Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1871-09-12
LETTER FROM TIE NORTHWEST.
Enterprise I'm the wsst-HOw a City was
Bunt In Five Years

Balls IN Five Years
Special correspondence Memphis AP-
kansas Cry, September "A trip to
the West is worth remembering The
characteristics Of Western life are so diff
ferent from what we meet In either the
Northern or Southern States that we are
interested, and moreover stirred almost
intuitively into activity. Life and hustle
are eminent Western characteristics. The
whole Western life Is represented In the
enc word ''push." Intense energy Ia
visible in every advance OF civilization In
this Western country. A few brief notes
of travel may perhaps be of interest.
We left st. Louis over the Missouri Pacific
railroad at v O'Clock In q splendid
sleeping coach, in which every arrange
ment was made for the accommodation
and comfort of travellers. The employ
ees OF the road are courteous and Oblig-
ing gentlemen-R matter which travellers
appreciate, all questions answered po-
litely and an attention to little wants
which made q trip very peasant. in
we might mention. A word about
the State through which we are
travelling. Missouri IL settled by
mostly Eastern men and Germans, and
the rolling prairies exhibit q cultivation
which surprises the stranger-vast acres
of corn and wheat, here and there a vege-
table garden, clean and clear, exhibiting
6 thrift which n would hardly expect in
so far away a country. Corn Is seen in
Missouri and Kansas like cotton In the
Southern States, acre upon acre without
seeming end. Il would seem as though
there were no end to the corn. What a
vast country It must be that can use such
vast amounts Of grain. 1 have actually
ridden for ten miles and seen nothing but
one sea of corn. If cotton is king in the
South, surely corn is king in the West.
In Kansas I have seen corn growing fifteen
feet in hight But If the production Of
corn-ssy average forty bushels to
the scre-is so much greater in
these Western pFairies than the East.
The farmer is Obliged to pay freight on his
product. e., he gets the same price as
the Eastern farmer less the freight; but
the difference of production to the acre
will amply pay this, and leave a hand
some balance in favor of the West.
In both Missouri and Kansas land Is
cheap, and the capital required to farm is
small. Ten TO fifteen dollars Is the
average price for lsndl
At six O'Clock the next morning we
woke up in Kansas City. A long ride in
a n omnibus up q steep hill gives Us a
idea Of Kansas City. After q good break
fast at the Pacific Hotel we strolled yer
the city. We find it well built, nine
tenths of the stores and dwelling
houses being built of brick, but
like all new places, to be spread
over an sbOminsble spsce. Rome, it in
said, was built upon seven hills; alas,
Kansas City is built upon seventy-up
and down hil-through a city full of life
only to make money, and eager to catch
every penny, we wonder. We stopped q
friend:
what is the populationPp we asked.
"Thirty-fve thousand, sir"
''Growing2"
"Yes, sir; real estate advancing every
day. Why, only i've years ago we only
had five thousand people in this bergil"
"HOw's thst?"
well, sir, IN tell you. About five
years ago we had no railroads here, and
when they began talking of building this
and that railroad, we offered every one q
subsidy; when 8 bridge over the Missouri
was talked Of; we not only offered
q bonus to have it built here, but
sent 8 committee to see the projectors at
Boston, and urge our city as q good point
to build the bridge. We gained our point;
but those were dark days tor cur place.
We had already taxed ourselves over
fifteen per cent. to complete these under
tskings, believing the influx of people
would relieve Us. The present shows we
were correct in our judgment. The prop
erty-holders of thai day are now rich, and
our taxes are only three per cent" In five
years We have gained thirty Thousand
people, and u town Is now q city. This
seems wonderful, yet facts, substanti-
ate every statement made. What vast
results to the country and to the people
followed this spirit Of enterprises popu-
lous city built in the short space OF five
yesrsin a desert place, and by every train
flock emigrants with money and vigor
to cultivate the prsiries and build the
towns. Enterprise, energy and wealth
are seen st every turn through the West,
and all this is brought about by q few cit
liens who are able to read the futurei Let
US bring this home. What do the South
ern people need9 Immigration How is
it to be obtained7 I am aware that better
lands are to be bought at the South, for
less money, than in the West. The eli
mate is better, and opportunities for max
ing money are superior to any portion of
our country; but I am also aware that
many are disguised with, and determined
to oppose, immigration, by the conduct Of
the army followers and greedy Office
seekers, who have settled among them. I
am a Radical otthe deepest dye; yet have
travelled through Mississippi, from Usyka
to Holly Springs, n have experienced
nought but courteous treatment. To the
emigrsnt 1 can ssy you will find a people
ready to welcome you; to share with you;
to guard you; and let politicians rant of
Ku-KIux-they will never appear at your
door,. To the South, as q Radical, let me
say this success of the Ksnsss enter
prise is a lesson that should never be lost.
Ia the South the results of the West may
be accomplished. Bid the emigrant vel
come; open the county by railroads, and
who may tell the future of this vast
Southern eountryH
OSBORNES.