Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-11-23
A Letter from the West.
COUNCIL BLUFFS. Iowa, !
Nov. 10th, 1871.

nor one 10 winch WAS 6VST SlNtHY |
A destiny more high-suolime."
Such were the verses that burst forth
from my lips, this morning, as I stood
upon the Bluffs" and gszed upon the
beautiful Missouri valley-with the city
of Council Bluffs at my feet, and Omaha
in the distance, across the "treacherous
am sure any of your
readers would have endorsed the above
enthusiastic strain could they have stood
and gazed upon the same scene. Verify,
the Mormons, who first settled this Sec
ton, sptly called it the Garden of the
Lord"
Hoping it may be interesting, 1 wish to
give, ia the following lines, few plain
facts and data for the benefit of those
who may To looking Westward and de-
string a new location in newer country,
where industry and energy will surely re-
suit in BRILLIANT success. Many leave
comfortable homes, and foolishly push
out into the far West-into the wilds of
Nebraska and States North and South,
and settle in paper towns, and, as con-
sequence, are soon quilting up stakes"
and travelling homeward. l wish, in this
letter to speak of town, grandly en-
dowed by nature and man, with numer-
Gus attractions; town which has been
built upon rocks, and has steadily grown
till it has now attained the size of 10000
people town that must, from the nat
ural and commercial advantages, and
through it's grand railroad system, be-
come the central mart for distributing the
grains and productions of this vast fertile
region to all points of the country. Coun-
Gil Bluff, is situated on the western edge
of fertile Iowa." sloping from the pictnr-
esque mounds or bluffs its eastern bound
ary) for three miles to the Missouri River
1t occupies corporate territory of five
miles, east and West, slone. On the op-
posite side of the river is Omaha.
1t is we'll known how hard Omaha has
fought against the congressional act,
placing the eastern terminus of the
Union Pacific Railroad, in Council Bluffs,
but to no purpose. The high Union
Pacific bridge for the railroad and foot
aud wagon passengers, ia now building
from Omaha to this side. Next year
trains will run across, and Omaha is
henceforth and forever, a way-station.
Five railroads already center here, and
three more will be here by spring. A
4 A. a., L.
built next year, 900 feet in length, and
$50 in breadth. The Upper part of the
depot will be made into q magnificent
hotel while below, the elegant cars of the
U P R. R., of the B. & NJ. R. R.. of the
G r I. s. B. R. r of the st. J., K, G. &
G. B. r. r of the O. & N. w. R R, Of
the s. c. & P r. R, of the St. L O. 81 @. |
B. r. R, of the A. o. r. r, will roll their
rich freights into the depot. But it is
not from its railroads alone, this city
looks for it's future growth, it also depends
on its rich, fertile soil "AlI the world"
has heard of the rich prairies of Iowa. I
can at least speak for the region around
Council Bluffs. The soil about here is a
rich deposit of silecious mari, capable of
producing tireless crops of grain, and
fruits of all kinds. Sweet potatoes also
are plentiful. But as 10 the soil, climate,
etc, Of Iowa, examine the encyclopaedia,
a few moro words about Council Bluff
this city has seven public schools. the
finest costing $40 600 it has two Nation
al Banks and two private banks; it has a
hotel which coat $4,000; aud court
house costing $4,000. The deaf and
dumb asylum is located here, already
having cost $3.50 900, and still unfinished
Two weeks ogo, manufacturing asso
citation was formed, aud rs result a car
risge factory aud paper mill in addition
to those already here, have been estab-
lished, and funds end assistance are Of
fered to any manufacturer locating here,
Bat I am beooming wearisome with de-
tails, and am taking up too much space
therefore will close, hoping to see some
familiar Vermont faces out here next
summer, if for no other purpose than in
vesting in real estate, which will rise
very fast as soon IS the depot il COM
mance1, For with eight lines of railway,
north, east. south and west, and the larg-
e~t single lines in the world, Pacific
railway bridge, with its tremendous
transfer business, railroad work shop, Off
ces and general make mp, a grand natural
situation for a city, for business and man
ufaotures, and in view of the large me-
chanioal population which ia being at
tracted hither in the construction of rail
roads, bridges, depots and other works,
we know of no place in America which
presents, or ever did present better oppor-
tunitie4 for TIE investment Of capital, or
which promises or ever did promise a
more permanent and enduring prosperity,
than Council Bluff, the riaing star Of the
Northwest and the central city of the
American continent. L. w. r.