Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1857-04-03
lrrom.tha Kansas Tribunal
To Kansas Emigrants.

To Kansas Emigrants. |
We publish the following letter fromf
Wisconsin, asking information in regard
to the country, etc, and make It the oc-
casion of answering many others we are
in receipt Of, and which we have not time
to answer by letter. 1t will always be
our pleasure to send to our friends in the
States all the information we can procure
in regard to Kansas, which they wish to
receives:
COLUMBUS, COLUMBIA Co., WIS,
Jan. 26, 1857.
GENTS Il have taken the liberty of
making some inquiries of you in regard
to your place, and which 1 hope you will
not consider too much trouble to answer.
LIST. What is the population OF Tope-
ka?
End. What kind of country have you
around?
Sd. Have you coal?
4th. How near to Topeka can an i'm
provement be bought?
9th. What are lots worth?
9Th. How cold have you had it this
winter?
9TH. How near Topeka can good claims
be made?
Sth. Please give me any information
you can in regard to climate, soil, timber
and water-is it healthy?
9th. Do you expect any more trouble
in the spring between pro and anti
slavery.
1st. The population of Topeka is be-
tween six and seven hundred, almost eX-
clusively from the Northern and Eastern
States, and is intelligent, enterprising,
and industrious. There are few from
Missouri and other slave holding States,
but they also are Of the better class of
citizens, not partaking in any degree of
the Border Ruffian instincts which have
characterized the conduct of too many
from the South.
End. The country around is principally
prairie, except on the north, OF the margin
of the Kansas river; and is slightly I'M
dulating. The soil is rich and deep, well
adapted to all the grains and roots of the
North with many of those of the South.
Sd. We have coal of a good quality,
, within two miles of the town site. Coal
has been discovered in the vicinity Of al
most every settlement that has been
made; but it is not much mined, and con-
seuuently not much used. There are
several veins in from 2 to 10 miles Of the
town.
4th. Improved claims in the immedi-
ate vicinity of the town can be bought
but are held high, ranging from $1,000
to $4,000, according to location and quail.
ity of improvement. From 2 TO 5 miles
they are held at $500 to $500.
9Th. Town shares, embracing 10 lots
NAV be had at from S4O0 to 5000. Sin.
gre lots wen located for business 25Al3t
it., average about $50; dwelling lot:
: 75X150 f., convenient to the main bust
2 ness streets, about the same.
9th. The weather, during the month
! of January, was at times very severe
q The thermometer was below zero on sew
eral occasions, for a few hours in the
morning, but as noon approached, it be
came much more comfortable. Since tht
0 1st of February, the mercury has beer
a below but once, and then but few
0 hours, most of the time averaging abou
1 20 above, and for the last two weeks
about so above.
9TH. Good claims may now be hat
1 within miles of the town, but are rap
e idly filling up.
= 9th. The climate of Kansas is yer,
r pleasant, the atmosphere clear, dry ant
1 bracing. The summers are warm, bu
: not sultry or enervating. High wind
d prevail much of the time, but on becom
L ing accustomed to them, they are not 5,
2 disagreeable as at first, and serve very
e much to purify the atmosphere, and witt
: other circumstances, to make it YER
i healthy.
There is plenty of timber of good quail
ity in the immediate vicinity of Topeka
on the banks Of the Kansas river an,
small streams running into it. Good wei
water may generally be reached at
depth of 20 to 40 feet.
9Th. This question is not so easily an
swered, although we have no apprehen
sion of serious disturbances. Gov. Gea
ry has the power to prevent them, an
will undoubtedly do it. Besides, the au
thors of the past difficulties are fast fall
ing into disfavor with their own people
and will not be likely to again undertak
an enterprise which has proved SO III
=. profitable, unpopular and unsuccessful.