The Kansas herald of freedom., 1857-04-25
Computations.
Descriptive Letter.
CousorL CIR, March %, 1851.

COUECIL CITT, Marcn 20, 1901.
Mn. BRowx,-Dear Sir III am
pleased to see that Communications
win be published in the Herald of
Freedom, from different places in the
Territory, setting forth the respective
merits of each. We should be con-
tent with less than that, if we csuid
erase from the public mind the pre-
iudices already existing against TINS
place, excited by the swinding opera
tions of the officers of the American
Settlement Company. we would be
satisfied to let the place speak for it
self. No man here is responsible for
the actions of the above named Com
pany, while there is scarce person in
Council City, who has not been d.
rectly sufferer by it. This Company
robbed us of labor and money, but it
has not implicated Us in its guilt, nor
carried the place away with it. 1t
still stands, beautiful as the hand of
nature laid it ont, rich in its soil,
healthy in its climate, lovely in its
prospects, sheltered by its wood in
winter, and scattered all over in sum-
mer with those sweet wild flowers
which charm the veriest rustic into
admiration. We do not mean to say
that Council City is superior to other
places in the Territory, but in many
respects it is UNSURPASSED.
Although classed BY many as being
in the South it is Northeast
of the center, although near enough
that point to be called the center
town. We are on the Santa Fe road,
eighty miles from Westport, and forty
from Council Grove. Topeka is
twenty-five miles North, Lawrence
twenty-five miles North East, and
Emporia thirty miles South West.
Timber and wood is sufficient to
last us till more can be grown. Coal
is abundant, so much so, that it has
been dug and hauled to Kansas City,
and sold at forty cents per bushel.
Excellent water is found by digging
from ten to twenty feet. Dragon and
Switzler Creeks, which flow through
the settlements, furnish water for stock
the year round. Berries, plum, aud
other wild fruits grow in profusion.
Cattle live the year round without be-
ing foddered, although they pass
through as great extremes, from fat
to lean. and lean to fat, as Mr.. Old
Buck himself.
Old Council City has passed into
nonentity, and although, as surveyed
out, it covered four square miles, the
very last claim has been jumped by
audacious squatters, who have pulled
up the Stakes for frewood. without
even a "why do you do So" A new
town has recently been laid out north
Of the old site, and directly on the
Santa Fe road. running parallel with
lit. Here the Post Office is kept
and here is to be town. The work
although just commenced, has begun
in good earnest. Mills, Stores, Offices
Hotels, and private dwellings are go
ing up rapidly. Any one can secur,
a good lot by erecting neat building
on it. The situation is pleasant and
varied, so that any one from a mud
digger to Shenstone, could find 10.
cation to please his taste. A name
has been talked of for this new town
and although Burlinghame has beer
proposed, l cannot say that it will b.
adopted. When we have settled th(
question, I will inform you.
| Our settlement numbers from five
hundred to one thousand persons. The
people are generally y well educated anG
refined. We boast of having tn,
best society in the Territory. Since
the plotting of our new town, prairie
claims which before were considered
worthless, are now seized upon with
great avidity, and plenty of timber
claims are for sale cheap. There
are three OF four pro-slavery men, all
told, in the settlement, and these are
real Border Rufians. Council City
has figured but little during the war,
though scarcely any place has suffered
more from its effects. On two OF
three occasions we have been reduced
almost to starvation by being cut of
from supplies. But the like cannoI
occur again, as we are in a way tc
raise enough and to spare. 1t has been
rumored that the Missouri river is te
be blockaded again ; in that event, be
assured. the Santa Fe road will meet
/ a H. fo1o TAMEC DnGEDS