Nebraska advertiser., 1868-02-20
johnson County,

Johnson County.
This county adioins NemahaSon the
west. Il is eightsen by twelve miles
square. and its present population mum
bers about two. thousand. The first SET
dement's therein were made about ten
years ago. bat very few of the present
population have resided there more than
five years. and a large majority not Ion
ger than two years.
The settlers have appropriated the
choice locations as homesteads, under the
Act Ct Congress, and as We are informed
but one has proved up and obtained his
patent. Il IS. generally speaking, a we'll
watered prairie county, with more or less
timber along the banks of its numerous
streams. The land is rich, and produces
good crops Of corn and other grains.
The south fork Of the Little Nemaha
River and lis tributaries waters the
north part Of the county. The north
fork Of the Great Nemaha River, runs
diagonaIly through the county from the
south east to the north west, sending ale
of its branches from the centre Of the
county up to the south west corner
Turkey creek enters the county on the
south line, and winds around in . wes-
terly direction. and Lone branch reaches
the comfy on the east. These. With nu.
merOus other small streams, afford album
dance of water for stock, water power,
and the wants of a large population
There is one grisi and saw million the
Big Nemaha, north branch, at Tecum-
sch one on the same river six miles below,
and one ten miles above, and one on the
branch of same river running towards the
south west corner Of the county, nine
miles west Of Tecumseh. Good stone for
building purposes can be had for 50 80
per cord. Brick for $1,000 per thou.
sand. hardwood lumber for So so per
hundred, and cottonwood lumber for 50 so
and good shingles from SO. so to SIS per
thousand.
Good school houses are located in
every settlement, and schools are open to
all children free. from six to ten months
in the year. The Christian. Baptist and
Methodist societies have church Organi-
cations in the various settlements, and
stated preaching. The principle pro-
auctions are corn, wheat, oats and pota-
toes. and one will see in passing through
the county c~orrells of fine horses, cattle
and sheep.
The capacity of the inhabitants to pur.
chase and pay for goods, is variously es-
tima,ed at from 500 900 to $4,000.
The first sum was given by her best ba-
siness men as all they ought to buy, and
the last as all they could pay for.
Comparatively there is but a small
portion of the resources Of the county yet
improved. Very near or quite all The
lands have been taken. There remains
but few undesirable locations still in the
hands Of the General Government
There are many good improved quarter
sections which can be bad BY actual set.
tlers cheap.
In travelling through the county we
noticed lime kilns at various points, one
brick kiln, and several coal beds, where
a good quality of stone coal was offered
for sale at 80 cents per pushed,
The people Of The county are looking
forward to the day when the Browhville,
Fl. Kearney end Pacific Rail Road, and
a rail road from Rulo up the valley of
the Nemaha, will be completed, running
through their county. These roads viii
eventually be built, and will materially
enhance the value Of al real estate in
the county. We shall be surprised if
johnson county does not become one of
our best farming counties 10 Nebraska.