The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-01-14
Our Kansas Correspondence.

TorsKA, X. T., Dec %, 1859
The Country Around Topeka ITS Agricultural
Resources abundance Of Water naa C5a{ -
OPENING Of Ne,o Mnes-Adoice to Settlers
Prospects Of Immigration Ne1t .Sedson-oar
ty Politics, &C., &C.
Topeka rs situated on the Kansas river i!ty-iVe
miles west of Leavenworth, and is more celebrated
n the political annals bleeding Kansas" than auy
other town. The State government is located nero
by the new constitution, now before Congress.
The country around Topeka is rolling pcair,e.
Unlike the level praires of illinois, the ia of he
country here presents 10 The eye a variety VI hlls
and valleys, which is pleasing. The country is well
watered by the Kansas river aud by nGmeroos
small streams and springs. and water is obtained
by digging at the depth of fifteen or twenty feet.
The streams are skirted by oak. hickory ACC otler
trees, but wood is not Sufficiently plenty for fuel.
Coal is found in abundance. Several extensive
mines have been opened in the neighborhocd.
The lands in this vicinity were opened TO settle
ment by presumption several years ago. and az IN
all new countries, the best locations have long
since been taken by settlers: bu, there is SIT 10
the negbboring counties Of Wanbonsel. Hreskin-
ridge and Davis much fine land which j. "pan ID
entry by settlers. When the emigrant comes 1910
*
towns-Leavenwortb Lawrence or Topeka
expects to find government land in the Immediate
vicinity of these towns IN this he il lIsa ppoiotsd
and perhaps in every neigboorhood he goes Iuto he
is told there is no government land there AMI to
finally buys Of some settler at high lgu:c or
leaves the Territory in disgust. The .rue way is
after deciding on the county to settle in 10 go to
the Land Office and obtain town plots OF some #
the towns in the county. These plots viii
show the vacant land. The settler can then
examine the land and make his SELECTION.
This is the best OF the year 70 select lands
for the grass, which in the summer is from oos
to eighteen inches high. is now burned Off by tho
Tires which sweep over the praries every fan ard
II s now easy 10 find the landmarks.
Unexpected that an immense emigration viii
swarm INTO Kansas next season. Heretofore the
" rumors OF wars have kept back the emigran;s
or ned them into OF aud less desirable re2ioDs;
but now the farmer will find he has litti. 10 fear
on his farm in Kansas as in Connec icut or any
Eastern State. But if he is well situated East ]
would not advise him TO come into this new coun-
try, bnt mind the old proverb--" Let well eoough
oone; for here he and his family will for The first
season at least, be without shelter except log hot
and will be liable to sickness. The fever aud agne
bas prevailed here every season since the country
was first opened to settlement; but il is generally
admitted that Kansas II healthy as any othe. OF
the new States or Territories
II the emigrant intends 10 settle in a town
would recommend to HIM the city OF Topeka which
he will find TO be thriving business place situated
III rich farming district and the peasantest city
in the Territory-but with only one objection,
namely, that the democratic ticket lacks about
two hundred Of having the majority However, the
democracy are gaining; they nave already demo-
cratic Mayor, Colonel Holiday; and the Topeka
Tribune, heretofore the moutbpiece Of the aboli-
tionists, has hauled down the black flag and I'M
fur'ed the democratic banner; So with The hello of
n few good democrats from the East, they hope 10
make Topeka the banner town of the deynocracy