The Kansas herald of freedom., 1857-05-30
Public Nestipgs.
For TIE Herald Of EassaO.a.


KEoKuK. Linn Co, Kansas. May Ii, '51.
MR. EpfroR Our town Is locatsd on
the Big Sugar Greek, on the high prairie
between its branches. No mention has
been as vet made of our place except neg
atiyelv. Those interested IN other lecali-
ties for reasons best known TO themselves,
have seen fit TO decry US before we are
ready to claim vitality and footing VITA
the MANY great toscas of Kansas we do
not propose to eulogize the natural and
physical advantages of this place. but
merely state facts as the emigant viii ind
them. sz.ssF
The Big Sugar vallies are as productive
as any portion of Kansas We are as well
supplied with timber as most sections and
our country has more timber than any
other in Kansas. Our high prairies are OF
the first quality of soil, and many quarter
sections have living springs of water on
them. 1t is very healthy locality. Our
water is clear and pure as Vermont water.
Good prairie claims can yet be taken, and
timber claims be bought reasonable. Our
town site can but please every observer.
A provision store is opened, and store for
| dry goods will be put up in few days. A
saw and grist mill is on the way for this
town and we expect it viii be in operation
| about the first of July. As an inducement
to mechanics and traders, the town COM
pany propose to give good building lot
to any mechanic or trader who will put
building on the same this year, with the
| restriction that he shall not trade or trafie
| in ardent spirits. The company will soon
| be ready to sell shares. Each share con-
tains eight lots 120 feet by so 'front.' price
500. Eight quarter blocks are reserved
| for church and school purposes, and four
blocks are put into as many public squares.
We are ten miles from Moneka, sixteen
from Ossawatomie, sixty from Kansas city,
and about the same from Lawrence, and
| twenty from the State line. Our commu-
nity are largely Free State. Some little
feeling has arisen from the attempt of
some pro-slayery men to hold two sections,
and indicting under the Territorial laws
actual settlers on their extra claims. This
led TO a call for convention of actual
settlers at Keokuk, on the 9th. Said
convention organized by choosing j. w.
RUARK chairman, and DR.. S. KEITH seere-
tarv. The redemption laws were COM
mented upon and our duty as mutual
pre-emptists fully discussed. The follow.
ing resolutions were then unanimously
adopted:
RESOLVED, That we, the actual settlers
and pre-emptors of Keokuk and vicinity,
in Linn Co, Kansas, pledge ourselves to
abide by and maintain the pre-emption
laws of Congress relating to public lands.
Resolved, That all so called law. contra
, ~ to the plain meaning of the judicious
pre-emption laws of Congress, giving to
each actual resident one quarter section
e oniv. are unworthy the observance of any
e bona fide citizen Of the United States.
, ResolUed, That we viii protect every
resident pre-emptor in maintaining his
: rights in accordance with the laws of Con-
s gress, and that we will regard all so-cailed
e law contrary to the laws of Congress, as
q null and void.
Resdued, That we have confidence in
: the ability of the new Executive Of Kan
! sas TO execute the pre-emption laws oi
: Congress according to their true intent and
I meaning.
Resolved, That copy Of the above res
u olutions be forwarded to the Executive,
and a copy to the Herald of Freedom fol
cAAgITET KEITH Cac,v