The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1857-11-14
Tr.Veltn. Correspondence.

Departure from st. Louis-Paein.& IN ~ Rc.tOT againH
A Rough Country-Awaitins @ .ne NJ Tor,cIisssvsn
Kansas Cty-Tbe wrecked 0'e"Asi f
"0f'n-"s' Sr. GEORGE HOTEL,
WESTON, Mo-, Oct. %, 1857. J
Mrssps EprroRs THUS far into the
houo,s Of the land have marched on with
ont ;mnediment.' When last wrote you,
was soourning in the ancient and oriental
city of St. Louis but getting disgusted with
city life concluded to again try the country
the glorious country-where man can
breathe the free air of Heaven pure and un-
adulterated. So here am away up the Mis-
souri,, 500 miles from cioilisation.
1 had determined to write description,
&C., of ST. Louis, but time at present will not
allow me to do so-and I can at best send
YOU but dull and uninteresting letter. This
once shall have to be short and to the point,
as am not in writing humor.
Left St. Louis on Friday, Oct. 23d, on the
cars of the Pacific r. r., at A. NJ. and ar
rived at Jefferson City, distance of l25
miles, at 3 P. NJ. Had rather rough and
unpleasant ride through one of the widest
and rockiest countries 1 ever beheld. Some
of the road is tunneled through mountains
of solid rock, and other parts built up IN val
leys of sand and mud. Saw no towns worthy
of note. except Jefferson City ; and here we
had to stop till evening. awaiting the arrival
of the boat-a miserable arrangement~-and
passengers coming up the Missouri will do
we'll to take boat at St. Louis, as it is cheap
er and they will get through just as quick,
without having to wait at Jefferson City for
boat, perhaps day or two days. Many
and loud were the curses from passengers
who had become thus humbugged. Travellers
take notice.
Jefferson City is a riNage of some three or
four hundred Inhabitants, and meaner look
ing place can hardly be imagined. The Cap
itol is the only really substantial looking
building in the town, and that looks old and
rusty, with the cupola covered with rusty
sheet iron, and the marble pillars looking like
the ruins of Tyre or Nineveh. However 1t
has the best site in town, being upon the top
of little hill, overlooking the river and the
surrounding country. The town was full ol
great men and Ofice-hunters as the Legsla-
Jurc was in session.
Took the Steamer Col. Crosman, as fine
boat as phys OF the waters of the Missouri,
belonging to the "thunder and lightning line,
and started about 10 2. NJ. Nothing occur
red Of much interest on our voyage up. We
passed many places, the names of which l
have not time to record, and many fine-look-
ing places. Kansas is the first place OF note,
and very smart place. We passed the
wreck of the il-fated steamer Tropic, just
below Waverly, on Sunday about II o'clock,
of which you have no doubt heard ere this.
She was sunk about two weeks ago, or more,
and some ten or fifteen lives lost. She lies
close to the shore, and ran afoul of a snag,
which ripped out her bottom. How any one
could drown there seemed a mystery to me.
The River is very low at present, and naviga-
ton rather dangerous.
Lcavcnworth is the best looking place this
side of ST. Louis, excepting Weston. Stop
ped there two or three hours the mud l
should Judge was several feet deep. was
informed that it had rained for the last month
necessarily, which made sweet thing for
travellers. Reached here yesterday Crues
day) about p M. 1t is miles from Leav-
enworth. This is fright smart place,"-as
hoosier on the boat remarked,-of about H.
900 inhabitants, with fine brick buildings,
looking somewhat city-fed; but do not like
the country much. There is considerable
travel up river now, and many thrown out of
employment East are coming to Kansas, but
will find hard row to hoe, imagine before
the close of winter. Times are tight here al
so, and pla-cards are seen in shop-windows
with the fearful words currency wanted"
The weather now is very pleasant, and to-
day the sun shines out in all its splendor but
the evenings and morning are cool and
chilly.
But must close this apology for letter
and will try and interest you more in my next.
l leave tomorrow for Platte City, and you
may here from me from them but cannot
tell where shall drive my stakes and make
u claim. Yours in haste,