Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1869-08-20
NO.29
LETTER FROM KANSAS.
The following letter, though delayed
a publication, viii be found interest


The following letter, though delayed
in publication, Will be found interest
ing: tealatss p.
Topeka, July 10, 1863.
EDITORS GAZETTE At this time.
when so many. are seeking homes in
the far West on account Of the cheap
ness of land, healthfulness of climate
and richness Of SOIL it NAV be inter
estfng to some Of the readers Of the
GAZETTE to hear a few words in regard
20 the beauties and advantages Of Kan
sas. Most people leaving an old and
densely populated country like some
OF the counties in Ohio, think that by
going West they viii loose all the adj
vantages of schools, churches, raii-
roads, &c, but those coming to Topeka
the Capitol of the State, or almost any
Of the county-seats, are surprised in
finding well-regulated schools and
churches in successful operation and
railroads, either in running order or
IN progress of completion. rs1If Iuo
When the State of Kansas was adj
mitted into the Union, Topeka was
made its Capitol, and although less
than dozen years old, has a popula-
tiOl estimated at over eight Thousand,
and the present activity in business is
nprecedented in her history. There
have been several hundred buildings
erected this year already, and more are
IN process of completion, and most Of
them are of a very substantial charac-
ter and an ornament to the city. And
notwithstanding all this activity "a
building, the demand for houses Is IA
excess of the supply, and in conse-
quence real estate is rapidly advancino
IN price, both in Topeka and the sur
rounding country. Those coming from
the East are rapidly buying up the bot
tom and tim Der lands. and the roIIfnu
prairie is by no means neglected. The
river bottoms, which are different from
those in the Eastern States. are pener-
ally several miles in width, peFfeetIv
level, and equal in richness to anv in
the world, while the uplands are ac
kno WIedged by all who have taken the
trouble to examine them to besuperior
to the high lands of other States
Larger crops on an average of wheat
rye, oats, barley and potatoes can be
raised on the high lands here and with
less labor and expense than can be
raised on any upland in Ohio. And
Whlle good unlmproyed lands are sell
ing at from 81 25 to $40 90 per acre. inn
proved farms are worth from $40 OU to
500 90 per acre. These lands have
more than doubled in value within fine
last year, and Will continue to advance
as the numerous railroads in Dropress
are being completed. The land in this
state being generally a little rolling
1t drains itself-seldom is there to be
Iound stagnant water. Therefore there
are seldom found those. diseases so
prevalent in Illinois where there is NJ
much low, fiat prairie. This is q feaI
ture which very few fail to notice after
Delng here q short time. Wood is not
as plenty as ia Ohio or Indiana, VET
there is generally plenty along fhe
small streams. Coal is found i1 al
most every county in the State. and. in
sumclent quantities for fuel for n1ar1T-
factur1ng and other purposes, which
taxes Cne place of wood often in its alb
Sence.' lumber grows very rapidly
here and it takes but a few wears ~
ralse forest. Superior building stone
Is found all7Over the State. and III nm /
yenlent to be got at for building or
fencing. zstlT1 80
Although Kansas is thought by some
TO be very dry State, the cro1s tbis
year are reported to be the best on an
average of any State in the Union.
And although much has been said al
:, Mr. Lo, (the poor Indian). and the
danger we are subject to here from
him, that is all mistaken notion and
Is not understood by many that have
not been here. We are as safe from the
Lndlans mere as you are there. Then
Wheres A1magine I hear some one ask
are those Indian outrages committed Z
1 VIII tell you They. are where we
term here way out west on the from
tier, about three hundred miles west
OF this place, and outside of BiviIiga-d
ton, where no white man shouldtthink
OF taking his family. Far bevond tbe
1ndlan reservations some of the Old
Country emigrants have settled and
no one IS surprised when he learns
That one of them has lost a losalz of hair
from the top of his head If not his
whole head
There are thousands OF. acres of land
here in this State as good as can he
found any place, that can be taken bv
actual settlers, either as a homestead
or py presumption. The first costinU
hem fifteen dollars for one hundred |
ana sixty acres, and the other two hum
1r6O collars for the same aInount - |
Now is the time for young 1nen to |
make a strike while the lands are /
;heap and chance for q choice in. Sc /
ect1on- They should remember that
. only takes about forty eight hours /
20 go or come. That millions of men
are daily Shaving their lives ayvav on /
and that is not their own. in Eastern /
SGdges, every one knows. One wear of /
.neIr held rent would buy a good sized /
larm here, with soil as much suDevfOr4
70 the old Worn-Out lands of the East
STn SGateS as common clay to rich bot
5om Iand. And farm products bring
Is hlgh price here as they DO In Ohio. |
II Lne millions WHO now live in desti-
tuition and misery, and are starving
themselves and their families n ouT
-arge cities, rearing their children in
lamp cellars or high attics, would come
% some OF our small prairie towns,
Vhere mechanical work of all kinds is /
n great demand, and breathe the pure
llr Of these beautiful prairies. their
am1lies would soon change in appear
lnce. Instead of the poor, puny, sick |
y look that they now have, they wouId /
lOon look robust, strong and hearty, |
md improve their circumstances finan- |
'lally. On every side may be seen /
nose who lew years ago came to 4
1lerding Kansas almost penniIess and !
nave made the broad prairie yield to
hem an Independence and fortune.
surrounded by herds of fat cattle and i
heep, they can now live at their ease.
Friend, Ego thou and do likewise. !"
ego HF - wv w. U-AWTTT, 4