The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1868-10-17

FROM TINE PLAINS.

FROM TINE PLAINS.
OMAHA, Oct. 1, 1868.
70 the Editor o. the woRKIsoxAs's ADvOoArs.
You rqlested and promised when ]
left Chicago would send you some Of my
notes Of travel. The route from Chicago to
Clinton, through Illinois, sweeps through
an interesting portion Of our state to its
western boundary line, where magnificent
railroad bridge spans the Mississippi river
at Clinton, lows, on It's western bank
charming little place. | had no time to lin
ger there for my path on the iron bands lead
through il westward for 345 miles Of vast
prairies lands, and its variety Of soil, Of
flowers, grasses, and al the multitudious
evidences Of the labor, care, and the untire-
ing perseverance OF its people, were left
behind, hurried on by the iron horse, until
was stopped on the bank Of the Big Muddy.
1t rsned, and rained. SO quite clearly IN
derstood what il implied IN mud under foot,
mud all around, and the Biz Muddy in front,
and to put the finishing touch on Il had
on ny congress gators but put on courage
and stepped into il knee deep.
OMAHA.
Ga the western bank OF the Missouri, and
on the eastern boundary line Of the state Of
Nebraska, Is now city of 10000 inhabi-
tants. 10 years ago visited the ground on
which it now stands; thea it contained not
half a dozen houses, or nuts, the most con-
spieuous being the hut Of the colored maa
who piled the ferry boats. Now the streets
stretch up nearly miles, with many sub
stsntial brick blocks, and large roomy stores
fully equal to those on Lake street, Cor size
and business appearance. Nature has been
lavish in her gifts 70 Omaha; the site is
worthy a great city, ard IL worth, wealth,
and perseverance, can secure its future, y
must be a great CITY. 1t has now one thea
ter, two public halls, six churches, and
three more in progress, of a substantial and
costly description. The NJ. K. Church in
progress 10 said to cost $50, goo. The site
OF the city is q series of hills or bluffs
which rise che above another like so mani
terraces; the highest overlooEs the city and
surrounding country for many miles. Then
TO the east the view Of mo- tain, forests,
plain, and view, with part % Iowa, is splen-
did, and being $50 feet above tide water,
the air is rarer and pure, sleep ie sound and
refreshing. while the appetite is good for
the invalid, but inconvenient for the inn
keeper. 1t is beyond all question a health
full locality. The Union Pacific Railroad
Company have made it the terminus of
their line, and all the traffic and passengers
are transferred from Council Bluff TO this
city.
The rcund house, machine shops, found
~ and car works are located mere, employ
ing about 200 men, at an average wage IF
from 81 to "a per day, while board costs
from $3.50 TO 80 per week, for what il
called mechanic board; Of course, hotel
board j. much higher. This place is quite
over run with men seeking work, still they
| come, and many 20, disappointed. The
company are, however, eDlarging their works;
new blacksmith shop is nearly finished,
another large foundery is going up, but if
jack frost should win, the work now going
on being all construction, will Of necessity
be suspended. Another train of huge snow
plows Is getting ready, so there is hope of
victory yet. City lots are excessively high,
even in the ont lots, away from the business
part Of the city, they are daily changing
hands. | have seen half lots sold for So
600 and rs feet front leased for 3 wears
for $3.50; this state OF matters goes far 20
prevent working men with families from
settling down here unless they have % 900
loose in their parse
In the country west for 200 miles, and
south so or more there Is good land, much
Of IL still open TO entry by pre-emption, or
homestead only, bat il lie being entered very
fast. IL 10 a good thing. The house Of
congress provided IL thus, for IL has preven-
ted the old land speculation game from be-
ing played again here. Timber 10 verv
scarce and the settleFs are planting trees
which are doing well, some two year old are
dc for fencing now. Leaving Omaha by rail
the country 10 well settled Tor 30 miles, Il
is now almost too late TO call it new or un-
settled, and for 30 miles is eettled cot Il to
Illinois In 1883. The first division of the On
Tor Pacific Railroad endsas the north Platte,
200 miles. It has about 900 inhabitants.
. round house, machine shops and railway
hotel. In the neighborhood so or more
friendly Indians OF she Sioux Tube, plenty
Of ceder trees, within 5 miles and abuud ance
Of prairie grapes, and quite as much kali
. they desire. Here g crosses the sPiatte
river, by o railroad bridge 1900 feet long.
The river 10 broad, shallow ,sofs bottom, and
is on the surface quise noble looking
stream
4 found Friend Daniel rom Cincinnati
keeping boarding, or rather mn eating
house TOT tne mechanics, charging them
70 per week, and they sleep whore they
chose, On their work bench. or on The aoof;
some OIL them have built prophets cham
osr 70. snslr convenience, % belt under
s.ooc , nsaa.e'., osoding &C., ase a isd's-
q -h.,I.--s. 49,. - - y. $3.50
~sa@ Hsros NV