Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-08-07
From Nebraska.
OMAHA Cry, NEBRASKA TERRITORY,
lima 90 IQEc

Joseph, 1 came overland through Buchanan,
Andrew, and Holt counties, Missouri, to Iowa,
and thence via Council Bluffs City to this place
The country through which we passed. both in
Missouri and Iowa, is principally prairie and
certainly as fair and fertile as sun ever shone
upon. The rapidly with which it is being
settled is really amazing, even to one ac-
quainted with the extraordinary growth Of the
West. Prairies that, but three or four years
ago were vast wastes, with not a furrow or a
fence for miles and miles, are now thickly
studded with finely cultivated farms, through.
out which the grain is already following and
rpening in the genial sun. To stand on one
OF the ridges of these prairies, and gaze over
their wide expanse, is to enjoy one of the most
magnificent spectacles imaginable; as far as
the eye can reach extend rolling plains, level
as hoor, except where occasionally a clear
stream, fringed with its growth of timber, like
an island city In the sea, gives variety and
picturesqueness to the scene; here and there
rises the neat farm house, with its surrounding
buildings, and its fields of grain, swelling and
sinking in the breeze like the waves of the
ocean: near and all around you, the long
prairie grass ghtters with many-hued wild
howers, blue, and crimson, and yellow-and
AT your feet the pale pink Of the prairie rose
brings more forcibly to mind the ocean smile,
by It's resemblance in delicate color to the
shells OF the .seashore. The rapid settlements
1t The interior is giving additional impetus to
The heighboring towns many of these found
have taken notes of the principal and will
write them out more fully at another day.
Al Oregon, Holt county, we found the Ma
sonic fraternity laying the corner stone of a
handsome and commodious hall, to be erected
at thai place.
The report mentioned in my last that large
hodies OF emigrants we're crossing through
Iowa into Nebraska, find to be correct. Hun
dreds have undoubtedly crossed the Missouri
river into The Territory within the last two
weeks, aud parties are almost daily pursuing
the same route. They are almost wholly com.
posed of young men, very few families being
among the number. A portion of these in,
vaders are encamped near Iowa City, awaiting
their leader, Lane.
AT Florence, about six miles above this
place, the Mormon emigration to Salt Lake
has been gathering for some weeks, and this
morning the tents were struck, and the whole
body, to the number of between seven and
eight hundred, proceeded on their journey.
Many of them are provided with no other
means OF conveyance than small hand-cart,
in which all the moveabes, and the Young
that another body, to the number of six hun
dred, all Norwegians, are now crossing the
State of Iowa towards Florence.
A party of United States Typographical En-.
gineers, under command of Lieut.. Dickinson.
are now at this place, and are about commenc-
ing the location OF a military road from Omaha
to Fort kearny, for which an appropriation of
fifty thousand dollars was made by Congress-
This work will be of great advantage to this
city, as The road will bring here great deal of
the indian trade, which has hitherto gone to
other points.
have seen none of the rising cities in the
new Territories which possess more natural ad-
vantages than Omaha. The site is one of the
best on the river, being large level plateau,
of ample compass for large city, situated
above the highest water mark and rising
gradually at the distance Of half mile from
the bank TO an elevated bluff, and thence roll
ling in similar gentle elevations for miles into
the prairie. The country back of this is rich
prairie, interspersed will, occasional groves of
timber. Emigration is rapidly filling up these
fertile plains, and no great time will elapse be-
fore they will, under the blessings of civiliza-
ton, "bloom and blossom as the rose" Omaha
will be the nearest point of supply for great
portion of the Territory, as well as for the vast
and profitable Indian trade of the interior. Its
progress thus far has exceeded all anticipation
its population has been more than double
this spring, and property has been advancing
In value until it has reached point which APP
pears ridiculously extravagant to one not ac-
quainted with the extraordinary growth of the
town. Town lots Of sixty.six by one hundred
and thirtytwo feet are selling freely for cash at
from one thousand to fifteen hundred dollars.
and are constantly advancing. The streets
are rapidly filling up with commodious and
handsome brick stores, and the higher points
are being crowned here and there with pictnr-
esque dwelling houses. On the elevated bluff
have mentioned above, commanding the city
and the country for fifteen miles around, the
capitol building is being erected. 1t has now
reached the second story, and will be under
roof this fall. 1t is built under the immediate
superintendent of Governor lizard, who is
pushing the work forward as energetically and
rapidly as circumstances will permit. When
completed the building will be a decided orna-
ment to the city. The design is by Rumbold,
Of st. Louis and large portion of the mate.
rails, including the iron castings for the bases
and capitals Of the pillars, &c, are also from
our city.
The vexed questions which have so convuls.
cd her sister Territory, Kansas, have never
disturbed the tranquility of Nebraka Quietly
and steadily the Territorial Government has
dischnr red its functions no one has question.
Ell its authority, but a ready and prompt obe-
di"ncc j. given to all its DEGREES by every citi-
Zen. This fact proves that the troubles in
kaosas have not grown out Of any peculiarities
or defects in the organic law, as its enemies
are tond If charging but are attributable
wholly 10 the unauthorized AID impairment
interi, renee Of Emigrant Aid Societies, and
the ianatcal and reasonable doctrines of their
emissaries. Popular sovereignty in Nebraska
is working to a charm, and under its benefcent
sway she WILL in due course Of time, come for.
ward to claim her place in the array of States.
shall visit most Of the larger settlements Of
the Territory on leaving here, and Of these
will endeayor to give you full description
hereafter. MISSOURI.
Messrs. Snyder & Dodd have established
themselves in Omaha city as General Land
Agents; they are gentlemen worthy of every
confidence. We commend them to our friends
Mr. Snyder is the son of NJ. Snyder, of the firm
e Il A.