The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1858-11-27

Omaha and Council BIshs-Raiiresds, &c.
We make the following extracts from
letter to tho St. Louis Republican, dated
"Paeifc House, Council Bluffs, lows, Oct.
26, 1885," Our readers viii be pleased to
learn that the writer of the letter in question,
is none other than Col. w. BRoADUs THoxP-
SON, of St. Joseph, Moan intelligent and
well-informed gentleman: n -, ~ 81
Yesterday We drove over to Omaha, the
capital of Nebraska, which presents rather
good appearance from the river. There is
fine large hotel completed which is called
the "llerndon House," compliment to the
gallant Lieut.. Herndon who persisted with
the Inflated Central America, when she went
to the bottom of the seq with her living
freight. This prepossessed me with the
place, for knew Ilerndon well, and it show
cd that the people here were not so bound
up in sectionalism a. to be incapable Of do
ing justice to the memory Of a noble Virgin
ian. a.r
There are, also, in Omaha, several hand
some brick blocks or store houses, but the
general appearance of the place was rather
scattered and ragged, and q killing dullness
was all pervading notwithstanding the Leg
islature and Supreme Court were in session.
Money was exausted, business was stagnant,
and the town looked lifcless. 1t will be a
long time before it can recuperate from its
PROSTATE financial condiOn.
The capitol is spacious building, crown
ing the summit of lofty eminence, and
looks imposing in the distance, but on near
approach, it has more the appearance of an
ancient ruin than of modern, unfinished
building. Most of the tall columns of the
uncovered porticoes have fallen, and the
materials are lying around in neglected con-
fusion. The handsome and massive capitals
were strewn upon the moist earth, exposed
to the rains, and looking as old in their
coatings of thick rust IA il they might have
capped the columns of Athenian temples,
when that proud city, whose style of archi.
lecture they represent, was in the period of
its pristine glory
Council Bluffs is of historic and tradition
al renown. Not only was it a place for the
great sspow- vows" Of the red and white man,
but numbers of towering hills, like mighty
Titans, have been brought together by sin
gular Providence, and stand in close ijuxta-
Imposition, as though they held a mute and
stately conference. One of the princi pal
streets passes down two of the ravines, at
divers obtuse angles, and runs out on the
plain below, where the city is now rapidly
spreadingi
Society here is excellent. The ladies arc
most blooming, sprightly and attractive
Their figures are symmetrical, and not dis
torted with monstrous hoops their feet and
ANGLES are neat and trim, and not concealed
with long, dragging skirts their movements
are free and graceful; their.sstep is as light
and easy as that of the fawn, and they ride
like goddesses. In a little interval between
showers, yesterday evening, think count
ed fifteen Of them, on horseback, going up
Main street with the swiftness of the wind.
1t was beautiful and inspiritiDg sight, and
would have moved to admiration the cold
est heart OF. the oldest bachelor in your city.
The gentlemen are intelligent, social and
hospitable, and spare no pains to render
agreeable the visit of the stranger. 1t is, there
fore, a most pleasant place for either tenn
porary sojourn, or residence; while abund-
ant opportunities present themselves on ev-
cry hand for profitable investment, or en-
ployment.
The crops of Western Iowa are IN ore abun-
dant this season than they have been for
years, and the trade Of this city it improved
in consequence. There are two ably edited
papers, "The Bugle,' "The Nonpareil,"
well supported here, and another is in pros
pect.
Col. COCHRAN, Col. WILLIAMS, Gen. DoUG-
LAS and Mr.. BAYLIss, all intelligent and
wealthy gentlemen and.prominent friends of
the Council Bluffs and st. Joseph Railroad,
have ust left me. They gave mesbe strong
est assurances Of the interest felt here in this
great work, and the determination of Coun-
Gil Bluffs to press it to An early completion.
am at the Pacific Hotel, which mine host,
JONES, keeps in such excellent style that
advise all who come to this country to give
him call. leave this city TO- morrow with
most pleasant impressions. 1t is the largest
city above St. Joseph, and is improving rap
idly in magnitude, population and commerce.
A railroad eastward has already begun but
the citizens are eager for the construction of
the Council Bluffs and St. Joseph Railroad,
which will give them the markets of the
Mississippi and Missouri valleys. They de-
sire to have railway communication with St.
Joseph, and are now negotiating for means
to locate The road to the Missouri line to
meet the Platte Country RaiIr Dad; and for
this purpose a number of gentlemen Of large
landed estates have endorsed bonds and sent
them to JAS. NJ. HUGHES, Esq, Of your city,
for negotiation.
Your citizens should lend helping hand
to the prosecution of this great enterprise,
as its completion will benefit you to the
amount of many millions in the multiplied
commerce from this vast, fertile and ever
growing country, whose capacities are suth-
cient to produce breadstulis for anation.