Bellevue gazette. [volume] (Bellevue City, N.T. [i.e. Neb.]) 1856-1858, 1857-05-07

Cummings that the capital was located at
Omaha. The $40 acres Of land granted
by the Indians for agricultural purposes
has become the site of city, which the
future will lift into grand proportions, and
destined to be city Of note on the Miss
ouri. The Presbyterian Board of Miss
ions have caught the infectious spirit of
speculation, and divided the property into
100 shares, which were originally issued
at the par value of 500 each, making the
sum total of $4,000; but these shares have
continued TO increase in value, and are
now worth s. 900 each. The Board still
retain unsold, about 60 shares, and from
these fiures they will realize about l00,-
600 dollars for this deed Of gift--a very
fair exhibit for a missionary enterprise,
and if all are conducted with the same
exemplary prudence and financial skill,
the business of Indian missions will be
considered one Of the most profitable en-
terprises of the day.
In accordance with our squatter laws
and regulations the adjoining property
was claimed by several individuals and
laid off in town lots. A spirit Of rivalry
and clashing Of interests existed between
the two companies which has retarded
materially the growth and prosperity of
this place; this conflict Of interest is now
harmonized, the two companies have parti-
ally consolidated, and the town is growing
rapidly. l have thus given you history
of the origin and growth of Bellevue up
to the present time. will now consid.
er it in its more important relations TO the
future.
BY referring to the map, you will see the
great Platte river starting from its many
springs in the Rocky Mountains, and by
various forks and streams, concentrating
a vast volume of water, and emptying into
the Missouri few miles south. This
river is on the forty-frst parallel of lat
itude, is equi-distant from the North and
South extremes of the Union; is in the di-
rect line of travel from East to West, and
its mouth is the geographical center of
the United States. Its head waters fur
nish the only passes through the Rocky
Mountains, the water in its flow from
some inexrlicable law of nature hugs close
to the bluffs on its southern side, leaving
wide and splendid valley on its northern
shore. IL nature in its wise and far-see-
ing sagacity had rent the veil of the future
and planned a rout for Pacific railroad
she could not have been more lavish in
her gifts. The ground is ready graded,
and it is only necessary for the art and
hand of man to lay down the superstruc-
ture and place the iron horse on the track.
The ground between Bellevue and the
mouth Of the Platte is low, and the oppo-
site shore affords no good reliable ground
for the approach of a railroad or the con-
struction of a bridge. The ground at Belle
vue being an elevated plateau, firm and
unyielding, the shore directly opposite
high, and beyond the flood of the Missou-
ri, and the water compressed into a mar
row channel, with a rock bound shore,
there is comprised in ali these facts, and
concentrated here, mass Of advantages
and may add necessities, which point to
this place as the most practicable roui foI
the great Pacific Railroad.
Two railroad companies, laying THEN
rails across the State Of Iowa, viz: the
Davenport and Missouri and the Burling.
ton and Missouri Railroads, are straining
every nerve, and using every practicable
means toreach hess The Davenport and
Missouri road as planned, debouchcs from
the bluff on the Iowa side five miles norlt
and the Darlington ten miles south. 1t i;
believed that both roads are desirons of q
Pacific Railroad grant It's thought tha
both may terminate directly opposite oul
city, and merging themselves here viii
one iilain u,nk, procure the grant, anc
speed their way via Salt Lake to the gold
en- shores of California. These facts
these thoughts and reflections have given
stimulus to the value of real estate, an,
the residents of this beautiful embryo cit,
look confidently to the future, and Sc,