The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1869-07-15
Lettcr from NEr. Tripp.


letter from NHr. TriPp.
d. MACKLEY:
Dear Sir-I concluded my last letter as en-
tered the Office of the Land Agent at Topeka.
These Land Agents at the present, under the ex-
citement caused by the rush to this State of per-
sons wishing to invest in Western lands, are
doing in literal sense Lqad Office business. BY
little observation you can soon discover that
fortunes are being made by some of these, off of
those in Il hurry to buy. They have plats of all
the lands put in their hands for sale, with de-
scription, location, quality and price marked
thereon. They, or at least some of them, keep
the price asked by the owner from the knowl-
edge of the bayer, and in the kindest manner
take out any one wishing to buy, on horseback
or in buggies, to sec any Of the lands they are
authorized to sell, tree of charge. The agent is
fully posted as TO the present extremely healthy
condition of Kansas, and especially The county
he himself resides In, all of which, without re-
serve, he kindly makes known to his strange
companion. He explains fully the advantages
Kansas has over erery other State. It's central
position in the Union, the inches of rain that
has fallen and ~iH be sure to JaRin every month
of the year, the bushels of corn the prairie
grounds will raise if properly worked, and the
immense crops that can be gathered by merely
planting. He also shows the perfect system of
railroads built and soon to be erected, one of
which he can prove will certa inly come to or
through each piece of land he has for sale The
lay of the land is so even, and yet not level that
the agent can by aid of a compass, drive direct
ly from one tract to another, regardless of dis
tance or roads, which is frequently spoken Of by 4
him as he hurries on, and thus the bright side of
the picture is all the time before the view of his
companion, who perhaps is from some hilly
country, and he is captivated and fully satisfied
with the country and the price ofland, and ca H.
not find it in his heart to not buy of the man
that seems to be, and is, so very kind and obli-
gjng. They return to the Office tired but pleased
and Mr.. Stranger is now politely asked to make
his selections, with word now and then of
'mpartia! advice given by the agent for his sole
benefit, and sale Of two, three, four or more
quarter sections is made at gay S10, 90 per acre,
while the owner gets 80, 90 peracre and pays the
agent his commission, and the kind agent poek-
cts the other $500 per acre. for he was to have
all he could sell for over the price fixed by the
owner. Two sales of this kind came to nv
knowledge while was in Kansas, but in one
case the agent sold 100 acres for $1G per acre,
and paid the owner his price, Sc per acre, leav-
ing him 81, 600 as his reward for selling one
quarter. No man can go to this place and buy
to best advantage aud keep out of the grasp of
sharpers unless he is extremely careful, and
takes time to inform himself ..
| expected to find r. Z. Hoffman, Esq., here
and avail myself of the information he could
give me, aud on which could rely but he was
not here, and was disappointed and on the
night train left forthe city Of Lawrence, where
the Border Ru1ians aud the Rebels wreaked
their vengeance for no other crime than the ex-
pressed desire the people had to make Kansas
free State. No one can remain here over the
Sabbath as did, and see how the day is obsery-
cd Ono persons on the streets except going to
and returning from church--all the stores and
groceries closed, with quiet everywhere reign
ing supreme,) without being able to guess the
cause of Rebel brutality to the people, and also
the politics Of the citizens. This, Douglas Co.,
cast 2l34 votes for Grant and 609 for Seymour,
which Is comment enough on the morals of the
people.
A night train passed through Lawrence for
Leayenworth which took so as to do my tray
cling by night and look at the country in the
day time. The train reached Leayenwortl short
ly after dark, and the contrast between Law
renee and Lea@nworth Is so great, aud the dis
tance between them 80 short, the stranger is
truly bewilderod and astounded. Here many of
the stores were open and lighted up. AS far as
could see all the saloons were in full blast lid-
ding and dancing were going on. Near the
hotel where stopped great number of people
gathered TO see fight One man had large
cheese knife threatening the life of another
nearly all seemed 10 enjoy the fun. No arrests
were made, although night was made hldeous
with oaIhs and imprecatons. Directly the
crowd began to leave and drop into the hells
near at hand, and was now anxious to know
something of these people aud their political
faith, and found ON inquiry that this Leaven-
worth county, cast for Grant 1871 votes, and for
Seymour $780, mostly In the city. The differ
enoe between Lawrence and Leayenworth was
now fully explained TO me,
On Monday morning took the train aud soon
found myself at ST. Joseph, Mo, crossed the
river and took tho train TO Troy, county town
Of Doniphan county, Kansas. 1 remained here
all that day and night, and looked around the
town and country. The town has about 1000
Inhabitants, no fine buildings, excepting new
brick court house, and very fine three story
union school house being erected, but not fin
lshed, Town lots are very reasonable, rating
from 500 to 5000.
The country is what might be called hllly. |
Most Of the land Is incosed, and much in high |
state of cultivation. The crops of all kinds are
as good us ever saw. The soil is not like the |
hatter prairles, but Of a reddish brown color and
not ul 0l0cksh, tarry appearance when wet
| think, all things considered this county
suits my fancy better than any place have seen
No man ever saw q better watered country than
this. Springs on nearly every quarter section,
strong, clear aud cool. Lands unmproyed rate
from % up to $50 per acre improved from SIj
upt0 $40 per acre.
IAMpu pt,tVn