The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1858-03-30
LIFE IN NEBRASKA.
NEBRASKA Cry. March

-.s.- NEBRASKA CITY, March L, 1883.
am induced to write from belief that some
items concerning this country will be interesting.
1t will be unnecessary to write a history Of the
Territory from its organization, all your readers
are doubtless aware of the time when it became a
Territory and the general features of the progress
suffice it to say, that its settlement commenced
about four years since, although immigration came
very slowly to our borders, until within the last
two years.
The population of Nebraska as estimated by the
last Fall election, is from 10000 to 45 1000, and
the prospect now is that the influx for the season
Of 1858 viii far exceed that of any previous year
The reason that Kansas received much larger
imm grafton last year than Nebraska, is to be at
tributed to the fact of the excitement which exist
ed in relation to that Territory, and the general
advertisement which it received from interested
parties, letter writer's, whose object was to excite
sectional prejudices, and make the people believe
that Kansas was the garden of the West ; when
the fact is so far as my own, and the observation
of others who have travelled extensively through
both territories goes, Southern Nebraska is fully
equal, if not superior, in all its resources, agricul-
tura mineral, &c, to any portion of Kansas, and
its capacities fully great, for sustaining heavy
population.
Omaha, the capital of Nebraska, is situated on
the. Missouri river, Is miles above the junction
of the great Platte, and contains about $500 peo-
pie. Its Importance i'll great measure consists
in the fact Of its being the seat of government,
with the advantage of having all the government
appropriations expended there. The location of
the town, however, is good and although the capi-
tai will undoubtedly be removed to some point in
the interior South of Platte, still Omaha is destin-
ed to become in all probability the largest city
North of the Platte
The next in Importance, rather the first, in
the territory, is Nebraska city. It's contains about
the same number of inhabitants as Omaha, but
its growth and improvement is to be attributed
to the energy of our people, and the magnificent
country surrounding it, rather than to government
or territorial patronage or aid. Tho town is situa-
ted upon the Missouri river, and is every way
calculated, by nature, and its geographical posi-
ton, to assume Importance second to no town
above St. Louis. 1t lies about 80 miles south of
the Platte, and nearly opposite the boundary line
between Iowa and Missouri, and has a location
upon the river which could not be excelled. The
great difficulty on this river is to get firm and
substantial landings, the banks being generally
composed of light alIuyial soil and extremely
subject to wash upon every rise and fall OF the
water but Nebraska city is peculiarly favored in
this respect the bluff overlooking the river being
entirely overlaid with rock-thus furnishing a
levee permanent and lasting, and upon which
freight can be landed with ease, either at high or
which the people of this city posses, l have only
to say, that at the present time, the corporation
have about 200 men to enlarge the levec, grade
the streets, &C., and by the opening of naviga-
ton, we will have the largest and finest wharf
on the river.
The country west Of this place, and in fact the
whole of the Southern Nebraska, to wit that por-
ton of the territory between the Platte river and
Kansas line, cannot be cxcelled i'll the whole north
west and the inducements for emgrants to come
here considering that the most superior quality of
land can be obtained, by pre-emption, for Sl.25
per acre. are greater than in any State or Territory
in the Union. There never have been a sale Of
public land in Nebraska, and large proportion of
the country west Of this point still remains vacant
and subject to be claimed and entered at good
price by actual settlers.
During recent trip into the Interior was
surprised to the large number of settlements
which had been made since last summer. 1t seems
that the general pressure throughout the country
has been a great incentive to emigration, and we
may expect during the coming spring and sum
mcr perfect rush of people to our young and
prosperous territory. The present winter has
been mild and delightful; we have had but very
little snow, and hardly ice enough for the summer
supply. In fact it has been glorious winter
throughout, and one which has agreeably disap-
pointed thousands of people coming from
latitude farther South and who expected to en-
counter all the rigors of a Northern climate but
believe it is settled fact, that the winters
much warmer here than in the same latitude cast;
at all events pleasanter one than we are now en-
joying, could not be wished even in Old Virginia.