The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1870-07-27

theless it is rapidly growing place,
and carries on al immense amount Of
trade. Tho opening of the Pacific
Rail Road has been of great advan-
tage to it, by enabling it to compete
With San Francisco. California re-.
ceives many supplies from it; aud in
return, furnishes it with early garden
vegetables, and fruits Of oil kinds,
besides other articles of produce.
However, owing to the stagnation
Of business throughout the whole
country, there were thirty thousand
men out of employment, and robbie
ries and garroting we're frequent.
Even women were knocked down in
the street.
On the next day We left for Omaha,
by the Chicago & N. W. R. r. The
country for the most part consisted of
level prairie as far as the eye could
reach. 1t was not very thiokly settled,
and the houses we're generally small.
The Mississippi River was crossed on
long bridge. The old wooden one
is being removed, and fne iron
structure substituted in its stead.
That night the sleeping car attach
cd to the train was set on fire by the
stove, and for few minutes caused
some alarm among the sleepcrs. But
fortunately it all ended, "in smoke"
and we reached Omaha without any
other incident Of note.
A fine bridge is in course of ereo.
tion across the Missouri River. 1t
was not completed sufficiently to per-
nit the passage of cars, and we CROSS
ed the river in stages, upon the ice.
When the bridge is finished, passen-
gers can travel the entire route with
out change Of cars.
Omaha, the terminus Of the Paci-
flo, and the the roads connecting with
it, is thriving place. Only few
years ago it was merely small settle
ment, now, streets arc regularly laid
off, and stores aud warehouses; are seen
in every direction. It has the ap.
pearauco Of being ne,O, and all the
edIfces arc built with an eye to utili-
ty rather than beauty. The soil is q
sort of blueish clay, making bad roads
in Winter.
After partaking Of hearty break
fas., and laying ia d supply of provi-
sious, In caso Of suowing up among
the mountains, we took our seats in
the Pacific train, and for while bado
civiliza lion adieu. For hundreds of
miles after leaving Omaha we saw no
marks Of civilization. The road ruus
along the valley Of tho Platte River,
through almost tho whole breadth Of
Nebraska. In Summer this valley is
covered with the finest grasses, and
,ffords luxuriant pasturage. But in
Winter it presents a dreary aspect, a
few trees aloug the margin Of the
river being the only signs Of life.
The monotony causes feeling of
dreariness to creep over the traveller
in spite Of himself. Not sound is
heard in these vast solitudes save
when the noisy train rushes past, pre-
sentiLg strange incongruity to the
surrounding scene. After several
hours of t.avol, we entered tho vast
plains over which range immense herds
of antelope aud buffalo. Several
small herds of the former were pass
ed at different points within easy
rife range of the road. Sometimes
they may be seen bounding across tho
track, over which the train has passed.
After leaving the Platte River, the
road commences gradual ascent to
tho Black Hills, and the scenery be-
comes more diversified But the ooun-
try also becomes more barren. Small
elevations are seen on either side, des-
;itute of vegetation. A lonely pine,
swo or three feet in height seems but
a caricature Of the nobler works of
nature on the Atlantic slope. The
valleys are covered with sage bush,
so bitter and nauseous to the taste
that it affords sustenanoe to no liv-
log creature, except . species Of bird
called the sage hen.
The only settlements ore at the
different way-stations ten or twelve
miles apart and these are inhabited
merely by the employees Of the road.
Houses are built in the most premature
style. They are sometimes construct
ed Of puncheons driven into the earth,
With tusf piled against than. Small
apsrtures Ia the sides serve for win
dows; and the roofs almost fat. And
yet ct each station, ere seen stores,
saloons and restaurants. The inhabi-
tants evidently believe that coppeti.
| tion Ia the lifa of trade. for ont Of a
dozen houses, nine or ten are stores Of
some sort, each with pretentious
sign flang out. Tho front Of the
store is sometimes entirely composed
Of door and sign.
Twenty-fosr hours ride ffem oms-
ha brought us to Cheyenne the fret
place Of impotence. From this place
q road loads to Denver and tbe south.
ern part Of Colorado. Az oue time,