The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-05-11
THE ROUTE TO CALIFORNIA

THE ROUTE TO CALIFORNIA.
Especial Correspondence OF the CouR1ER.]
SAN Francisco, CAL,
May 2, 1871.
Notes by the way, from ottumwa to San
Francisco.
EDS. CoURIER:-Starting from Of,
tumwa on the 25th ult., we found
ourselves here on the 1st Of May,w
out accident, unnecessary delay or
unpleasant occurrence Of any kind
whatever. The time from Omaha to
this place was 102 hours, or about 20
miles an hour. We lay over one day
at Omaha, wyoming House which
we take pleasure in recommending
to the travelling public, a waiting the
arrival of friends who were expected
to join ne, and left for the west Thurs
day, IL o'clock M. About one humid
red other delegates, representing
twelve States, were on Thursdays
train, most Of the delegates having
left on Tuesday and Wednesday,
The accommodations on Pulman's
Sleeping Palace Cars, are almost
equal to those on our best river
steamers.
Our stay at Omaha was not favor
able, on account Of the rain, for get.
ting as correct an impression of the
city as it might have been under
other circumstances. But rain and
mud cannot obscure in any great de-
gree the evident thrift, prosperity
and rising greatness of this place
In point of natural advantages, il
seems to Us to have the better Of hel
rival across the river. In walk
over the city we noticed large
number Of handsome, costly residen
ces. Nowhere were We confronted
with that ominous advertisement SO
often seen on doors and windows
"For Rent. Some fine buildings are
In process Of construction. A nam.
moth hotel projected year ago, and
estimated to cost 100000, will be
completed this season. It is a joint
stock enterprise, with shares of one
hundred dollars each, and no one
permitted to own more than ten
shares. The property holders in the
vicinity donated tho cite for which
they paid $50, 1000.
The foundation for U. s. custom
house is being laid. The building is
70 be of stone from tho quarry at
Joliet, Ills. 1t will be q line structure
when done. The II. II. bridge over
the Missouri river at this point is
progressing, and when completed
will be great convenience to the
travelling public, and greatly faciIi-
tate the traL smisslon Of frcights, but
The beneficial effect upon the business
interests of Omaha many fail to see,
while others do not hesitate to say it
will BIO permanent damage. The
city engages to take $500, 900 Of the
bonds. Here, as with us,
people complain of high taxes, four
aud seven tenths being the rate of
last year. How is that for high com
pared to Ottum1A?
But, as already said, we left Omaha
ut noon, and soon found ourselves in
the Platte Valley, stretch of conn
try more than 500 miles in extent
For 800 miles we pass up the north
side of the river, which presents the
singular feature of river having an
average width ofthree quarters OF
mile, and an average depth Of six
inches. It's uses for purposes of nav
igatlon are apparent. Tho U. p. r.
Il. company own tho lands along the
road, and are offering every induce
mont to settlers, as may be seen by
the advertisements all along the way.
Already for two hundred miles and
more after leaving Omaha, farms are
opened, and stock of all kinds, espec-
tally cattle, is being raised with sue
cess. 1t would seem that this valley
is destined to become ono of the best
of all regions for stock raising.l
OF course the traveller by raj sees
comparatively little Of the country,
and that little ut q disadvantage,
owing to the speed with which he
hastens from point to point. Tho
buildings all along in town and farms
are. as in all new places of a rude and
cheap character. Very few two
story buildings are to be seeu. We
got the impression that it would not
do to build frsil house, such as are
put up. two stories high, on account
Of the high winds which sweep over
these plains. This is the way we
come to get the impression, One of
our party (no matter who) thought
be would stop out on the platform Of
The car as it was running ct the rate
Of 30 miles an hour, the better to oh.
serve tho wonderful beauty and
oveliness of the plains, whom, away
went his hat, whore probably no
human eye, certainly, he himself,
will never see it again.
He stepped back, thankful that it |
was only his hat. All within gath
,red about him and he tried to laugh, |
md they did laugh most immoder-
stely, wo thought, for so small a
natter. He looked as though no
1ery much wished they would take
heir soats and behave like sensible
men and women, but they were very |
low to do 90. We rode on, and on,
md on, ana the time seemed s long
ve began to fear we never woul get
0 place where he could get an h.
Il. But finally tho whistle annoln-
es some important town or station.
lie looked out while the cars were
ct in motion, to select the most i'm.
osing looking house, and his eye
on chit the sion HDru Gnnda Gro