The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1859-01-22
From the Lancaster tPa.) Examiner r Herald.

Speculation on the moral effects thereof
We shall leave to those who are less in need
of the "root of all evil'' than western men
are at the present time though many evil
consequences may follow these new discover
les, we believe they will be more than coun-
terbalanced by the good. One of the effects
will be an immediate restoration of conf
dencc throughout the western States, and re-
newed impetus given to the wheels of trade,
commerce and speculation, which will be set
in motion throughout the Union. Panic
stricken capitalists will be among the first to
disburse their hoardings and engage in the
struggle for share in those long hidden
treasures.
We attribute more Importance to these
discoveries from the fact Of their being so
easy of access to all who may be inclined to
visit them, through love of adventure, curl
ostv, or wish to try their luck in the 'dig-
gins The distance from the Atlantic cities
is much less than many would infer from
hasty reference to the maps-thls, to many,
formidable distance, can now be Travelled in
the short space of twenty days-by railroad
to Iowa CITY in three, from thence to Coun-
Gil Bluffs in fine coaches IN the same time
From here to the mountains span Of horses
or mules will travel with ease IN fourteen
DAYS. Situated as we are midway across
the continent, the distance will be ann,h'ia-
ted upon the completion of the NJ. 4 NJ. Il.
R.. which is now being pushed forward with
much energy from both ends of the line, ut
Council Bluffs and Iowa City.
In view of the facility with which the mines
can be reached, We look for general rush
into the valley of the Missouri, upon the
opening of spring. The mind is bewlldered
in the effort to foresee the consequences
which will follow this exodus from the older
States into one of the richest mineral and
agricultural regions in the world. These
suggestions are upon the supposltlon that
the reports we have of the extent and rich
ness of the auriferous region are true. 1t
would be tedious to peruse all the evidence
that could be adduccd in support OF them.
We have in our midst many who were long
incredulous on the subject, and inclined to
denouncc it as humbug-but who are at
list forced to credit the evidence Of their
own senses.
Prcsumng that enough has been given
through the Press to satisfy all who feel IN
tercsted in the matter, We shall rep ly to some
questions which would necessarily arise In
the minds of those who may be ignorant OF
the topography of the country. EmOarraSs-
mcnts, created in the minds Of strangers, by
reckless editorials and interested lettcr-wri-
trrs-as conflicting in their statements as
nurncrous-cun DO removed by reference to
a map Of the country and reports of gov
crnment officers before the discovery Of gold
- and consequently disintcrested. On this
subject we shall be brief and to the point
! lth md nj ra
US with the blindness of self interest, it in
/ correct ia the dcclaration-whIch We unhes-
itntinglv make-thnt the route by Council
Bluff and Omaha City is superior to all 9TH
crs.
= Kansas City, Lcaycnworth and 81. Joseph
claim advantages, and profess to hold out
/ inducements to cmigrants beyond the reach
Of successful competition. A few facts will
settle the controversy beyond dispute. The
distance from the above named cities Is
about the same, or nearly so-represen!cd
10y their own papers to be 1e5 miles, which
cannot he far out of the way, though by
many believed to be moderated. The dis
lance from here does not exceed so miles,
which can be shortened 100. This We are
assured of by Mr.. Dodge, one Of our most re.
liable citizens, Chief Engineer on the NJ. 4
NJ K. K. who is familiar with the country
. having acquired his knowledge in a survey
of the country in the employ of the Govern
m"nt. A. the road now runs we have the
advantage in distance of 2lS mies-no small
,n<idcrntion to the weary and impatient
@otd hunter. \ still greater advantage We
claim in the superiority Of the route i'll nu-
mrrous particulars. The route along
+ the north bank Of the Platte has been the
fnyorite with emigrants to California, Utat
and Oregon. Is was selected and has eycl
been the favorite with the Mormons, who
in selecting their trails have shown Il sa
gHcitv superior TO the instinct of those 70.
vrrs of the ?, ains-tnc Buffalo and the Say
e.
The strcams-savc enc which is ferrle i
are all crossed on good Government bridg 9
grass on the Platte river bottoms is earlier
than on tn" prairics. For several degrees
south Of it fuel is abundant. and settlements
extend near to Fort Kcarn"y-within 81
miles Of the mining region. Forts kearne,
and Laramie give security from the band
Of Indians which, to some extent, cOntinu,
TO infe>t our borders.
ANYTHING further we deem supcrhuous
No one can fail to sec from this brief sketch
scssrd by no other.
Here there will be no difficulty in procur,
ing every thing essential for an outfit. We
have number of large houses well filled
with goods at prices as low rs they can b,
bought at in St. Louis or Chicago, with the
additional cost Of transportation.
Provisions are much lower than Mt point:
South of us: during the past fall grain an C.
vegetables were shipped from here to St
Joseph. Corn and potatoes are selling
with us for % cts. per bushel, which com
mand double that sum in Kansas and Mis-.
souri,. Seldom does so fine field for spec.
ulation in provisions and grain present it.
self in the West. strange that monied mer
from abroad fail to see it.. Owing to the
present scarcity Of money, Real Estate con.
tinues also very low. At no for mcr period
in the history of this country, has there
been so favorable an opportunity for SAT,
and profitable investment. Council Bluffs
tho terminus of four or FIVE prominent Rail
roads, at the only accessible point at al
seasons OF the year to the Missouri Rive,
and without competition for the trade OF
Western Iowa, cannot fail to become all
, that her friends have ever predicted. Thi.
Is the point to which the mining population
will naturally turn for supplies, being mos,
direct and easy of access and located in tn,
center Of country which in agricultural
wealth and resources can have no superior
Correct ideas of our true position cannot
be acquired by superficial observation OF
the country, much less set forth in the page.
of a letter.
TO all who design visiting the mines, ant
undecided in reference to the route. W,
would say, go out one way and return the
other, and the question which is the bcs
route to the mines? will be settled beyonc
controversy.
J. G. BUCHANAN,