Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1857-02-28
INFORMATION
T0R InIGRADTS TO KANSAS

miles westward, embracing an area of l12,-
600 square miles. It lies in the same
belt as northern Kentucky and Virginia,
and southern Indiana and Illinois.
The description which follows applies to
the eastern portion of the Territory extend
ing $50 miles west from the eastern boun-
Diary. 1t is the portion which is now open
for settlement.
SURFACE; SCENERY, sc.
The surface of the Country rises from
the deep valleys of the streams by a Sc
ries of steps or terraces, stretches away in
smooth slopes and eliminates in gently
undula:ing up lands abotit 900 feet above
the sea. Between each terrace are inter-
walls, often several miles in breadth, smooth
las if leveled by the roller, but inclined to-
wards the valleys. Near the large streams
the land is sometimes broken, but leaving
the immediate banks there is scarcely an
acre of land where the surface is incapable
of cultivation. 1t is one unknown stretch
of arabic land, with a drainage so perfect
that not pond or swamp exists over its
whole extent.
The scenery though less varied than in
rugged and mountainous districts, is ex-
ceedingly picturesque and beautiful; the
swelling surface of the prairie dotted with
island groves; soft table land overlooking
great rivers belted with luxuriant forests,
green fiowery plains and wales of quiet
beauty walled in by the eternal battle
ments of nature; bluffs and hills lifting
their bold graceful outlines against the
sky, everywhere delight the eye and re-
deem the landscape from monotony.
GEOLOGY.
The rocks of this district consist of lime
stone, sandstone, clay, &c, belonging to
the coal formation they are usually horizon
ftal or but slightly inclined, and can be-
cheaply quarried on nearly every hillside,
furnishing excellent stone for building or
lime burning.
Scarcely square lille can be found
where they do not como to the surface;
the beds alternate with each other so that
sand, lime and good clay for brick car be
procured almost everywhere.
Coal is also very generally distributed !;
it is q soft, free burning bituminous coal,
generally quite free from sulphur and al
ready used extensively by blacksmitlis. =
The seams thus far opened nowhere exceed
three feet in thickness, but are sufficient to
furnish fuel to the population for centur-
/ les. Iron occurs in several localities; sa-
line springs occur in the upper tributaries
| of the Kansas, and also extensive deposits
Of gypsum.
The soil Of Kansas is equal to the best
soil Of Illinois and Iowa; it is quite uni
form in composition, everywhere preser-
wing the character of rich heavy loan.
The first terrace above the rivers is COW
cred with an alluvial soil often to 6 feet
in depth. The highest terraces and up
lands have the common prairie soil of
the west; the subsoil is usually stiff clay,
in some localities mixed with gravel
Patches of sandy soil occur. but they are
rare; lime is everywhere prominent in
gredient of the soil.
WATER, STREAMS, &C.
The principal streams are, the Missouri
river, which is the boundary line for about
loo miles, from Nebraska to the mouth of
| the Kansas, aud the Kansas, which with its
tributaries, waters the northern portion of
the Territory; The Usage, Neosho and Ar
kansas which 'water the south.
The Kansas river is iiavigable for small
boats eight months. in the year. Small
streams are crossed every few miles, which
carry off and distribute the surplus waters !;
they are clear except at the flood season,
and furnish everywhere abundant and ex-
celIent water for stock. Many of them
dry up partially in summer, but still fur
| nish pools Of clear water in deeper portions
of their channels. Wells can be obtained
by digging from 2 to 80 feet, even upon
the highest lands. The water is always
hard, but sweet AMI excellent.
Water-powers are found upon many of
the streams, but are not frequent. The
coal, however, will furnish cheap motive
power.
CLIMATE.
The climate of Kansas is somewhat diff
erent from that Of the same latitude fur
Their east. It's distance from the ocean
gives us here the purely continental eli
mate. It's atmosphere is remarkably pure
and dry. The amount of rain and snow
that falls is smaller than in the Atlantic
States. A cloudy day is very rare. and a
whole month often passed without show
err The temperature is generally mild in
winter, but an occasional cold spell occurs,
of short duration. The winter is confined
to its proper months, rarely commencing
before December or extending into March.
The heat of summer is tempered BY the
fresh breezes, which, rising and falling With
the sun, render this delightful season.
April and May are the the rainy months.
Frosts have never been known 10 trouble
the crops.
| HEALTH.
j The dryness, purity and fee circulation
of the air. the absence of swamp and stag
nant waters, which we find in Kansas, are
conditions favorable to health. The expe-
rience of early settlers also indicates a
! healthy climate Gacoc nf hIpoa1e fever