The Kansas herald of freedom., 1856-05-03
AN the elemen,s for a faonr;sh;no c;tv /

"alnut, h1cK0rJ, OAK, COTTONWOOD, ASH,
elm, soft maple, and numerous other
kinds. There is ample timber for all the
purposes of the settlement for many
years, and the soil of the bottom lands is
inexhaustable.
The country around is rapidly filing
up with settlers, and the whole neighbor-
hood express themselves highly gratifed
1t the prospects of the facilities which
the store and mill of the company viii
afford them. The Usage Indians have
paid visits to the settlements they have
been kindly treated, and have behaved
in very friendly manner. They point
to the encampment and say to the older
settlers in the vicinity, "Good white
men," They have shown their friend
ship by giving information as to the
straying of the cattle belonging to the
Companies. No danger, therefore, is
apprehended from the Indians. The
live stock of the Companies already con-
sists of about tweaty head OF working
oxen and cows, with FIVE or six horses.
A grist mill is already on the ground,
and saws are on the way. A vegetarian
blacksmith, who has frequently made
one hundred and twenty horse-shoes in
a day, is here, and all the requirements
of his shop are at Kansas City, on their
way to the settlement. Farmers, car
penters. cabinet-makers and others are
present, and commencing operations. A
nurseryman has also arrived. One
breaking plow is at work. and two more
will be started as soon as they can be OBJ
tanned from the river.
One member present is native of
Switzerland-one of Scotland-seyen of
England-fve of New YoIk-fye of
Pennsylvania-one of Ohio, and one of
Canada. Of the ladies present, two are
natives of Scotland-three of England
one of Pennsylvania-one of Virginia
one of Ohio, and one of New York.
There are eight children, including an
infant, born on the route. The mother,
being a practical Vegetarian, did not de-
tain the wagon more than one day. She
has borne the hsrdships and exposure of
the journey without complaint, and is
enjoying excellent health. The infant is
also strong and well. Vegetariaus gene
rally are in robsst health and good
spirits. A member this morning re-
marked that he wonld not take ten dollars
a share for his stock in the Company
the original price of which is FIVE dollars
q share-and he holds one hundred and
sixty shares.
The absent members of both Compa-
nies are respectfully informed that Sc
cond installment of fifty cents per share
is due this month, and should be for
warded Immediately to the Secretary, at
Octagon city, via Fort Scott, <. T.. as
it required for further operations in the
erection of houses and mills. All MEM
bers are earnestly invited to come to the
settlement as early as possible, in order
to secure such locations as they may pre-
fer. The best route to the settlement is
via Kansas City and Ossawatamie.
Many have come by way of Jefferson
City, Clinton and Fort Scott, but the
road is, in places, bad, and, during the
rainy season, impossible. Persons
passing through St. Louis should call on
F. A. Hunt q Co., z, City Buildings,
for information. Four hundred and
twenty more shares have been taken on
the ground-some by newcomers, and
some by members who desired to in
crease their shares when they saw the To-
cation.
The Companies now are in a position
to show good security for investmen. in
the valuable lands and timber secured,
so that the permanency and prosperity of
these settlements are self-evident.
At present, the residents are enduring
some of the Inconvenience common to
the commencement of all settlements,
but they will soon be Eli comfortably
housed on sites where there is an almost
perpetual breeze, mainly from the south.
The mildness of the climate is beyond
INV expectations. left snow three feet
deepin New York, and here the trees are
green, the new grass already twelve
inches high, and so mild are the nights
that l have twice-being benighted-
slept in the open air with no other cover
ing than an overcoat, in one case, and in
the other coverlet, which had fortu-
nately been placed under the saddle of
the horse and in neither case have l
caught cold. This happened near the
middle of April. The weather has gen.
orally been very fine. but recently rain
has fallen in considerable quantities. A
great majority of the members here
express themselves we'll pleased with the
location. and all agree that it is one of
the best that Kansas can furnish. It is
ten miles south of a small place called
Cofachiqui. After the showers, the sun
comes out with geniality and brilliancy
which clothes the valleys and the hills
with renewed freshness. The sound of
the axe is heard eehoing through the
woods. and the merry voices of womep
and children are filing the air with
gladness.
OcrAGoS CIrY. KAssAs. May !, ,se