The Kanzas news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1857-1859, 1857-10-10
SEPTEMBER 9, 1857.

N6OSQO &uo O6AOE6OA OlLJ 16d1lTOdls
Assembled in Convention at Butler,
Bates County, Mo.
SEPTEMBER 9, 1857.
GENTLEMEN When the proposition for
this road was first made, it was expected that
an interest so deep and so extensive could
not possibly be awakened in so short time.
1t is now but little over two months since
the project was first named, and yet we see
here, to-day, delegates from nearly the whole
extent of the line from Emporia to Jefferson
City, distance of over 200 miles; and an
interest has been awakened throughout the
entire route that gives hopeful promise of
an active and energetic determination to push
the matter 70 a speedy and triumphant con-
summation.
At meeting of delegates in Kanzas, held
at Emporia in July last, to consider the
wants of Kanzas as to railroads, this route
was proposed-the Hannibal and ST. Joseph
road across northern Missouri, now termi-
mating at st. Joseph, was to be continued to
Topeka, on the Kanzas river from Topeka
it was to be continued to Emporia. This
road, together with that to be constructed
up the Kaw from Wyandott to Quindaro,
would supply northern and central Kanzas
with ample thoroughfares.
Emporia lies nearly west from st. Louis
and Jefferson City. A line of railroad was
proposed connecting these places, for the
benefit of southern Kanzas and southwest
ern Missouri. The proposition was ap-
proved by the committee, followed by the
appointment of delegate to make survey
of the route, and the appointment was inn
mediately followed by the survey, and a
brief report of the route, with extracts from
the notebook, is now most respectfully sub
mitted to this convention.
Leaving Emporia, which is located just
above the junction of the Cottonwood and
Neosho rivers, in central Kanzas, the route
led down the Neosho valley in nearly a
southeastern direction. By crossing the
Cottonwood above its junction with the Ne
osho, a smooth and level country is secured,
and a strip of high, bluf-like land avoided,
which would be encountered by crossing the
Neosho above the junction of the Cotton
wood. Both the rivers at these places of
crossing have rocky bottoms and rocky
banks, and can be bridged with great sue
cess. Rock is abundant, and timber conve-
nient.
Continuing down the Neosho, along the
eastern side, the valley is remarkably smooth
and level, and its surface quite even and
unbrokeH. The width of the bottom along
this river varies from half of mile to a
mile, and the timber is of good quality and
abundant in quantity. Saw mills are up,
and going up, at proper intervals along the
river.
Ottumwa is the first town reached of any
considerable size, and is twenty-five miles
from Emporia-
Here meeting was called at about an
hours notice, and was fully attended, and
the proposals for the railroad was warmly re-
ceived. DR.. Hamilton Smith was appointed
70 accompany the delegate and continue the
tinue the survey on to Hampden.
From Ottumwa the route still continues
along the valley of the Neosho, and the
country is much the same in profile as that
above. The river, with its heavy timber
lying along on the right, and the distant
bluffs on the left, while the fertile valley is
seen stretching far away in the distance, ex-
hibits prospect as remarkable for its beau
ty as it is for its natural adaptation to rail-
road construction.
Hampden is eight miles from Ottumwa.
Here meeting of the citizen was held and
the matter warmly approved, and measures
adopted to continue the survey. Mr.. W. A.
Ella. an able and most worthy resident, one
of the proprietors of the town and a practi-
cal surveyor, was appointed to assist in lay
ing out the route to Hyatt.
AT Hampden we leave the Neosho, which
bears away to the southeast, and take near
ly due east course.
The prairie, after the first half mile or
more, is unusually favorable in its forma-
ton. 1t is not high and broken, as in some
parts of Kanzas, nor is it so fiat and low as
In some portions of Illinois, but it lies on a
general level, and the swells and undulations
are such as render it beautiful. and adapt it
to the best system of agricultural cultiva-
ton. Some portions of the route for miles
are so nearly on an eyenness of surface that
it is difficult to tell whether you are on an
ascending or descending plane.
Wolf Creek, Long Branch, and Hickory
Greek, tributaries of the Neosho, with
channels deep and narrow, are on the route,
and will furnish timber in reasonable guam
titles. Hickory Greek is to be supplied
with saw mill the present season, and has
good supply of timber.
Fountain is located on this creek, and is
SO named from the fact that on a divide,
some so or 80 feet above the prairie, spring
OF pure cold water gushes out from the
rocks, and continues its refreshing stream
throughout the season.
The prairie from Fountain nearly to Hyatt
Is much the same, and sand stone is distri-
outed at convenient intervals all the way
from the Neosho.
When within mile or two of Hyatt the
Prairie becomes more broken and somewhat
rocky, but by slight curviture in the line
1t could nearly be avoided, on entering that
town.
At Hyatt, the subject met with hearty
aud cordial support from Mr.. Army, the
agent there, and from the whole community
connected. and the whole thing seemed to