The Kansas herald of freedom., 1857-03-14

forming an irregular line along the
base of the horizon. 1t required but
little stretch of the imagination to
fancy spendid mansions. thrifty or
ehards, fruitful vineyards. and "the
cattle of a thousand hills" as there
adding to the beauty Of the already
variegated landscape.
| Turning to the north, the timber
along the banks of the Neosho stretch
es away on either hand, while occa-
sional arms are seen projecting from
the main body to the north, indicating
the valleys of Dow creek and other
rivulets of lesser note. The high
prairie is seen beyond these. and stiA
farther away q dark blue line gives
indications of large bodies of timber
still more remote.
Turning to the east, it seemed as if
we were seated at the center Of an
oval circle which was elongated in that
direction, forming, at the greatest
point of divergence, the confluence of
the NeosAo and the Cottonwood, sbont
six miles away and apparently several
hundred feet lower than the point we
occupied. The elevated prairie isseen
in some places above the trees. though
vision in this direction is principally
obstrueted by the "dim old forests"
which skirt the streams.
On the west, the fine elevation be-
fore mentioned shuts out the horizon,
as it is somewhat higher than the
point We were occupying. We found
this immediate location was traversed
by roads and Indian trails in almost
every direction. The Sacs and Foxes
pass over it as they go out to fight
the Osages or hunt the buffalo. The
Kaws cross it in their route to the
head waters of the Verdigris, and on
their way to the lower Neosho. 1t is
crossed by the settlers south of the
Cottonwood, on their way to Council
City, Council Grove. or Fort Riley.
and by explores to southwestern
Kansas, which is already attracting
the attention of tourists.
In the afternoon Messrs. Dow and
Schuyler visited the steam saw mill
of Hayworth & Co., six miles west of
the point indicated, sn the south
branch of the Cottonwood, and re-
mained there for the night. We
learned from them that the mill was a
very excellent one, which had been
erected during the last autumn. Ow-
ing to the innumerable difficulties
which all persons experience who at
tempt to put machinery in motion in
Kansas, they did not complete it SO as
to get in running order before the cold
weather had set in. The have now
resumed labor upon it, and it was es-
timated that it would require another
weeks work to get it ready for SER
vice. This mill, and the one at the
mouth of the Cottonwood, being
twelve miles apart, are great acquisi-
tions to the settlers Of this region, and
will greatly facilitate the rapid settle
ment of the country. The low price
at which good lumber is furnished, to
wit: from 800 to 1921 per thousand.
furnishes proof of the great supply of
tim Der in that region, and is guaranty
that settlers who locate there will not
suffer as those in other parts of the
Territory have done for the want of
lumber.
On Whitman d Searl's map of
Kansas we observe o town, with the
name of Columbia, located near this
place. 1t is within sight of the eleva-
ton herein before mentioned and
contains a single building. We be-
lieve it was Incorporated by the bogus
Legislature year and half ago.
Having examined some stone quar-
ries in the vicinity. and having salts
fed ourselves that an abundance ef
very superior limestone abounded
throughout this region. as well as
good sandstone. and that veins of stone
coal from eighteen inches to two feet
in thickness had been discovered, We
concluded to adjourn over to the fol-
lowing day.
Passing over the 21st, which days
incident contained but little of inter-
est, we set out for home on the 22d,
Judge Schuyler having gone in ad-
vance of us the day previous as far as
Mr.. Phillips, on One Hundred and
Forty two creek. AIr. Dow furnished
us directions, but we found our pocket
compass the best guide. Our route
during the forenoon was several miles
east of the one We travelled on our way
down, and afforded rs a fine view of
another portion Of the country. We
found the prairie here, as elsewhere,
high and rolling, with ravines in
abundance to carry off the surplus
water. and every few miles q small
rivulet whose banks were skirted with
timber, though not SO plentiful as
further south. Quarries of limestone
were found protesting from the sides
of the bluffs, within short distances Of