Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1859-05-13
Correspondence of the Delaware Gazette. =
Ii CAMP Rock SPRINGS, K. I.
AnrfJ 23rd 1899

had previously been laid aside, and in its place
we put on IN anticipation of a scarcity of
washerwomen our heavy f~lannels. Our heads
were clipped close to the skin in prospect of a
scarcity of BARRIERS. Our carpet sacks had
been ransacked for our travelling suits and ev-
erything that could damage, either by wind or
water, was carefully packed away. Our near
est friends would hardly have recognized US, as
we iourneyed westward. We soon found that
We had made the same error that most others
do in fitting out for such a journey. We had
over loaded our teams, and in climbing the
high hills, that rise along the western shore of
the Missouri, we were often obliged to procure
the assistance of waggon-men and others to
help US up. We were assured, however, that
after we had travelled y or Is miles, the road
would be more level, which we have since found
to be the case. Our road has thus far led US
over an unbroken prairie, crossed by a few
creeks, and dotted here and there with a few
clumps of stunted oaks. These creeks we ford
ed for several days without difficulty; but
while passing through the Pottawatomy Res
~ervation toll bridges became so frequent that
we made up our minds that we were being i'm
posed upon. At any creek, no matter how
easy it could have been forded, and at the
"slucks,' where the government had built a log
bridge, we were invariably met by either an
Indian or Frenchman (the latter We find the
worse Of the two) with the pleasant salutation:
"Gentlen1en ice fr bridge, 1GIft leette nloney."
But we had, from such frequent ilnpositions,
become sharp and learned upon such occa-
sions to suddenly become "hard of hearing"
and dull Of comprehension, which we found
worked ike a charm. We passed over leaving
the collector grumbling his threats to himself.
It is astonishing how these lard-sharks impose
upon travellers.
We find Kansas almost destitute Of timber.
We are often compelled to purchase q stick Of
wood of the farmers near where we camp, to
cook our meals. One of our party was threat
encd prosecution for cutting a few bullets from
a dead oak. The farmer thought it might
have comc TO life again if he had not disturbed
it. A man IN a party, who camped a few miles
from us, was arrested and compelled to pay
ZIG damage fer cutting down 4 small sapling
not worth, in Ohio, 10 cents.
The weather, since We commenced our over
land travel, has been extremely cold, the far
mcrs tell us this has been the coolest season
they have had for several years. We have
camped several times with the thermometer
at 10 degrees above Zero. One night after
having travelled all the afternoon with a cold
north wind and a shower of 5leet that cut our
faces like the cutting Of q dull knife, we had
but just pitched our tents before snow began to
fall in almost unbroken sheets, the thcremome-
tor fell to Zero, and in 10 minutes the ground
was covered with snow, the wind increasing all
the time, threatning at every gust to tear our
tents from the fastnl1gs. We all adjourned to
our tent. built a hot fire, which a part kept up,
while the balance endeayored to sleep; but it
was only an attempt, there was such a "oneiess"
within that small compass, that we could not
locate ourselves to admit Of a change or "turn
over" during the night. The result of it was
aa involuntary affection FIR cur nearest com
panion! Visions of Elephants footprints in
the snow until morning. The next morning the
sun arose in a cloud!ess sky, the thremomctor
rose several degrees, by 8 O'Clock the snow
had all disappeared, by 10 o'clock the roads
had become dry again, and We were Of:
There is as yet, very little prospect for grass,
a few green turita Of new blades begin to APP
pear among the old grass, but not sufficient to
sustain our cattle. We hive, thus Far, purchas-
ed feed along the road, At Fort Riley, we
purchased some meal, which we think will last
Us until the grass gross. At almost every
camping place we meet parties waiting for grass.
At Big Blue River, 80 mics west, we met Cap
tain Russel, from Georgia. He is the only
man we have yet mat,-Eho has been in the new
gold regions he gave us considerable eucour-
ageTnant. He has d party Of TO men with him.
15Tn oo~,1ol I,-4 JI-o-J,- -.-LA - IT. ID.
ley; We saw as VIC passed along, Just east of the
Fort, the State House, built by Gov. Reeder,
in which was convened the first Kansas Legis-
%laturc; it is a large square stone structure with
the end facing the Fort, still partly demolished
BY the effect of q cannon ball from the Fort
The windows and the interior have all been ia.
ken away, and nothing now remains but the
walls around it. Three years ago there stood
100 dwellings; but the government ordered
theEl to be removed, and nothing now remains
but a part Of the foundations. The former res
idenco of Reeder was removed to Ogden 4 miles
east, aud is now used for o hotel. There were
500 soldiers at the Fort, if fort it can be called:
this is, however, a misnomer as it consists sim
ply of a garrison. The buildings are all very
substantial and everything wears an air Of neat
ness and durability. The most delightful spot
We have seen since We left home and we were
lothe to leave it. Witnessed the cavalry in a
sham battle; saw a horse fall and throw his ri
der several feet over his head. We were stand
ing but a short distance from the accident bur
before we could reach the spot the horse was
dead and his rider was lettering towards the
fort, supported by two of his companions
We had a good Government road to Ft. Riley,
as hard as a pavement, and most of the way as
smoothe as a table. Crossed the Republican
Fork, took the Smoky Hill route for i miles and
We turned to the right and are now on the
new route oyer which Major and Russell run
their Stages. This route is but an expert |
mcnt, as their (M. g. r. construction train did |
not leave Leavenworth but a few DAYS before |
and as yet there is but a faint track now to
guide US. We can get no guides or maps for
more than 40 miles west. We hear all sorts
of tales about Indians and fcotmen, but this
only increases our desire to travel it, as We now
have some 80 men who have collected along
the road, and viii travel together for each 9th
protection; we fear no danger from either
road leads us along the dividing ridge be-
tween the Republican Fork and Smoky Hill
Fork, leaving Fl. Karrey on the north and the
Fe route on the South. 1t is undoubt-
edly the shortest, and abounds in game of all
yesterday some of our party shot ducks,
Prairie Hens, Squirrels; to-day we saw Ante
opes, Deer, and Turkeys, but these keep at
magnificent distances"
We find that this rolicking, healthy, outdoor
agrees with us wonderfully well. B
5 our cock, and that he caters to our full salts
action is plainly proven by the enormous guam
ity of our supplies that daily disappear. For
to-day we were served with duck-soup,
'aked-bcans. corn filters. coffee, pickles, &c.
&c. We spread a blanket upon the ground,
Ipon which we spread the viands, we locate