The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1870-06-02

journing, several notes were given,
ranging from $1O0 to $500 and $1,000,
and We are of the opinion that the
prospect for liberal subscription to
this road, from the people in this
vicinity, is very favorable.
Respectfully, yours,
GNO. w. KIRKPATRICK.
From kansas.
GIRARD, KANSAS, J
May ~, 1870.
GEN. J. M. HEDR1cK-
Ottumwa, Iowa.
My dear GenT.-Times change.
People have to scatter over this
broad land-and why? Because We
cannot be content unless making our
way as the Star of Empire.
On tho 18th Of April, last, with my
little family, l loft Ashland, after a
residence there of twenty-seven
years,-a place that seemed so near
and dear to me; not only the town.
but tho citizens Of Wapello county,
with whom we had SO long associat-
cd, and who we think arc the best
you cannot appreciate our feelings
when VIC had to leave them. But
our friendship still remains stoadfast.
They will not be forgotten. We
shall always be rejoiced to take any
of them by the hand and welcome
them to our abode, to converse over
the past; to hear from my many
friends and neighbors of old Wapello.
We made our winding way, after
wading through tho waters, and our
teams miring in the mud. We cross.
ed the Des Moines river at Thomas
Dcford's ferry, and pursued our jour.
ney till about 5 o'clock, p. nj, whom
we camped at the place called Noos.
ville, four miles from Bloomfield, and
partook of sumptuous supper oil
chicken, ham, coffee, etc, on the wag.
on, prepared by our family while yet
in Ashland; my family taking quar-.
ters in house, and "the old man
taking the wagon for his bedroom
And this was our last night in Iowa
Wednesday, April 10, at 4:2O p. M.
we took the cars, at Bloomfield, on
the N. Mo. r., for Kansas City, where
we arrived tho next morning, after q
good nights ride over one of the best
railroads, and not only ono of the
best roads, but governed by the best
set of men-always obliging, and
ready to wait upon the travelling
community and mako them comfort.
able.
Al 1920, wo left on the cars esix
passenger, crowded, creating o tn.
multi, each scat filed, and great
many persons standing watching to
pounce down on the first one vacat.
cd,) on the Mo. River, TT. Scott &
Gulf r. H., for Girard, tho county
seat of Crawford county, Kansas,
where we arrived at 6:2O p. M, the
rain pouring down in torrents. We
put up at the Lender House, which
some people might think, is not equal
to the Ballingall, Of your city.
April Is, the carly morn found us
running round the streets, which
were frozen over, although We were
in the "sunny South" In the even
ing found small room to rent 70,
which l paid SIS for ono MONTH
The weather being cold, and having
no bedding, or furniture, we changed
hotels and went to the Andrews
House. Here We waited two weeks
till our goods came, when we moved
into the house, and are once more
enjoying the comforts of life.
Glrard is on what is called the
Dog, or Neutral lands, formerly be-
longing to tho Cherokee Indians. In
1885 our government treated with
the Cherokees of Georgia, and gave
them a piece of land fifty miles from
north to south and twenty-five miles
from east to west, tho south-eas
corner to be at the southwest cor.
ncr of Missouri, for which the gov
ernment received from them land in
Georgia. This land is fertile tract
susceptible Of a high state of cult
walton timber is rather scarce, but
limo and sandstone plenty; stone
coal, of the best quality, is very
plentiful and cheap. 1t is said that
water is scarce here. 1t was scarce
one month ago, when there was but
two wells in the town. Now, plen.
ty of good, pure limestone water ID
had by digging from twenty five to
forty feet. Crops are back ward, but
look we'll; tho finest wheat | eve,
saw is on tho Neutral lands. 1t can
not be surpassed even in the Genes.
see Valley, N. Y, and will be ready
for harvesting in about ten days.
The Missouri River, TT. Scott &
Gulf Railroad is completed from
Kansas City to Bostor Springs, at
the south side of the State, . dis.
lance of 165 miles, and passes thro
tho Neutral lands. Crawford is one
OF the best counties of land in south.
ern Kansas. Girard is located on a
high, rolling prairie, near tho Cow
Creek timber, on the east, and Thun
derboit and lightning creeks timbers
on the southwest and west contains
about 1000 Inhabitants, with eight
or ten dry goods and clothing stores,
twelve or fifteen groceries, and plen.
ty of saloons, five hotels, two drug
stores, wagon shops, blacksmith do,
two furniture stores, two hardware
and stove stores; lawyers and doctors
no one knows how many; two Sab
bath schools, two churches, ono high
school, Odd Fellows and Masonic
lodges, one literary society, and 9TH
or things that help to make city
The day is not far distant when we
will have ono of the best towns in
southern Kansas. A company from
Illinois will soon put up alarge -four
ing mill here.
There is no better place for per-
sons desiring to change their place OF
residence than Crawford county
Kansas, where they will find good
society, good churches, good schools,
good land, and COED. loyal, intclli,
gent, Industrious and cntcrnrisino