The Kanzas news., 1858-04-03

wounded. So utterly were the Rufians
routed, that the whole of the camp equip
age, provisions, some forty horses and g
large number of guns were left on the field.
The scenery in this vicinity is very pic
turesaue. The timber claims are generally
taken up and well improved. A number oil
fine prairie claims can, however, be secured,
both in the neighborhood of the creek and
on the high prairie between it and the Big
Sugar, some ten miles distant. The valley
of the Big Sugar is one of the finest for
timber and fertility in this section. Where
the Fort Scott road crosses, on the south
side of the creek, some enterprising men
have located town, called Keokuk. There
is good saw mill and store here. From
Mr.. Arthur, Representative (under the To-
peka Constitution for this district, and one
of the truest and most unfiinching Free
State men in the Territory, we gathered
some interesting information relative to the
change going on in public sentiment in his
vicinity. A little over year ago there
were but few Free State men in the county,
most of the old settlers having been driven
away by Ruffian invaders. Mr.. Arthur
himself was pillaged, his house stripped, his
cattle stolen, and family turned out of doors.
Few men have devoted themselves more
earnestly to the cause Of Freedom than he
has done, and the sacrifices he has made
prevent him mingling in public affairs and
exercising that influence which his ability
and devotion would give him.
Plenty of good prairie claims can be
found in the vicinity of this creek, timber
can be purchased at moderate prices, and
lumber is easily attainable. The road pass
es over Turkey Greek and across some fine
prairie, which we perceive begins to be oc-
cupied by settlers. This was formerly the
Miami reserve, and there is some dispute in
regard to titles, the Register at Fort Scott
refusing to receive filing upon it. There is
little doubt in the minds of the squatters as
to their finally obtaining the claims. The
Indians last winter made treaty by which
they became citizens, and selected $50 acres
for each member of the tribe, the remainder
of the reserve being open to settlement
The tribe, failing to make their selections at
the time agreed upon, settlers have gone in
and taken up the land without regard to the
Indians. There is very large settlement
on Turkey, Little Sugar and Mine creeks.
The scenery, as the traveller proceeds south
ward, grows more picturesque and beauti-
full. The bluffs bounding the valleys are
bold and abrupt, while here and there a
mound rises up, precipitous and solitary,
overlooking the surrounding country like a
sentinel keeping guard over it. The valley
of the Little Sugar reminds US, in its gen
eral appearance, of the Connecticut river
valley, as it flows through central Massachu
sets. Sugar Mound and Mount Carmel are
bold projections, terminating a long range of
low bluffs which bound in the Little Sugar
valley on the south, and stretch down to
the Little Usage south and west. Between
the two mounds lies broad interval or
plain, stretching eastward to Missouri, and
afording an easy grade for the projected
railroad from Jefferson City to Emporia,
which it is proposed shall pass up this val
ley.
On the north side of the Little Sugar is
situated the town of Moneka. 1t is beauti-
fully located on the sloping table land, and
surrounded by bluffs and the timbered creek.
We found here one of the most advanced
and intelligent settlements it has been our
lot to mingle with in Kanzas. The town is
but year old. yet there is good hotel
well kept by Messrs. Andrews d Dennison,
and fine academy. The school is well
attended, and the course includes all the
higher branches as well as the general edu-
cational studies. There is also an excellent
literary society of over fifty members, which
holds regular weekly meetings, and lectures
are given twice week. There is also a
Woman's Rights association, from which
emanated the petition to the Constitutional
Convention we published in late number
of the News. The progress made by the
people of Moneka socially and educationally
are worthy of imitation by the people of
Kanzas, and we trust the example will be
speedily followed.
The larger portion of Bourbon county is
occupied by the New York Indian lands,
which extend for one hundred and twenty
miles, from the Missouri border nearly to
Walnut. Greek, in Hunter county. The
Neosho flows through these lands, as also
the Little Usage, which runs almost due
easterly course from the Neosho to the Mis-
sour. The Indians. who compose the re- |