The Kansas herald of freedom., 1858-01-09
Western Kansas.
From To Kansas Tribune.
Riley Co., Kansas,(

from ~ hdnSQs lr4Dane.
MANHATTAN, Riley Co., Kansas,t
November %, 1857.
have recently made a short explora-
ton in a portion of the country situated
between the Big Blue and Republican
rivers. We left the valley of the Big
Blue river which runs parallel with the
Republican, about nine miles north of
Manhattan city. We took a trail bearing
a northwest direction. The country
through which we passed, after leaving
the bluffs of the Blue Valley, was beau
tiful rolling prairie, the soil doubtless as
fertile and productive rs any rolling table
land in Kansas. In many places on an
eminence we had delightful view OF the
surrounding country, as yet entirely unin-
habited. Near the head waters of the no.
table Wildcat we found claimholder,
whose name l believe is Hare. In the
appearance of his claim there was evil
dence that he possessed degree of in
dustry that some persons located IN
neighborhoods" do not possess. His
claim is about twenty miles from Man
haitian. A short distance west we passed
log cabin, not yet finished, and tenant
less, showing that the march of civilization
is onward. Three or four miles further
west we found buffalo, herds of them
numbering hundreds. | never was more
agreeably disappointed in my expecta-
tions at finding the face of the country
presenting an appearance as 1t does.
/ formed the opinion that it was barren
| waste, full of pebbles and flinty rock, aud
that the soil was sterile, but the contrary
was the fact. There are innumerable
little creeks, many of them it is true, in
the dry seasons of the year will contain
no running water, but it can easily be OBJ
tanned by digging wells. There is an
abundance of stone for fencing and build
i ing purposes. Along the creeks are beau
tifuf little groves of timber, among which
is the cottonwood, the sure precursor Of
of water; oak, hickory, walnut, &c.
These groves are intersperse1 with grape
vine bowers, thiekets of goose berry, and
the delicious plum bush. The trail we
travelled makes the DISTANCE between the
two rivers about twenty miles. / know
of no place so near a good market that
presents such favorable inducements to
! the prospective farmer, as the country
west of the Big Blue river. That Man
haitian will be a place Of importance is
conceded by all who are eonversant with
the favorable position in which the young
city is situated and already there is
quite a market for the products of the
| farmer, which will continue to increase.
But the principal market now and for fu-
ture years will be Fort Riley. The farm
er has more ready market for his pro-
duce, and much higher price than the
farmer near Topeka and along the border
can command It is almost incredible
the large amount of corn, meat and all
kind of vegetables that is required for
consumption at Fort Riley, and as emf
grafton extends westward, as it must
continue to do, it will still demand new
supply. The California emigrants would
purchase here if they could be supplied.
That the farmer will have a home mar
ket in this section for dozen of years,
there can be little doubt, and at the expi-
ration Of that time any prudent farmer
who takes claim ON these broad fertile
plains within a year or two would have
no occasion for market. But to predict
the future of this country would be folly.
The railroads that will be built in the
course of ten years, will be an advantage
that no person can estimate.
There are good claims on the Republican
river and upland on the east and west
sides, as can be found in Kansas and
singular as it may appear, the energies of
the press have been devoted to making
public the desirable homes on the south
side of the Kansas, while, comparatively
speaking, nothing has been said Of the
great advantages. the fertile soil, aud de-
sirable claims along between the valleys
of the Blue and Republican rivers. Moth
| ing has been said Of the mineral resour-
ces of this country. have seen speci-
mems of iron ore, said to be of an excel
lent quality, which abounds on the Re-
publican. Extensive beds Of coal are
said to remain in the earth untouched.
Then why not make public the resources
| of this country. The sagacity and euer-
gy of our people will soon develops its
resources. They cannot long remain
hidden. a. h. ID.