Bellevue gazette. [volume] (Bellevue City, N.T. [i.e. Neb.]) 1856-1858, 1858-07-08
A Ride 10 Fairvicw and PIatt-
ford.

Leaving our City, a short time since'
we set out for a brief visit to the western
portion Of this County. A ride of near
" two hours over a beautiful and rolling
prairie, dotted here and there with cult.
"a ed'felds. brought us to the tow of
Fairview. This town, as il name indi-
Gates, is indeed a fair uie,c. 1t is stu.
uted on a high and level plateau, about
half a mile north of the Platte, overlook.
ing the valley and the River which passes
eastward, as it were, at our feet. The
River is visible several miles both on the
east and west Of the town, and is filled
with Islands, that are covered with a dense
forest of timber. On the opposite side
Of the River, the steep and irregular
bluffs of southern Nebraska, approach
to the Rivers edge, and are covered with
hardwood timber. On the east, 0mile,
distant, the range Of bluffs, that skirt the
Missouri on its eastern bank, rearing their
lofty heads heavenward, are distinctly
visible. On the north and west a vas,
prairie stretches far away, and i, lost to the
eye in the shadowy distance. The whole
scenery, presents a panoramic view, VI.
surpassed by any that we have seen in
Nebraska.
There is plenty Of timber near the
town, and an abundance Of lime and sand
rock, suitable for building purposes, can
be quarried from the bluffs near at hand.
In several places coal has been discover
ed out-cropping from the sides Of the adj
jacent ~ravines. We examined where an
an attempt had been made to open a coal
bank. The vein was only three inches
thick, where it out-cropped, but at the ter
minus of the opening, a distance Of ff-
teen feet. it had increased TO three feet.
Fairview possesses the natural elements
that will, we presume, give 1t prominence
among the towns on the Plate River.
From Fairview, we continued westward
directing our steps toward Plattford, which
ID about 10 miles from F., and us the
golden rays Of twilight, were changing
into darkness, we halted at Elm Grove.
near Plattford, where we spent the night
with our friend ]. In the morning we
took a stroll over the surrounding country,
which is unsurpassed in fertility. On
entering Plattford, we found hat a
portion of its inhabitance had retired to
their farms, a short distance from town,
and were busily engaged in agricultural
pursuits, where they had sown, that they
might reap in seed time and harvest.
Plauford is situated on the north bank
of Platte River, where it makes a bend
nearly at right angles, to the north. The
town site is far above high water mark,
with a gentle slope to the River, and
should the Platte become a navigable
stream, Plattford will make a town of no
small pretensions.
There is an abundance of timber, lime
and sand rock, near at hand, which are
indispensable to The growth and prospect.
~ of a town, as well as to an agricultural
community.
The people in IN about Plattford, are
intelligent, sociable and industrious, ant
are just the class Of inhabitants hat make
a desirable community. We were highly
g~ratifed to note the agricultural industry
that is manifested in that vicinity. Large
fields have been fenced, and put under
cultivation, and a great abundance o.
farm produce will be raised there thii
season. Many Of the farmers are grow
ing large quantities Of Sugar Cane
One, living a little north of Plattford hai
planted Ia acres. Sugar Cane, will with
on, doubt, become a staple crop, in thi
County.
Corn and potatoes, as yet, are the prin
cipal crops. Potatoes were looking fine
Corn showed the effects of the frequen
and copious rains, that occurred durini
the spring, but we presume it will d,
better this season, than it has for sew
eral years pnst.-Loedl Editor.