Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1871-10-05
,ur left the mnrky Missouri dragged its

A great many car loads were being
shipped as we passed over the road. At
ter ride of an hour and a half, we ar
rived at the Platte river station. There
is as yet no bridge across the river, and
consequently the cars run no further.
We cross the river by rope ferry and
land at what is called Picnic Grove. We
look around in vain for picnic or any
thing inviting to a picnic. The only
sign of life is a ten by twelve shanty COW
cred on nearly every side with signs of
what can be had within. Judging from
these signs one might naturally conclude
that first-class eating house and a No.l
grocery and provision store combined
were kept within. Several Germans OF
our party stopped to have a glass OF
lager beer and few crackers. We were
then taken by omnibus through sand a
foot deep or more, across the prairie to
the Omaha Junction about mile distant.
Arriving here, we found the train on the
B. & ". road more than half an hour be-
hind time. We didn't much like the idea
of being behind time, as it would shorten
our stay in Lincoln, as We wished to re-
turn that afternoon, not having time to
lie over night there and get back home
by Saturday night. The time was rapid
ly beguiled away by listening to oHr jolly
Dutchmen telling stories, and expatia-
ting on the good and bad qualities of
lager beer, how to keep it, what was the
best method of shipping so as not to
lose its flavor, &c. We learned more in,
that half hour about the traffic and his
tory of this favorite German beverage
than we ever expected to know. One of
the party, heavy brewer in Omaha,
said that friend of his in Chicago had
made himself hat of Tin, containing
several different compartments, with
small tube attached, so that by placing
the tube in his mouth and turning a
screw just so many times, he could take
his gin, brandy, beer, SC, just as he
wished. A very ry7cOnyenient arrange
ment. He also said that the same man
was selling beer, &C., BY the yard. This
was done by letting the liquor into
tube-made for the purpose-just yard
long. The whistle Of the approaching
train aroused us, and in few minutes
we were on our way again toward the
new Capital of the State. We follow
the Platte river for some distance until
we come to Salt Greek, when we leave
the river and strike up the Greek in q
southwestern direction. After we get
away from the river the country is very
level and timber scarce. As we approach
Lincoln, the prairie looks beautiful.
Houses can be seen at q distance of eight
or ten miles. Scarcely a tree is visible
i'm some: directions. Here and there
house and sometimes "a few
fences can be. seen, with herds of cattle
browsing on the open prairie between.
The land is rich and fertile. Ashland is
a fine, enterprising town, about half
way between PlattsmOuth and Lincoln.
Approaching Lincoln, the Asylum can
be seen several miles to the left. This
is fine building, but not SO fine as the
one burned down . year or two ago.
The first and prominent building in the
town that attracts the eye from this side
is the State University. This is splen-
did edifice, of dark lead color. The
State buildings are good. The town Is
situated on rising piece of ground
slOping in all directions. When we
take into consideration the fact, that
four, years age there. was not the least
sign of house near where the town now
is, and that the population is now near
| ly four thousand, with large amount
OF business done, we are completely
surprised. Land around Lincoln, some
distance out, can be bought for ten to
twenty-five dollars an acre. The coun-
try is settling up very rapidly. The B.
& NJ. road is finished some eighty miles
beyond Lincoln, but the regular trains
are only running as far as Crete some
twenty-five miles beyond the Capital.
At half past p. NJ. on Thursday We
left Lincoln for home, where we arrived
Saturday night, having stopped over
four hours in Chicago and half day in
Orrville. We would like to say one
word in relation to the Burlington q
Missouri route. The accommodations
on this route are first-class. The cars
are comfortable, and the conductors and
| employees are attentive and obliging !;
much more so than on many roads. The
company owns large tracts of land In
Iowa and Nebraska, alternate sections
along their route, which they are selling
on very reasonable terms. They will
give man ten years time to pay 1t in
with six per cent. interest, first pay
ment to be made in two years after
purchase. These lands are mostly all
good farming land. In fact, great
part of them are as good as any in the
west. Several incidents occurred du-
ring our trip which might be of inter-
est to our readers, but We have, perhaps,
already wearied your patience. Suffice
it to, say, We, returned very much de-
lighted with our trip, and are only sor-
ry that we had not longer time to spend.