The Kansas herald of freedom. [volume] (Wakarusa, Kan. Territory) 1854-1860, 1858-06-05
A New Yorker in Kansas.

Mr.. SIMoNsoN, the able Washington
correspondent of the N. Y. Times, recently
paid visit to Kansas. From a letter
dated at Leayenworth, on the 28th of
April, published in the Times, we copy
the following =
immigration is still pouring into the
Territory, though in far smaller streams
than year ago. Nevertheless, one meets
half dozen immigrant wagons on every
mile of road-each drawn by two or three
yoke of oxen, with COW led at the tail
board, and surly dog bringing up the
rear. The wagons are all covered, and
well filled with varied cargoes, on the top
of which may generally be seen half .
dozen ruddy-faced children, peering out
from under the cover at every passing
traveller. Ranged along the outside of the
vehicle hang an Ak, tea-kettie and a
frying pan-the universal implements of
cookery upon these migratory trips The
camp of one of these emigrating families
is interesting to the novice in life on the
Plains. At the close of weary days ride,
the team is hauled up along the side of
some water-course, or in the edge of a
thicket, or under the brow of hill which
affords protection against the wind when
it is too high for an outdoor lodging
The children and the mother gladly dis
mount from their perch upon the house,
hold goods; and while those who are old
enough, assist in turning out the cattle to
Craze, and in collecting material for fire,
the "old man" pitches the apology for a
tent. A rousing fire soon blazes, the
sliced bacon Kisses in the pan, the Johnny
cake is baking, the kettle sings, the COW is
milked, and then supper is ready. Half
an hours chat by the liberal and generous
FIRE closes the programme and the eyes of
ala good-sized log or the stump of a
tree having first been fairly ignited for the
preservation of a due amount of caloric"
during the night Riding in the night, at
this season, one may see any number of
these camp-fres illuming the prairie
and pleasing and picturesque scenes they
are, apparently so full of rude and robust
comfort, that beholder from the great
over-crowded City, forgets his dyspepsia
in very envy of the squatter's healthful
independence.
Many reader is asking himself whether
Kansas offers him inducements for emf
grating hither:: A word to such. Kansas
is already full of clerks, who, having no
capital, must get into the service of those
who have, or starve. There is no room here
for such. The soil is unsurpassed, and the
climate fine. In few years, Kansas will
be one of the richest agricultural States in
the Union. But the cities and towns are
already in advance of the country, for the
reason that the settlers have net yet got
their farms under cultivation, and great
many of them are almost helpless for want
of money to make essential and indispens-
able improvement. No man should come
here, therefore, to live in the towns unless
he has capital, and the knowledge and
skill to employ it. For such there i:
abundant room. There is almost nc
money in the country, for all of it has beer
seraped together during the last few
months by pre-emption claimants, to pay
up for their lands prior to the July sales
Five per cent. month is the usual rate oI
interest, and five per cent. is paid even in
Government drafts, where the cash il
wanted for them. But farmers and me-
chanics, who have few hundred dollar:
with which to help themselves, will still
find advantageous openings back in the
country little ways. They mustremem
Der, however, that lumber sells for from
$50 to $50 thousand, and that they vii
be compelled to erect their own shanty
and live in it until they have time anC
opportunity to get out the stone and pu
a more commodious and more durabll
building. Even in the towns it is almos
impossible to rent a dwelling, and ever
when it can be done, the cost is just abou
six times as great as in New York O.
Washington.