The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1869-09-25
Letter From Omaha.
OMAHA, Sept. 9th, 1869.

DEAR WHIG-As we have been enjoying
the fruits of Il snow storm on the Plains, |
thought better to caution those persons
coming West to prepare heavy clothing,
and if convenient an extra blanket will
not be amiss. | would rather carry two
blankets than one revolver-although many
think they cannot do without Que. | con-
slider them an incumbrance; there is no
need for travellers coming in contact with
roughs in the West, if they will stay away
from drinking saloons and gambling houses.
Persons visiting the West should not fail
to take view of the country from Capital
Hill, at Omaha, where they have a bird s.
eye view of Iowa. Council Bluffs, the
rival city of Omaha is directly opposite,
which looks beautiful from this point
The Missouri passing between the two, is Il
line of separation, which will ere long be
temporarily united by Il railroad bridge,
conveying quickly the travel from the East
and West which has now to be conveyed
across by steam ferry boats. The Missouri,
well known for it's muddy waters, extends
above Omaha L thousand miles to Fort
Benton, above which it is not navigablc for
Steamers.
We are reluctant to leave the beautiful
scenery around and about this infant city
of the West: but time admonishes us we
left our readers on the Valley of the Platte,
i'll our last communication. This valley is
rather monotanous; rs yet it is thinly in
habited, and after passing North Platte but
little of note reaches the eye, except the
vast Praires, with here and there the sta
ton houses, surrounded generally by an en-
campment of U. S. troops, who are on duty
admonishing the Indian that thus far, but
no farther shalt thou go.
Passing westward from the Platte, after
number of stations, which only averages
about ten miles apart, we arrive at Jules
burg, known as Fort Mcpherson, a point
made notorious by the Indian massacre
during the war. This at one time was
quite village, but in the progress of the U.
p. r. it has nearly evaporated. Passing as
before, quite number more places of less
note, such as Lodge Pole, Sidney, Potter,
Antelope, &C., we arrive at Cheyenne, SIG
miles from the starting point-Omaha-
This is n point of more Importance possibly
than many others, as the Denver road here
will soon unite Wyoming and Colorado
Territories, and send north the products of
the gold mines of this land of precious
metals Beside the U. P. Company destine
this as the Middle Terminus, unless
Laramie City should rob them of this
glory. Cheyenne will at all events be an
important point. 1t is rather pretty city,
and has some pretty good buildings, among
which we notice a theatre, not quite equal
to Walnut, Chestnut or Arch ST., Philadel-
phia; and some distinguished actresses have
drawn crowded houses. The Railroad Ho-
tel here is a very fine house, and would not
disgrace some of our Eastern cities.
After leaving here we have fine view of
Fort Russell, at a distance of some two
miles, and as before we glide along, pass
ing various stations, and arrive at Granite
Canon, as high above the level Of the sea
as persons generally wish to go in railroad
cars. This is made point Of meeting tho
eastern bound train. For beauty, it far
surpasses anything east of the Alleganies.
In a few miles more, we arrive at the
Great Summit, Sherman, $3.50 feet above
the level of the sea. This point is much
admired by tourists, and the air is so pure
here it would seem hard for even an invalid
to die We again leave objects Of attrac-
ton, and glide swiftly along TO Fort San
ders. surrounded by many log buildings,
as quarters for the troops stationed there;
with some nice buildings used as officers
quarters. Altogether presenting a neat
and comfortable appearance. Next Lara
mic City, near Laramie River, proverbial
for it's fine trout, &c. This is one of the
best stopping places on the line Of the l..
P. Road. The climate is perfectly lovely,
and the surrounding country beautiful be-
yond description. The hotel here, kept for
the accommodation of travellers, is owned
by the proprietors of the CoZens' House, in
Omaha 1t is credit to the city, and also
to the proprietors. 1t is q pleasure to stop
here. We leave here, and after running
some SO miles, come to Carbon Station,
~, .,,1 f,1-a ~
earth by shaft of considerable length
This is the finest coal for almost every pur-
pose-bituminous or anthracite strictly;
but known as combustible. 1t burns like
wood-very fine for stove purposes or any
other. The next point of interest is Fort
Hill, quite pretty place. with q number
of good buildings. We glide along then to
Rawlings Springs, where we take tea at a
very commodious house; and take fresh
team, as we term it. We hurry along
through Red Desert, passing Bitter Greek,
Point of Rocks, Salt Wells, Green River to
Bryan, which is the nearest point to South
Pass, Atlantic City, &c, rs well as Sweet
Waters gold mines. We glide along through
the darkness of the night, passing Fort
Bridger, Piedmont, Bear River, Evanston,
&C., arriving at Wah Satch to breakfast,
where we generally find fresh trout and
antelope, with many other delicacies. The
pastures through these Palms. and ravines
are said to be very rich and will prepare
cattle ready for beef in weeks after
driven there. | think | have never seen
finer beef in any market than is killed off
the grass in this locality.
Here we commence descending toward
Salt Lake, through Utah Territory. We
pass Castle Rock, Echo, Morgan, DEVILS
Go+ 10
leave, and the mails for Salt Lake City,
long known as the City of the Saints. We
continue descending down heavy grade
beset on every side by the highest noun
tains, vending along Bear and Weber
Rivers-beautiful streams, not larger, if as
large, rs the Octoraro, until we reach Cor
ines where we meet the Montana mail
Much has been said about the great facili-
ties of this place and its prospects for being
great city, and aswe are not q prophet nor
the son of one, we will leave it to Time to
determine what it will be. We run some
% miles further up Salt Lake and leave it.,
and complete our journey at Promon-
tory, the western terminus of the L. p.
Railroad, which we leave the passengers to
visit and arrive at their own conclusions
before leaving, as they have some three
hours-sutficiently long to survey the whole
town-before leaving for Sacramento and
San Francisco and California and Nevada
generally, and if you purpose returning
without pursuing the journey further you
will have some ten hours to rest and retrace
your steps over the L. P. Railroad east
again. Most of the road passed by night
going west you will view on your return
by day and my word for it you will never
regret the time and money spent after you
return.
neglected to say while speaking of Lar.
annie City and Sherman Station that the
Black Hills are in plain view from the lat.
ter; while the snow clad mountains greet
the eye approaching the former, and man,
other ranges have not lost their white GOV
ering even by the hot suns of July.
OCCASIONAL.