The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1869-12-10
WHOLE NUMBER $50
LETTER FROM NEBRASKA.
Correspondence Jeffersonian.

@ correspondence Jeffersonian.
!. SCHUYLER, CoLFAx Co., Nov. 25.
MEssRs. EDs.:-Your valuable pa
per reaches this spot of Uncle Sans
2 domain, regularly about the third
lay after its publication. We hail
: ITS arrival with gladness, and the
e news it contains from our old home
is eagerly devoured by each one in
surn. But notice that among your
several correspondents, in different
localities, you have no communica-
lions from this young and thriving
State, and as every one is occasion
ally inclined to "toot'' his horn, /
believe your readers viii indulge me
his once while 1 ''pipe'' concerning
he country ground about'' the Platte
Valley.
The Platte River, as every school
boy knows, has its source near the
base of the Rocky Mountains, and,
With 4 somewhat meandering course,
divides our State into nearly two
equal divisions, and cnpties into the
Missouri Il is not navigable-
although stream of considerable
dey til and width, opposite this point
being about half mile wide, the
cause being q cuick-sand bed and the
sand bars being liable to change every
twenty-iOur hours.
The country, upon either side of
its eonrse. is entirely prairie land,
save the timber which fringes its
banks sad that OF the streams empty
ing into ii. The timber is cotton
wood and ranges from q quarter to
mile in width. Tee stream may be
considered useless. with the excep
tion OF the timber alluded to and the
abundance of fine, large fish in its
waters
The valley OF The Platte varies in
width, but in this county is from
four To six miles wide, and is per-
fcctIy level from the river bank back
until tie table and uplands are reach
ed The soil is deep, rich and pro-
ductive. The uplands present vari-
Gus attractions, being undulating
prairie, completely intersected with
small streams, accompanied by val
leys from a half to mile wide, and
fresh, running water, the year round,
the whole atfording most beautiful
scenery and desirable locations, con-
shutting a succession OF upland,
table and valley, which, as an agri-
cultural country and tor healthfulness
of climate, is unsurpassed anywhere,
the soil throughout ranging from two
10 four feet deep, composed OF q
black loan and sand, rendering 1t
h:gAly favorable, with limited
amount os labor, for the growth OF
all cereals, vegetables and iruits.-
The latter, as has been proven by
trial, can be grown with success in
Nebraska. For stock raising, also,
it is equally as good, the unbroken
prairie furnishing u luxuriant growth
Of highly nutritious grass. The far
mer could not seek more desirable
locality, nor anywhere can he reap q
greater reward for his labor. Crops
of all kinds have been excellent this
season, and we are blessed with an
abundance of everything.
Our new county was organized by
the Legislature last winter, by diyid-
ing the old county Of Platte and
giving us twelve townships, each six
miles square, the eastern boundary
being seventy miles Me>t OF Omaha.
Tae Union Pacific Rsilroad passes
directly from east 10 west through
the county, thus affording Us ample
facilities Tor market.
About eight hundred farmers have
arrived in the county since its organ
ization-singly and BY colonies--and
have ayailed themselves OF the bene-
fits of the Homestead and Pre-emp-
tiol laws, thus securing homes at
cost OF but q few dollars. There isl yet
some government land open for
entry, but, ere another season of emf
grafton passes, public lands here will
be scarce. The Railroad Company
owns about 10000 acres OF land
in the county, have lately brought it
into market, ranging in price from
So so to $40 per acre, on long credit.
Therefore, those desiring homes IN
the West, can either bay them or get
them for nothing, BY actual settle
ment for five years. 1t strikes me
there are yet a few stalwart men
back east who have young families
to support, and who are lily prepared
to do so, would do well TO fall in with
! the tile of emigration now moving
and pe0pling the West, and with
them find home, which Uncle Sam
will give you then make 1t pleasant,
ami for once be pOssessors OF the
land you cultivate.
TIE Union Pacific Railroad is doing
its best in setting up the Platte
valley. Building materials and the
hecessaries oi lie, winch were high
priced and liar ietched," are now
landed at our doors, and all produc-
tions carried away. Mighty trains
90 laundering along almost every
hour. From eight to ten well filed
passenger coaches constitute a usual
lain. Bat 3 reflection brings the
thought that now, where the mighty
engine rolls along with its ponderous
loud, with ever and anon a scream
from its shrill whistle, only few
years ago death like stilnoss reigned
over these vast prairies except when
broken by the whoOp oil the red man
or heavy trampling OF the herds OF
buffaio. Bat the warriors and their
bands have given away to the march
of civilizili and the buffalo to
more useinl animals.
The weather has been fine so far
this Fail, and the farmers are thresh-
ing and gathering corn, and every
thing is lovely. Ii you will not con-
slider me the opposite of the last
remark, | will write again.
Yours truly,
J. w. f. WILLIAMS.