The Kansas herald of freedom., 1857-09-12
Editorial Totnngs.

Editorial lettings.
Our columns were too much crowded
last week to make room for our trip 70
Grasshopper Falls. We crossed the Kan
,as river at o'oclock in the afternoon of
,be 25th ult., with carriage, and travel
ed west, through the bottoms and timber
come seven or eight miles. Thence leav-
mo the Kansas river at our left, our direc-
ton changed to the north, and continued
an the divide with heavy bodies of timber
ber on either hand, until it was quite
dark without seeing a house in all this
distance. A light appearing at our
r;qbt we resolved to visit it. 1t proved
10 be camp fire, where some travellers
had put up for the night. We found that
settler was neat so we resolved to call
nnon him. and we're favored with enter
tainment for the night. It proved to be
only about hundred rods from oskaloosa,
very thriving Free State town with
steam saw mill, several stores, hotels and
other places of business, located on the
half section west Of the point indicated as
jacksonville on the map, the latter of
which has no existence only in the irnag-
ination of the projectors of the place.
From Oskaloosa we journeyed west
nine miles to Osawkee, the place of the
recent sale Of the Delaware lands. Cross
ing the Grasshopper to Pleasant Hill, we
continued our journey up the creek to
Grasshopper Falls, distant about thirty
FIVE miles from Lawrence by the road
where we arrived at 8 o'clock in the
morning of the 18th.
Grasshopper Falls is located at the fall.
of Grasshopper Creek, from which it de.
riyes its name. 1t is situated about TWEEN
ty miles north os Lecompton, and thirty
miles in direct line due west of For
Jeavenwortb. 1t was selected as the cen
ter of Free State settlement by ROBERT
RIDDLE and few other friends, mostly
from Pennsylvania, we believe, in th'
spring Of 1866. It is nov the center Of
populous neighborhood, and gives evi
dence of thrift and prosperity not enjoy
ed by many localities of twice its popu
lation. There are three stores in th
place, in active operation, one MOTEL an
three or four boarding houses; one steal
saw mill and one water saw mill. III
settlers have erected a school house, al
aschooi is in daily session with good
humber Of students. They have a II
weekly mail connecting that place vii
Kickapoo, touching at Crooked Creek
route. The Methodist and Presbyteris
churches are about erecting houses
worship, and have part ST the necessai
funds already secured for that purpose.
The town plat of Grasshopper Falls er
brace eco acres the title of which is We!
ed in trustees by government for the be
eft of shareholders. The lots are 80 fl
front by 142 feet deep. The lots ha
recently been drawn, and the trust'
have given notice that certificates sho'
be returned to their secretary by the Il
of September inst, on which warra
deeds will issue immediately. Ii not
turned by that time the lots will be
fsited to the town company. Shares
said to be worth from $500 to s.
When the Convention closed we sta
back the way we came. Night con
upon us, and the road being only Wis
when the lightning flashed, and Sc
storm approaching and cabin IN
distance we made for it, and found
mere board structure, few feet sq'
with windows and doors all open,
large creviices at the sides, and covered
with brown cotton sheeting. Concei
this our last chance of getting shelte
the night we picketed out our horse,
with our blankets made a bed ON
floor, The thunder increased in vloi'
the Hghtnings became more intense,
soon storm, unequalled in force this
son was upon us. The rain fell in torn
and with heavy wind was forced thr
the building, completely victim
through. Huddling together as clio
possible we remained till morning,
we resumed our journey and arriv
home about o'clock in the afterno
the 9th ult., having sustained no
10 health from the "wet sheet pac
the night previous.
This is portion Of the Terfitor,
which we have never previously ira
It presents, however, the same
appearance with other portions-w
versifed with beautiful scenery
where undulating-ana divided b
timber and prairie. the latter great
ponderating. Between Osawke
Grasshopper Falls we find a large I
ofcabins untenanted, and the claims
proved. Inquiring of a friend, we
that Immediately after the lans
closed, these pre-enptors suddenly
country, having secured their title
mission to Kansas was ended; so
turned East to await the grewti
country, and the enhanced value
estate that they may make fortuI
the labors of neighboring claimant
men are curse to any count
should not be encouraged. One
comes to Kansas, and who sestl