White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1863-09-03
Correspondence.
(For the Chief.)
FoRr Scorr, August 81, 1863

(For the Chief)
FoRr Scorr, August 81, 1863.
MR. EproH:-Thinking that few lines from
this section of Kansas might be acceptable to
4 portion of the numerous readers Of the Chief,
We will send you few "notes BY the wayside." :"
We left White Cloud on Monday evening.
August Sd, and arrived st Leavenworth about
A. NJ, Wednesday. Having business with
his E1cellency, the Governor, we called at his
Office about II A. NJ, but found he was busy
With those who had "axes 10 grind"-three in
the room with him; three others waiting very
for admitsance. half an hour rolls
BY, and Two of the three pass out. Only one
more, and then-but he is long winded. Ano-
ther half hour, "a long one,) and stir is heard.
The gentleman has either finished his business
with the Governor, or leaves it for some other
time. The Governor makes his appearance;
it is now about dinner time; he makes short
work it He gives this Captain an answer
to the question asked; that Lieutenant the de-
sired information; that recruiting officer d.
rect answer to his question:; and to US a line to
the mastering officer, with a request to call in
the morning. About 10 A. NJ. We get an in
terview, receive the desired papers, and start
on our way to Fort Scott. We take the direct
road to De Soto, crossing the Delaware Re-
serve, which is now in the hands of the Rail-
road Company, and is being settled pp; and it
is evident that If good titles can be obtained to
this land it is the best location for settlers that
can now be found in Kansas. The soil is un-
surpassed, timber and water plenty, and good
market for all that the farmer can raise.
Crops are very good all along the road from
White Cloud to Fort Scott. They boast Of
their fine crops in Southern Kansas, and say
their crop of corn will be heavy; but Judging
from the general appearance, it will not harvest
as much, by one-fourth to the acre. as the corn
in the Northern portion of the State. We left
home prejudiced in favor Of Southern Kansas;
but candor compels US to admit that it will not
compare with Northern Kansas in the fertility
of soil, general Improvements, or educational
advantages. 1t is perhaps as well timbered,
and is tolerably well watered. Springs of wa
ter are quite numerous. You come to one OF
them, and see the water running strong and
clear; you will at once fix your mouth up for a
good, cool, refreshing drink Of water, but find
it fiat as dish water, and nearly as wa-m. To
those who would like to settle in Southern
Kansas, we would say, you can buy farms at
your own price, as most of the farmers are
anxious to sell and get away before they have
another dry season.
Fort Scott is the great centre of the word,
with those who live in this portion Of the State.
The next day after We got here, we heard Of a
quarrel between two men, which arose in con-
sequence of man from the Sucker State say
ing he thought Chicago had advantages supe-
rior to Fort Scott. There is not town of its
size, in which can be found so many shoulder
straps as in Fort Scott. You meet them at
every corner, o. every shape and variety. They
remind US of little boy who has just exchang-
ed his slips for new coat and pants. The
straps give high head, lofty step, and grand
appearance, as much as to say: " l am Sir Or
acle; when open NJ month, let no dog dare
to bark" The intelligence and morals of the
place can be inferred, when tell you that they
have no schools, and that the only place of
public worship is an open building, originally
built for an ice-house, and without windows,
used as place Of worship Sabbath morning,
and for theatre through the week.
The Thirteenth Regiment started for Fort
Gibson on the Sd inst. We expect to join them
as soon as train goes down, which will be in
a few days. We are being initiated into camp
life, by camping With Rev. McAfee, Chaplain
of the Sd Indian Regiment; enjoy it very we'll.
but hope the monotony of the camp will soon
be broken by orders to start for Fort Gibson.
o. B. G.