Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-08-24
The Great West.

The Great West.
We had the pleasure of a call yesterday
from Mr.. Wm Harley of this city, who has
just returned, after protracted tour through
the Great West.
MIR. Hurley has been through the States Of
New York, Michigan. Illinois, Missouri,
Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and the Terri
tories Of Kansas and Nebraska, and 50 tar
as his observation went, he regards Kansas
and Iowa as being the most fertile and most
beautiful of all.
The price Of lands in these regions land
Mr.. IL. describes them as being incredibly
fertile is DOW lower than at any period Tor
the lass FIVE years; and real estate, either
farming lands or city property, can now be
purchased 10 per ceot lower than 1t could
be two years ago; which Is owing to the
scarcity OF money there, caused wholly by
the sudden withdrawal ot the funds Of las
tern capitalists during the late monetary crl-
sis. At the same time be is satisfied ttat II
rich soil, heathiui climate, and an indus
trlous, energetic and hopeful population can
produce prosperity in a country, then will
| the West overcome the sudden drain that
has been made upon her, and, from Der
crops, which are abundant, become 50 CO.
riched as never again to be dependent on the
whims Of thess capitalist, VINO, be 1t remain
! bered, spread their means there not with
view to aid the Western people because OF
any special regard they had for their intel
ests, but solely because 1t yelled them the
enormous interest Of 40 per cent. per ennum,
which they have been realizing tor several
years past.
That the people could affJrd TO pay this
enormous interest for the loan OF money, snd
still not only hold on to their lands, but add
to their possessions, is incOntestlble proof Of
the extraordinary agricultural resources OF
the great West,
Mr.. Ii. says that while he was in Kansas
Deither be nor auy Vi the party who travelled
with him, land who as Western land specu-
lators, were known to have Considerable sums
of money about them,) were tor moment
under the least apprehension Tor the safety
of their lives or property, and they ira
yelled with much sense OF security as II max.
ing a pleasure excursion in Nrgnli. A
great deal of the terrible reports sometimes
beard from that region Mr.. III. regards as
having been gotten up to order, but ne con-
slders that game played OUT and that
in the future We shall hear oi Stock-rdiSinG
phedtprOduciny and coyn-growiag, instead vi
JLeediHy Kansas; tina; the iow!ug vi kline and
the riug of tho anvil Will be the sounds
which Will greet the ears Of travellers there;
that of "Sh,ieking' there shall be no more;
and that Minnies aud muskcts will be at u
discount, while McCormIcs' reapers will
take the place of CJlt's receivers.
Lands in Nebraska Tor fifty miles West OF
the Missouri river Mr.. IL. describes being
very fac, also the lands ny the Platte Valley,
but they are not considered good farther
West The territory has many hne towns,
most of them located on tie river and the
most thriving of which are, Bro" nsvllie,
Beievew, Nimmcha aud Omaha. These
towns are we'll lad Vut and supplied with
uy OF the Injuries of life. lie speaks nigh
ly OF North Western Missouri, as fac hemp
growing cUuutry, u branch OF industry III
which the farmers OF that region are largely
aud prcftably engaged The climate is tine
aud the appearance OF The country beautiful.
He mentions the curious TACT that 10 North
Western Missouri, Kansas, the portion OF
Nebraska he visited, ard through the State
Of Iowa there were no pines but immense
cotton wood trees, black WaiLut. beech, To-
Gust, cedar, ash aud hickory 10 abundance.
The State OF Iowa Is now MAXIM great el-
forts to develope her resources, and even un'
der the financial pressure which now exists
there, she is still prosecuting with energy
the four lines of railroad crossing from East
to VEST Rich South.