Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1858-08-18
LETTER ER0M NEBRASKA.
OMAHA. July 96th. 1853.

it would be conferring favor on some
of the readers of the CAronicls who may
think of coming west, CT investing in
lands in this Territory. by enumerating
few of the advantages common to the
"West,' but more particularly to Ne
braska Territory.
There is a marked difference in the
character Of the sell and general appear
ance in the two great fertile plateaus Of
the West, the Mississippi and Missouri.
| On the Mississippi slope the soil has a
dark clayey appearance, of rich yegeia-
BILE mould, while the Missouri slope
boasts Of light, sandy soil. unsurpassed
in fertility. The face of the country is
generally undulating, except its broad
fertile valleys with beautiful table lands.
The first settlements attempted in Ne
braska, were made about four years ago.
Since that time. its growth has been
very rapid, composed of as intelligent and
industrious set of farmers as ever set
tied any new Territory.
The financial crash of 1857, which
was so severely felt all over the Union,
has had its salutary effect on this Terri
tory. Hundreds who were engaged in
making paper towns, or embryo cities,
and increasing more rapidly their wealth
than the most sanguine visionary had an
tieipated, have lived to see their hopes
suddenly blasted by depression. such
as must follow sooner or later, all pre-
mature inhations.
Such persons have left with empty
pockets, or have gone to cultivating the
virgin soil, and will add material wealth
to our country. Emigration has been
fair this season, the country is being dot
TED over with farms where peace and
plenty will soon reign, and the school
house and church will soon be seen.
The West is still in its infancy,
though remarkable for vigorous growth
and sound organism, and though panics
may temporarily check the tide of her
prosperity, her recuperatiye power is suf
fcient to heal the wounds in a compari-
lively short time.
The climate is sslubrious, the result
of various causes. The water is excel
lent and plentiful, and springs of the
clear, sparkling element are abundant.
Then We have clear streams, large and
small, at intervals of only few miles
apart, all over the country. Timber is
rather scarce in most sections.
The kinds of timber most common,
are black walnut, hickory, elm, linn,
oak, coffee-bean and cottonwood. The
soil of Nebraska is unsurpassed if equal
led. by any State or Territory between
the Atlantic and Pacific. Producing in
the greatest abundance all grains and
vegetables common to other regions in
the same latitude, with the least amount
of labor.
1t is also destined to be great stock
growing country, as the valleys of Mis-
souri, and Platte, and their numerous
tributaries produces in great abundance
the best quality of prairie grass for hay.
Of the kind known as blue joints, which
IS more like the timothy grass than any
other kind. The upland prairies pro-
luces very fine quality for pasture, on
which horses, cattle and sheep get very
at. Sheep grow very large and are
healthy, as the winters are uniformly dry.
Numerous varieties of wild fruit are
common to the soil, such as grapes,
'berries, plumbs. raspberries, strawber-
les, &C., which rarely fail to produce
argely, each year.
I am engaged in looking over the
lnds that are to be brought into market
n September, that l may be prepared
o enter for my friends in Ohio, as good
elections as are to be found in Nebras-
"a. 1 never have travelled over better
'ortion Of country, nor have ever seen
'etter crops of grain on the ground at
his season of the year. Wheat is some
THAT injured BY rust. Oats are very
,ood. Corn never was better, large .
elds averaged A feet high. as it stood /,
n the 4tb, (July, and is now over 10
set. There will probably be more corn
aised than will be needed for consump ,
on in the Territory.
There never was better time than
1is for persons with some means to set
e in the vest. Money is very scarce,
roperty Of all kinds low. Persons hav-
lg good farms, or small improvements,
ill sell for cash at low figure. and be- J
In on new tract. Up
Taking into account the facilities af- q
,rded by the Missouri River, which is /
ayigable TO the falls two thousand miles {
boye this place, By large steam boats, $
$50 the four Railroads being built thro' :
iva, terminating at different points. op. n
osite this Territory. the healthy climate, q
le superior class of inhabitants, with P
Iany other natural advantages, / know 0
no country Offering better inducements 4
} actual settlers, or for making pro6ta. t
le investments in Government lands,
ian is to be offered 10 his Territory. d
II 4 i