opening of navigation. The
country around is gradually filling up
with the right kind of settlers. The dis
tance from the borders, 13O miles, and
the journey has been so trying, ow-
ing to dust, wind, and scarcity of pro-
visions and fodder, that we get the
wheat, while the chaf of emigration
blows away, or does not reach us. We
still have fine claims open near US, but
we lack men of capital and business tact
to give their entire attention to city busi-
ness. They care more for their farm
claims than city interests; hence the fine
opportunity for tradesmen, &C., who
wish to devote themselves to city busi-
ness.
Our vanguard arrived in season to
help elect Messrs. Conway and Houston,
councilman andrepresentative, from this
district, the only free State men elected
to our Legislature. Owing to frauds in
voting. new elections will be ordered
The course of A tchison, with his band of
organized Missourians, is one of the most
outrageous insults to the favorite doctrine
of "squatter sovereignty that has ever
transpired in the history ofour nation
Calculations were carefully made how
many voters would be necessary to out
number the free State men, and they
were forwarded to vote, usually return
ing to Missouri after balloting. In some
cases they took possession of the polls,
chose their own judges, and managed to
suit themselves. In others they took
the oath prescribed by law, and voted.
Notwithstanding they so nearly swept
everything before them, it is well known
that large proportion of the actual set
tiers are in favor of making Kansas free
State. For this reason shareholders dare
not trust to the settlers.
This state of things cannot last, Means
must be devised by Congress, or other
wise, to stop these pro-slavery forays
about election time. Indeed, should
emigration continue to pour in as it now
does for a few months, the settlers can
take care of the polls. Let no one be
disheartened, but each man who can
throw himself into the breach and breast
the storm for freedom, remembering that
eternal vigilance is the price of liberty"
To emigrants we have had one of the
most trying springs that has been known
for thirty years. 1t is an exception to
all general rules. Large numbers have
become discouraged, but those who do
endure as good soldiers, shall in due sea-
son reap their reward.
I find the country as expected. Ex-
penses are higher, nearly double what
they are in Ohio or New England. l
refer particularly to eatables. Transpor-
tation from Kansas city to the Big Blue,
one hundred and thirty miles, cost three
dollars per hundred pounds. But when
the steamboats, get to running, as we ex-
pect they will in May or June, provisions
must come down. People, to feel easy
and independent, ought not to come out
with less than three or FIVE hundred dol
lars; enough to keep them one year with
out income 1t is great country, and
multitudes areflocking in; yet "still there
is room" Here is field 30 labor worthy
of the most talented, the best of men
But we must have men not afraid of hard
work, willing to rough it! "Where
there is a will there is way" Though
confined to the shade, the school-room,
for the last eighteen years, / find myself
a match, in hardship and endurance, for
the strongest, most robust men. I have
the assurance that / am in the path of
duty. God in a great variety of ways
has shown himself near to protect and
bless. To him be everlasting praise.
Our beloved brother, Rev. j. Denison,
has been severely afflicted with sickness.
He has lost his youngest child with lung
fever, and has just recovered from the
same sickness himself, growing out of a
cold and over exertion on the journey
He is afflicted, but not discouraged. He
is still ready to make sacrifices for the
freedom of Kansas. In great haste,
very truly yours,
1. T. GOoDNOW.
nbvciaioo IN iap<r. ,,-oo1.o.