Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1871-12-21

faction. About 8 A. NJ. we reached
the river on the Council Bluffs side,
and in short time we landed on
Nebraska soil. We observed
along the line of railroad in
Iowa, after leaving Avoca, and as we
neared the Bluffs, that the country
was being settled up pretty rapidly.
The morning being beautiful, the sun
shining in all its grandeur upon the
rolling praries and distant bluffs,
men going after or returning from
the fields with horses and cattle,
women going out to milk, children
feeding the chickens, geese and tur-
keys, the boys cutting wood, as well
as all the other morning duties on
farm, made it exceedingly interest
ing to the traveller, and it recalled to
US the time when we were free from
the tolls and cares of business, and
were, too, among the happiest of the
happy, a farmers son, the most indie
pendent of all men. We noticed
many large corn fields, and from ap-
pearances the crop must have been
good. Other grain is said to do
well also through that section of the
state. Timber is generally found
along creeks, ravines, &c., and is of
course not of that superior kind that
we have here in Ohio. AS the river
is neared better timber is found.
Farm houses and barns are in end
less variety, from the smallest hut
to some quite respectable buildings
for so new country. From ap-
pearances, quite a number of new
settlers have located during the past
year, and investments along this line
of railroad, in our opinion, will be
good. Land can still be bought at
reasonable figures. The finest coun-
try, however, is between Des Moines
and Davenport.
AS the traveller enters the broad
valley of the Missouri, and is go
ing around the curve toward
Council Bluffs, with Omaha across
the river, to the west, on a gentle
slope, and with Council Bluffs and
the bluffs to the east of you, the
brood valley to the north and south,
boats moving back and forth on the
river, and with probably half doz-
en- trains moving in different direc-
tions at the same time; seeing all
this as you keep nearing the river,
the sight is grand and interesting
beyond description. All this you
cannot help but appreciate even on
a cold winter day. What a grand
sight it must be during the pleasant
months of summer, when all nature
is dressed in its brightest robes.
At present the passengers are con-
veyed from one side of the river to
the other on ferry boats, but the
temporary bridge will be completed
in a few days which is being built
by the U. P. R. R. At $50 A. NJ.
Friday, we landed on Nebraska soil
and took quarters at the Wyoming
Hotel, which is kept in very excel
lent style by Messrs. j. G.. & Ira P.
Highly, who always take pleasure in
entertaining their guests well, and
making them feel at home.
OMAHA.
After dinner, q visit to some of
the principal business houses was in
order, and we found Omaha up to
the times in this particular, as it has
some as fine store rooms as is found
in our eastern cities, and goods can
be bought just as cheap. The
wholesale business is good here, and
will always remain so, and if we dare
Judge from the few days we remain
ed, all branches of business is good.
1t seems strange that a city SO far
west should be able to compete with
our eastern cities, but such is the
fact. In stepping into one of the
dry goods stores, quite unexpected
ly, we met Rev. Ira Billman, Luther
an minister, we'll known to many of
the citizens of Holmes and Wayne
counties, and by invitation visited
his family, whom VIC found well and
who like their new home. The con-
gregation of which he has charge is
in fourishing condition, has a
membership of over two hundred,
among which are some of the veal
thiest men in the city.
In city like Omaha, can be seen
people from all states and nearly all
nations passing through or stoppinga
few days, and judging from all ap-
pearances, we saw several couples
at the dinner table, who either come
from give miles behind Reading,
Pa.," or fiom "Nasby's Confederate
X Roads," as their actions showed |
they had never lived in an intelligent
community. In this western coun-
try, you find the people less selfish,
and the poor has an equal chance
with the rich.
Saturday afternoon being very
piSoodiu, d lilcuu iuNltCu us W rue
out with him and take a look at the
city, which invitation we kindly ac-
cepted. First visiting his family,
and partaking of some very fine
California fruit, we drove to the
north some distance, to the old cap
itol grounds, where has just been
completed one of the best High |
School buildings in the country. 1t
is located on the most commanding
site in the city. Looking northwest
of the city, from this point, was the
cemetery, which was injured some by
fire a short time ago. 1t is nicely
located and will make a very fine
cemetery. After viewing the coun-
try to the west, which to us seemed
grand, we directed our attention to
other and more interesting sights.
In our next we will continue our
observations on Omaha and other