From the collections at the Leavenworth County Historical Society and Museum. Reprinted with permission from The Leavenworth County Historical Society and Museum and the Leavenworth Times. Donated by Debra Graden.

The Anthony Letters

Predicts Kansas Land Will Some Day Bring $10 an Acre

Leavenworth Times, 1956-7

Editors note: This is another in a series of letters written by Col. D. R. Anthony to his family in the east almost 100 years ago when Leavenworth was a new town and Kansas was still a territory. The letters give a clear picture of Leavenworth in its early period. The Times is publishing the letters each Sunday and Thursday.

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Leavenworth

Sept 15th 1858

Dear Brother:

The piano company investment may pay, but $250 woud[sic] buy 200 acres of good land in Kansas which some day will be worth $10 per acre.

I am negotiating for a first class lot on Main Street adjoining my office, 24 by 125 to alley in rear--price $2,000. During the excitement 18 months ago they asked $4,000 for same lot. I am not going to run in debt. I have $1,000 cash on hand over all my liabilities. My opinion is property will advance here next spring. Have not sold a foot of land and don't intend to at present.

If you and Father can make any arrangement and Father inclines, I would like to have him in Leavenworth. My business keeps me right at home and I need help.

The Western Valley Insurance Company, of Chicago, lost $6,700 by the great fire of July 15, none of which has been paid. They are bogus. The parties here who were insured by that company offered to pay my expenses and $10 per day if I would go to Chicago and settle for them to my best, but my business here would not permit it. But I wanted to go and slip down to Rochester--but concluded to work while the sun shone.

Have taken one life risk today, the second since by agency commenced.

Have had some symtoms of the ague, took quinine and it has given in--or so I hope and believe. The starving process is the sure way to cure ague.

Last night I heard of the snagging of the steamer "D.A. January." I had insured dry goods on her for about $5,000 and shall go down by first boat and attend to it. I may go as far as St. Louis and Cincinnatti.

this is the first heavy loss I have had on the river. It is now very low, only one boat up this week and it is already Thursday.

As ever

D. R. Anthony

Today's mail brought request from General Bennett saying the Omaha agency needs attending to and that he wants me to see to it.