Mower County transcript., 1871-07-20

Chicago west Of St. Louis. when "
remember how few the years since tn
soil where now stands this busy city
drank up the blood of Martyrs in free
dom's cause, We are led to exclaim
surely this 10Th century is wonderful
one. Lawrence, the home of Gen
Lane tie hero Of Kansas, is delight
full city of about 1000 inhabitants. Iti:
named for Lawrence Mass, and its prin
cipal streets arc named after the States
that form this great Republic. Topeka
situated 20 miles still farther west is not
quite so large as Lawrence nor neat in
appearance yet gives evidence OF thrift
and enterprise. So miles west Of Topeka
is Abilena thriving village Of 500 in
hab;tants or over, and yet one year ago
but one shanty was there. This is the
great cattle market of the Texas drov-
ers. 1t is said more cattle are handled
here than in any city Of the U. S. ex-
cepting only Chicago. Exit Carson"
1913 miles still further west, is the door
way for Mexican herds and flocks tho not
near ~ as important point as Abilena.
From Kansas city the r. R cor nearly =
200 miles follows the Kansas River
whose water resembles very much that
Of the Missouri River, and is conclude
we'll adapted to the raising Of mud tur'
ties Judging by the thousands I saw put
out from shore as the train passed by its
banks. I can't say "Irant any Of the
Kansas River water in mine." About
250 miles west from Kansas city, and
you find yourself out upon the plain,
and you continue to find yourself there
for 24 hours and until you reach Den
vcr, about 400 miles, without tree or
bush, and very little grass. In the
good b.ok somebody speaks Of feeling
as though they had been set in "large
place." 1 felt, as for day and night I
rode over this vast desolate ,caste, it
was the "largcst place" I had ever been
set IN. Three kinds of animals are to
be seen in crossing this tree1ess ~i1der-
ness. The Buffalo, the Antelope aud
the SO called Prairie Dogs, which very
much resembles Minnesota's gray
gophers, except they are little larger
Buffalo and Atelope are about the only
kind of meat known to tho settlers Of
the plains, Of course it is a great treat
to passengers to get it. When asked
if would have Buffalo or Antelope, ]
made the sane reply that Josh Bill
ings did when asked if he would have
green or black tea "that 1 would" ane
so have eaten Buffalo and Antelope
on the plains. Buffalo are often seer
in vast herds and are often shot b,
passengers from the car windows whil'
the train is in motion. We were graft
fed by seeing two small herds, ant
though several shots were fred at then
none werc successful.
Denver is city full Of hustle ant
stir claiming population of about TO-
900. 1t is located on the plain abou
Is miles from the Rocky Mountains
f The view of the mountains is gran
. and sublime, though far off, they al
; pear to be so near at hand that some
, times parties attempt to make the tri
to them and back before breakfast A
I write can look from, my window an
see many Of the higher peaks that q,
snow capped and remain SO all the yes
l. round. One is from 80 to 100 mile
p distant and more within so or 60.
n look upon these grand old mountain
= that have stood there through all Il
5 unnumbered ages of the past in II
back ground see them reaching highe
higher, and yet higher their icy head
X even until lost in the dark storm clou
y l can but 90 further up in my mcdit
tions and exclaim, tho hand that ma
' these truly is divine. I nave tod
> returned from 40 milo trip into Il
mountains visiting Golden city, Bla'
IA Hawk and Central city. I spe
, ono night at the latter city Al
r. the only thing that could induce mc
It spend one year Of my life there, wou
bo that 1 might find "owfu1 big chunk
Of gold and plenty Of thom. Christi
at societies are quito we'll represented al
l. have good houses of worship, yet fre
Q, the fact of its population being so mu
= mixed it seems the Sabbath is not We
much respected. We Republican
that are dyed in the wool have a|wa
10 maintained that a white man was
y good as darkey if he behaved as We
," So down here they speak Of Sunday
being as good as any day provided
don't rain, and treat it as such.
" branch U. s. mint is established he
which will we'll repay any ono for