The Kansas herald of freedom., 1857-04-11
HISTORY OF KANSAS,
FROM IT'S
First Discovery by the French to
the Close Of 1857.
By the Editors.
CHAPTER VIII.

CHAPTER VIII.
The TowSs OF Kansas on THE
KANSAS RIVER.
LAwRENcE.-After the passage {
the Kansas Nebraska bill, Lawrene
was the first town occupied by EN-
grants in Kansas Territory. 1t
situated on an elevated plain, fit
feet above the river, at the termin.
tion of the high lands between til
Wakarusa and Kansas rivers, and
forty miles from its mouth. It
named in honor of Amos A. Law
renee Of Boston, who has made libar
al donations in behalf of Kansas, an
who contemplates aiding in the estab
lishment of an institution of learnin,
at this point. 1t has a beautiful 10
cation, and is the centre of larg
agricultural country and an extensiy,
trade with the more interior towns
1t is also the radiating point of intel
ligence, business and active resistanc,
ts oppression. 1t has two bookstores
six dry goods and grocery stores, ont
drug store, one stove and hard war;
store, one saddler's shop, three saw
mills. four hotels, one printing office
ten lawyers. five physicians, one mer.
chant tailor, one matchmaker, one
livery-stable, two blacksmith's shops
two bakeries, one wagon-shop, two
surveyors and civil engineers, three
churches and one school-room.
The present population is estitmat-
cd at 1.S00. The principal streets ol
Lawrence running north and south,
are named after the States Of the
Union, Massachusetts, being the main
street. The streets running east and
west are named after distinguished
men. The lots are so feet front BY
III feet deep. There are two ferry
boats running night and day when
necessary to accommodate the public.
Lawrence has grown up amidst oppo-
sition such as never surrounded any
other town in America. From the
first arrival of a few peaceful emf
grants on the 1st of August 1854 up
to the present, the pro-slayery power
of the nation has been aiming to de-
stroy it, but as yet has not succeeded.
ToPEKA.-Topeka is on the Kansas
river, twenty-five miles west of Law
renee. 1t is beautifully situated on a
rolling prairie, and is surrounded by a
magnificent farming country. 1t was
located in the fall of 1854, by DIR. Rob-
inson, G.. X. Holiday, 7. G.. Thurs
ton, DIR. Crane, 4. D. Searl and
others.
The Emigrant Aid Company erected
saw mill the next spring, and settlers
came in rapidly. A half section of the
town site is held under the preemption
law, and one section is held by Wy
andott float, which enables the propri-
.etOrs to give to purchasers q warranty
deed.
1t is one of the most thriving towns
an the interior of Kansas, and is cell
ebrated for being the seat of govern
ment for the Free State party of Kan
sas. 1t has town hall, and several
handsome stone and brick buildings
for private residences.
1t has two saw mills. a grist mill,
aud The Kansas Tribune is published
here. The business lots are % feet by
lSO: other lots 70 by l5O feet.
The population is 100.
MANHATTAN is situated on an exten-
sive plain at the junction of the Big
Blue river with the Kansas, fifteen miles
below Ft. Riley. 1t is considered an
important point, on the military road
from Ft. Leavenworth to Ft. Riley,
and able to command the trade of a
large region of country. 1t has saw
and grist mill, twenty-seyen dwell
ings, three stores, one hotel, and two
ferry boats. The town covers 1880
acres, secured by two Wyandott floats;
which enables the trustees to give
deeds to purchasers.
The Manhattan Town Association
was formed April 4th. 1855, by ii. A.
Samuel D. Thurston, n. r.
Wright, A. T. Goodwin, c. II. Love-
joy, and E. II. Thurston. The same
day the Rev. Mr.. Blood held religious
services and preached in tent.
OGDEN is on the Ft. Riley road,
eight miles above Manhattan. Has
steam mill and about fifty inhabitants.
LEcoMPTes was laid out immediate
ly alter the adjournment of the Legis-
iature at Shawnee Mission. on the
Kansas river. twelve miles above
Lavrence. It is picturesquely situat-
ed, in the grove, below the bluffs, and
Is celebrated as the seat of government
Tor the pHe-slaEery party. 1t has a
steaa mill, hotel. aad State house
partly erected, and nuabers about one
hundred and City inhabitants.
DoUeLas is a small town one mile
below Leeonpton, and has about twen-
ty inhabitants.