The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1869-02-05
JONESBOROUGH, TENN, FRIDAY FEBRUARY s. 1869


which shook the whole country, and did
much toward checking the tide ofltnmigration
that was flowing into Kansas. At that time,
the country was oyerruh by " Kansas Jay
hawkers' and other bands Of lawless free
hooters, whose depredations on both life and
property were source Of terror to the In
hahitants. But this check IN the tide OF inn
migration left these ''0lhelos" without an
occupation After waiting several months,
like Micauber, for something to turn up,n
they finally concluded to turn npp them
selves and seek a locality where they could
ply their vocation Of bleeding immigrants to
better advantage.
Since the establishment Of law and order
which followed her admission as free State
into the Union, the growth of Kansas has
been steady and rapid. Her territory is no
longer marked upon our school-maps as the
=" Great American Desert but is fast gaining
form, as one Of tho finest sections in "Uncle
SANS dominions.'
But, Messrs. Editors, ifyou, and those who
support the FLAG, will come with me, we win
cross the Missouri river, at point squi dis
tant from St. Joseph, No., and Fort Leayen-
worth, Kansas, and from thence we viii jour
ney through the State, stopping only at the
principal cities-on crossing the river we
find ourselves in Atchison, q thriving young
city of ten thousand people. II ia situated
on commanding sminence, overlooking the
country for miles on either side. 1t is loca-
ted at the apex Of the "Grent Western Bend
Of the Missouri river, and nearly on the line
OF the old military road, and enjoys not lit
tie notorie:y as having been, for many years,
the headquarters Of the ttKansas Jayhawk-
ers" From here ride OF thirty miles brings
us to Leavenworth, a city ofthirty-fye thou
sand inhabitants; and as it is Christmas eve,
VIC 6nd the city robed in gala attire. Sweet
music floats upon every breeze, while the
tapping of many feet, engaged in tripping the
my riads of instruments Of noise in the hands
Of small boys, impresses US in moment that
it is " lively place" On a better acquain-
taree, we find the inhabitants are mostly
from the Middle and Eastern States, brim
full of hospitality and always reaGyto ex-
tend welcome hand to the stranger. We
are Surprised, while looking over the city, to
find so many buildings OF architectural bean
ty AVID design, aud are almost tempted to
think that we are bsholdng irst elias New
England city and, indeed, it is second to
none even in tue q Land Of the Puritans." It's
businesI-exhibits show a large wholesale and
retail trade, and as an evidence Of the pro-
gressive spirit of It's people, we have only to
note the fact, that il supports, handsomely,
fvewOekly, and four daily newspapers. To
the energy of the press, the city owes much
of her prosperity and her people are not
blind to the fact.
Two mIles up the river we reach old Fort
Lsaysnworth. Here we find about a thou
sand boyS 10 blue" and as We mingls
among them, we soon see how they "drive
dull cares to the winds.' Here we see
grOups, enjoying game o! "suchre," and
there another at Hsevsn up A little fur
thar on we fad one writing home, and
another deeply absorbed IN the contents of
letter be holds in his Undergraduates, it is
from mother or sister. See, he smiles and
now tear steals down his bronzed cheek.
Oh, that mother little knows how her kind ,
loving words act as a charm to keep her boy
from crime and SIP. few months ago,
when General Sheridan made an attack upon
the Cheyennss, most of the troops we're sent
to the frontier only leaving the number as
before stated.
The whisllO Of the Western bound train
warns us that our visit is at an end. We
hasten to the depot, and in lesS than tive
hours fnd ourselves at the neat little village
of wyaudotts, situated near the confluence
of the Missouri and Kaw rivers. 1t is the
seat Of justice for WJandotte county, which,
until quite recently, vas reservation, allot-
ted to tho Wyandotte tribe of Indians. But,
as is always the case with these Indians, they
become dissatisfied on the approach of civil
lEation, sold our their claims and moved
westward. Their reservation is now organ
lied as county Of Kansas, aud from bar
rem waste, It will soon emerge labd tseming
with the fruits OF industry.
From Wyandotts, we take passage on the
Union Pacific Railroad, Eastern division, and
after ride Of forty miles, in south-wes.
Direction, we reach Lawrence. Here we ind
a town that can boast history. It contains,
at present, apop1latiOh Of ten thousand, al
though It has been three times destroyed
twice during the territorial troubIss and ohce
during the Rebellion. Itbas always besn
the stronghold OF TIE Frse-soilerS," and as
such an object Of special bate with the pro-
slavery party. On the breaking out Of the
war, these border fuaianS," unisStralnsd BY
any legal tschhicAlitiss, came aud gave vent
to iha. hate which they had nuftsred for 50
many years; and the bloody deeds which
characterised the Lawrence massacre, forms
one Of the blacklist pages Of crime ever re-