Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1871-08-10
From the West.
SALT LAKE CITY,
I,i,, .J- lot

MIR. R:-itenem berlng a
promise made before leaving home, |
to write you brief sketch of our
journey westward, l will begin at
Omaha, the first point seen after
leaving our loved and treasured Iowa.
Omaha City contains about $4,000
inhabitants, and is delightfully."- and
picturesquely situated on the banks
of the Missouri river. The ground
upon which it is built slopes gradu-
ally toward the east, and offers the
most lovely and shaded streets for
the many handsome residences which
give the city its rightful reputation
for beauty and elegance.
BY eleven o'clock the next morn
ing after our arrival at Omaha we
were whirling along over the Union
Pacific Railway, in one of its conve-
nient and elegant palace coaches.
Station after station was passed with
out Offering particular interest to the
traveller, until we reached the valley
Of the widely known and well re-
membered Platte river. Broad
plains are the principal feature Of
this valley, skirted in places with
abrupt hills which rise to elevations
high enough to be termed "bluffs.n
The river which bears the name Of
this valley is one of the most singular
occurrences on the Pacific Railway.
In many places the stream looks
broad and deep; but am told it rarely
ever measures more than eight or
ten inches in depth, and is entirely
treaCherous to strangers unacquainted
with its interminable quicksands.
For miles along this river the old
wagon road il distinctly seen, bear
ing the impress of weary oxen as
they toiled along with the heavy
burdens of the western-bound emf
grant.
Faaunntly a little enclosure is
seen by the roadside, with IL rude
piece OF board to mark the spot where
some cherished one was laid while
sad hearts toilcd on, entrusting the
spirit of that departed idol TO Him
who gave it.
At Sidney, one of the Platte valley
stations, we found a Company of In
fantry, under command of Brevct
Mai. Chas. O. Wood, and stopping
for dinner regaled ourselves on many
varieties Of fish and flesh Of the plains
and rivers.
| | must not omit "Prairie Dog
City," Il place Of much amusement
| and interest to travellers. For miles
on either side of the Railway these
singular little animals have thrown
UP small elevations Of sand, upon
which they sit, watching with evil
dent delight the salutations Of pas
sengers as they are hurled along.
The prairie dog is Of a sandy brown
color, about the size Of Il large grey
squirrel. Itlives on grasses and roots;
and from its sleek, plump appearance,
one would Judge their diet agreeable.
It is not uncommon to find snake,
II toad, and an owl, all living with
him in perfect harmony.
will omit all descriptions from
this point to Cheyenne, which is the
largest city between Omaha and
ogden. Cheyenne is one Of the reg
ular eating stations where it is said
"passengers are provided with meals
for consideration. At one time
this city contained a population Of
6 900: but as the Road extended
westward, the transient portion fol-
lowed, leaving the permanent and
better part to erect substantial build
ings and carry on a continually in
creasing trade.
Between Cheyenne and Laramie
we saw hundreds of elk and deer re-
turning from morning foray over
the valleys, where they had been TO
drink of the plentiful waters before
returning to their mountain homes.
Laramie City Is handsomely laid
out, at right angles with the Rail-
road. Its present buildings are not
large, but structures Of stone are
being erected, which will certainly
change its low and flat appearance.
| learned from Baptist Minister
stationed at Laramie, that it already
boasts Of several good schools, and
one daily newspaper. There are two
Churches, occupied alternately by
Methodist, Baptist, Episcopal and
Presbyterian Denominations. My
female friends will remember it was
here the first American female jury
was empanpeIed, while husbands st