Transcript

Transcript for "From Our Kansas Correspondent," The Mormon, 28 July 1855, 3

From Our Kansas Correspondent.
ATCHISON, K. T., July 8, 1855
To the Editor of the Mormon:

SINCE writing to you last, but little of importance to your readers has transpired in Atchison. The Saints are rolling off; two companies have left during the last week, Elder [Richard] Ballantyne's and Elder Sechrist's [Jacob F. Secrist's]—and another train is expected to start in 3 or 4 days; this train will take out church property, also Gov. B. Young's boiler and machinery for his steamboat; we are looking for it to arrive every hour, as the boat that has it one is, and has been within twenty-five miles of this place since yesterday morning. She will be here in a day or two, if nothing happens, and then the church train will leave for the plains. Elder Milo, Andrus is still here; he seems to be endowed with superhuman strength of body and mind, and wades into the business with a will; he does more business than any man in or around Atchison. Elder Daniel Spencer is here, having arrived yesterday, on the Polar Star, from St. Louis. Elder [James] McGaw is still here; he is the acting Bishop for this region of country, Elder E. Snow is expected up in a few days. Elder Wm. Rust arrived a few days since with two families of Saints from Pennsylvania; they intend stopping over until next spring; Elder Rust tells me that there will be more on this fall from Pennsylvania. Come along, provisions are plenty and tolerable cheap; every thing is plenty, devils too, in human shape not excepted, and the more priesthood the closer to their dens they will keep.

The Kansas Legislature is in session; Johnson is President of the Council, and Dr. J. H. Stringfellow, editor of the Squatter Sovereign; Speaker of the House.

The Legislature, like all political Legislatures, is doing but little, as yet; but you may expect them to chew their lead into long balls for the Abs. And Frees., during the sixty days sitting.

Atchison is improving slowly, on account of lumber; only 4 houses put up in the last week. The River has been in fine floating order, but is now falling rapidly.

The health of the companies as reported by those arriving here from the Lake is good except Elder Blair's company; several cases of cholera had appeared in that company. Elder [Jacob F.] Sechrist, the captain of the 2d company died, between here and Karney, from fatigue in hunting cattle.

The prospect for crops is remarkably good, at present; but I learn that large fields of wheat, with the chaff and blades all off, has been left standing in Missouri; from the fact that the least motion of the stock caused the wheat to part from it, and go into the ground. They want some of the boys from Deseret to glean, or, at least, to learn them how to take care of that that the Lord gives them.

This letter is scattering; but, as the Parson said, "Scattering shot kills the most birds," I must close it. I am Yours, Truly,

 

TRAVELER.