Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1856-12-31
For the Advertiser.

CAup HILDEeAnDs, X. T. Nov, 9th 1856.
Mr.. EDITOR: You will scarce imagine that you
have correspondent $50 miles from Missouri, in
the uninhabi,able parts of Kansas, but SO it is.
have gono into Uncle Sans SERVICE" and am
engaged in laying of or rather surveying lands
for the use Of future settlers; but am perfectly
satisfied that will be long, long time before Un.
ole Sam will be paid enough for these lands 10
pay for its survey. 1t is mountainous and poor no
timber, and totally unfit for cultivation. For several
days We Travelled over hills without any roads to
guide US. Our compass was our only safety. AS
it was have been lost three times and twice laid
out oil night hungry and tired and yet was within
short distance OF camp but did not know it, Once
for 40 hours had nothing to eas and had to lay
out all night IN the cold without even an overcoat
have seen something of life since have been in
Kansas, that | little dreamed off when 1 left old
Edge6cld.
In the lower part Of Kansas there is little or no
game, but here there is plenty Of deer elk and tur
key, and we are seronaded every night by apack Of
hungry wolves We hunt daily anihave hhS Sport.
One day last week we killed a barrow coon weigh
ing over 80 pounds and aftet burying it in the
snow three days, we ate it. This, afternoon while
takinga walk, as fine buck ever saw rose
from the grass within ten feet Of me, but my ever
faithful rifle madeehim pay for his folly. have a
magnifcent.pair of horns for you when return.
The snow is only waist deep. Did you ever have
a serenade from pack of Hungry Wolves and
Hooting Owls. We have it nightly, it is delight
ful-uery
Get map Of Kansas Terrtory-place your finger
on Fort>Riley, and l will be just S miles west Of
that My next trip will be to Fort Bend, just 500
miles further west At present We IRE near peacea-
ble Indians; then we will be amongst hostile thieving
wretcbes. had expected to find Buffalo here but
they have gone south the Indians from this section
have gone after them. They will return in few
weeks and we will have meat in abundance. We
came through their village, it was deserted-all
gone. In two weeks time there will be q 900 Of
them at the village to receive their annuities from
Uncle Sam. They drink, gamble, dance all sorts
of dances and spend every dime in two weeks-then
60 home. White men get it all. There are Catholic
and Baptist Missionaries amongst every tribe, but
about pay days they loose all influence.
have seen some splendid looking chiefs and
young girls in fact Of the latter magnificent
almo,. think ofturning "Ingin." They would make
me " BIG chief" have learned to do good many
things out here that never expected. l can gee
haw oxen first rate, and | can ride one equally as
we'll can trail man over the hills when no one
else about here except IN Indian could find him.
can butcher an animal as well as my old friend
Smith Radford. / can m.nd boot as well as old
Duncan, can wash my clothes, can cook =" a no. |"
and can talk "Ingin." Besides all this, am fat,
hearty and so bearded that my friend S. G. would
not know inc.
Let me advise all young men not to think OF
coming to this country it is not the place for them.
Men Of family don't come unless you have means to
support you year or two, and even then you must
expect to put up with hardships and privations, il
fyou should come, go to the southern part of Kan
sas near Fort Scott
If [ was confident this letter would ever reach
you would write more particulars, but it is very
uncertain However, will give you copiouse 1tracts
from my dairy when return to Lccompton, X. T.
Pray send me a paper to that Office as am truly
anxious to hear from old Edgefeld.
Yours, &c.
BELL.