Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1868-12-31
Halter from Kansas.

Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette. /
LAWRENCE, KANSAS, Dec. Is, lS68.-Thlnk-
ing that possibly few lines from me at this
point would not be uninteresting, | write to
give you some account Of this far western city,
its people and its business, as some OF our young
men, who at present are on the lists with Ma
cawber, may receive encouragement or be pro-
fted thereby. Lawrence is situated upon the
banks of the Kaw river, on the opposite or
northeastern bank Of which lie the famous
Delaware lands, the best In this section OF the
State. 1t has about 10000 inhabitants, spread
ing out, over an area OF about two square miles.
| 1t has many furnishing business houses. Here
| it is said reside the culture and talent of the
State. Ex Gov. Walsh resides near this place.
| He is a genial gentleman of the old democratic
school, Ex-Gov. Shannon also resides here, IN
| the practice of the law. Judge Usher, formerly
| Secretary of the Interior under Mr.. Lincoln
| holds forth here as attorney Of the Pacific road
| He also owns great deal of land in this State,
| among which are two OF the finest farms in the
State.
| The editor of the Kansas State journal, to
whom was accredited has been particularly
kind, both in introducing me to the leading
| CICZSnS ana i'll lGhUIIS AuC 0folJ aooloIaAOO III
| his power. He is quite young man, very
| popular, quite witty, and is ever ready to take
| by the hand any new corners.
| The property in and around Lawrence Is held
at very high prices, but to the west and south
| tho lands, we'll watered and wooded, can be
| purchased at from 81. IS to So per acre.
! There are several railroads leading into the
town. The Pacific road passes through it,,
(nearly all of the officers Of the western end re-
! side here); a road from Leayenworth and
| Atchisop; and there is the northern terminus
of the road in course Of building, and now fin
ished 81 miles, having for its objective point
Galveston, Texas. This road will be one of
the finest in the world, passing through the
extensive Indian country, which is said by the
traders and agents who have visited it to be the
| finest land in the western country. There IS
| good deal of rivalry existing here among the
various towns as to the termni OF the different
roads now in process of building and those
being projected. Lawrence-truly stlyed the
head centre-is, however, destined to be the
| terminus OF as many more roads as are leading
into it at present writing The papers are
| tecming with railroad articles, and as everyone
| has an interest in one or the other their sub
! scription lists are much enhanced. SO much
| for railroads.
NmlSraJlOn Is pouring lulo luc Otdle, duu
this place is receiving it share. Many are cap
itasts, but the majority are hardy sons OF the
soil, who come with their families principally
from the States OF Indiana, Illinois and Ohio.
| noticed day or two ago long train of
wagons that had stopped in the streets for the
purpose of provisioning, before proceeding far
Their. Each wagon contained a family; they
were well covered with canvass, and each
had a cooking stove. They all looked well
AID hearty, although coming all the way from
Illinois They were destined for Topeka, Just
few miles west Of this place. Civilization is
said to be advancing at the rate of thirty miles
per year. That being The case the fine Indian
domain in the western portion Of this State,
now peopled only by poor LO," and immense
herds of buffalo and wild game, will soon be
apportioned off in counties, making Lawrence
truly the great head centre Of commerce
REESE