The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-01-25

Omahds-DtssondTy Sptcu!oti0ns on Hsdf ES
tate Splendid Natural Route for the Pacific
Railroad Competition among tie Iooa Compa
nies for the Grast-1 The Netc City at Trsder's
Point-7He First Pioneer of Civilization IN Ne
6raska Ts7ritory-Fncident in the Career Of
Brigham Young, &C., &c.
In my former letter promised to give you, occa
scnay views Of Nebraska it's towns, cities, present
condition end future prospects. am now at the
important town of Belleview. This town Is stuat-
ed in the county OF Douglas four miles north Of the
the junction Of the Platte and Missouri rivers. Tho
Pappillion creek washes its 'soutbern base and
Missouri ts eastern. The landing On the Missouri is
lime stone rock, and the impeuous waters
dash their maddened foam against it in vain.
The landing is q permanent fixed fact,
as unalterable as the laws Of nature, and
the citizens of this goodIy city in embryo, may
Justly congratulate themselves on having the mot
accessible and unalterabe landing on the Missouri
river The town is situated on an elevated plateau
of land, slightly broken by ravines in The northern
portion, and stretching away to the soushwsrd in
plain of unsurpassed beauty; the ground rises gent
iy, and then swells into hills Of fine proportions to
the westward. Take it all in ALL it is one Of the
most magnificent situations which the God OF ma
ture has vouchsaed 70 this beautiful Territory The
town now numbers fifty houses, and its popu.
lati on ia about four hundred 1t ranks third In size
and importance but is in reality the first settled and
Oldest plsce in the Territory.
In the year 1S45 the Presbyterian Board of Foreign
missions founded mission establishment at misplace
for the conversion and EDUCATION OF the Omaha In.
dams The Rev. Mr.. Mckinney was the first mission
ary in charge of this work, and it continued under
his charge until 1860. Since that time II has been
under the charge of the Rev. Mr.. Hamilton. The
~ L. A.slsa fnoIs, AMI ~
tude TO the mission for services rendered, granted
to the Board Of Missions GAO acres OF land.
contiguous to the mission house, and the said
grant was duly ratified and confirmed to
perry, therefore, has the merit of having the
clearest title of property at the present time in
the Territory. The ceaseess race of immigration
has continued to I'll westward; in due time the In
the Indians removed far mp to the north yard
on q reservation, at the Blackbird Hills.
The Kansas and Nebraska bill gave birth and
being to this Territory, and in this very mission
formerly of Sou,h Carolina, resided, and issued his
first proclamation to the people, and established
here the temporary capital OF tho Territory. The
Governor arrived here with his health impaired and
shortly after deceased, when I. B. Cummings. Esq
the Secretary succeeded him as mpoary Governor,
and it was under the auspices OF Gov. Cummings
that the capital was located at Omaha. The GAO
acres of land granted by the Indians for agricultural
a
future will lift into grand proportions, and destined
to be CITY Of note on the Missouri The Presbyterian
Board of Missions 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 81 900 each. The Board still
retsin unsold, about co shares, and from these
this deed Of gft-a very fair exhibit for mission
airy enterprise, and il all are conducted with the
saue exemplary prudence and financial skiliithe
business Of Indian missions will be considered one
OF the most profitable enterprises OF the day.
In accordance with our squatter laws and regua-
lions the adjoining property was claimed by several
individuals and la,d of in town lots. spirit OF RI
yalry and clasbing Of interests existed between
the growth and prosperity Of this place;
This conflict Of interest is now harmonized.
be two companies have partially consolidated. and
be town Is growing rapidly. have tsus given you
The preser time. will now consider II IN It's more
important relations to the future.
By referring to the map, you will see the great
Platte river starting from It's many springs IN
he Rocky Mountains, and by various forks aud
Jfreams, concentrating vast volume Of water, and
tmpty,pg into the Missouri few miles south.
This river il on the foryrs parallel OF latitude, Is
eauidistant from the North and South exGe mes OF
The Union: il in the direct line of travel from
East TO West. and its mouth IL the geogr iphcsl
center of the United States. Its head waters furnish
the only passes through the Rocky Mountains, the
water in Its flow from some inexplicabie law OF ma
ture. bugs close to the bluffs on its southern side.
leaving q wide and splendid valley on its northern
shore. II nature in ts wise and fsr-seeng sagacity
had rent the veil Of the future ADD planned route
for Pacific railroad she could not have been more
iavish In her gifts. The ground is ready graded,
and IL only necessary for the art and hand OF man
10 lay down he superstructure and place the iron
horse on the track. The ground between Bellevue
ard the mouth Of tie Platte is low aud the opposite
~ lo ltah n n
approach of a railroad or the construction OF
bridge. The ground ut Bellevue being an elev atsd
plateau, firm and unyielding; the shore directly op
posie high, and beyond the food OF the Missouri,
and the water com pressed into narrow channel,
with rock bound shore; there is comprised In all
thes facts and concentrated here, MAS OF advau
tsees and may add necessities, which point to this
place as the most practicable route Tor the great
Pacific Railroad
Two railroad companies now laying their rails
across the Safe OF Iowa. viz: the Davenport and
Missouri and the Burlington and Missouri Railroads,
stsaning every nerve, and using every pracii,a
BILE means 10 reach here. The Davenport and Mis-
sour road as planned. deboucbes from the bluff on
the Iowa side five miles north. and the Burlington
ten miles south. IL II believed that both roads are
DESTROYS Of q Pacific Railroad grant. II Is thought
that both may terminate directly opposite our
city, and merging themselves here with one
main trunk, procure the grant, and
speed their way via Salt Lake 10 the golden shores
OF California. These fscts, these thoughts and
Elections have given stimulus TO the value OF real
es ate and the residents OF this beautiful embryo
city look confidently TO the future, and with the
eve Of faith their streets filled with multifarous
population and lined with magnificent storehouses:
these waste grounds covered with the palaces OF
merchant princes; the tread, toe stamp and the
shrek of the mighty engines that will centre
here, and convey and distribute TO all portions
of our common cou-try the products Of the globe,
company Of capitalists, having an eye tn the fn
ture, bsve purchased and are now laying out city
on the Iowa side. II IL the identical place at which
5000 Mormors encamped years ago. and concentra-
ted their forces preparatory b piunging into un
known regions, and finally crossing here, wendell
their weary way TO the great Salt Lake. The place
IL known 10 tn world a. Traders Point and II the
hopes and aspiration Of It's projectors are realized,
ard the two roads make this their terminus great
and powerful city will cover the ground, and gold
en- harvest will rwafd the enterprise Of its founders
There IN now residing NJ &c. Msry's, hriving town
four miles south Of Traders Point, fndisn trader
Peter Sarpy. Esu.-well known 10 the Mormon