New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-06-28

tion. As we entered the heart of the
Platte Valley, six hundred miles long,
some lynx-eyed excursionist would
descry an antelope, an elk, buffalo,
and then would set the car all agog to
see these wonders to Eastern eyes.
When the scenery grew monotonous,
the company organized a meeting,
with DIR. Harris for Chairman and DR..
Woodruff for Secretary, the object of
which was intellectual enjoyment.
During long delay on the plains of
Laramie, speeches were made by
Bishop Simpson and Drs. Foster and
Newman. The subject considered was
Man." the masterpiece of creation,
the objective centre of all Gods prov
licences, and for whose elevation all
inventions and discoveries are or
dained. At another time it was sug-
gested to issue daily paper to which
all the guests were contributors.
Within two hours the daily was ready
and read by the writer.
A WORD TO EXCURsIoNIsTs.
1t has been our good fortune to
travel much, both in this country and
also in the Old World; and in our
journeyings we have stopped at the
more celebrated watering places, and
know somewhat of their advantages;
we can, therefore the more intelligent
ly state the superior advantages of a
tour to the Rocky Mountains. From
Chicago to the plains of Laramie the
railroad accommodations are equal to
those on Eastern roads. Starting
from Chicago, the inland New York Of
America, the traveller sweeps over the
fairest portion of Illinois, and within
FIVE hours thereafter sups at Clinton,
on the banks of the Mississippi. For
a distance of 354 miles he now rolls
over the magnificent prairie lands of
Iowa, delighted with the boundless
prospect on either side, and charmed
with the richness of the soil, the varie-
ty of the flowers and grasses. and the
thrift of the people. He is row on
the banks of the Missouri, whose tur-
bid, rapid waters rush on to the gulf
of Mexico. And here, like Great
Basic and Little Basic on the Rhine,
are two rival cities-Council Bluffs on
the east and Omaha on the west. But
to the exeursionist Omaha is the great
est attraction, both as the initial point
of the Union Pacific railroad, and as
destined to be the greatest city be-
tween Chicago and San Francisco.
Within thirteen years Omaha has
grown from casual settler to q perma-
nent population of twenty thousand.
On one of the main streets stands the
first log house built within the present
corporation limits, and it is wisely pre-
served, not only to indicate Omaha's
growth but the wealth of its citizens in
their substantial houses ofmerchandise
and in their palatial residences. Locat.
ed on the hills, which like terraces rise
and recede from the Missouri, its sit.
uation is admirable, whether for the
purity of its atmosphere or its de.
| lightful prospect. From the residence
of mine host I could trace a steamer
for forty miles up the winding river
and then looking eastward behold {
panoramic view of hill and dale, plair
and mountain, river and lake, of sur
passing beauty. Fortunately there
is room on the plains below and on tht
hills above for indefinite expansion
and half million Of people couIt
Comfortably live within the limit
above described. Already the town il
creeping up the hills, and the more afi1u
emit citizens have erected their elegan
residences on the woodland submits
which overlook the river, and which
are seen from afar through the open
ings in the forest. We were informed
that the merchants Of Omaha are &C
cumulating substantial fortunes in tn,
pursuit of Legitimate business, and q
the adjacent farms are settled an,
cultivated business win increase. TIL,
chief entrepOt for the produce Of al
Nebraska; the central city between
| New York and San Francisco, and tn
initial poiEt Of the Union Pacific rail
road, Omaha must grow in size and in
crease in wealth. ysl t5aol
The tourist from the East win fin
good hotel accommodations at Omaha
where he should rest a few day prior i
his departure for the Rocky Mount
aims. A ride Of thrilling interest
I before him. Entering an elegant car
be gradually ascends from Omaha
which is 967 fsst shove tide water, .
Sherman. TIE sumniit Of the Blac
BILLS, which Is $500 feet above I'd
the level Of the sea. From Omaha I
Cheyenne, the base Of the Black Hill
and . distaneesdf 5A7lmiles, the aver
\ aRe ascent Is ten feet 70 the mile. Al
- Ila ia a Asefa 49,