Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-09-16
LETTER FROM NEBRASKA.

Correspondence Of the ssRaftsulan's Journal"
NEBRASKA CITY, n. T. August %, 1857.
FRIEND Row Last night returned to Ne
braska City, from which / have been absent
four or five days on jaunt across the prairies.
On my return found several letters from
yourself and others, and also the s.Journal,''
some of which made the trip through in elev-
en- days. l was, of course, delighted to hear
so much, and SO many good things, from my
late s'abiding place.
In company with VIM. MLennan, Esq, OF
Nebraska City, who, by the way, our eastern
friends who desire information in regard to
western lands will do well to call on, started
with horse and buggy to see the southern part
of Nebraska. The most that can say of the
country back from the River is, that it is rich
and surprisingly beautiful. 1t is useless, and
even vain, for any one to attempt to describe
its beauty-for no one can describe it correct
ly-words fail to convey the idea, and even
Imagination itself, when in its widest form,
can scarcely picture to itself the beauties of
this far famed land. There is timber enough,
for ordinary purposes, scattered through the
country. Limestone, of asuperior quality, is
abundant and easy to be procured. Water is
good-springs numerous and never falling
The country is sparsely settled as far fifty
or sixty miles back from the Missouri river.
l have made arrangements to pitch my tent
in the town of Archer, Richardson County,
Nebraska Territory, where 1 shall be happy to
give any information in my power, in regard
to the West, to those who are seeking after
sslight and knowledge" This county is boun-
ded on the South by Kansas, and on the East
by the Missouri river. On our return from
Archer to Nebraska City, we had the misfor-
tune to break a spindle off the buggy. We
were, at the time, about six miles s'from any
place - but we tied up the buggy and dragged
it along till We esturned up" at Nebrasky City.
Hunger began to stare in the face and we
were thinking seriously of what we should do
for the simmer man." We ssturned up'' at the
first house convenient. The family, consisting
of husband and wife, babies, cats, dogs. pigs
and chickens, lived, to all appearances, har-
moniously together. Discord was banished
from amongst the inmates, and peace exerted
its mild dominion over that happy family
They had evidently learned that ga house di-
fitacN aSaiuSl ihSCH CdHuOl DOilGu
into the house to see what chance there was
for ..bread." The lady of the house was ab-
sent. We had not waited long until we heard
the rattling of sswheels,'; not far distant. On
looking around to see from whence it came we
espied our hostess seated in heavy lumber
wagon driving pair of spirited horses, at full
speed. She soon 'reined up'' at her mansion
nd oil Oh in, I'D ;,I-
We commenced, s'Madam, You drive fast hor-
ses here in Nebraska ssIndeed Sirl I'm
Nebraskian and don't wish to be fiattered or
imposed upon.' s.But good lady, neither
Intended to fatter or impose upon YOU" ssNo
apology, sir, no apology. 1 hate apologies.
I'm Nebraskian.' 1 saw at once that the
lady was in cause beilO, and so did not at
tempt further explanation. l began to des-
pair of getting .sbread'' there, but fiually mar
tailed all of my courage and asked her sswheth-
er she would be good enough to provide us
something TO eat," expecting, at the same
time, to receive a preremptory ssno.'' 'Cer-
tainly, with pleasure" she replied, very much
to my surprise. She then prepared US a very
homely but substantial meal, clean, 1 presume
as the circumstances would warrant. When
We asked for the bill the lady very politely in
formed that she thought one dollar and 25
cents each would be enough. We paid our
bill and started con our way rejoicing.'' We
came to the conclusion that that woman would
live, even in Nebraska, and that few like her
would in a short time make the vast prairics
'sbud and blossom as the rose.'' This one la
dy is but fair specimen of the female adven-
turers out here. d..
Mr.. WmaoT-From all parts of the State,