The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1874-06-27
LETTER FROM NEBRASKA.

NEAR GENOA, Neb., June 9th, 1874.
Sixteen hundred miles a little north of
the west of Elkton, and commanding fair
view of portion of Loup Valley, as we'll
as glimpse of the stream itself, which is
about four miles distance, stands the unpre-
tending 14x16 domicil of your former cor
respondent from one of the Cecil county
villages. We are only about three miles
from the "Pawnee Reservation " where
about $500 of the tribe are sheltered and
cared for by "Uncle Samuel" having for
their agent gentleman of the Quaker fra
ternity by the name of Burgess, who ap-
pears to be man fitted for the positi ON.
These Pawnees are very civil and appear
very friendly to the white man. About
100 of them passed over our place few
days ago, all mounted on splendid ponies
and dressed in full Indian style. They
presented splendid appearance on the
prairie, at least to Johnny and myself, but
to the madam their appearance was any
thing else than agreeable. Two of the
party rode briskly up to our door and
saluted us thusly: How'll, howh do white
man. How'll squaw, howh;" asking for
some bread and hog meat, and after getting
some he then entered into conversation and
asked for telescope to view the country to
westward. Net having such an article he
then talked Sioux, white man, oxen, tim
Der, &C., which meant the Sioux about
year ago, stole pair of oxen from settler
who lived over towards the Beaver" in
Boon county. Bidding us kind adieu our
Indian neighbors went off singing, and
soon Joined their comrades, who we're all
bound on genuine Indian visit some hun
bred miles to the north; l believe to the
tribe which is presided over by Mr.. May,
formerly of Elkton.
Perhaps some of your readers want to
know something about Nebraska, its adap-
tation to habitation, &C., SC. Well, most
of you Eastern folks have read all about it
in the papers, in the biographies and in
reports, &C.; but to fully learn it you must
experience Western life to fully appreciate
it, or come to correct conclusions. l am
we'll satisfied that there is not healthier
climate in the world than this, and in re-
gard to the richness and depth of the soil
it can't be beat If anything it is too rich,
as the older or more it is tanned by the
crops the better it produces. A number of
my neighbors have raised seventy-five to
eighty bushels of corn to the acre, and
twenty five to thirty-five bushels of wheat,
oats fifty to seventy-tive bushels and weigh
ing on an average forty-two pounds to the
bushel. dug nearly six feet down for my
cellar and found the subsoil at that depth
so well mixed with Stacked lime that it
would make good mortar for building pur-
poses. The land is easily broken. A pair
of good horses will break from one and
ahalf to two acres per day. There is moth
ing in the way of the plow; neither root,
stump or stone, which makes breaking no
labor on the plowman, only little pass
time. The country is settling up very
rapidly and the present year will about see
all the Government land taken anywhere
near civilization. About week ago
Frenchman came in from Vermont, having
driven all the way. He says he left last
Spring a year ago and come $500 miles,
though his figures are decidedly wrong,
| suppose that his manner of conveyance
would certainly magnify the distance
There are still some good Government
claims to be had near us, but any one hav-
ing AN idea of locating in Platte county,
had better do so soon.
l like the country, so does Johnny, but
his mother says, only middling." Within
two miles of us there are about twelve to
fifteen houses; mostly good frames. This
Fall the school house will be built about
one mile or less from our door; so you see
if we are in the West we are not aoithoW
neighbors and school, within reasonable
distance. We have some rattle snakes,
some bull snakes and the smaller variety.
AS to game, we have deer, jack rabbit,
cecil rabbit, quail plenty, wild geese and
some wild duck, and plenty Of prairie
chicken. In the way of fur-bearing Great
ures, We have the beaver, otter, red and
gray fox, badger, raccoon, &c.
One great drawback here is the scarcity
of timber. Along the streams there is still
considerable yet standing, but out on the
table lands scarce bush is to be seen, as
they are annually all burnt over, and this
keeps the timber down. Coal has been
found in small quantities in this locality,
and it is the opinion Of the knowing ones
that ere long the "true vein will be struck,
and then, oh my, wont we roast our shins,
and boil our eaters"
l must draw to close, but don't see how
l can without giving you my own'experi-
ence in Nebraska farming. Having secured
ahalf section of this goodly territory, the
next thing after building, was to find some
a., -, Of taoy, for hrna Iii
purposes. Casting about come across
very large pair of Texas cattle, and at once
hooked on to 'em and they also to me, in a
measure. Next pillow. Well, twenty-five
dollars got me one, and ere long, oxen, pillow
and your humble servant were on the
unbroken prairie together. The shares of
these plows are and must be kept as sharp
as they can be made, to cut all things clear
and lay the sod completely under, SO as to
rot. In my first experience with the thing
l cut about an inch square off my right
foot; next, one finger; next, two; and next
and lastly, cash in one hand about an
inch long and some depth. Getting kind
a. use to the cutting business merely
applied some of the black soil to the wound
and drove along. In regard to the oxen,
Buck is all right and pliable, but Berry
bears watching, according to the usual
manner. lie, you huo", suouiu VAIN III
the furrow; this he would not do without
too much variation; doing my best l could
not keep the rascal from reaching to the
land and biting at the tempting grass, SO
made up my mind to muzzle the "kritter."
Getting some small grape vines l made
something in the shape of basket and
introduced it to the snout of his " oxship."
All then you ought to have seen that OK,
and heard him snort. He beat me on that
trick, but by repeated trials finally got the
thing fixed on; then, and now what do You
think that steer does? Why, he just gos6
more to the right than he ever did to the
left. Who wen, and please tell me what
am to do with that OK. BAY VIEW.
! Put him on the near side.-ED.]
PRESERVATION OF THE TEETH.-Bow-