The Kanzas news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1857-1859, 1857-10-10

cal surveyor and civil engineer, was to take
charge of the expedition. a resolution was
offered by Mr.. Army, and unanimously
adopted, that convention of delegates from
the various localities along the line should
be held at Butler, in Bates county, Mo-, on
the second Wednesday in September. At a
subsequent meeting, Mr.. Army was appoint
ed to visit Washington City at the next ses-
sion of Congress, and solicit grant of land
| for the construction of the road, and also
lendeavor to secure mail line over the above
routes. Delegates were then also appointed
to attend the convention at Butler.
From Hyatt to Moneka the prairie is
somewhat rougher, the swells higher and
the rayines deeper, but owing to the fact
that we cross the heads of the Pottawato-
mics, Big and Little Sugars, and Turkey
Creeks, there is more broken land than
over the same extent of country passed
| before.
But more receatsuFEeys have shown that
q smooth and practical route, equsf to any
on the line, can be obtained by verging a
| little to the south and avoiding the heads of
these creeks.
| Moneka is twenty-five miles from Hyatt,
and located on Little Sugar Greek, eleven
miles from the State line.
The country from Moneka east, again as
sumes the same general level and undulating
character.
Little Sugar, Mine Greek, and the Marias
Des Cygnes, are well supplied with timber,
and saw mills are being put in active opera
ton. At Potosi, near the line, one is now
about to be erected.
Butler, the county seat of Bates county,
Mo-, is twenty-five miles east of Moneka,
and is surrounded by an excellent farming
country. 1t is probably excelled in these
qualities by few counties in the State, and
only needs the advantages of railroad COM
merce to render it equal to the best.
Here the proposed thoroughfare received
a. cordial welcome. A meeting was called
Immediately on the arrival of the committee,
and the matter ably commended to the at
tention of the people by J. II. Hollingsworth,
an influential attorney of that place.
A hearty welcome was also extended to
the delegates of the proposed convention.
Mr.. Vandyke, practical surveyor, was ap-
pointed to continue the survey to Johnstown.
The meeting then adjourned to the Monday
following for further deliberation and action.
n
| fray the expenses of the survey. This be-
ing the first and only profered aid of the
kind along the whole route, it cannot escape
the especial acknowledgment of the commit
tee, and the example is worthy of all COM
mendation. Johnstown is fifteen miles from
Butler, and the prairie continues much the
same; the sWells are extensive, but not
broken, and is appearance is as if the earth
sea had cooled off just as storm had near
| ly rocked itself to rest on its rolling bosom.
The expense of grading will be comparative
ly trifing.
Mound Greek and Zebo are the principal
streams crossed, and the Zebo and its branch
es are lying along the borders and will fur
nish the needed timber.
At Johnstown a meeting was held In a
pleasant grove adjoining the village, and a
respectable audience collected, though they
had but an hours notice. The proposition
was well received, and delegates were ap-
pointed to the convention. DR.. James r.
Gates, one of the Oldest and most influential
citizens, was appointed to accompany the
survey to Clinton. And here your COM
mittee would be doing injustice to his feel
ings did he not acknowledge the kind and
hospitable entertainment he received at the
house of this worthy citizen.
Clinton is twenty miles from Johnstown,
and is the county seat of Henry county.
| The court house was here opened, and a
meeting called at short notice, the proceed
ings of which were published in the paper
at Warsaw.
Col. A. III. Tut, Merchant, awealthy and
influential citizen of that town, entered with
spirit into the proposed enterprise, and
will be one of its ablest and irmest sup
porters.
From Johnstown to Clinton the prairie
still continues smooth and of slightly un-
duiating character, and is seldom broken by
prairie drain or an unusual swell.
The streams from which timber can be
procured are the branches of the Zebo, Deep
Water and Grand River. But saw mills are
not so numerous as is desirable.
This county, from its geographical posi-
ton and its natural fertility, is destined to
be one of the most wealthy portions of
southern Missouri.
! Coal Camp is thirty two miles from Gin
ton, and is on the Jefferson City and War
saw road.
The country trayersed by this portion of
the road is favorable In the highest degree
to railroad construction, and is fast filing
up, and much of it is under cultivation.
Mr.. Sweeney, an old and estimable citizen
living in the vicinity of Clinton, and to
whose hospitalities grateful Acknowledgements
are due, was appointed to continue the survey.
| Prairie-Sea is a beautiful and fertile tract
of prairie country. owned by Judge Kerr,
and is on the line, about twenty-five miles
from Clinton, and In the midst of q rich ag-
ricultural country, and win be an important
point on the proposed road. The country
from Clinton to Coal Camp is of the same
generally level nature. and if possible more
| favorable than that further west.
| The Zebo and its branches viii still fur