Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1867-07-26
FROM MISSOURI.


KANSAS CRY, Mo, July l2 1867,
Editors Bedford Laqwrg:-It is now
over two months since left Bedford coun-
ty- Since then ! have travelled over vast
extent ofeountry- particularly that border
ing on the Missouri river. The first point
reached was Omaha city of considerable
importance, owing TO the fact Of if- being
the Eastern terminus of the Central Pacific
Railroad, and the point at which miners
for Montana and Idaho usually make up
their outfit
In point of trade, Omaha has no rival,
at this time, on the Missouri river, although
her natural advantages do not seem to be
as great as some of the cities below her.
Nebraska City, St. Joseph and Leayen-
worth, I visited in their turn, but found
them with but little trade, compared with
the magnitude of the places They really
seemed to have no prospective future suf
fcient to induce capitalists to invest in bus
iness-owing, perhaps, to the fact that
neither branch Of the Pacific r. r. makes
at either of them its eastern terminus. A
signifcantfact, indeed, that no city can live
and prosper long without railroad connec-
tions diverging from her.
My next point Of entry was KuRSnS City
No. The first impression made upon my
mind on beholding the city, was anything
but favorable, at least, so far as its topogra-
ply is concerned. "a city built upon
hills, with streets cut through in every
direction, and mammoth business houses
erected Immediately under the shadow of
the adjacent hills, whilst private residences
stand everywhere on the hill tops. over
looking the surrounding country, aud pre-
senting quite a romantic and picturesque
appearance. But when | examined its
geographical position, and what nature
would seem to have intended BY her loca-
ton, | could not fail to admire The site.
Situate on the south west bank of the Mis-
souri, river, at the confluence Of the kaw
river, and just at that point where the MIS-
souri, river, after cOuTsing her way for 25UO
miles South, makes her great bend East
and pursues that direction nearly 400 miles
further, until she mingles her waters with
those of the Mississippi river above st.
Louis. Upon this natural highway stands
Kansas City. At a point, too, to which
VI AllG ILeNL ctGtii W I'D Z AliENltA
their attention. No less than seven rail
roads are now being constructed TO this
point, three of which are in running order:
The Missouri Pacific Railroad, the North
Missouri Railroad, the Platte Valley Rail
road, the Cameron Branch of the Hannibal
& st. Joseph Railroad the LeavenwOrth
Railroad, the Galveston, Fort Scott & Kan
saS City Railroad, and the Union Pacific
Railroad whose Eastern terminus is within
the city limits.
Besides which, this is one Of the few pla-
ces the Missouri can be safely bridged Ia
permanent channel is here created by the
bluff rocks on the southern shore, over
which a magnificent structure is now being
built, at an approximate cost Of $500, 900,
intended for both railroad and wagon pur
poses With such concentration Of rail
roads, together with its river communica
ton, capable of carrying first class steam
boats most all the year, backed by coun.
try, south, southwest and west he most
fertile imaginable, capable Of sustaining a
dense agricultural population, with eli
mate unsurpassed for mildness and salubri
ty, with good water and an abundance Of
fuel, Kansas City cannot fail to become, at
no distant day, the metropolis of the Mis-
souri, valley
Trade however, Is dull here a. elsewhere,
but it is partially owing to the Indian hos
tilities along the line OF the Union Pacific
Railroad which drives all travel westward
to Colorado, and to the Upper Railroad,
and also from the great fear manifested from
the ravages of the Grass Hopper--a species
Of Locust which made their appearance here
last October, They have already fulfilled
their destiny here, and have taken wings
and few away. Upon what portion of the
country they may light to deposit their eggs,
| know not, but suppose from the direction
they fly, it will be Iowa and Illinois. The
injury they have done here this season is
comparatively small, and an abundant yield
of corn and potatoes is reasonably expected.
The wheat crop is harvested and is consid,
cred good
] am temporarily located in Kansas City,
but have not yet engaged in business.
Should | do so, | may settle here perma-
nently, but desire to visit Colorado first,
from which | have been prevented in con
sequence of Indian hostilities and a proper
regard to the wishes Of my family
Excuse my long letter. | could extenuute
it ten-fold from what have seen and heard
since | left my old county, and not seem to
be unintcresting; but for the present / must
forbcar At some future time I'll write
again. Kindly yours, &c
GEO. w. HOUSEHOLDER