Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1868-09-15
LETTER FROM MISSOURI.
KANSAS CITY, Mo-,
September 1st. 1868.

would not fail to let you hear from me, and
as I feel that both you and your readers take
some degree of interest in the rapid strides
that emigration and civilization are making
westward, longing to hail the era when the
Atlantic and Pacific shall lock hands in
friendly clasp, proceed to fulfil my promise,
This is truly an age of advancement. The
day when the iron horse slowly followed the
advancing steps of civilization has passed, and
we now see it dragging it along in its march:
Far out over our Western prairies-beyond
the bounds of the bcidest settler, its shrill
whistle startles the buffalo on the plain and
causes the antelope to shake the dew>drops
from his flank The tardy pioneers lagging
footstep is too slow to keep pace with the
rapid march of giant intellect, which fear
lessy spans the ocean and the continent in
its haste, flashes its thought on the electric
wire and carries its burden on the rushing
car. The more see of this great country,
the more I am fascinated with it, If it does
not deserve to be called the "home of the
free" and "the best government the world
ever saw" it at least is the farcst land the
sun ever shone upon, and while its waters
furnish an arena in which can swim the COM
bincd navies of the world, her wide extended
domains can afford a home and shelter to
the homeless wanderer of every land. But [
fear am diyerging. On Wednesday last, l
started with party of about two hundred la
dies and gentlemen from this city, to take
trip out on the plains and enjoy the pleasure
of buffalo hunt. We left here in special
train on the P. R. +. about A. NJ, and
were soon rapidly vending our way westward.
At the limit Of the city corporation, we
crossed the Missouri State line and entered
what is termed ''bleeding Kansas" Our
route for over hundred miles lay mostly
along the Valley of the Kaw, rich and fer
tile prairie interspersed with fine bodies of
timber, in which the hand of the pioneer was
visible, preparing the way for the harvest
Thirty-six miles from this city on the rail-
way is located Lawrence, one of the most
thriving places in Kansas, and noted as being
the place upon which Quantrell reeked his
vengeance in the late war, in retaliation for
the cruel treatment of the wives and chill
dren of the men of his command by the Fed
eral force stationed at this point. 1t is quite
pretty place, and situated in a rich and
beautiful country. Continuing our journey
westward about thirty miles further, we reach
Topeka, the capital of Kansas. 1t is pleas
antly located on a table land in the South side
of the Kaw and has at present the prospect
of becoming much more than mere State
capital. 1t contains some fue public build
ings, and the State House now in course of
erection will shame many of our Eastern
Capitols l will not however, weary you too
much with details. Passing on we note Wa.
mego, Manhattan, Junction City, Fort Har-
ker and Ellsworth, as thriving places. After
passing Ellsworth, about two hundred miles
West of this place, civilization ceases and
the railroad passes through a monotonous
,,lo ,eo ind Of
cepting the short buffalo grass. The stations
here are thirty or forty miles apart, and con-
sist of wuter-tank and wood. pile, guarded
by file of soldiers, who live in sod huts and
resemble in their mode of life, the dogs of
the prairie. Nothing greets the eye, save
now and then herd of buffalo, an antelope,
wolves, &C., interrupted now and then by
Indian scouts in quest of some helpless victim
of prey.
The hard rain which fell Wednesday night
washed away the track, and prevented us
from reaching Sheridan, the present terminus
of the road. We stopped on Thursday at the
break, about thirty miles this side of Sheri-
dan, and portion of the party struck out on
a buffalo hunt and returned about noon, bear
ing some nice steak from one that had fallen
their prey.
The ladies, of whom there were about forty
on the train, seemed to enjoy themselves
hugely, and skipped about over the plains as
gracefully as the antelopes themselves. We
remained at this point until evening. when
finding the break could not be repaired for
couple of days, we moved back about sixty
miles and stopped for the night.
The Indians in that quarter are becoming
very troublesome. and it is estimated there are
now about twenty thousand on the war path.
Gen. Sheridan is on the march after them
with about five thousand men, and you may
expect lively times soon.
After breakfast Friday morning, portion
of our party again struck out after the buffa-
10, but as the day before suficed me, l re-
mained as guard to the ladies', and it was here,
while reclining in the shade of the cars, (for
there is no tree or bush for lazy man to get
under in that section,) my attention was at
traetcd above to the darkening of the sun,
when l beheld between me and that lumi-
nary, an army of grasshoppers passing South
ward. The light shining on their polished
skins, gave them very much the appearance
of snow flakes. For more than three hours
1 watched the movements of this host, and
when our hunters returned and our train
moved off, this banneress host was still pass
ing by. [ would say, l was not the only
eyewitness of this scene, but it was seen by
scores of others equally as reliable.
Our hunting party succeeded in killing an
antelope and few prairie dogs. About 4,
p. NJ, we started homeward. As we ran
over the prairie that evening, 1 stood on the
platform and witnessed the most beautiful
sunset. We stopped at Wamego to supper,
and partook of one of the best meals have
eaten in this country. After supper we con-
tinued our journey, and reached Kansas City
Saturday morning, about 2, A. NJ, all well
pleased with Our delightful trip.
In conclusion, would say that the vote
was taken on our train, and resulted lO4
for Seymour and Blair, and S5 for Grant and
Colfax. Missouri is 0. K. j. Z. B.
A country girl coming from the field,
being told by her poetic cousin that she looked
-, f.o.l dauv