The independent. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Kan.) 1860-1874, 1863-05-23
Way-slde Notes.


Delphos. o.. May 18. 1868.
DEAR IxnEPENDEEr:-[Our contri-
butor opens with a description Of the
trip from Leavenworth to st. Joseph.
and speaks Of the H. & ST. Jo. Rail
road as being in good condi,'on. and
continues:
We soon cross the Platte Bridge.
which will long be remembered as the
place where The rebels massacred limo
cent woman and children. This bridge.
like all others of importance on this
road, is now guarded BY squad of
Uncle Sans boys. quartered in block
house forts. showing a, glance what
a beautiful Union State Missouri is. or
would be If her citizens were allowed
their pleasant pas.ime Of bridge burn
ing and bushwhscking
The portion OF country over which
this road passes between st. Joe, and
Grand river, Is miles. IS high rolling
p.:==i;ria, quite destitute of timber. aud
| spars-ly settled: bu, from u,.". ,l~. ny.
cas-, for 100 miles for fine surface and
productiveness. think il is hard TO
beat. There are number of fine thriv
ing towns along the line, but noticed
here and theIe signs Of the war ths,
was w.ged here in the early stages OF
the rebellion.
Crossing the noble Mississippi river
to the beautiful town Of Quincy. ILL.,,
We were sooa whirling in the direction
Of Chicago. on the Q. B. e. c. Railroad.
Here can be seen on every hand the
signs OF thrift and success attending
vel! directed efforts in all our western
Tree States. showing the traveller al a
glance the difference between tree and
slave labor. Ms also the habits and TASTES
Of communities controlled by these dill
f.ren, snisgonis ic principles.
| One hundred niles ou we sup a.
Goldsburgh. and then take nap 100
miles long. when uPon awakening n
sun rise. We look out upon a fat prsiri
where our view 10 obstracied only BY
the horizon. and ind extensive fields
being prepared for corn plSnting. As
we near Chicago. six trains Of cars may
be seen on as many roads. the snorting
iron horses apparently striving TO see
which will make Union Depot.to which
all are converging. first. This sigh
alone is well worth the trip.
Chicago is a thriving city. and no
mistake An omnibus ride Of mile
and half takes US to The depot Of the
P. F. w. & c. road. which passses
around Lake Michigan. and runs tor
, miles parallel and near TO other lines.
occasionally crossing some a. right an
!. giles. our train always stopping Tor an
E instant to obey the Law before ven
| turing over. although the track can b.
seen for miles disian, every way. Pas
sing through the north par, OF Ind We
see tho poorest portion Of the Sale: in
{ deed there is nothing worthy OF note,
9 until nearing Fl. Wayne. the tirs, town
Of importance on this line when the
4 county improves. aud We find splendid
Beach and Maple timber. the .oil being
heavy clay. instead OF the light loamy
o soil We have found heretofore. and the
e surface literally covered with water.
The Season in lh.s region has been
!. so backward and wet. there has been
: very little work done yet. and wiute,
wheat is nearly a failure. l have no
seen piece Of wheat this side of the
: Mo. river, as good as the field north ol
your town. aud the roads. Oh, hcrribl j!
although now nearly dry. how rough
To sum all up. | am better pleased
> with our beautiful Kansas than evel
, before. and ! am sure l never could
content myself TO live. either ON the
Wild fiat p'airic of lllinois.or the heavy
,imbered land Of Indiana or Ohio
The weather is quite cool, t ere being
little frost the TWO last nights.
Yours. D.