Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1871-01-04
THE CHRONICLE.
LETTER FROM NEBRASKA.
NEHAalA, NEp., pee. %, I'D.

NEHASrA, NEB., Dec. 20, 20.
EDITOR CHRoNIcLE:-I left Old
Trumbull about the 1st Of November,
and as I have not been here long
enough to give you much information
concerning crops and improvements
Of this county, 1 will give you state
ments which 1 have collected from old
settlers. The settlement Of this por-
ton Of the State was commenced about
l2years ago. Scarcely a county in the
West will begin TO compare with this
for wealth and improvement-in pro-
portion to the time elapsed since its
settlement. II lies along the west
bank Of the Missouri river, and has q
good width Of bottom land OF unsur-
passable fertility. Besides this it IS
traversed by the little Nemaha river
from the northwest to the southeast,
making lovely valley OF thirty miles
in length. 1t is noted as the most
beautiful section Of country in Ne
braska, and is unequaled for is fertile
land and dense population. The up
lands are undulating, and near the
streams the hills are covered with a
heavy growth OF timber and under
brush, which furnishes an abundance
Of fire wood and lumber.
AS we have already said, Che land is
famed for its richness, and IL might
be added that ease Of cultivation is
another point in which il cannot be
eXeelled; n man can plant and prop
erly cultivate two-thirds more OF this
land than Of the clay land OF Ohio I;
the soil is a soft black lOam OF great
depth, and With remarkable power of
sustaining itself against either too
much rain OK long continued dronth.
The history OF farming operations in
this county establishes its superiority,
and no further statements are neces-
sary lands may be obtained at prices
varying from eight to one hundred
dollars per acre good farming lands,
unimprOved, can be bought from
eight to ten dollars per acre in this
county; good improved farms may
be had at figures varying from fifteen
dollars up.
The railroad prospects Of the eOun-
ty are good; the Brownville, Fort
Kearney & Pacific, running through
the county from east to west, now
being constructed she trunk run
ming up along the west bank Of the
Missouri river is under contemplation,
as also road up the little Nemaha
valley; the principal towns are
BrOwnYille, Peru, Nemaha City, As
pinWall, st. DerOin and Hillsdale /;
there are also post offices and business
houses at Sheridan. Bratton, Sher-
man, London, st. Frederick, Glenn
Rock, Howard and Grant; mail facil-
tiles are good Brownville, the eoun-
ty seat, is located upon the west bank
OF the Missouri, about midway be-
tween the northern and southern
boundaries Of the county, and has the
best natural situation of any city on
the river; il is one Of the prominent
towns in the State, and is making
healthy progress with lattering pros
poets. The Quincy, Missouri and Pa
cific Railroad, now being constructed,
crosses the river here, and the B. Ft.
X. & p, has its initial point here; the
Nebraska Trunk viii pass through,
and the Burlington and Missouri con-
template extending their line to this
city.
BrownyiAe has one Of the best high
schools in the State; and the society
is refined and intelligent. Six relig-
iOus denominations have organiza-
tions here, Methodist. Presbyterian,
Baptist, Christian, Episcopal and
Catholic, and all have respectable
houses or vTurship. Schools are taught
six months in the year, in every dis
trict in the county.
There are in the county fourteen
saw and grist-mills, with abundance
OF water power for all descriptions of
Live stock flOurishes,
such a thing as infectious disease is
the finest breeds of stock
are introduced, and their owners find
them very profitable. Game is plen-
ty, such as geese, ducks, chickens,
beaver, mink and muskrat; rabbits
also abound in great quantities.
The different kinds OF timber here
are the cotton wood, black walnut,
oak, elm, hickory, maple, cedar, and
other species. The water of the Ne
maha is surprisingly clear and pure
the country abounds in springs, on
the highest points water can be found
at q depth of IS to 40 feet. There are
good stone querries here, also materi-
al for making brick along the Mis-
souri, river; a brick building can be
put up as cheap here, as a frame house
in Ohio; there are also good stone
houses.
The weather this fall has been beau
.iful; no mud to wade through, the
roads have been dusty all the fall. The
first snow Of the season fell on the
night Of the 10th OF this month; it
ell about two inches deep, in the
lust at that; We have the best natur-
Il roads here that the world can pro-
luce.
Those desirOus of seeking homes in
he West would do well to go to south !
EASTERN Nebraska. There are good !
steam-ferries crossing the Missouri 1
liver at BrOwnville, Nebraska City, [
Rulo and st. Joseph.
Crops are a sure thing in this coun- /.
ry; one need have no fear but what [
4 he puts out a crop, he will reap a !
harvest. w. j.