16 KANSAS AND THE COUNTRY BEYOND.

souri; Francis Wells, of the Philadelphia Bulletin; Judge Kingman,
of Kansas; Hon. J. P. Usher, of Indiana; and Hon. C. H. Branscomb,
-of Missouri.

The sentiments uttered by all these gentlemen were in perfect accord
with the resolutions adopted at the first meeting. All seemed to be
deeply impressed with the grandeur and utility of the great enter-
prise which they had come so far to witness, and with not a single
dissent they commended it to the fostering care of the National Leg-
islature. The next adjournment was to a large tent, where an excel-
lent dinner awaited us. Soon after dinner, those of the excursionists
who are going further west took leave of their friends who are re-
turning to their homes, including all the ladies. Some fifteen gentle-
men of the party, with Mr. Perry, the President of this road, set out.
to-morrow for Pond Creek, accompanied by Major General Hancock,
with a small military force, who is going west, in pursuance of his
duties as commander of this department of the service. Pond Creek
is two hundred miles further up the Smoky Hill, and west of Fort
Harker. I return to-morrow to meet the Senatorial party, headed by
Senator Wade, (who have just returned from the Platte, and are
coming up this road,) and accompany them in their excursion over
this road.

 

LETTER I1.— Tornadoes and Rain — Party to Pond Creek — A Ranch
— Solidity of the Harth— Wells — Length of the Smoky Hilt.

Sauina, (Kansas,) June 10, 1867.

I HAVE been here since Saturday afternoon, detained by the washing
out of a small culvert below here. We hope to get off at noon. On
Friday night and Saturday we had a succession of as heavy showers
as I ever saw. All the streams were swollen to the size of little rivers,
and the Smoky Hill is said to be higher than it has been for six or
seven years. The level prairie on which the town stands was literally
one broad shallow sheet of water on Saturday evening.

I parted from my friends, who are going to Pond Creek —two hun-
dred miles east of Ellsworth — on Saturday morning. The party con-
sisted of some twenty gentlemen, among whom were Major General
Hancock, John D. Perry, Esq., President of this road, Mr. Shoemaker,
Chief Contractor, Hon. Messrs. Thomas, of Maryland, Hubbard, of
West Virginia, Mr. H. D. Kennedy, of Pittsburg, several correspond-
ents of Eastern papers, and others; altogether a very pleasant party.
It was at first arranged that I should go, but afterwards that I should