The Kansas herald of freedom., 1858-08-21
Niseeliapeops.
From tie Emporia Nsos.
Down the Esosho.

On Tuesday last, in company with
friend, we took passage behind slow
horse, in dilapidated buggy, for Ottum-
wa,situated about twenty-five miles south
east of Emporia, on the Neosho. The
objects of the trip were to attend a rail-
road meeting to be held at 0ttumwa the
next day, and take a view of the country,
crops, etc. Leaving Emporia at about
four O'Clock P. NJ, We passed down the
divide between the Neosho and Cotton
wood, nearly to the junction, when, turn
ing to the right, we crossed the Cottonwood
near Esquire Bailey's, and about quarter
of mile below the new steam mill of the
Baker Brothers. The word divide" to
most persons, conveys the idea of an ex-
tremely elevated ridge, usually un;nhab-
tied, from the scarcity of water, remote
ness from timber, thinness of soil, etc.
But the divide over which we passed, be-
tween Emporia and the junction of the
Neosho and Cottonwood, bears not the
slightest resemblance in character to "di-
yides" generally. It is not so high, is
more level, and susceptible of the highest
cultivation, as the large fields of waving
grain growing along it will testify. Many
of the settlers living on the divide, have
erected for themselves comfortable frame
dwellings, around which are presented
evidences of taste and thrift unusual
in so new a country. The claims are
all occupied, and almost every one under
cultivation. After crossing the Cotton
wood as above mentioned, we came in
TO a broad, level bottom, from one to
three miles in width, on which grows q
most luxuriant growth of grass, in many
places FIVE and six feet in height. Many
Of the settlers in this bottom are new
comers, and less improvement has been
made generally on this side of the stream.
But they are not far behind, and another
year this bottom will "bloom and blossom
as the rose" We noticed that those who
could, built their houses on the high lands
beyond the bottoms, and that in the CEN
ter there were no houses We think this
is but following the dictates of prudence,
as all experience has shown that to enjoy
good health one must be free from the
miasma of the low grounds, and in situ-
alton where the breezes have full play.
We are now in Madison county, and as
We drive along in the direction of Flor
ence we recognize the residences of some
of the most prominent and respectable
citizens of the county, among which we
may mention Messrs. Bailey, Mitchell,
Harvey and Others. About three miles
from the crossing of the Cottonwood, we
came to the Neosho opposite Florence,
and below the junction about two miles.
The stream here is broader and deeper
than above. We cross, and coming to the
top of the hill on the other side, are on
the town site of Florence. This is almost
entirely a town in prospect" much diff
Guilty having been experienced in regard
to the title of the site, which, we are glad
to say, has now all been settled, and the
site pre-emptsd. The location is beau
tIiul one, and possesses many advantages.
Near the center of the site, Mr.. F. r.
Page, one of the proprietors, has erected
large frame hotel, which will soon be
ready for occupation. There are also
several other buildings on the site, and
arrangements have been made for the
early construction of two store houses for
the accommodation Of the trade of the
neighborhood. A vein of excellent stone
coal has been opened short distance north
OF the site, aud we should Judge that, so
lar as position and advantages generally
are concerned, Florence stands as good =
chance to become town of importance
a. any other in this portion of Kansas.
1t was nearly dark when we left Flor
ehee, and Ottnmwa was good twelve
niles ahead. Through ignorance of the
.oute we took the bottom road, which we
l0and about half under water, and nearly
q al Oh 1t IN next to impossible state
however, after various mishsps, such as
ss1lhg stuck, breaking our ego -hicle,"
we arrived al 0ttumwa about mid
eeisht, and shortly after our arrival we
an aUula ourselves snugly ensconced in 9
oea OF down" at the 0ttumwa House,
Asps oy Mr.. James Harris. And while
80 are In the way Of it, we will speak a
sooa word for our friend Harris and his
.S 'eL. Fhsre are few hotels in Kansas
A' viii compare in size. or accommoda-
:; s0n with this one, and then the traveller
allowed to carry away enough money
pay Dis bill at the next place, the " skin
as process" being entirely unknown to
me country between here and 0ttum-
re IS similar in character to that along the
sPpsr Neosho-the bottoms are of about
.t .ss same width and .he timber is about
..s same qusntity. Comparatively few
ss.Iie claims have bsen taken, but sll
sse having timber are occupied. Our
sslsations being taken by moonlight" /"
we're necessarily imperfect and unsatisfac-
y out we passed numerous fields of
y. h winch led Us 70 suppose that while
resi- OF the world had been at work.