The Kansas herald of freedom., 1859-03-12
For fAs Herald Of Freedom.
Letter from Manhattan.
MANHATTAN, RILET CousTf, K. T.,l
March 1st. 1859.

MANHATTAN, RIET County, K. T.,)
March 1st, 1859.
G. W. BRowN, Eso:-In writing to you
on business matters have concluded to
give intended emigrants some information
in regard to the unsettled, OF, rather, sparse
ly populated region of country between
the Big Blue and Republican valley. Al
though You are deeply interested in the
growth and prosperity of Southern Kan
sas. yet do not think you are so selfish
as to withhold information about the
northwestern portion of the Territory
when knowledge of the fertility of the
soil and its mineral resources might per-
haps be the means of making poor man
rich some day and bestowing happy
home upon many now homeless family,
who, otherwise, in a few years, instead of
enjoying homestead surrounded with
all the luxuries that moderate industry
can bestow, might be "hewers of wood
and drawers of water' on the tenement of
some more unworthy but more fortunate
parsonage.
Leaving Manhattan in a north-wssterly
direction, distance of some three CT four
miles, we commence to ascend the upland
of the dividing ridge between the Blue
river and notable but fertile valley of the
Wild Cat. Here is found some very rich
soil, but very hilly, and in many places
stony; yet from this land there could be
selected fields containing from five to fif-
teen acres, until distance of four or FIVE
miles, when there is as beautiful rolling
prairie as can, suppose, be found any
where in Kansas.
Along the ridge and sides there are
numerous dry ravines, except in the wet
season; the bottoms of these ravines are
often several rods wide, and will some day
be occupied by the fruit and grape grower,
as well as the shepherd; but at present
the claims here may not be as desirable
as those found further west, but for q
mechanic-men much needed in Manhat-
tan-who intends to pursue his trade in
the town, and desires only small home,
say of forty acres for fifty dollars, from four
to seven miles from the city, where in many
places view of the whole town can be
commanded, he could, no doubt, find de-
sirable locations. All the full quarter sec
tions of arabic land, within reasonable
distance of the city. are claimed or pre-
empted.
There is any quantity of stone for dwell
ing and out houses, barns, stables and
fencing, hewn by natures chisel into al
most any desirable shape, ready to enclose
the orchard, pasture, garden, and that por-
ton which should be allotted to growing
forest trees by every prairie claimholder.
but, unfortunately, is too much neglected,
as general thing, in the first settlement
of any new country, although it should
be among the first labor on claim in q
prairie country. There is not very much
timber on this ground, yet some in the
ravines; if the annual prairie fires were
kept off here, as they should be else
where, in few years there would be
plenty There would, however, be no
trouble in procuring any quantity of board,
rail and fire wood timber, as we'll as posts
for fencing, on account of the proximity
of this place to the we'll timbered valleys
of the Big Blue river and Wild Cat creek
After leaving Manhattan some seven OF
eight miles, the rolling prairie commences
all of which can be cultivated, except il
some places where beds of stone-a nee.
essary article-are found in sufficien,
quantities to more than supply what the
demand will ever be for the country. Thil
rolling prairie continues for many miles
a up the dividing ridge, or upland, between
the Blue and Republican rivers, broken
on both sides with beautiful streams ol
(: pure running water, which is emptied into
+ the two rivers, when it is interrupted by
r the Little Blue, whose waters rise neal
Fort Kearney.
There are thousands of as good prairie
claims as the heart of man could desire
between these two rivers, and, although
many have been taken, there yet remains
8 unoccupied many partly timbered claims
on the numerous tributary streams of the
rivers. The timber is good and the wate
excellent along these streams. There il
one thing l should mention, and that is
at the extreme head Of some of these
creeks, there is running water during the
} spring and fall, and in very dry season.
they are dry during the summer for {
short time, yet there would be no trouble
in obtaining water by digging ten or fif
: teen feet on the low land, and something
deeper on upland.
The soil is as good as l have seen any.
where in Kansas, from three 10 six feet
and would doubtless produce any kind O
agricultural products, as any person would
Judge from the tall grass it produces.
Along these streams even those which
are ''dried up" in dry seasons, there il
good timber growing; the cottonwood, tn,
sure precursor of water, the oak, elm
hickory, &c, as well as the delicious plum
and grape vine in their wild state. Their,
are large patches" of wild onions in man,
places on this upland, which, to some per
sons, are as palatable as those produced il
the gardens.
9 1 have often thought it very strang
.hot uo rnanv thousand claims of such far