Bellevue gazette. [volume] (Bellevue City, N.T. [i.e. Neb.]) 1856-1858, 1856-12-11
ST. MARYs, Mills Co., Iowa,
December 1, 1896.

Ed. BELLEVUE GAzErTE: -
Dear &r-Be kind enough 10 insert in
your valuable paper, an answer to a letter
signed Burlington" which | happened
to read in the Fleetwood Times"
The gentleman who writes under this
name, seems TO think that the Burlington
Railroad is bound to go to Plattsmouth.
| duly respect his opinion, but still firmly
believe that he knows very little about the
country he represents so favorably for the
location of the Railroad terminus.
In the first place, he says a great deal
about Plattsmou,h; but he is careful not
to mention a single word about the low
land lying on the East side Of the Mis-
souri, river opposite Plattsmouth or, per-
haps, he supposes that the Railroad will
60 in one jump from Glenwood to Platts-
mouth.
Mr.. B. continues to speak almost ex-
clusiveIy about the places on the west
side of the river, and states that Nebraska
City. Bellevue and Omaha, are all stu
ated from one mile to a mile and a half
from the river. As to your side of the
river, and the situation of Bellevue in
particular, you will answer for yourself.
But at the best, this appears to me to be
quite a one-sided argument in the literal
sense of the word, because the question
which, for the time being, is the most im-
portant, remains unsolved. This ques-
ton is where the terminus of the Burling-
ton Railroad, which must be on the East
or Iowa side of the Missouri, shall be To-
Gated. Now there is a point (within
eight miles from Glenwood, whence Mr..
B. dated his letter., which combines all
the advantages required. This is St.
Mary. Here is q splendid site for a
large town, which has been proved secure
against all foods. AS it is laid out at
present, it lays within half a mile of the
Missouri; but l believe that every one
who investigates the fine, high banks of
the river, will admit hat the town could
be extended almost TO TIL water-side.
At the same time, the fundamental condi-
ton of the Act of Congress, that the ter
minus must lay NEAR the mouth of the
Platte" is fulfilled by St. Mary. 1t Of
fers the best opportunity for the ultimate
continuation of the Burlington Railroad to
the Pacific, because it has the beautiful
town site of Bellevue, and the fine valley
of the Platte, opposite.
Again, | must tell Mr.. B. that | be-
lieve he never was on the south side of
the Platte, because a person who is ac-
quainted with that country side, would not
be able to write such a falsehood, when
everybody knows hat on the south side of
the Platte, the land is all lilly and bluffs,
whereas, on the north side, there is a
valley of over 100 miles long, and from
8 to Is miles wide, smooth as a table, so
that a person hardly notices any rise or
descent.
Lastly, lei me tell the gentleman. that
with regard to bridging the Missouri
river (if it ever be accomplished) }, it will
not be done at Plattsmouth, because the
East side of the river there would no,
permit it, it being so low and apt to over
flow whenever there is high water, as in
1853, at Winter Quarters, when all the
crossing was done between St. Marys and
Bellevue, because it could not be done a,
P%lattsmouth or GAINESVILLE Council Bluffs
City,
In conclusion, | will remark that, &C.
cording 10 my humble opinion, the Bur-
lington and Missouri Railroad will locate
its terminus at such a point where there
is a landing at each side of the river, Sc
that the Railroad may be able to transport
its freight, by steam ferry-boats, from one
shore to the other, without being obliged
to run up or down the river. And such
a point is only at St. Marys, in c%onjunc.
ton with Bellevue.
am. sir, YOURS %respectfully.