The Kansas herald of freedom., 1858-10-09
rour rhrough Johnson Comfy.

distant, that evening. The greater part
of the way the road was new TO us, and
that part the last end of our route, hence
our desire to hurry forward, SO as to pass
over as much of the distance as possible
before darkness should come on.
The road to Franklin, which place is four
, miles East of Lawrence, we found in ex-
cellent condition, and the distance was
soon made. We had not visited that
town for several months, during which
period the spirit of improvement had
been there, and several very desirable
changes had been made in its favor. The
town is nicely situated, with population
in the place and contiguous to it, who
naturally do their business at this point,
of about 500. Though Franklin suffered
severely during the disturbances of '55
and '56, and the citizens lost consider
able property by the Rufians, who made
that town their head quarters for time,
yet little was said about it, as Lawrence
was the favored child of journalists and
correspondents.
The road beyond franklin to the Wa
karusa, some two miles or more, was found
in q very bad condition, as it passes
through the Wakarusa bottom. The pro-
tractsd rains of the summer and autumn
had completely saturated che earth with
water. The large amount Of travel pass
ing over this road has converted the light
porous soil into mortar to q considerable
depth, and rendered it almost impossible.
As we passed over it we involuntarily
called to mind the night of the 18th of
May, 1856, when, as prisoner, with the
murdered JENKINS, we were carried over
this bottom, (then from ten to eighteen
inches deep with water) by our " Border
Ruf6an" captors, on our way to Lecomp-
ton, to answer the charge of treason
The full moon shed its mellow rays
upon the scene, giving an indistinct out
line of the forest, which was in our rear
and near at hand; the elevated prairie
and Franklin in the distance; whilst in
front and rear were long line of horse.
men with their military accoutrements;
and on either side, in single file, with
muskets and bayonets glittering in the
moonbeams, were body of footmen, hall
knee deep, trudging along through the
water, keeping guard of us, apprehensiv.
of an escape or rescue. Their forms
mirrored by the pale moon in the calm
quiet waters, which were only disturbed
by their footsteps, doubled their number
in appearance, and made a pagean
never before witnessed in Kansas, anc
which we hope will never be realized
again, in all its features.
Near BLUE JACKETS former residence
double log house, situated on the Eas
bank Of the Wakarusa, is the point o
divergence from the Westport road II
those who are going from Lawrence +
McCAmmish or Gardner. The road be
yond this point was wholly new to III
It passes over beautiful prairie country
occasionally divided by creeks and rivu
lets, and is not yet much settled.
seemed, as We passed over the road, tina
there must be large country along thi
route yet open to presumption, though G
this we may be mistaken. Night cam
on with some eight miles before US an
our destination, but we travelled on wit
brilliant star twinkling in front, and th
comet with its long bushy tail in the rea
Of the country we can say but little,
the outlines were only furnished US b
starlight.
After numberless little adventures, CON
mon, probably, to the benighted travele
ignorant Of the road, we reached McCau
mish about 8 O'Clock in the evening"
After seeing our spirited horse provide
for, we found ourself, soon after, stowe
away for the night.
McCammish is an old trading DO,
formerly known to Santa Fe travellers
Bull Creek, and more recently as Hi
bard, post Office of that name havil
g been established there some eight yea
ago. 1t has many advantages as a bul
ness point, is furnished with an abundan
OF water, and it is probable it will ma
an active little inland town. They ha
very good hotel there, with ssvsl
stores and mechanic shops. West
the town site, and adjoining it, we belle,
new town has been projected by t
name Of LGnesVille--Jim Lane being o
of the proprietors. Though the site is
very pretty one, yet the name will dan
itpermsnently.
Renewing our journey the next NOR
ing, four miles east of McCammish,
the Santa Fe road, We found the town
Gardner. This is situated on an elevat
prairie, away from timber and water,
in the midstOf lovely farming COUNT
A large stone hotel, and numerous stol
and mechanic shops, all erected in Lit
more than q year, give Us an idea of t
energy Of the proprietOs of the town.
Water, we understand, was found at
moderate depth below the surface; al
though lacking the advantages of timb
yet the lovely landscape, seen for sever
miles in every direction, makes up to t
lovers of the beautiful, to some extel
this want which, for few yeArs, uq
forests can be grown, muss be suppli
from more remote points.
Continn;nc tha iournav seVen miles.