Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1858-05-22
For TIE Register.
Notes on trip to the Southern Part of
Kansas.

/ the country which has always been SAID
to be the finest portion OF Kansas, and TO
| look out for future home in case should
wish TO leave this part of the Territory,
and conclude TO stay IN Kansas. The
/ portion of the Territory we visited lies
+ fifteen miles south of Fort Scott in Bour-
bon county, Kansas. Our route was the
l. Old California road from independence TO
California which we struck at the NV
rusa" twelve miles from Topeka, passing
through Shawnee, Franklin and Lynn
counties. AS there are no houses 10 stop
al, most Of The country being uninhabited,
<. except squalters here and there holding
claims and the other parts of ii through
Indian lands we were obliged TO travel ir
Western style-take our own provisions
,and beding and "Camp out" | wrote
Il the account OF the tri p out sometimes al
might after the days travel when we were
seated around our camp fire, at other times
1he next day when we stopped for dinner,
5n fact on every occasion when an OppOr-
aunily offered itself took out my book
land pencil and wIole down all the events
of our trip. The account itself will show
Signs OF being written in hurry. and in
an ''out of doors fashion," have copied
j! from the book took with me which
bears marks of camp life, having got wet
Several times, spaitered with mud, &c.
wrote It for my own amusement and
send copy home thinking you would
Ike to read il.
81 Our party consisted Of Mr.. Haysle,t
from Smi,hheId who goes South to get
clam, myself and the driver Frank Nc
Nellis an lrishman rather rough but well
educated al one of the smarest fellows
40 be found, being considered great wit
HIS chief recommendation however con-
sisted in his honesty and his being used
. TO camp life, having been in Kansas for
three years through The troubles he has
become Injured 10 all kinds of dangers and
difficulties and looks at them with perfect
Indifference. Two years ago he came
near being hung by mistake by the U. S.
Troops. They had the rope round his
neck and the only thing that saved him
was his coldness and his wit. They
found oui their mistake afterwards. Last
but not least Of oar party was my dog who
made himself very useful for which we
allowed him 10 ride most of the way.
We started down under the impression
thai the difficulties at Fort Scott and
neig |borhOOd through which we would
have TO pass were ended, but il proved
otherwise and we found ourselves in the
midSt OF them, though happily we got
through easy and enjoyed our II p very
much Our outfit consisted of large
two horse wagon, the two mules formerly
owned by MIR. Wharton, '.Pet" and
Fly" Of Episcopal recorder notoriety
wagon cover and bows in case of rain
our cooking apparatus consisted ofan iron
pot, frying pan, coffee pot, two Tin plates,
three lin cups; our provisions consisted
of Two bushels of potatoes, FIVE pounds Of
beans, 2 dozen leaves of bread, o pounds
Of bacon, 2 papers of ground coffee,
pound of sugar and sack Of salt. Our
bedding consisted Of straw Sed, four
blankets and a buffalo robe, which togeih-
er with tue corn for the mules formed our
load and very heavy one it proved for
The mules.
We were to be gone two weeks, travel
for ] so miles in southern direction, and
pay the driver $50 SIS piece and fur
nish The provisions for ourselves, the dri-
yer ing for the mules. We were to
take compass along and keep little east
Of south SO as TO strike the best portions
ofthe territory. These were the condi-
tions we made with the driver. Saturday
was spent in getting things ready, fixing
the wagon and purchasing our provisions,
procuring gun, ammunition, axes, DC. The
expenses of The trip amounted TO $50, de.
ductng the board ! would have TO pay in
Topeka, left the actual expense $40.
JOURNAL.
Monday, March 22, ls5s.-The wa
gop was at Mr.. Callanaye's door this NOR
mug with every thing ready for start at
10 O'clock, we were DELAYED an hour lon
ger untlI our meat had finished cooking so
that we were not fairly off until eleven.
We struck out on the Brownsville road TO
the Waskarusa, left Topeka in the hustle
OF county election which we did no,
have time 10 stop and participate in. The
day was fine and we travelled over
prairie of IL miles in exten. before we
came 10 stick of timber which was on
the WaskaIusa. a small creek emp,yine
into the Kansas River. | mention The l
creeks because in . country like Kansas
it is fair indication of the quality and
desirabIeness of the land, there being no
timber in Kansas except On The creeks
and very litlle water.
We found the country very much burn,
nsar h.r nrairie rec and in mnat r,l..n.