Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1857-05-20
Kansas Correspondence.
DosrpHoN. 4. 7. Anil 20

Aessrs. Editors: II arrived in Kansas
en- the 5ih inst. and have since Travelled
through different portions Of the Terri
tory. To fulfill ny promise to you, 1
give you the result of some of my OBJ
servations.
: Kansas has Il climate, soil. mineral r.
sources, and geographical position. 70
: roske It 8 great State. A high rolling
prairie is a general characteristic of the
country. There arc no marshes, or pools
Of staguant water, I know no country
where springs of living ra:er so geuer-
Ally abound. Hence il viii generally be
free from the sgues and levers SO preva.
lent in a prairie country. The soil is
very fertile, on The highest hill ii is of a
deep black mould. All the crops known
70 Ohio are produced here. besides hemp
the production Of which is very profit
able. The climate as well as soil, is
wei adapted 10 fruit growing. Tie finest
fruit is raised across the Missouri river,
and sold here much cheaper than in
Ohio,
Coal is found in nearly all the settled
portions of the territory. and in some
places is sold cheaper than in Warren.
South of the Kansas liver lead is found.
The mines Of lead across the river, in
Missouri are very productive. Lead has
been thrown out of wells, as far North
as Leavenwor,h.
s. Kansas has already q large trade
fran Salt Lake, California ami Santa
Fee. Besides this. the government gets
its supplies here, for lis troops in the
West. and in New Mexico.
FrJm what | have said above il mus;
not be inferred that this is one of the
isles Of the Blessed or that the "Gol
den sae"is revived here. There are
many things to discourage the emigran;s.
vsAInostserery article is up to California
prices. Accommodations at hotels are
brery poor, aud enormously high. Pro
visions of every Kind are so high that il:
makes living here very expensive LINN
Der is worth from $50 to se5 per thou
ssand, ard hard to be got at that pnce.
AL is owing to the very great tide of
emigration that is pouring in this spring
THESE diff cul,ies will be overcome, and
these articles will be cheap in o year or
two. Settlers on farms. who come in
thereafter, will end it Difficult. to ind
claims with timber. without going back
from the river farther thar is desirable.
This is partly owing to the fac;, that
much Of the timber lands near the river.
iisin The hands Of the Indians. The
only point where settlement can be made
as near as ten miles OF the river, is in
The North part Of the territory which is
In my opinion tie best part OF Kansas.
The country is generally healthy. hut
there will be some ague along the
streams and in the Great Neasha country
fsourh If The Kansas river) where most
ysof the Ohio s~et,l.rs 60. Il is a little re-
tsuarksbIc that settlers from the North
should settle fsrihes' South. and faTihest
from Ess'ern communications. 10 that
reountry rains are more periodical. and of
coarse drouths 10 summer are common.
.Hence il sis too dry FOR oats. and spring
ssrops.
- / think Kansas viii he a free State. /
believe that four-6fths of its population
are from the porth. who are all in favor
of its being q free State. snd a port"n
-of those from tie south ere free State
men, yeti believe that a pro.slscery con.
e sisudop will be formed and presented to
eCopgress; then Congress mnst refer it TO
the people. II admitted as a slave
zSt4ss h eoull net rem lin 81 riI months.
8