Year: 1862

ant, while the timber, being confined to the
low lands, is much more abundant than is
generally supposed. The numerous creeks
are all more or less wooded, and few miles
west of this, stone coal is being found in
some places in abundance.


To be a little more specific, better land,
with water and stone, and moderate sup
ply of timber cannot be found in the West,
than can be obtained in all that tract OF
country west of Big Blue river on the Lit
tie Blue and its tributaries, as yor go west
towards Fort Kearney on the Platte, while
as you cast your eyes south towards the
Republican, you see vast valley, of un-
surpassed richness, in many places we'll
wooded, and capable Of holding dense
population. As you 60 south from the
Republican, you find yourself in the midst
of numerous creeks well wooded, which
wind their way down to the Solomon
These creeks possess fine bottoms, suited to
make most beautiful farms. The streams
on the Republican on the south side, after
you get west of the 9th principle meridian,
are heavily wooded, and have fne bottoms.


While on the Solomon for more than one
hundred miles west, the bottom lands are
unsurpassed in richness and beauty. The
same is true of the Saline and Smoky Hill,
while the divide, though in some places
rough, will be found quite as level as the
farmer desires. Good land, level and
beautiful, can be had within four miles of
Riley. Excellent locations can be found on
the Smoky Hill and south Of it, while most
desirable locations are still open north east
of Manhattan and south of that place.


To say nothing of the undeveloped min
eral resources of Western Kansas, the
salines alone are worth the most careful
development. Our plats show numerous
saliues, and the explorations and practical
tests have fully demonstrated the fact that
our numerous and valuable salt springs will
soon become permanent source Of wealth
to this portion of the State.


1t is impossible to know but very little
of Western Kansas by travelling once or
twice along some valley, pent up between
hills. You must go over it, and carefully
examine its rich lands and its spacious val
leys: !: its BEAUTIFUL streams and we'll wooded
creeks. You must pass up out Of the val
ley, and measure with the declining sun,
the broad acres Of most delightful upland
prairie, or you will be liable to form but a
very imperfect idea of this portion Of the
State.


Soon we shall have q railroad west to
Riley and our prospects are fair for a branch
if not the main of the Pacific road. With
such prospective advantages, where can a
better locality be found for investment and
settlement? Am l told the climate is too
dry? answer, I have personally lived
here since 1853, and have raised more corn
to the acre than I ever could in Illinois or
Iowa. We have less rain than falls in most
of the valley of the Mississippi, and should
have less, but we generally have enough to
raise good crops.


Our winters are usually short. The eli
mate is naturally healthy, being dry and
pleasant No man can End but three faults
against Western Kansas. One is, we have
not quite timber enough; another. we have
not quite rain enough, and the other, We
have too much wind. But the great abund-
ance Of stone, with little economy, will,
in time, almost certainly overcome the first
objection. When the country becomes
settled and the land broken, have no
doubt the country will be quite as wet as
we desire. Atpresent it is far preferable to
locality too wet.


On the whole do not know any place
in the whole Valley of the Mississippi as
desirable for home, or one that promises
a more certain and remunerative develop.
ment. am Sir, very respectfully,


Your obedient servant,


S. D. HOUSTON,
Receiver ofMe United States Land Office





Doyvrc op Hovnu Morod;th ID Co,x.