The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-05-18

I6SClnatlDg 10 any 6pOtS IN tue WOrlu
and through canyons, till at leagth it,
end Is reached about two Thousand
miles from Omaha at San Francisco.
@ "a OMAHA. -- N-asss=
We desire to revert to some Of the
places and events of our journey, and
will properly commence with the start
ing point of the Union Pacific road
Omaha. 1t is built on the west bank
Of the Missouri river. on ground that
gradually rises from the water to the
dimension of hills, and is in Nebraska
Less than twenty years since the cree
ton of the first house, it has grown
with a rapidity almost unparalleled
even in western towns. 1t now mum.
bers about twenty thousand inhabitants.
The whole aspect OF the place is new.
The houses are mostly frame, look like
temporary structures and as if hurried.
ly put up. Should the city continue to
improve, they will in time be replaced
by more substantial structures. The
people all entertain the most extravagant
notions about the prospects OF their
town, and already corner lots are sold
for fabulous prices. Lots with % feet
front and in depth l20 feet are valued
at $4,000, $4,000 or $4,000, according
to location. Mere shanties on a bust
ness street, with one room, 20 by &c
feet, and a cellar, rent from $1,000 to
$500 per annum. The citizens are
full of expectationland excitement, and
express exaggerated opinions OF the
future greatness Of their place. went
over the river 10 Council Bluffs, three
miles below, an older town, having a
much more substantial appearance and
the rival of Omaha. A bridge is in
course OF construction across the Mis-
souri, river by the Union Pacific road
to this place. 1t appears to me plain
as demonstration that its completion
will blast the prospects Of Omaha more
effectually than pestilence, and make
a great city Of its less boastful rival.
THE PLAINS.
After leaving Omaha, as we stated
the road runs up the Platte Valley and
here we enter the great plains. As far
as the eye can reach in every direction
stretches one monotonous, amending
level. And this, too, while we travel
nearly one thousand miles, until the
eye and the mind grows weary with its
sameness. The soil is black with rich,
ness, the climate genial, the rains come
timely, and all the other conditions
exist here for successful agriculture.
In this immense plain are unoYupied
homes for millions of people. Since
the opening Of the railroad, the lands
are in the market and can be bought at
prices ranging from 81 to Sc per acre.
THE INDIANS.
In this region the buffalo and other
game exists in great abundance and here
the Indians dispute with the whiteman
his right to the soil. The hostile and
warlke Sioux have marked their war
paths over these plains in blood. Many
a luckless emigrant has been overtaken
here, and here the story of his torture
and death has persisted with him. Far
from the habitation of man, by the road,
side in the lone prairie, we observed
three graves. and were left to conjecture
the story of their tenants, for no one
could tell us their history.
We learned that the Sioux were en-
camped one hundred miles to the north
of the route. No fears, however, are
entertained Of them, as the Government
has made ample provision for the pro,
lection OF the road.
Whilst religion, philanthropy. and
the common sentiments Of humanity
prompt at who are removed from the
scenes of danger and actual intercourse
with the savage tribes, to treat them len,
iently, nevertheless it is significant fact
that everyone we conversed with, living
among them, and they were many, al
vocated their determination. A surgeon
on the train told us of two men who
were scalped short time before. This
surgeon, a highly cultivated man, told
us he was in favor Of colonizing them,
but it was in the happy land. He fur
Their said that he had known a few
Indians who would not do wrong-but
it was after they were dead. Verify, it
is vexed question. We hope for the
sake Of humanity that the experiment
now on trial by our Government may
prove successful. Besides the Sioux
we encountered along the route, the
Cheyeunes, Piutes. Donners, Diggers
and perhaps some other tribes. AT
many places we saw them in large
numbers. A beggarly and degraded
race Of human beings.
WILD ANIMALS.
The buffalo we did not see in his
native state. They were yet south Of
us. The time had not yet arrived when
they migrate to the pasture plains thus
far north. We encountered hundreds
of antelope and had the pleasure OF
eating their tender, juicy and delicious
steaks. Elk and deer exist in abund
ance. We heard Of party OF hunters
driving 400 elk into canyon, capturing
and killing the whole lot. This is
known to be true, inasmuch as they
were prosecuted for it. They had done
it in violation of the game laws, out OF
season. Wolves, wild cats, lynxes, griz
zly aud cinnamon bears are plentiful in
this wild and uninhabited region.
BEAR STORY.
At a station near Fort Bridger we
took on the train Jesse Bell. lie was
carried from the platform ard placed in
the baggage car, a helpless and fright
full looking object, begrimed as he was
with blood and dirt. He was a miner
and some miles north of the road, in
Nevada. had wandered from the camp
when he unexpectedly came upon q
large cinnamon bear, and they stood
face to face only Is feet apart. He
raised his rifle and fired, wounding the
animal. They mutually advanced tc