The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1865-12-21
For the Jefersontdn.
Western Items.

FRIEND SCHoCH Il took the train on
the Platt Co. Railroad, running on the
East side of the Missouri river to Weston,
some forty miles below St. Joseph, but
stopped at Atchinson, Kansas, about mid
way between St. Joseph and Weston
The ferry at it is the best above St. Lou
is, on the Missouri river, having large,
commodious boat, under the direction of
Capt. j. L. Philbrick. Atchinson con-
taius about 5000 population and is en-
phatically fast business town, the prin-
cipal business street, Commercial is
thronged daily with teams and pedestri-
ans. The town is on the bluff side of the
river, is we'll supplied with good stone for
building. Wood is expensive and timber,
through the adjoining country, in Kan
sas is rather scarce. The lands are q ute
uudulating, in short, [ might say billy
generally covered with prairie intersper-
ced with bush, stinted Black Jack (oak)
and anon patches of running oak grubs !;
the soil is good, and were it not for the
liability to drought, would be all that the
agriculturalist could ever desire l took
a trip overland, North 6 miles, to thri-
wing village, Doniphan, a river town,
which has many advantages for manu-
featuring town, and some intelligent citi-
zens. From an eminence about midway
I enjoyed view of the surrounding coun-
try for miles, so picturesque, so beautiful
and grand that 1 felt amply repaid for
the trip. Although the dead prairie
grass and sparce foliage gave uniformity
of hue as far as the eye could note, in the
surrounding distance. could discern
the verdant wheat field, the neat white
cottage of the farmer, having the appear
ance of oasis in the surrounding waste.
| contrasted the scenery around with
Pocono, what this lacked in majesty, il
made up in beauty. There appears to be
no lack of capital in commercial business,
in any of our western towns, but there is
lack of capital employed in manufac.
turers. A few thousand dollars invested
in woolen factory, at Atchiuson, would
not only be a paying investment to the
capitalist, but be great benefit to the
surrounding country. From this point
the overland stages leave for Denver and
the Mountains. To Denver, over 70l
miles, fare $3.50 The average travel
each way, from this point, is about 80
passengers. Time-six to eight days.
Prices for labor and most commodities
are higher than in our eastern towns
The prices of land in this locality ranges
from Z to 80 dollars per acre, according
to quality and improvements. took th'
train from Atchinson to Weston, this il
rather an old dead town, compared VIII
Leavenworth aud Atchinson, although i
is doing some business and is the termi
nus of the Platte Co. Railroad.
Many of the citizens, | am happy t
say, were badly disappointed in the wa.
the rebellion terminated, and | will her
predict, that if Weston ever compete
with its rivals in business, or general in
teiligence, it must be reinforced from othe
localities. Mine Host of the st. Georg
Hotel, having the faculty of supplyin
the wants of his guests and making then
feel at home, | shall stay few days bs
fore | resume my travels.
Yours truly.
r. w. HINCKLEY.
Nov. 81, 1865.