Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1859-03-03
FROM KANSAS.
LAWRENCE, X. T., February Il, 1859.


f. o. GooDRICH Dear lSir-I suppose you
feel something of an interest in the welfare of
Kansas, especially that portion of her citizens
hailing from the Old Keystone tell you
their name is legion. ! am satisfied there are
more people in Kansas from Pennsylvania than
from any other one state. Why, even this city,
which is called maptown, contains more
Pennsylvanians than those from any other one
state-so with Leavenworth and all the other
towns of any note in the whole Territory.
Our Legislature adjourned last night at II,
p NJ. The Speaker of the House of Repre-
sentatives, both this and last winter, were
from Pennsylvania, and both made able presi-
from this county, was formerly from Schuyl-
kill Co., Pa. LAzuERC, Speaker this winter,
was from BcrkS Co Last winter there were
some seven or eight members in the lower
House one, BAssETT from old Bradford this
winter there is about the same number, but
not one of the old ones of last winter. Ro-
BERTs, of Wyandotte, IS the best legislator IN
Kansas. He was Lieut. Governor under the
old Topeka Constitution, and from the western
part of Pennsylvania, was in the Penna. Leg
iSlature for several winters, and is a man Of
talent and good deal Of shrewdness-ato-
gether, he is the leading man in the House.
La the Council, there were 2 of the l3 from
Pennsylvania, SIBBETr and HOLIDAY Mr.. H.
was altogether the most talented man in that
body he, also, was from the western part of
Penna.
We had a grand, grand Jubilee last night,
or rather this morning, after the adjournment
of the Legislature at about half-past twelve
o'clock. There was large bonfire built in
front of the Everett House, which is 100 by
1T feet, stories high, and better furnished
than any house in Pennsylvania, outside of the
large cities, when some 500 Of the bone and
sinew of Kansas gathered around it, and pro-
ceeded to do what they had long wished, and
determined to do-namely, to blot and forever
destroy the old bQgus-laws. The present Leg
islature have succeeded in passing an entire
new CODE and repeating the last vestige of the
old BOrder Ruffan statutes. We all gathered
around the fire and proceeded to dispatch the
rictim by burning copy Of the statutes in the
bonfire. There were some fine speeches made
on the occasion, and all seemed highly pleased
and delighted to think we were forever rid of
the odious laws, forced on US by Border Ruff
fan rule and outrage.
After the bonfire we proceeded to form a
Keystone Club, all for fun. The Governor,
who was born in Montgomery Co., joined us
we made him President-and had u good time
for an hour or two, when we adjourned among
the small hours, all we'll pleased with ourselves
and the rest of mankind
l will send you a copy of the Constitutional
Convention Bill passed by the Legislature !;
this one has the signature Of the Governor, so
we will see if the President will try to keep
US out of the Union after we get this Consti-
tuition before Congress.
We have been having considerable trouble
in the southern part Of the Territory, occasion
ed by band Of outlaws. You have heard
and seen many statements in the papers about
it, all highly colored. know this from the
fact | have been on the Grand Jury for the
two weeks past, enquiring into all the troubles
in that part of the Territory for the last two
years. Formerly the trouble was brought
about by the Pro,slavery oppressors-this last
was through band Of desperate outlaws, not
| fit to live in any community, Finally the Leg
islature concluded to pass general amnesty
for all political offences committed in the south
ern portion of the Territory, up to February
ii, 1859. The Governor signed the BILL so
all they have to do, is to form themselves into
committee of one to carry out the laws, and
peace will reign instead of war and murder.
We have had a remarkably mild winter no
snow, nor ice until now, people are cutting ice
to-day about four inches thick-afraid to wait
a day for fear there will be none left if they
! do.
There have been men coming in nearly eve
ry week, all winter, from the gold region, all
confirm the report of gold extending over a
large extent of country. would not advise
any one to go, as | believe ninety-nine hun
dredths are bound to be disappointed, who 90
to any gold country, whether in Kansas or Cal
ifornia; tits all lottery in digging gold, more
so, than in most any other kind of business,
from all [ can learn from those who have been
in California, and there are more men here
who have been there, and in Australia, than
all the men have ever seen any where in my
travels believe next year will be better
time for man TO come than now, for this rea-