The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1860-11-08
The Kansas EaEnEne--"EetieT
from .5g7sige Rocks.
For The Potter Journal.
SUPERIOR, Usage Co, X. I.
Oct. 90, 1860.

SUPERIOR, Usage Co, X. l..
Oct. 90, 1860.
T. s. CHAsE--Sir: After an absence
from old Potter, and a residence OF two
wears in Kansas, fourteen months Of which
time has been ore of the most severe and
continued drouths | ever saw, | address
YOU q few lines for publication in the
Journal, that its numerous readers may
see the condition Of southern Kansas.
We have had only s inches Of water fall
since August 1859, while the year before
we had 6j inches of water fall "a common
average) the year before that 50 inches.
J his fact Of itself is sufficient to show that
our condition is of the worst kind. while
the largest portion of Missouri is near the
same. | last week took account OF waat
thirty-one Of our Inhabitants raised each
Of the two past years, while another man
took the balance Of the town. In SO
there was sowod to wheat 81 acres-rals-
cd 293 bushels; in go there was sown
l42 ~acres-raiSed % bushels. Corn
planted in 80; $50 acrcs-raised 1855
bushels. Corn planted in go was 474
acres-raised 729 bushels. Potatoes rails
ed in so was 1850 bushels--in go, five
bushels. Value of garden products in
80 was $4I3-in go it was $15. Amount
OF old corn on baud, 700 bushels. The
81 families number $50 souls. The whole
of Southern aud Western Kansas is in
same condition. | sold two hogs in Au-
gust for $3.50 which ! paid $50 for last
November. Stock cannot be sold, as
there is no money, nor fodder for winter
ing. TIE question may be asked, What
las become of the surplus Of the old crop!
| answer, sold to pay mortgages and IN
terest for Land Warrants to prcGnpt with.
We yesterday had a county meeting on
this matter; lis doings will be published
in the Lawrence Republican. In conse,
quence of ii great destitution and want Of
clothing suitable for the rigor of the CON-
ing winter. and means to procure it, they
requested those having friends East, to
write to them to take contributions in
cloth or clothing, box them up and send
them to their friends and acquaintance
here for distribution to the suffering.
Direct the boxes to any one they know,
care Of n. McCrackeD, at Leavenworth,
X. T., and take a receipt and mail it to
the person the box is directed to, giving
a statement Of the articles. | mention
this as it was thought to be better than
to depend on and pay agents-beIicving
that what you wanted, was to know our
condition, and many would be ready to
help. Our soil is as productive as any in
the States, and stands a drouth better
than any [ ever saw. 1t is a black allu-
vial soil from one to three feet deep, then
a black or red clay from four TO ten feet,
uuderlain with lime rock, the rock crop.
ping out on the sides ofravines and bluffs.
/ am satisfied that if we had rolled the
ground after planting we should have rails
cd half Il crop, as what corn has been rails
ed was relied. ] sowed l6 acres to Win
ter Wheat and two acres to Spring Wheat
harvested none; planted 90 acres tc
Corn-haye not a bushel,-yet, | am vel
satisfied with the country in general. Il
has been healthy the past year, and nearly
so the year before. My respects to all
j. L. ROCKS.