“ A. site had been previously selected on the south side of the Kansas river, near the mouth of McDowell's creek. The original intention was to make the entire trip by water, the colonists believing the Kansas river to be navigable, but upon arriving at Kansas City they found that their boat would be unable to proceed farther. Emigrant wagons and teams were procured for the remainder of the journey, and on April 22 they reached their destination. Many of these colonists were admirers of Henry Clay and the town they laid out was named Ashland, after the great commoner's residence in Kentucky. ”