Ewing, Jr., wrote from Leavenworth to inform his father about 915 acres of land, "near the Kaw river . . . three & a half miles north east of Topeka," that had just been purchased for him. "The land is beautiful & fertile--and is adjacent to fine bodies of timber in the Kansas Valley. The proximity of the land to Topeka (which will be the Capital, of the state) and to the rail road, which will undoubtedly be built in a few years is to be considered in estimating the value of the land." He also mentioned its proximity to the "great military road to Fort Riley."