Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1856-09-18
4olitieal Matter.
1-Tr II FROM the Chicago Tribune
An Overland Journey from To.
peka to Chicago.

nifeent distances. The town plot of To
peka is one mile square, and there are houses
in every part of it. But the houses are
not gregarious. Builders have an eye to
the future. They purchase corner lots
and erect buildings on them, indifferent
whether or no the adjoining blocks are to
be built on for years to come.
Topeka has increased in wealth and pop
ulation as rapidly as any town in the Ter
ritory this season; although, like every
other town, it has suffered severely from
the anarchy which Atchison inaugurated
and Pierce sustained. 1t is built ON high
prairie 1t contains between four and five
hundred inhabitants, chiefly Pennsyvanians.
The surrounding country is very fertile.
All claims are taken up within several
miles around the town. Some of them can
be purchased. Lots sell at from $40 TO
S300-25 feet front by IS. Larger lots
vary in price according to the locality.
Before l started from Topeka l bought
a one-eyed horse-a Kansas Rosante-on
which, at noon, l forded the river, and rode
in an easterly direction for Grasshopper
Falls About three miles from Topeka,
on the opposite side of the Kaw river, is
little Pro-slasery village, called indiana
10. 1t is built on the Delaware lands
From Indianola to Grasshopper Falls-a
distance of twenty-seven miles-there are
very few cabins built or claims improved.
Squatters are afraid of spectators. These
lands are to be sold TO the highest bidder,
and there are rich men mean enough to
outbid the squatters for lands which his
own industry has improved. l took din
ner at Grasshopper Falls on Tuesday. Like
every other yillagelet in Kansas, Grlsshop-
per Falls is bound to be, ought to be, in
fact can't help but be, "quite tall city,"
some day or other. AT present it con-
tains hotel, inhabed but unfinished, two
houses and store kept by Messrs. Crosby.
$50 dollars day, cash, is about the aver
age amount taken at stores in towns Of this
size in Kansas.
Crossing the Grasshopper, a pretty little
stream, followed an old Indian trail, in a
northerlv direction. For twenty miles, at
least, although the country was fertile, well
watered, and abounded in timber, not a
vestige of human habitations or industry
was visible.
We met party of semi-naked Indians
lazily riding towards town. The squaw's
conception of female beauty differs widely
from fashionable notion. Although the
prairies are wider than our sidewalks and
much less travelled, the female Indian, in
stead of pre-emptiug an acre at every step
with hoops ormSre sacred coverings, wears,
as general thing, a black broadcloth pet
ticoat so narrow that it is impossible for
her TO walk at ease in them, or distract
the unfortunate males of her tribe with
her graceful or coquettish movements.
Happy Indian boys! The list of the web
is left standing open in front, rooster's
comb fashion, in line with her dusky dis
fascinating nose. Feet in warm weather
generally naked; ankles in all kinds of
weather. not calculated to disturb the equa-
namity of the enthusiastic youth. ''t7 q.
Their other dress are equally elegant.
Their blankets are of the grandest colors.
Red is their favorite color; blue ranks
next. All of thenl-males and females
wear beads around their necks, frequently
ten pair; and large tin earrings and brass
rings on their fingers and wrists. Few of
them have less than ten rings on each
wrist. noticed one with thimble sus-
pended from his ear. ....
The thoroughly civilized Indians do not
paint although they drink like christians
but nine-tenths of the Kansas red men
delight to daub their faces with black paint,
red paint, yellow ochre and other gaudy
colors. They do not understand the art as
well as ''white mans squaw." They pre-
fer glaring contrast TO a scientific blend
ing of flesh colors. ..-..... -..., y
AT nightfall l reached the hut of a
Frenchman who had married squaw and
adopted the habits of the Indians.
Two Missouri scouts were there before
me. l knew them but they did not
know me. l was too tired to ride further,
and dismounted. After larating my horse
we had the following conversation: % s.r.
Your Cor-(To the eldest D-Havn't |
seen you in Platte! r l...f -..,.r.. ....
Scout-Wall, perhap; but l live in
Buchanan. .....,t -+-
Cor-You are watching out for Lane
and the aboGtionists that are coming out
from Iowa, | suppose? -l-a. --c.. '
Scout-Oh mo. Tina pro-slavery man;
but don't believe in interfering with the
Free Safe party. a.I .r. ar) ~ ea Il
(rhe Speaker was a low-browed, thick
Tipped, blgjawed, sensual eyed fellow
and such men, except when playing spy,
never use the words Free State-men. This
expression invariably betrays then.)
Cor.-What are you doing out this
way? 1. RI .a. J"
Scout-Looking out for claims. sa
Cor.-Here! -ss-a SIS. a
Scout-Yes. t.,.. -a
Cor.-I didn't know that you could get
claims in an Indian Reservation. .9
Scout-(Conflsed) Yes you can, least
ways, you know when the land comes into
market. Is that a Sharp's rifle!
Cor.-Yes. Il handed it to him.
Great weapon, that; and this taking out
a navy revolver) will make any man equal
to twenty, if he can see them half a mile
before they reach him.
Scout-Is that dragoon pistol? new
er seed one afore. Let's see it.
Cor.-Thank you, I'd rather not; men
ought to be careful of themselves in these
times you know; one at a time, if its all
the same to you.
Scout-(Trying to be fierce DO you
take me for Missouri spy?
Cor.-I don't care cent whether you
nre or moi. but Eye lived long enougIl in