The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-07-17
MAGIR CITIES,

NAGIB CITIES.
'tNorth Platte and Julesburg, Nebraska,
cheyenne, and Laramie City, Dakotah, have
been denominated magic cities, and, perhaps,
not upiustly. Before the Pacific Railway was
begun all freight destined for points
west of the Missouri was conveyed in
overland trains, and no matter which
road, route or trail these tedious trains
passed over, ranches were located every
five or ten miles. The construction of the
Union Pacific Railway to North Platte Ne
braska, was the commencement of the down.
3fall of ranchmen. Those located between
IOmaha and North Platte Railroad focked to
the latter place, or else sought other localities
swhere railroads would not interfere, for years
! at least. The graders, tilemen, and iron men
: of the road must be fed, clothed, amused, and
Sbled; and So like a mushroom, up sprang a
pity, or more properly speaking, a town, and
IL was called North Platte. Whisky saloons,
gambling places, and dance-houses predomi-
mated.
"The road was pushed on as far as Jules
&burg and North Platte became almost as a
desert, barren and deserted. Julesburg
4 3nourished for season, houses of every de-
Iscription were erected, and great was the pre-
diction of the future of the town, baptized
after the Monsieur Jules. But it required no
Ilarge amount Of shrewdness to foresee that the
lstation at the foot of the Black Hills would
ultimately become permanent town. Rail
road workshops were to be erected there, a
huge round-house was to be there located and
besides the road was still being pushed on,
and soon branch road from Denver would
terminate at Cheyenne. And so Julesburg
fell, and Cheyenne, Ph@nix-like, arose from
THE ashes. The latter town still stands but
much of its glory has departed to Laramie
and Benton cities.
"The first place of consequence after cross
ling the Black Hills is Laramie City, situated
on Laramie plains, near the Big Laramie river,
land in sight of the apex OF Laramie Peak, aud
mot distant more than twenty miles from the
Little Laramie river. 1t might perhaps be as
Iwell if Fort Laramie were brought down to
lthis town, that the whole Laramie family
might be contiguous. WOi kshOps and a round
Ihouse are being constructed there, and like
&Cheyenne we think Laramie City is destined
TO become permanently. Wyoming City,
3built in day, is the next town of any note
west of Laramie. 1t is distant twenty miles
hom the latter, and is located near the con-
iuence of the Big and Little Laramie rivers.
FThere is nothing about this place to warrant
an idea of longevity. One hundred miles fur
tther west and you are put down at the last of
the magic cities, viz: Benton City.
BENTON CITY.
"Benton city, as it now is, is on the east side
of the North Platte river, one hundred and
twenty-five miles west of Cheyenne, in D4-
kOta territory. Until within few days this
town was generally known as North Platte,
but the pioneers that be, who are constructing
the Union Pacific Railway, have declared in
favor of Benton city. Following this decision
. of the railroaders, Brevet Colonel Richard
Dodge, Major of the 3Oth Infantry, command
ling Fort Steele, contiguous to the town, issued
IA circular requiring all persons now on the
east bank of the river to forthwith move to
|the west side, as the town is now located on a
military reservation, which must be freed
| from all citizen residences. The moving has
lready begun, but it will be fully month
before all the tents, houses, and contents will
be off the east bank As yet the railroad has
Tot been completed to this place, but it is
thought the iron horse will make his advent in
kbout ten DAYS. The crossing of the river by
he railway is to be over a very good bridge,
which is now almost completed. The popula-
ion of the town may be set down at two thou
band souls, most of whom are either gamblers,
prostitutes, or owners of whisky saloons.
Scarcely night passes but what some one is
shot or robbed. The greatest decentralization
and degradation prevail at present, which
state of affairs, however, is destined to be of
short duration, as talk of vigilance commit
tee is on dit, and every person, good and bad,
stands in dread of the unprincipled 'vigi-
Banters.'
Railway is pushed into the town, are many
taking up their course for Green River, where
1T is expected the road will make winter
quarters.
INDIAN DEPREDATIoNs.
"Indians have turned up in this section Of
he mountains, and are evidently as poor as
ver in the way of horse and mule flesh. A
Party of twenty attacked Hamil's outfit, work
bg on the grade about twenty miles west of
here, and succeeded in carrying off four head
5f horses and a dozen mules. One man,
named Mitchell, while trying to save his own
stock, was killed, and the animals carried Off.
But few days ago they stole eight mules
within two miles of this town. Lieutenant
Petit, of the Second Cavalry, returned yes
erday from scout after the redskins, and
reported falling in with band of Red Clouds
nen but no fighting occurred, why or where
fore we know not. 1t is said that the Lieute-
bant was pursued by a stalwart son of the
crest, who struck him several blows over the
head with his war club, but offered no further
the best they can in collecting live stock from
those employed on the railroad grade, but so
|far have killed bat two or three men.
OVER THE MOUNTAINS.
"Your correspondent has just returned from
Ia trip to Bitter creek, which stream is on the
XPacilic slope of the mountains, one hundred
and fifteen miles west of this town. Our train,
consisting of twenty-four fOur-mule teams
was loaded with grain for the use of stock
Employed on the grading now being done on
fine aforementioned creek. We struck the
ne of the railroad twenty miles west of the
Eorth Platte river, and followed its course up
Ealleys, over bluffs, and through gaps and
noeeas. and althouph the wagon road is new