The Van Buren press., 1870-11-15
Chstopa.
CnetopA,
Nh. EDITOR
ChetODa Ia a tovn oFCoutbo

working its way rapidly toward. For,
Gibson. l don't know as there is she
topper in town, but there's cheat some
where, Should YOU go there for health
you'll certainly be cheated if you expect
to get there drink of pure crystal water
you'll find cheat; ditto of whiskey,
though there is some good there, as you
will find some wheat amid the cheet. But
the water! 1t certainly is not such as
run and fash through Elysian Fields.
When you drink of it you pish out
Faugh! When you dip your face into it
you are fain to catch your breath, from
odors which were waited from any shore
but that of Araby, the Blest; that is to
say, fiom Russers Creek, where buz-
yards "most do congregate. " once
thought that the waters Of the ponds and
lagoons of Red river, and the stagnant
pools Of the Plains, were the most exc
cradle in America. But the waters of the
coal fields of Southern Kansas are worse.
Ugh how their vile taste fingers, for l
stayed long enough by the insect shores
Of Russelrs Creek, near Chetopa, to get
the full benefit of the water. viz: chills
Yet am one of the hardest of men to
chill. And then the bugs, the flies and
other creeping and Shiny things. The
spiders and the grand dad dies" One
night | had lain down for my sleep.
Boudinot sat by the window writing. |
dozed. | heard rap, rap, rap, vicIously
given and repeated. Looking up saw
Bopdinot slapping his fist wrapped in his
handkerchief against the window sill:
What the deuce are you doing T"
cried /.
killing grand daddies." rcjoinsd b.
4" I've already killed forty"
An5 with that he approached me with
two handkerchiefs full of dead grand
daddies
or yelled i, Il smell EN- well
enough here "
In the morning over his head, gathered
on the ceiling, great constellation of
them, clustered like stars.
Behold" said l, "the Great Grand
daddy way'
Chetopa, like all Railroad begotten
towns had quick growth, and has about
reached its maximum. 1t is quite brisk
place and will continue to be so till the
Road passes on, though there may be a
junction there. A good deal Of trade is
going on, selling to the ancient custom.
ers of Van Buren and Fort Smith. 1t is
situate on the Neosho, main tributary Of
Grand river, but it's much more like Rus
sells Creek than that beautiful river A
fine large hotel is there, with several
smaller ones. Whether Cooks voyages
are read there, deponent doth not say.
There are some very decent business
buildings, three churches, mill or two,
several saloons and other such things
the usual complement of cats and dogs,
but nary hog Some pretty cottages,
in sundown caves, an average population,
with the customary character belonging
to such towns, some clever gentlem en-
and good many who turn honest pen
MES" don't think it quite so civilized
as our Southern towns, but they think
they are "no sardinc" The land is
heavy and underlaid by a stiff,non porous,
argillaceous shale, not good for corn
nor gardens, yet producing certain
grains and grasses 1t is poor farming
region But great coal fields underlie it,
which in.spots are opened both sides the
line. Boudinot quitting tobacco, from
the manufacture Of which he was driven
by the United States, is now turned Col
lier. If he makes anything at it Uncle
Sam will surely arrest him, then assess
him, then tax him, and then do its d--st
to send him to the Pententary. The
laborer is worthy Of his hire. SO far,
the coal seams yet opened are thin, av'
eraging II inches, the highest being %,
up to my knowing. The coal is fine,
semi anthracite.
Politics have been seething there as
they have been with yoU. Great bowls
Of steam not 80 savory have ascendcd ;
not quite so much niger musk there AS
you have, no cotton bolls ut all, nor yet
Yell Boles. / saw Sidney Clarke dressed
." like the sycamore OLD aud gray" ard,
one day, heard him indcmnjiyins himself
before the people Bat the Convention
land him low. Lowe is said 10 he lair
maA, God grant it. Kansas needs such
a man She never had one "out yet.
heard some faint lowing Of the kline
stolen from Arkansas and the CherVkees
in lS6l-2-3. As is the fashion, there
was, while was in Chetopa, the requisite
quantity ofPrussian sympathy, and other
such vote fishing bait. did not hear as
it killed any Frenchman, or helped Fritz
much. or fred a single German heart