The Kansas herald of freedom., 1857-01-10

r Rsr sas Hssld ef Fss.dsm
Neosho valley


LAwgEscz, Is. T. Dec. 81. '56.
GEo.. W. BRows. Esq.-DrsR SrR:.
Having Just returned from the South
western portion of the Territory. {
have concladed to say . word, with
your permission, relative 70 The nstu-
raj advantages Of the great Neosko
Foley" thinking, or hoping rather,
|it may not be entirely unacceptable to
some Of your readers, especially those
who are Intending to make homes IN 3
the xilds Of Kansas I am at present
engaged in. travelling In that part of
| the ceuEtty md after visiting every.
point on the Neosho. from CoHaehee
up to Council Grove, and also every
settlement on the Cotton Wood, I
must say that. in regard to soil. tim
ber, and az natural advantages, it can
not be surpassed. The Neosho is q
stream of no mean consequence, while
its timbered banks compare favorably
with any | have seen. There are very
extensive bodies of timber in this Sec
ton. Stone is abundant, while the
best of stone-eoal abounds on the va.
rious branches of the river. There are
some heavy settlements on the Neosho,
but still vacant claims may be had
hard by. while on the Cotton Wood,
"there remaineth yet much land 10 be
possessed" /" The present settlers are
thriving, industrious, and for the most
part. an intelligent people. The friends
of freedom are greatly Ia the msjori-
ty. On the north fork of the Neosho
there are some pro-slavery persons,
especially in the region of Council
Grove, but on the Cotton Wood they
are few and far between. / have vis-
tied almost every family on that ssresm
and think Imay safely say, there are
not over q half-dozen pro-slavery fam
lilies nit. Columbia is little town,
laid off by the pro-siayery folks, six
miles from the mouth. but now most
of its original settlers haveleft. Quite
a thriving colony of Free State men
have settled near the mouth of Cotton
Wood, who seem to have the cause of
freedom near their hearts. In the
neighborhood of Boonville is anoth-
er strong Free State settlement. Six
miles below Boonville is the village
of Hampden, all right on the great eHss-s
ton. Leroy, twelve milesfurther down
lis somewhat divided, while between
the two places. On the opposite side Of
the river, is Neosho City. Cofachee
is alse divided on the goose. I find,
in travelling, that there are some reli-
gious persons in the Neosho Valley.
most of the people are members of
some church-the Methodists, Baptisssy
and Friends are the most numerous
where ] have been. One thing I have.
found rather singular, that most of the
pro-slayery people belongsto the Meth
odist E. Church, South.
And now I would just say, in clos
ing, to all who are looking fer homes
Donot fail to explore the EeesAo VAL
ley. Here is room enough and 90 spares
The land is goodiy, producing abund-
antly, almost everything desirable to.
the eyes and pleasant to the taste.-
Corn does WE'LL Potatoes, the past
season, yielded bountifuiIy---so with
nearly every thing planted. Theirs viii,
be few enemies to conquer before
fully taking possession. such Is the
grasshopper, &C., but time
and patience viii overcome them. ef
Your readers, Mr.. Editer, may think
the writer prssumptiotis IN intfudiag
so much upoa you By way of writine,
bnt assure them that seyersl of the
settlers on the Neosho requested him
SO to do, and then be heard sosoe
saying unto him "icrits. - so
ss1sa Very respectfully, 80
saa BAXTER C. DENNIS.