New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-11-27
From MiSsOurI.


7 hsEdhor ern. N,n National Era aud Citizen:
Perhaps few random notes from this Part
az the West may interest your readers. In
vour valuable paper ! see nearly every Sec
ton Of country represented in your cores
pondent's column except Western Missouri
and Eastern Kansas.
Now, it is quite certain that something
might be said OF our status, whether we are
progressive or otherwise; for, If we are, your
readers surely want to know il; and if we
arc not, they may want to know that also,
that they can have opportunity to inquire
riy We are not up to the times.
Kansas City is situated in the extreme
western part of the State of Missouri, on the
Missou! river, and within two hundred and
tifivthrce yards of the confluence of that
river with the Kansas, or, as it is more COM
monty called, the Raw. From the appear
ance of Kansas City on some maps many
people think and believe it is in the State of
Kansas, which is a mistake, although, be-
tween this city and the Kaw, on its western
border, is little village Of the same name,
which, if it shall! ever attain to metropolitan
proportions, will probably many times be
coniounded with Kansas City ''The First"
Passing over the quaint and rather classic
history of Kansas City during her first years
Of struggle against adverse circumstances for
place Of the map of the nations as me-
trOrolis, come at once to the fact of her
present achievements and her prospects for
future wealth, population, and power.
Al moderate estimate Kansas City con-
tains not less than 10000 inhabitants, and
this statement compfehcnds an increase of
but 5000 since 1870, or an average increase
Of scarcely 1000 annually.
Like ancient Rome. it is IA city of hills,
and can never be what one would call level
city. In this, however, lies her secret of
success. Her hills must he dug down, aud
the wing on Of this great work furnishes
unending labor for the poor that would other
wise live idly and pennilcss. Eighteen miles
Of street railroad have been laid down, and
a system of waterworks will soon be begun
which will give to our city equal facilities for
ease and convenience with those of much
older organization. Added to this, our city
is located in one of the most healthy climates
and is surrounded with the most productive
soils that could be desired. All kinds of
grain are raised in profusion. Ague, fever
and consumption are almost unknown, and
when found, are ascertaned to have origna
ted in an atmosphere more dense than ours
miles away to the eastward.
CHURCHES.
There are about twenty-five churches in
this city-all well attended, and comfortably
and neatly built. There are five colored
churches-onc Baptist, one Christian, one
Methodist Episcopal, and two A. NJ. T..
Methodist. The Baptist church, IN elegant
and commodious brick edifice, erected in lS7 ,
speaks well for the pride, industry, and reli-
ciOus interest of that portion of our citizens.
Their worthy pastor, Rev. III. Robinson, al
though not a gentleman of culture, having
been slave till the close of the war, is, new
ertheless, man of practical ideas, and well
understands how to utilize his time and infiu-
cnce for the best interests of his many fol-
lowers. A movement, looking to the imme-
date organization of n choir is in progress,
and ere long we may expect to hear the best
songs of Zion chanted by a score of we'll
trained singers. Their Sabbath school, under
Superintendent George Day, late of Xenia
Ohio, is quite a success.
Next in order as to organization is Ously
Chapel, GA. NJ. E. which, in point OF MEM
bers, should rank foremost of all, its commu-
ncants numbering several hundred. This
church is an oblong frame structure, situated
directly opposite the Baptist church, and
when built was thought sufficiently ample for
many years to come. But at the present
rate Of increase, a much larger edilice will be
needed 10 accommodate the hosts who are
won't to gather there to listen to the eloquent
discourses of Rev. II. W. Henderson, their
able and efficient minister. Mr.. III. was, at
one time, a student at Oberlin College, and,
besides making himself familiar with the COM
mon English branches, including some of the
sciences, he made the study of theology a
speciality, thus thoroughly fitting himself'foi
the work he was destined to engage in. lie
is Just the man for the place; and in his Off
cal and civil capacity he has brought to beal
mghtier influence, a more wholesome eX
ample, a purer, manlier, holier bearing thar
any of his predecessors. We wish he could
he with Us a dozen years at least.
The other three churches, while they are
not so large and fiourishing as those already
commented upon, are, nevertheless, prosper
ing TO an extent that bids fair to, in time
command a more extensive notice in you
columns.
The work of the churches and Sabbath
schools has exerted healthy influence owe
the morals of our city, Transforming hermot
semi-civilized dcnizcns of a few years ago t
the comedy, respectable, and thoughtful citi
zens Of to-day. Espcciallyis this true of tn
colored people who are better by many hun
dred per cent. than when i came here fiv
years since, a Yankee ''carpet-bagger' iron
the Sciota Valley. Then no public demon
stration, no social assembly, no religion
gatherings were held without ending in
wordy warfare or a rough-and-tumble fight
But now a more orderly, peace-loying bod.
Of citizens are not 10 be found anywhere.
In my next / shall say word in regard I
Our schools i'm general and our colored school