Auhmm,  46  miles  above  Leavenworth,  on  the  Missouri  Biver,  is,  next  to
Leavenworth,  the  lurgeat  (own  in  Kansas,  with  a  population  estimated  in
181)5  at  8,0U0.  Hero  daily  start  the  overland  stages  for  the  Rocky  Moun-
tains. A  railroad  has  been  commenced,  lending  hence  to  connect  with  the
South  Pacific  on  the  Republican  Fork.  Wlicn  the  grass  starts  up  in  the
spring,  the  place  is  so  thronged  with  the  teams  of  overland  emigrants  one


KANSAS.
449


Very  noon  after  their  arrival,  th«  settlera  were  visited  by  a  body  of  150
Missouri  borderers,  ordered  to  etriko  their  tents,  and  leave  the  territory  to
return  no  more.  But  this  the  people  dectining,  the  borderers  left,  and  eom-
meoced  the  oTganizatioa  of  "Blue  Lodges,"  to  foster  pro-slavery  emigration.
rortli  were  the  firat  towns  located  in  Kansas.  Some
«  ine  JD  the  Hummcr  of  1854,  ClNrk  Stearns,  of  Miasouri,  squatted  at  this
T^liee  mid  erected  a  log  cabin,  llie  first  siructare  built  hero  (still  slanditiq  at

*  1m  head  of  M a RsachuseLU- street).  It  is  stated  tlmt  tlie  Lawrence  Company
»  aitended  to  have  passed  on  to  the  Bi^'  Blue  Kiver,  at  Munliattun.some  GO
■■»»ilts  above.      Having  arrived    near  ihis  spot,   some   of  the   company  rode

*  liflir  llornes  to  the  summit  of  Mount  Oread,  to  find  a  suitable  place  to  eo-
^"■tnp  during  the  night.     Discovering  Stearns'  cabin,  and  being  charmed  with

*  lit  ippearance  of  the  country,  they  determined  to  atop  here,  and  sccord-
^  i<L-lj  encamped  od  the  present  site  of  the  Eldridge  Hotel.
