Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-12-29
Letter from Kansas.

ArcmsoN, Kansas December a. 1875.
Msus. Eio,s:-lt is q long time since wrote
yoa and thinking you might take an interest in
your old friend an associate Of former years,
now take the liberty TO write you As you know,
I ann now located in The prosperous and growing
city OF Atclisou, located on the west bank Of the
Missouri river An iron bridge at this place con-
meets this city with East Atghison, located in the
state of Missouri Atchson city IS the county seat
OF Atchison county, one Of tho best agricultural
counties in the state Of Kansas / douot design
20 give the history of this county, but will men
ton few facts that have come under my own per
soual observation Of Atchison and jefferson coun-
ties. Jefferson county lies Immediately south Of
this, Atehi-on county. IN the spring Of 1859, !
located at Gras-hopper Falls, on Grasshopper
Greek, now Valley Falls, Delaware river There
were at the Falls at that time about twonty cabins
There was but one brick chimney in the place 1t
is now city Of the third class with population
Of over fifteen hundred inhabitants send You
the paper published in that beautiful and growing
city. You Will see by the advertisements, it isa
place OF mo- mean Importance, stores wooden fac
tory, Touring mills, shops etc. lived at the Falls
till November 1861 since that time have resided
in this city, will say here. do not think there
Is a county more beautiful, rich, and desirable for
homo comforts than Atchison and jefferson conn
ties. Taxes are not high, property IA assessed at
about onc-third OF it real cash value This Is the
case generally In the state. The city Of Atchison
is really railroad center The Atchlson, Topeka
and Santeioe now runs from here over five hun
dled miles South, through a rich country The
Central Pacific, one hundred mile. directly West
and will soon be extended one hundred more The
llannbaland St. Joseph running east to Chicago;
the l.oc, Island running from here to Chicago; the
Atclison and Nebraska, running north to Lincoln;
the Missouri Pacific, running 10 st. Louis and other
4 think nine-roads center at Atchison. men
ton this TO show you VIC can 20 10 any part Of the
world az easy as our Eastern friends can, and as
cheap. The climate Of Kansas is all that any one
could desire While am now writing sit with no
fire, the window mp and ms warm as pleasant
day in September in Vermont There are no con
sumptiyc cases in Hansus unless brought hore
from the North Last spring we were visited by
the locust or gmsshopper They swept every
thing clean. The 2Oth OF June here there was
not green thing to be seen After that time the
gardens and farms were replanted, aud a better
crop was never raised in any country Corn is
now selling in the streets of Atehson at twenty
five cents per bushol oats, potatoes aud other
grains at cheap prices winter wheat first quality,
sells here for si,0o per bushol meats are equally
cheap. mention these facts, not to induce my
friends in Vermont to leave that state, for those
that are able had better stay there but il any
are determined to cmgrate believe they had
better look over Kansas before they finally locate.
My son and family are now located in st. Louis.
lie is adjustor for the Western Department Of the
Franklin Fire Insurance Company Of Philadel-
phia. His department comprises ten states West
Of the Ohio and Aeghanles. His time is all occu-
pied. My health Is good. Mrs 5, has been sick,
but is now improving receive the WATcHNAN
weekly and read 1t with interest Kansas is Repub-
lcan, no mistake, crooked whskey to the con-
tTary notwithstanding The rebel democrats will
find it is not good policy to dssplaee union soldiers
and III up with rebels. Another year they will
find there is a God in Israel, and tho people will
teach thom the law
Yours truly, AzEL SrALpISo