The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1860-05-31
LEAVE%wORTH CITY.

A stranger landing at Leavenworlh City
will be surprised to find town, where FIVE
years ago no house stood, and everything
was in wild and natural condition, now
containing about twelve thousand inhabi-
tants and having al the arrA~---~e ef q
lively. business place. The city is pleasant
ly located, on gently undulsting ground,
on the west shore of the Missouri River.
which here runs nearly south. The land
ing is good. and nicely graded aud paved
The streets are straight, and cross each
other at right angles; those running north
and south are numbered. and those east and
west have appropriate Indian names. There
are many good buildings, but most Of the
houses temporary aud cheaply built
structures. Several large wholesale stores
DO a considerable business in supplying
smaller, interior places with dry goods,
groceries, &c. The different kinds OF me-
chanical trades well supplied. A large
and elegant market house, affords a full sup
ply of all the comforts Of life. Several
beautiful places Of worship have been erect
ed, and pretty good state of morals is
said to exist. Il is great point for out
fitting for those crossing the plains. and
much of the trade of the city is to supply
such articles as are necessary for those who
taking this journey. 1t is an inter est
ing sight to see the immense number Of
wagons, mules and oxen belonging to parties
engaged in transportation across the plains;
large 10. containing several acres is nearly
covered with large, strong wagons which
are used for this purpose. The trans
starting out, frequently fill the principal
streets. About twenty-six wagons usually
go in one train, hauled by six oke of oxen
each, with a conductor, driver for each
team. and few extra men and oxen. They
travel from ten to fifteen miles per day, and
encamp early. TO allow the oxen to Craze
on the prairie grass, which forms their only
food. In addition to the regular transror-
talion trains. there are, this year, large
number of neat. light wagons departing
with emisran!s for Pixies Peak, California,
&c. They usually have two yoke of oxen
or TWO pair Of mules, and contain the tents,
camp fixtures, food and clotaing of The
emgrants. They lock neat and comfort
able, and many OF them contain women and
children. There are also daily lines OF
stages leaving Leavenworth for Pixies Peak,
Santa Fe and California. To one from
Indiana, it looks like a return of former
days, to see the old fashioned, four-horse
stage. driving by. All these various kinds
of conveyances. mingled with men on horse
back and on loot. make the great road west
OF LeavenworIh lively thoroughtsre. The
travel upon it is greater than upon the
National road in its most active days.
FORT LEAVENWORTH,
sItuatru sitosvurr r,'eI, WV uIEio,
above Leavenw orth City. The L. S. Gov
ernment retains a large ''reserre" around
the Fort, and has two well cultivated farms
of more than fifteen hundred acres each.
TO furnish supplies for The Fort, &c. No
fort calculated to afford protection from an
enemy. now exists, but there are large build.
ings used as barracks for the soldiers, and
several comfortable looking housas which are
USed as residences Tor lD6 OIQcerS a1Q tnelr
families There is also an Arsenal for
storing arms and ammunition. aud severa!
large stone buildings to contain such articles
as are needed for the supply of the army in
the West. Extensive aud well arranged
stables are also erected for the horses of the
cavalry. The pastures on the Government
farms are filled with mules, which are used
for transportation; some Of these are splen-
did animals. the largest and iuest that can
be found. Some soldiers are constantly
kept at The fort, and drilled and trained
preparatory 10 service in the Wes: At
times the number is large, but at present
| there are but few. TIE fort was erected
! about thirty years ago, aud was selected
with reference to its advantages as a start
! ing point for the far West. 1t is beautifully
| situated on elevated ground, and may be
| seen for many miles around. The outlay
| of Government funds at this point tends
| greatly TO benefit the city and surrounding
country. Xxx
Fer the Palladium.
MessRS EprroRs .-Your eorraSno,da