The Kansas herald of freedom., 1857-10-10
Saturday Morning, October 10. 81.
EDITORIAL yotungs.

Last April, IN company with two tray-
cling companions, we made the trip to
Emporia. Following blind trail, we ar
rived in town a little before sundown,
weary, cold and hungry. We found Mr..
Hammond, the carpenter, the first settler,
with several workmen and emigrants oc-
cupying the only house in town, not then
quite finished. In size, it was about
twelve by fourteen feet, story and half
high. As good luck would have it, we
were all good natured. and thankful things
were no worse. The women and children
occupied the floor below, with what little
bedding there was, while the men, inclu-
ding the Doctor, the Colonel and ourself
occupied the loft. The wind blew, as
Kansas wind knows how to- and we bar
ricaded the open cracks with flour sacks
and other things, to the best of our abili-
ty, and then prepared for sleep. Two
new mattresses spread upon the floor made
a superb beginning, while the filling out
was completed by over coats and saddle
blankets. Seven men then lay down up
on the floor in this field bed and remained
till morning, whether comfortably or 9TH
erwise, this deponent saith not
Last week we visited the place again.
Six months had passed. Mr.. Hammond
with his family lives in the same little
house, near to it is a large and eommo-
dious hotel, kept by Mr.. and Mrs. SToRRs,
who are deservedly popular in Kansas.
They set good table, which is well filled
with boarders. Twenty odd gentlemen
and one lady sat down to breakfast.
The town has several stores, large
printing Office, for a pioneer,-various
kinds of mechanics shops, and number
of dwelling houses, and new saw mill
which appeared to be doing good bust
ness. All having been erected in short
space of time, and give the place an ap-
pearance of life and vigor truly encourag-
ing. This is the last outftting town on
the borders of civilization. Emporia is
the center of large trade, and is consid-
cred the center of the fertile regions of
Kansas. The road to this place is well
travelled, indicating heavy business.
The towns on the route are thriving,
- Bloomington has several new houses, and
things look lively. p. H. Berkau & Co.,
have the best mill in Kansas, if not in the
western country. The building is so #.
by 40, two stories high. 1t has two saws
for cutting lumber, one upright and one
circular, one for cutting lath, and one fol
cutting shingle stuff; also shingle ma
chine, grist mill, hominy mill and q
corn shelter. Builders can get bills filled
here at short notice. Since last spring
this mill has been put in complete opera
ton, and several new houses have gone
UP in the town, one a school house.
Two miles further on is the town called
Clifton.
- Five miles further, we came to Henry
Hyatt's new town calledVTwin Mound
The company has secured town site
and taken claims for the purpose of com
meneing an industrial, Independent insti
tuition of learning, which shall be natural
self-supporting, and within the reach Of
all, both rich and poor. 1t boasts of be-
ing ind dcpendent of all religions, and as
sumes to harmonize with the laws oi
nature. There is quite a geological curl
osity in this vioinity. As you pass from
Bloomington, west, the bluffs which
break to the south are formed of granite
and trap boulders, OF primitive formation
ranging in size from very small to large
size; the most of them being suitable fo
pavements. We have seen nothing like
this in any other part of Kansas.
From Twin Monnd to ITO there aro
vet few claims not taken. On botf
sides of 11O on the Santa Fe road few
good prairie claims could be had, as val
liable as any in Kansas now open for set
tlement. Heavy coal beds are in thi'
vicinity. 4 farmer worth $1,000, whC
takes a claim on this road west of no put
up his building and Improvements, woul(
be very likely to pay for his whole invest
ment in two or three years. Corn SELL
here to travellers at fabulous prices.
Burlingame comes next, thriving ae
tive town, the residence of Judge Schuy
Ter. On the Hill above, stands doubl,
log calm, the only dwelling ever erected
in the famous Council City.
a few neM- dwellings are going up o,
this road; bun generally the claims ar,
vacant. The prSries at present are yer!
uninyiting. The dry weather has stintet
the grass and it is now burning in som,
places. The creeks and springs are dry
which makes it difficult for teams ant
stock to get water.
AT the crossingo of 142 creek, the heat
branch of the Usage river, some enterpris
ing settlers have commenced tow
which they call Kansas Center. The,
have saw mill, and show other signs o
life. On the whole, the country on thii
route has improved vastly during ths
last six months.
Everywhere the legal voters determin.
ed to turn out and vote. We saw no pro
slavery men excepting at l1o. and they
were not intending to vote because the
voting precinct was fifteen miles distant
There are three voting precincts il
Breckenridge County, one of them a
Emporia. In this county Free Stat,
majority is expected of about 600.
About two miles down the Cottonwood