The Kansas herald of freedom., 1856-05-03
Original Correspondence.
W Far tie Herald of Freedom.
Octagon and Vegetarian Society.
nx uRrpv G nIrnn


Octagon and Vegetarian Settlement Com
panies, with their families, have arrived
at the site selected for them. on the Neo-
sho river, about forty miles west of Fort
Scott. The land secured is tract of
over thirty square miles. including fair
proportion of timber and prairie. This
tract is eight miles in length, and about
four miles wide. 1t crosses at a serpen-
tine and picturesque part of the Neosho,
and runs in the direction of northwest
from the commencing point, on the east
side of that river.
At this site the river affords an excel
lent situation for mill, being very rapid,
with power sufficient for saw mill and
six run of stones for grinding. The
companies propose to erect 8 stone dam
and water-power mill.
Within this tract is varying and un-
dulating surface of rich bottom land, of
timber snd prairie, aud gently rising
hills, interspersed with ridges of rocks;
numerous wooded streams of clear water
winding throughout the whole, while be-
heath the surface, coal, limestone, sand
stone and slate are found in strata of
varied thickness and extent. The pre-
vailing surface around is rich and gently
rolling prairie, which can be claimed to
any extent east and west.
The first settlement, surveyed on the
Octagon plan, is on a site peculiarly
adapted for the purpose. The central
park embraces several beautiful hills or
knolls, on the south west side of one OF
those gently rising prsiries, peculiar TO
the region. A good stream of clear
water skirts the boundary of the part at
the foot of those knolls, and within about
fifteen chains of the central site designed
for the public building, or school house,
on the elevation of the principal knoll
A building is now being erected at that
point, the first stone having been laid on
the 28th of April. 1t viii be used for
the present purposes of the company as
a store, and house of entertainment
Branching from the center are eight ave-
nues, dividing pairs of farms, which run
to the extent of the plan. One of the
avenues runs in a direct line across Mid
die Greek, 1.-THE stream just mentioned, J
to lofty ridge of rocks, which is skirted
by beautiful lake of about half a mile
in extent. The. summit of the rock is
ornamented by grove of trees, afford
ing building site for water cure es-
tablishment which cannot be surpassed,
as the water has been pronounced, by
water cure physician, to be pure, soft and
well adapted to the purpose. 1t is close
to the outer line of the Octagon PLAN
Opposite to "Water Cure Avenue" is
one crossing tributary of Middle Creek,
which runs over a bed of blue slate, be-
tween lodges of the same. Middle Greek
courses over bed of sandstone, large
portion of which is in smooth tables,
adapted for grindstones, and building
purposes generally. This creek takes
winding course through many of the
farms, which radiate from the center, and
it then empties into the Neosho. Other
avenues present features of interest; one
of them strikes across the river through
the woods, passing the mill site. Another
passes the site of lime kiln, and will be
used for conveying lime to the settle
ments. Another takes an eastern course,
and forms the commencement of road
to Fort Scott, which will be laid out in
almost direct line, by the experienced
surveyors now engaged. Another ave-
nue. takes a north-easterly course, from
which road is to be run to Osawato-
mie. crossing Coal Creek. ALI the ave-
nues are laid out l20 feet wide, for three
rows of trees, like the avenues of CO.
iumbia, s. c.. and some other cities.
There are, included in this four mile
0ctagon, variety of building sizes,
such as cannot fail to crafty the taste of
those who can appreciate beautiful seene>
ry and romantic landscape. The yood-
land, and some of the best sites. viii h..
reserved for the benefit of :.he comr.,;os
and sold when sufficient comre,;,;on e..
them have arrived on the ground There
IS also . isa proportion Of plain unbro.
ken lard.
The members of the companies include
nearly one hundred individuals, most of
whom are heads of families; and TO pro-
vide for these, eight of the above de-
scribed Oetagon settlements are being
surveyed. They will each present fea-
lures of interest peculiar to themselves,
and when the survey is complete, q map
|of all the settlements, showing the water
courses. lakes, rocks. wood and undula-
|tions of the surface. will be published by
Messrs. Fowler 4 Wells, and can be haa
of the agent of the companies. Isaac "
England. Tribune Office. New York
City. Specimens of the minerals ofthis
location are to be sent to the Museum of
Messrs E~srle, &. W.Ila s,~ A-L:l:..