The New York herald., 1867-02-21
NE 8 r A 8 K A.
nua OMAHA CITY Correspondence.


Hi.,orx : the Terrirory-Union Pacific Rail
road Chi. ago aud Northwestern Rniiroad-
Omaha' DC. OMAHA, Nebraska. Feb. 4. 1867.
xva,.s "a AND PRESENT.
Tha rrom,nsn. nosit, Of this territory, ASKING
adm;sson into The ssterhod OF States will warrant
short review or It's history Nebraska was originally
part Of the French province Of ceded oy France
10 the United STATES in December, .soa IL was soon
after separated from the present State on louisiana and
together with the vast region now competing half
dozen States and territories, called the Indian icrrtory
As early as 1903 trading posts established along the
banks Of the Missouri by French traders but until about
1852 Nebraska had other settlers than the
bands Of Indians who made IL their hunting grounds Ne
braska then eroneousy set down the map the
great American desert, unit for agriculture. On the
4th OF May 1884 Nebraska was organized into Terri
tory by Congress- and the fall or the year the
first Legislature ct Omaha its present capital
To show the progress OF the Territory the following
figures win Population in 1885, 45e5; $780,
Is soos; 1885, about 45ooo Tho election returns last
fall show population Of least 10000 At present
These figures exhibit extraordinary increase In tho
past two years This will easily be explained by the
marvellous progress in construction Of the Union Pacific
Railroad, or which shall speak hereafter The popu-
laton s mostly settled In the tier counties fronting the
Missouri river, and in the farfamed Valley Of the
Platte Other parts Of the Territory arc also filing up
rapidly.
1t is in the valley Of the Platte raversed by the
Union Pacific Railroad that tho vast agricultural re-
sources Of Nebraska become apparent The soil rich
and well adapted TO raising cereals bnt especially do these
prairie lands afford fine pasture for cattle Sheep raising
now carried on extensively and advanageously as
on the plains Of saxony To this valley thrifty immi-
grants from the Eastern States and Europe ockng
10 take advantage OF the cheap lands and remuneratve
labor this country affords Although farming is vet in
It's infancy thousands OF bushels OF wheat last fail
shipped to ST. Louis and Chicago where Nebraska wheat
sold at the highest market prces The millions Of BUSH
els OF corn consumed by the army on the Plains and
the non-produeing mining Territories chiefly
raised here Nebraska Is the natural feeder Of these
mining territories, and the farmer thereby is generally
enabled TO get highest prices in the West The people
ahve to the importance OF taking their stand
State of the Union This Will give them the large land
grants for school purposes and enable them to put the
education of their children sound basis The annual
session of the Legislature commenced January TO- The
message OF acting Governor Paddock reports the financial
condition OF the Territory better therc being
large surplus Of funds hand With an increase Of
taxable property. He recommends an immediate geo.
logical survey of the Territory the bridging the Platte
far from its mouth favors State government and
suffrage the basis Of intelligence The Legislature is
composed Of large majority Of radical republicans
who, believe will ratfy Boutwels Nebraska bill
soon as sent here BY Congress-.
UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD.
1t Is but year ago since accompanied the govern.
commissioners on an excursion over the first forty
miles west Of Omaha. To-day regular trains run to
North Platte 200 miles wes and the road Is completed
is miles beyond that point Over $50 miles have been
built in twelve months, including Howe truss bridge
1906 feet long the Loup fork and pile bridge
$40 feet long the North fork OF the Platte This
marvellous progress Of railroad destined In few years
link the Atlantic to the Pacific entities the company
and its officers to tho thanks Of the nation Under SEEM
ngly nsurmountabe amenities thew laid one and one
half to two miles OF track per day. This extraordinary
feat witnessed in October BY the cxcursonsts to
tmo erected commodous station houses along the
road and machine shops and engine houses at Omaha
unns ou. car psr ds1 Tsr ensnes
are engaged sounding the river for selection Of the pro-
per point to locate the bridge the Missouri
Work upon this BRIDGE which is to cost million
Of dollars, will commence as the weather will
permit The construction Of the road viii proceed
with tho characteristic speed OF the Union Pacific The
difficult and costly transportation Of rails and materials
the Missouri Is obvated by the finishing Of the
CHICAGO AND NORTHWESTERN RAILWAY
This road reached Council Blum depot yesterday after
at two o'clock This finishes the last line between
the great lakes and the Missouri river The Chicago and
great as the Union Pacific and built nearly much
railroad 10 the same length OF time. Since the lst Of
July last they built the road from Ogden to Council
Bluffs, Iowa. Ill miles, In o most substantial
1850 ties laid TO the mile and so pounds OF rail TO
the yard Now thai an an all rail Communication mica. is
competition for the tranio OF the rich mining regions
Utah and talforna between the Kansas and Nebraska
routes has almost ceased. To show the advantage OF
the Nebraska route 1t is only necessary TO show tho
great difference In time, expense and what more the
Kansas route makes as compared with Nebraska Num-
Der Of miles Of staging to Denver via and
smoky Hin route, 45a; via Omaha, 2so-making l7s
cnworh to Denver $l1S; Omaha 70 Denver $100-
making sls via Leavenworth Through fare from
enworth Total saved gonH from Chicago to Denver via
Omaha route, &23. The additional l73 miles staging
days tho The overland mail route 10 Salt Lake
Montana and California passes through Denver: conse
quenty the above differences are applicable equally to
all overland travel Omaha and Nebraska can we'll con-
gratulate themselves on the completion oil the North
western Railroad
OMAHA CITY,
the capital Of Nebraska and terminus OF the Union
Pacific Railroad, Is beautifully located high, level
plateau forty feet above the highest wafer mark on the
west bank Of the Mesouri. low range Of hills gradu.
ally rising elevation Of eighty 70 hundred feet
above this plateau and about Que mile from tho river
ttesc hills is the Territorial Capitol surrounded by
park eco feet square. The panoramic view from these
hills and especially from Capitol Hill Is rarely II ever
Below the CITY, with its wdc regular streets business
blocks, churches and buildings there the railroad wind
inc from huge machine shops around the city, then
cutting through the hills passing its way mills
houses and gardens Tho eye then takes Ia The darkly
colored river, making gr bend OF ton fifteen miles
or unloading freight and passengers i@ banks hero
and there raft OF log carried down by the swift current
OF the river Three miles back Of tho river directly east
or Omaha Council Blus hair hidden among the ravncs,
leaning against the high walls OF the green blus. This
charming view OF and city, hill and plain, affords
ening source Of pleasure beholder Omaha
is situated very nearly on an air ine and almost half
way between New York and San francisco. Her com.
manding position terminus Of q railway destined TO
carry the great traffic between the Atlantic and Pacific
probably revolutonize tho Chinese and Japan trade
nf tho world gives her Commercial advantages which
In tho last twelve months have doubled her population,
mud which sooner later viii make he's one Of tho lead
ing cities Of great Northwest Preparations FOR build
ing business blocks, churches and private dwellings
next season bclng made on large scale, and
although hundreds Of mechanics are expected to
arrive hero In the sprinR,I doubt whether the supply
will be equal to the demand
THE DEPARTMENT or THE TATTR
Since the atrocous near Fort PM kearny,
the war Department has come TO the conclusion 70
change tho commander Of the department Yesterday
General c. c. Augur relieved General p st. George
Cooke from the command Of the department The stan
"a 10 remain unchanged for the present Several req
passed through here route for Forts Laramie
and Phil Kearny, and an active, vigorous campaign
sgans the anticipated soon as the force and
weather will permit The Indians daily committing
small cepredaons, such carrying OF cattle and XIII
ing here and there The weather at Fort Laramie
has severely cold low twenty degrees below
zero-and the number OF troops too small 70 cope with
tho In ciana.
wOMEH,s RIGHTS IN MASSACHUSETTS.