The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1857-12-05
Travelling Correspondence of the MINI
neSOtian ...NO. 4.


nesOtian...NO. 4.
Leavenworth City-lts Resources-Soil and Climate
Its Rapid Growth and Prospects for the Future-A
Trip into Kansas, &C., &c.
PLATTE CRY, No., Nov. 9Th, 1891
Mr.. EDITOR Having once more arrived
in this "Border Ruffian" land, thought
would put down few items on paper, and
send them to you, although perhaps you may
laugh at the quality of both the letter and
paper. as | write on o sheet of bill paper on
a stump in the open air yet it is fashionable
in this country.
Ihaye been around some since last wrote
you,-that is, around about Learenworfh-and
am fully convinced that this is bound to De
the city of Kansas, as we'll as the largest ou-
siuess point this side of St. Louis. was I'M
able in my last to give you but faint idea OF
the town, but will try and enlighten you more
this time.
Leavenworth city is situated on the Mis-
souri, River and 500 miles from st. Louis, at
q point where the channel of the river will
never change, as at some other towns the riv
er has receded from the town, leaving it high
and dry. From its natural position, being
near the centre of the State, and the advan-
tages over all other places on the river, there
can be little doubt but that it is to be the
Chicago of the Missouri river. 1t now num-
beers some ) or 5000 inhabitants, and only
three years old What rapid growth -
The buildings are mostly wood, but on the
business streets there are some as fine build
ings as you will find anywhere. There are
four newspapers-the Times, Journal, Hefata,
and Young -fmerica. The Times building is
very fine one, and the office is the best IN
the Territory. They have Guernsey pow
err press, and several others. Mr.. j. CHAM
PIox VAUGHAN, great champion of freedom,
and for while assistant Editor of the Mil
waukee Free Democrat, is the Editor. lie IS
a smart man, a fierce and vigorous writer,
and is meeting with that success which he so
richly deserves. While | was in town, the
streets were filled with covered emigrant
teams, which were constantly arriving, and
squads of soldiers from the Fort in their
"Regimentals, " were traversing the town over.
Standing at the upper end of the main street
and looking down, reminds US of California
in its earlier years, and the business that is
carried on in this young city would surprise
tie most incredulous. 1t is already ahead of
Weston, Mo-, which is 25 or 30 years Old
There is fine large hotel, the planters
House'-the best in town-also the ''Shaw-
nee House. st. George" &c. A man own
inc team, on the levee, drove it into the riv-
er the day was there and the horses gettin-
into the current, went under and were drown
ed-provinga dead less" to him, but so much
for careessness.
took short trip into the country back
of, and above, Leavenworth, and saw some
thing OF the soil and climate, together with
the resources of Kansas, of which have al
ready given my opinion.
1t was almost impossible to form a correct
estimate Of the resources with which nature
has 20 lavlsh'y blessed this Territory. The
soil itself is rich and productive, capable OF
being converted into an agricultural Eden,
and where This is not the case, and where
rocky bluffs rise from the general level but
sparsey covered with an alluvial deposit, the
most nutritious grass hourishes luXuriantly
which is evidently destined tosupport count
less herds and flocks, and erewhle make
Kansas noted as grazing country of une-
quaed value, capable Of producing, in untold
quality, and of superior excellence, the many
staple going products which ever command a
ready sale and market. Wood is scarce it is
true, and yet l believe the quantity is amply
sufficient to supply the demand for many
years to come But if we leave the surface,
the wealth, beauty and fertility of which no
language can exaogerate, how can we find
words to portray the mineral treasures which
lie embedded in the bosom of the earth p
There is scarcely portion of Kansas that is
not intersected with veins of excellent coal.
Iron, too, has been discovered, and building
stone of the finest quality everywhere a
bounds Taking also into consideration the
healthful and invigorating atmosphere which
encircles the va st domain, we may confidently
anticipate glorious career for State so
rich in all the natural resources, which, under
the guidance of Intelligent industry and free
labor, form the groundwork of prosperous
and progressive commonwealth.
The nervous strides which Kansas has al
ready taken in progressive developments, hcl
sud len awakening, as it were, from dreamy
sleep into the full play of active life, is but q
faint indication Of what is yet to come
when her soil teens with busy population
and blossoms with universal cultivation
when her resources are brought into play
and her mineral treasures are wrung from
their hidden holds.
Much, indeed, should it gladde us to know
that such country had been snatched from
the eager clutch of Slavery, and that its des
tiny is to build up free institutions which
shall shed additional glory over materia
greatness, and r1ake Kansas stand among the
first in that brigh galaxy which has been sc
long the wonder and surprise of the elder
nations and empires of the world.
But have overreached upon your columns
too much already, am afraid, Mr. Editor, SO
l will close. l leave here again next week.
for the interior of Kansas, from whence, per-
haps, you will hear from me again. Nothing
new at present. The weather is rainy
Yours, Truly,
TOCSERP.