The Leavenworth weekly times., 1878-08-15
THE haURKY MISSOURI.
The Survey Of the Same to Com
mence in a Short Time.
Tho Building of the Bosts now in
Progress on The Levee.

The long talked OF and much desire
survey oil the Missouri river is a. last a,
running definite shape and sthose of ou
farmers and merchants who have for man
years sought an outlet ior their product
and goods will We think have their wishe
gratitied ere long. The appropriation O
S15, 900 as made by the last House of Con
gress, to be expended in careful survey O
this mighty river is none too large, but if
RIGHTLY EXPENDED
| will result in vast amount OF good to tn,
entire west and will help the project tha
the people Of the South have SO long lookes
for, that of making New Orleans one of tn,
largest grain markets in the world. Ii
this project they are
HEARTILY SECONDED
by the people OF our Western States and
with the help of the prominent citizens oi
st. Louis, who have taken hold of this mat
ter, We have no doubt with the prepara-
tions made, that the Missouri in year at
least will become As great a highway for
steamboats, as the mighty river to whom II
is a tributary.
THE BUILDING or THE BOATS
for the use Of the officers and men was
commenced last Wednesday, one week ago,
and is progressing rapidly. There are
two Of them, built something after the
style of a sand-bsrge, but known among
river men as a"quarter-boat." The largest
is seveniy-five feet long, sixteen feet wide,
with three feet hold. This will be the boat
occupied by the officers and engineers Of
the expedition, and will be fitted up with
| & l., L.,
pleted will he comfortable and commo-
dious. The other is siIty-two feet long,
seventeen feet wide and three feet hold.
This one will be used by the men, and will
have a cabin fifty-two feet long. The cook
ing will also be done on this boat. A large
number OF skifs are also being built, and
the outfit, when complete and manned, will
make quite flotilla.
CAPT. q. W. sTREETER,
Of st. Louis, has charge Of the construc-
ton Of the boats, and in a conversation
with him yesterday, he stated that he
thought the boats would be completed by
the last Of next week. The Captain is an
old river man and in reply to our question
as TO what was his opinion in regard to
making the Missouri navigable, said
that If the plan Of surveying the river,
was carried out as he understood it, that
there was no question in his mind but that
the river trade on the Missouri
WOULD FULLY EQUAL THAT
of the Mississippi" Jas. Rouse, the Cap
tain's assistant, will accompany the expe-
dition as mate. Twenty-Five men are en-
ployed in the construction OF the boats,
and the levee presents an appearance that
is truly gratifying.
THE SURVEY
under the directions of Capt. Church, will
commence at point near Weston and will
lie continued down the river to where il
emptIes into the Mississippi. One OF the
points that will command great share OF
attention, is the bend in the river above
the bridge. 1t will probably be necessary
TO build dixie to prevent further inroads
by the water at that point. We hope that
the survey will be thoroughly carried out
and the Missouri put in such a condition
that steamboats, may be seen at this port
AS in days Of yore. The expedition will
be under the direct command OF Capt. ID.
ii. Wellman, who has had years of exper-
fence in this line, and one whom We I'M
derstand is heartily in favor OF the project.