Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1872-10-08

stretching away for miles on the boundless
plains. But to-day all is silent as the dead,
grass is fast covering the beaten road, and
here and there an old uninhabited hotel, with
dllapldated root, tells how all is changed -
On the north bank of the historic Platte YOU
will see the cars of the o. p r r. thunder
ing along with lightning speed. full of passen>
gers, or loaded with freight; new towns spring.
ing up almost magically, dark green fields of
corn, with here and there white cottage
The reader will ask, is the Platte valley so
grand and beautiful as it has been pictured
Yes, even more SO than had reason to ex>
pect from all 1 had read. The descriptive
powers of man are simply inadequate to do
justice to this grand valley, stretching as it
does, distance of 600 miles through one un
broken plain. This grand, lovely valley must
be seen, it cannot be described, and its ma.
jestic beauty and boundless extent will leave
an indelible impression on the mind. have
been asked, is the Platte river broad and
majestic. IKE the Hudson or Delaware. Is it
navigate, and do steam boats glide over its
silvery bosom? No, the river is half to three
quarters of mile wide, with low banks. and
unnavgable for any thing but single. 1t. is
ten inches to ten feet in depth, with Quick.
sand bottom; there are bluffs along its
banks, nothing but few scattered trees mark
its winding course through the valley.
An amusing incident occurred while home.
ward bound Our car being hooked on to the
Colony train at North Platte, we proceeded
on our way rejoicing, having laid down to
sleep, | awoke about o'clock. and finding
the standing still, naturally INQUIRED
''What station is this 2" Mr. K answered
that it had not been named vet The coup.
linz had ha
ing us standing ON the track ready to be run
into.
Having ''done' Kansas, Colorado and Me-
braska, | will make few reflections on the
oft repeated interroeateries scan do better
in the West than in the East ?" s.What
State in your judgment is the best ?'' To the
farmer Of moderate means l would say go
West, you will find rich inexaustable lands at
low prices, you will find good schools, good
society, and plenty of work to do. But do
not expect too much, crops fail in the West
as well as in the East, trials and privations
exist there too, and sickness and death will
overtake you in Kansas or Nebraska. After
yon buy, or homestead your l6O acres, YOU
will have to break your ground, which will
yield you nothing the first year bur little
sod corn: it is not until the second year that
you can expect any wheat, corn or potatoes,
&C., and those going West to farm, must have
means to live the frst year and half In that
interval you will he employed in improving
your farm, building houses, stables, making
fences, &c. which takes time as we'll AS money
But TO the man of nerve and energy, with a
capital OF 81, 500, one hundred aud sixty
ceres of good land can be had, and enough
left 70 improve it and live. and in few years
you have comfortable home aud indenen-
dence. The mechanic can fad steady work
at from $500 to $500 per day. As to the
best locality, men "f the best judgment differ
l for my part prefer middle Kansas. it having
more advantages in good lands, good building
stone, good water, coal aud wood, with good
healthy climate, no severer than Virginia.
Yours, respectfully,
j S. UOLLINGER