Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1859-06-24
tFor the Ellsworth Americana
kansas Correspondence.
AUBURN. X. I. june 9th 1855

other things since last wrote, which though
not all new to me, may be SO to many of
your readers.
Among other things, have seen quite n
number of military trains pass through this
place route for New Mexico. The great
Military road from Fort Leavenworth in this
territory, on the western bank of the Mis.ou-
ri to New Mexico passes this point. All the
soldiers and Military stores-a large amount
of the latter are transported, by means of
OK or mule teams. These teams usually
start out carly in the season after the grass
is grown sufficiently to afford good living
for the animals The journey is a long one,
and is performed at a slow rate. The trains
travel at the rate of about fifteen or twenty
miles per Cay The distance is from ten to
twelve hundred miles. The baggage wag-
ons are large and strong, and all covered
with white duck. They are loaded heavy,
and to each of them is attached, generally
six, but sometimes seven or eight yoke Of OK
en-.
The number Of wagons in each train, is
usually from twenty-five to thirty, follow.
ing each other as nearly as is convenient
The appearance of such train is of course
quite grand; but add to the appearance, the
shouting of the several teamsters, the echoes
crack of the numerous whips, and the scene
is really exciting. The number of oxen con-
nected with each train is from 800 to $50,
for there are often number of supernumer.
aries taken along to supply the place of any
who may fail, or to kill for beef. Beside
these, there are usually several coNs to sup
ply the company with milk, and not a few
horses. At night they stop on the prairie,
near some creek, river or spring, and turn
the cattle all loose to drink and Craze until
they have filed themselves and then they
are corralled, which is done by SO arranging
the wagons as to make yard or inclosure,
in which all the animals are secured for the
night When the animals are all loose, and
grazing, they spread over quite an extent of
prairie, and look as if they would devour all
before them, like the locusts of Egypt. But
happily there is no lack of feed on these al
most unbounded plains. While the animals
are feeding and drinking, the herdmen on
horseback are riding around and among
them, keeping yisilant watch, and ready to
bring them together in due time Thus the
trains move on from day to day, in one long
and tedious march for some sixty or seventy
days in succession, until they arrive at the
place of destination. When discharged they
take up their return march in the same slow
and tedious manner. During the last week,
some five or six of these trains have passed
through this place.
But these military trains are but small
part Of all which pass through this country
to New Mexico, Utah and California, and
Oregon. An immense quantity OF goods are
in this way transported over these vast
plains to the places named. The expense of
such transportation is invariably very
great. This, among other considerations
shows the great desirableness of the Pacific
railroad. 1t cannot be long delayed. Its
completion at no distant day is imperative
Multitudes of gold hunters from Pike S
Peak, or from some point on the way there,
are returning in great disgust. They went
Of them at least-in very fool
ish and reckless manner, and are returning
without ever seeing the mines, or the spot
where the mines were said to be. Or, if
they went to the spot it is certain that they
did not take much time to explore, or to dig
for gold. They started too early in the sea-
son-there was no grass to feed their ami
mals-they had no suitable outfit, and more
than that, many of them were the last men
on earth who should have gone on such an
enterprise. They would be quite sure to get
no gold if there were plenty there. But
Others have gone at suitable time, well
purposed and are of the right stamp. They
too, may return without success; in all prob
ability they will. most or all of them.
The whole thing it is most likely will
prove to be a stupendous humbug. There
is great wrong and gigantic fraud somew here
in regard to the matter as it now appears
quite certain.
One thing is beyond doubt; many have la
bored hard, suffered much, and lost their lit
tie all. Poor fellows 1t is to be hoped
that they will learn wisdom from their sad
experience and go to work, and by patient
industry and rigid economy make up for the
loss occasioned By misfortune or mistake
The prospect for pretty bountiful crop
in this territory and in the great west gen.
orally is now quite altering. The election
of constitutional convention in this terrific
~ is over 1t occurred on the eth inst OF
the result Of the election but little is vet
known.
The census of the territory is now being
taken. These are preliminary steps to an
application for admission into the Union at
the next session of Congress. Nothing is
now said in regard to the great question
which has been contested here with so much
earnestness in times past. All seem to feel
and admit without controversy that Kansas
must be forever free
J. GILLPATRIcK.