Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1856-06-25
Friday Morning, May 10Th, 1856.
From The CIlrUn:c!e i Sentinel.
LETTER FR0.M KANSAS.
FoRT Scorr, h. r., Nav 25, 1856.

Fort ScoTT, h. L., May 20, 1896.
Editor Chronicle d: !Srntiucl-Deor Sir
Since my arrival in this territory, on the 18Th
April last, | have once or twice before un.
dertaken to address you, but have been IN.
terrupted by circumstances unnecessary TO
mention. | regret that have but few
minutes to-day to devote to writing.
Before left Georgia had several op.
portuilics to converse with gentlemen who
had visited this Territory, and read two
books, giving accounts Of Kansas and Ne.
braska. had formed an idea Of the coun-
try from these sources Of information, but
residence Of five weeks and actual observa-
ton, shows me that had but very impcr.
feet conception of the Territory. That
am disappointed in the face Of the country,
SAY. ta tFFaa F7aa2e hnt disagreeaby sot cannot
rlory, from north TO south, about one hhn:
drcd miles, and have seen but little vaL aLialion
in ihe appearance Of the country. That the
land generally is extremely rich and produc'
tive, there can be no question. have seen
! some lard that took to be poor, or rather
unproductive, Judging from the similarity to
suil in Cass CO., Ga, but it was low land,
and the best timbcred of any part Of the
country | have seen. To a person raised
in the old States, whose eye has rested so
often upon the dense forests, this prairie
country appears like waste, uninhabiIable
portion of the earth. have thought several
times of passage by water from New ork
to Charleston, in 1876, and how pleasant to
the eye the sight OF land after the eleven
days voyage. | am sometimes laughed at
br those who have resided here few years
when speak of the scarcity OF timber, and
am lul that there is ample for all practical
purposes. But it there is !: deficiency oI
timber for fencing and building, a supply OF
stone almost ready for the trowel in size and
shape, and coal mines Of the finest quality,
are found in incxhauslible quantities. ]
think. in few years, stone for fencing, and
coal for fuel, will be mainl1 used, to great
advantage.
This has been Il very backward season in
the Territory, and, as far as | can ascertain,
in the adjoining States. Usually, the plant.
Ing of corn commences in the Territory
about the first of May. This year, the un.
preredruted storms of hail and rain have in.
,crIrrrd, and from the 18th to the present
period, our citizens have been very busy
/ planting. Indeed, planting will not he
through before the middle Of June. In sod
ground, that is prairie not previously broken,
| il is said corn will mature very well, gene.
rally, if planted by the Goth Of June. The
method OF planting corn differs materially
! from What have ever seen. Witla proper
prairie plow, aud from four to six yoke ol
oxen, about two acres of ground can be
! planted in a day; and when planted, the
: work is doue; nothing further is needed but
to gather the crop in the fall. The crop is
gathered by cutting the stalk and stacking
all in tue open field. In planting, four, five
nr, six grains are dropped, about three feet
apart, and in the fall, these hills or bunches
Of corn arc cut down, ana twelve or twenty
stacked up, after the fashion of wheat OF
oat schools, (willlout cap,) and there re-
main hrou III the winter, or brought from
the field as they may be wanted. Horses
cows and hogs are not fed more than three
months in the year, the grass on the prairie
and mast or ground roots, supplying ample
food
! The immigration this spring has been very
large. am told the South has supplied the
greater proportion. My present locality is
unEavorabIe TO personal knowledge Of these
facts. Most of tue emigrants land from the
AIissousi river, at Kansas City, one hundred
miles north, or at Fort Leavenworth, still
further up the river. | have seen few o.
Major Bradfords men, and some others
among whom | found some familiar face:
and names.
We have had here; for week or two
painful and exciting news from Lawrence
Lccompton, and other points in the Terri
tory, but Tie mails are so irregular and the
reports varying so materially, that shal
venture to say but little. Without doubt
the citizens of Lawrence are acting badly
In most other parts of the Territory all i
peace and quiet; but it appears that the in
habitants Of Lawrence and that section 0