The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1859-09-08
Correspondence of the Courier.
WYANDoTTE CRY, KANSAS,
August 9th 1859

August 2ith, 1909.
Friend NoKKs: Believing note concerning men
| and things in Kansas would not prove an uninterest
ing thing to many Of your readers, have concluded
to turn my hand to reporting and give you the benefit
| of nv observations and &C nclusions.
| have been in Kansas something over eight weeks
most Of the time in this place. and as a consequence
give but little fact with regard to the character
of the country to land &C., though have felt
thing Of the climate. We have had some excessively
| hot woather-gong up as high 113o for days in
succession, with none of the "gentle zephyrs" COM
mon to the praires this particular place being the
banks ofthe "Bg Muddy and backed up by heavily
tmbered river bottoms of both the Missouri and Kan
sas rivers The town of Itself is worthy Of note 1t is
situated upon what is known the "Wyandotte Res
ervaon," at the junction of the Kansas and Missouri
rivers, two miles above Kansas City, Mo. The town
Is owned by company, composed Of seven white men
and three Wyandotte Indians. Such was originally
the case though many individual have since bought
shares. The site purchased in the Spring Of 81
the first buildings erected in The fall Of the year.
went ahead like fury till the fall Of SO, contains
1900 inhabitants has gentle eastward slope, fine
women, large brick buildings, many drunken Indians
surface, large expectations great rivalry with
Kansas City, Mo-, high.rriced property, numerous
hotels, and is dead as thunder-teray gone up for
time to come; though the truth is town in the
Territory has the natural advantages and mast
in time, occupy the position its supporters claim for
t.. Just at present it-as well the whole Territory,
is laborny under financial crisfs-everything seems
to he wrapped in a complete mantle Of lethargy. The
Kansas OF SO and the Kansas Of 49, the residents
say nothing alike and to consider the time con-
sumed in what has been done and which is visible,
and the present condition Of affairs, glance would
prove the truth of the statement though 1t il thought
the crops of this season, together with the natural
course of things will bring all around right again. and
not without for hope for It is fact statistic
ally proven that more grain has been sown and prom
ses better YIELD than tina. Of any previous year. by
three to of the former and to Of the latter
But enough of that-it is nothing to US, you know.
The Territorial Convention, you are aware, held
ifs session here, well the Claim Commissioners,
which latter body was appointed by the Government
for the purpose Of adjusting claims OF citizens and
others who claimed to have been damaged during the
political difficulties, which have almost ended The
former body was composed Of ifty.two MEMBERSHIP
Republicans or Free-State men, and 16 Democrats or
Pro slaveryites. The latter body was Demo cratic
institution throughout. The Convention sat four
weeks, and framed good, Free-State Constitution,
which bound to be ratified by the people and receiv-
ed by Congress-thus making Kansas what is desired
a Free State. The latter institution awarded
claims to the amount Of One Milton Dollars, upon
the following plan: Claim of such a-one g. 600 PROV
ed to have suffered $50; but what's the difference p
the government has the bill to foot and the sufferer ()
is good Democrat. The Convention administered
the following antedote The General government
must meet the expenses Of the Territory, and II ad-
mitted State, will in no wise be responsible for
the Indebtedness Of the Territory During the sitting
Of the Convention not manifestation Of in feeling
exhibited ITSELF until the intmation Of bribery was
hooted around-coming, of course, from the Demo-
cratic side Of the House-they being far in the
minority as to be somewhat Insignificant. Seeing
that the actions Of the Convention were of that pecu
liar character which were bound to be approved Of
by the people, and the Convention being decidedly
Republican, as consequence they became jealous Of
the whole thing and broke this subject of bribery,
which with regard to the location of the Capitol
The Republicans charged the Democrats with attempts
at bribery in the the annexon of Southern Ne
braska. "scullduggery" committee near fastened
the lie upon the Democracy that they few the track
and resorted to the old Kansas style-tred to break
the convention In row, but finding themselves in
good way to get ''cleaned out +" they backed down
and went to work. Upon the arrival of the time for
the signing Of the constitution by the members, it
seems some disaection had sprang up-the democrats
refusing to sign i-after having assisted to frame it,
and their leader it mode instrument!'
Heavy threats from high officials who arrived In town
the evening previous is thought have been the oc
cast on oft. .a
Up to the time of the adjournment Of the conven-
ton the parties distinguished by the names of
Free-State and Pro Slavery, but Immediately after
meeting was called and Republican club formed,
WHICH iexample has been initiated all the Terri.
tnr,y 4 xI
other upon the question Of Constitution" or mo
Constitution" 1t is said that those members who
refused to sign the constitution are sick of It, and
well they may be, for it will kill them politically.
The constitution DISTINGUISHES the Indians who are
miserable, lazy, worthless set of beings tribes
and who always vote the democratic ticket, and the
democrats are extremely wrothy. 1t also disfran-
chises the negro, who ties republican, being the
party nearest his choice, and the Locos ''mum as
MICE" Inconsistency, spoils, Border Rufiansm,
&C., are their peculiar characteristics, and they carry
out the principle whenever possible. few months
ago, when the chances seemed to have been in favor
Of the democracy, they pro slavery and out
Now, that they have lost the power and seriously
damaged future prospects, true to their principles
they have shifted around and virtually deny the
whole they only DESTROYS of making
Kansas aJree Stase-that is, they wanted to have
negroes @ U ID the state, or II they did come In the
State they wanted them slaves. What doctrine
and achdt party. The Douglas wing of the democ
racy are also placed in rather awkward condition
and 1t remains to be how they will act. Up or
the presentation of the constitution they, wthou,
advice from their leader, assumed hostile grounds
Through his organ Douglas has announced his inten-
ton of supporting the constitution. You imagine
them the position Of his followers upon that question
Knowing their consistency (Y) t Is thought thew viii
come in before the electionail democratic differences
being healed at the balot-box, inuaria1Iy. Such il
brief history Of Kansas politics at the present time
! The people are confident Of admission as q State
and highly eated at their is thos
who are In favor Of Free State; aud well they MAJ
be- for state of affairs, with respect to law
and their enforcement could not easily be imagined
1t Is Paradise In places vigilance
committees have Of necessity been formed for the pro
lection Of the citizens against marauders Of all kind.
which infest the Territory, and have hung some few
men and driven others out Of the Territory. Sucl
proceedings detestbe 1t is true but when we con
slider that under the territorial rule no county
are as yet firmly established, and as consequence,
no jails built, what else could be done? win Civ
instance which will generally apply. In Linz
county arrested for horse stealing and sen
fenced to jail to await court. There jail tn
county. He was set at liberty. The Sheriff benI
asked why he did not confne him, he replied ''If vo,
will become responsible for his board will take hin
l 1.