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

The Great West.
We bad the pleasure of call yesterday
from Mr.. Wm Hurley Of this city, who has
just returned, after protracted tour through
the Great West.
Mr.. 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
aud Iowa as being the most fertile and most
beautiful of all.
The price of lands in these regions land
Mr. II. 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 40 per ceot lower than 1t could
be two years ago; which Is OWING TO the
scarcity OF money there, caused wholly oy
the sudden withdrawal OF the funds oi las
tern capitalists during the late monetary eri-
sis. At the same time be is satisfied that II
rich soil, O heatbtui climate, and an indus
trlous, energetic and hopeful population can
produce prosperity in q country, then Will
! the West overcome the sudden drain that
has been made upon her, and, from her
crops, which are abundant, become 80 CO.
riched as never again to be dependent on the
whims of thess capitalists, who, be 1t remain
| bered, spread their means there not with
view to aid the Western people because OF
any special regard they had tor their Intel
ests, but solely because it yielded them the
enormous interest Of 40 per cent. per annum,
which they have been realizing for several
years past
That the people could afJrd TO pay this
enormous interest for the loan OF money, aud
still not only hold on to their lands, but add
tO their POSSESSIONS, is lncOntestlbe proof oil
the extraordinary agricultural resources OF
the great West,
Mr. Ii. says that while he was in Kansas
Deither he nor any Of 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 for the safety
of their lives or property, and they ira
yelled with much sense OF security as II max
ing a pleasure excursion 10 Virginia. A
great deal vi the terrible reports sometimes
heard from that region Mr.. III. regards Us
having been gotten up to order. but he con-
siders that game as played out" and that
|
uheat,prOduciny and corn-growing, instead ot
GLeedtHy Kansas; that the iowi"g OF kline aud
the rlng of tho anvil will be the sounds
which Will greet the ears of travellers there;
that OF "Sh,iekiag' there shall be no more;
and that Minnies and muskcts will be at Is
discount, while McCormIcR's reapcrs will
take the place of GIFTS resolsers.
Lands in Nebre-ka Tor fifty miles West of
the Missouri river Mr.. III. describes as being
very fine, also the lands ny the Platte Valley,
but they are not considered good farther
West. The territory has many fac towns,
most of them located on the river and the
most thriving of which are, Brow nsvllle,
Belleview, Nimmeha aud Omaha. These
towns are we'll lad cut and supplied with
good hotels aud all the necessarles, and ma
ny OF the luyuries Of life. lie speaks high
ly OF North Western Missouri, as fac hemp
growing country, u branch OF Industry lu
which the farmers OF that region are largely
aud protitably engaged. The climate IS hue
aud the appearance OF the country beautiful.
} lie mentions the curious fact that 10 North
Western Missouri, Kansas, the portion OF
Nebraska be visited, and through the State
Uf Iowa there were no pines but immense
cotton wood trees, black walLut. BEECH To-
Gust, cedar, ash aud hickory il abundance.
The State OF Iowa is now making great e.
forts to develope her resources, ami even III.
der the financial pressure which now exists
there, she is still prosecuting with energy
the four lines Of railroad crossing from East
to West Rich South.