Bellevue gazette. [volume] (Bellevue City, N.T. [i.e. Neb.]) 1856-1858, 1857-10-08
SRrpN County.

auHe our leulaTAS respecting lne BOoVe
county.
The EIkhorn river, having its rise be-
tween the aid and AID parallel of latitude,
flows south and empties its waters into the
Platte in the extreme west Of this county.
Between these two rivers, several miles
apart, there is a wide bottcm or valley,
consisting of lands the mos, beautiful and
productive; scarcely cqualed Ivy the far
famed valley of the Genesee in the En-.
pire State. The occasional overflow Of
this valley only adds to its fertility. On
the east side of this stream, the bottom is
usually narrower, the bluffs nj places hug.
ging it quite closely. On these numerous
elevations, too beautiful to be called bluffs,
there are many of the most desirable spots
for residences in the world; the beautiful
and highly picturesque scenery Of this re-
gion affords ample scope for the most pro-
iicien, artist.
This stream is some one hundred and
twenty-five rods wide, and Of sufficient
depth TO admit Of steamboat navigation
Settlers will find here timber in sufficient
quantities for all practical purposes.
The advantages of this region have at
tracted the sturdy, energetic yeomanry
thither, who are cul,ivating the soil and
raising every thing necessary for their own
substance. This region is one of the
most delightful in the Great West; if adj
venturers are not satisfied here they may
as well look no farther.
The south part of this county is occu-
pied by the Platte valley from a quarter
I to six miles in width, and is rich and fer.
tile in the highest degree. The whole of
this bottom has sometime been occupied by
waters of the Platte. Of this we are sat-
isied from personal examination. In
June last we dug on this bottom through
two feet Of rich soil, when we struck u
layer of beach sand, some foot and half
in thickness. We then reached again a
natural soil, which was nearly two feet in
thickness, when we struck the natural sand.
This examination convinced us hat the
water once flowed upon the natural soil and
changing its course, the sand was washed
upon the place it occupied; and sine. that
period the rains had washed from the
bluffs above, the earth which had formed
n layer on the sand. Years, however
may have passed along in the process
Gen. Sarpy says that he has been all Owe
the first bottoms som seasons, in canoes
1t is now several years since these broaC
bottoms have been overlooked.
This valley is considered already tn,
most valuable of any lands in the country
and they will rise in Importance as thei
richness and fertility are more and NOR
developed. To say nothing about ,hei
utility, they are scarcely ~unequaled 70
beauty. From a given point, as far as tn
eye can reach, You see the land with il
face gently declining toward the sum
south, cut up into pieces Of 100 acres eacl
they will make the best farms in the work
Along the banks of this river rs well t
on islands in the river, we find cotton WOO,
walnut, oak and hickory, Groves are FRI
quent, around which the farmers ha,
fenced their farms, and are cultiva,ir
them with grea, success. There is abul
dance of timber for all the purposes
fence, fuel and building, There is l
county in the Territory where there is
much timber, except. the reservation of Il
Omaha's at Black Bird Hills.
Thus Sarpy county is one of comman
ing attention TO the settlers and of incalc
liable advantage to its chief city. II
tract of land lying within its precincts,
without any laudation the garden spot
the Territory. The richness and exec
ding fertility Of its soil,-the immen
quantities of timber along its numero
streams-the many springs gushing
from unknown depths, dOtting almos, ev
ry farm-the already honest, enterprisil
settlers tina, are reaping the rich rewar
of toll, all conspire to make this the m,
inviting spot west of the Missouri river.
CHAUCER.
CHEAP Conn N ILLINoIs.-"Sou,h