The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1874-09-26
LETTER FROM NEBRASKA.

TOME CITY, Nebraska, Sept. 2, 1874.
DEAR WuIG:-I am truly in earnest
when I say that your valuable paper is an
exceedingly welcome visitor. How eagerly
each one Of us scan its columns; first, the
locals; next the general news, and literary
departments, and winding up with adver-
tisements. We are far away from "My
Maryland - and it's dear old shores, its
granite hills and pleasant villages. The
faces of dear old friends and our many
acquaintance, we sadly miss and mourn
their absence but here in this far off land
we have cast our lot; not willingly, but
mainly to improve our financial condition;
and the prospects are that success will in
due time crown our efforts.
By the above you will perceive that we
have christened our embryo city. What
think you of the name? We think it short
and like it well; besides, we conclude that
the financier of Cecil, who helped himself
to honor and affluence, is deserving of it,
and we sincerely hope he will appreciate
our offering. We have a splendid place
for town. The prairie is broad and level
and the scenery truly grand; besides, the
lands all around here are of the very best in
the State, and we'll settled for many miles
around. Stores and mechanics would do
well. We shall soon apply for post office,
and a church we must have. We are six
miles from Genoa and entitled to them.
1 would like to tell you something about
Genoa. In the first place, as l formerly
told you, the "Pawnees " are located here.
The village contains the Indian college, the
agents dwelling and headquarters, and
about a dozen houses besides. But here
nature has almost surpassed herself in the
preparation of one of the most beautiful
and appropriate places for large city in
any part of the great West. Here the
great Loup Valley suddenly widens and
extends far back into the bluff then rising
to the heighth of about thirty feet and
magnificent table is presented. Still fur
ther back and another gradual rise takes
place, overlooking not only the broad and
fertile valleys Of the Loup and Platte
rivers, but a fine view of both rivers is here
many miles around Of as fine an agricul-
tural country, naturally, as is to be found
anywhere. From what l can learn think
that the capital of this rising young State
will certainly be located at this point, as
Lincoln is deemed too far from the centre,
and some time since removal was decided
on. l almost forgot to mention the water
supply of this promising place, which is
abundant, as Beaver creek, large and
rapid stream of the purest of water, comes
tumbling along through the centre of this
locality on its way from the timbered
country of the north, to mingle with the
waters of the Loup. Now don't be sur
prised to hear from the city of Genoa in
two or three years hence, as having popu-
lation of ten thousand. This is character
istc of the West you know.
While l speak of city sites and fertile
lands | must not neglect to inform you that
we have fearfully felt and experienced full
share of the great grasshopper plague of
1874. The damage done in this part of the
State is fearful. l am confident that there
will not be one thousand bushels of corn
raised in Platte county this season. Pota-
toes, beans and nearly every green thing
are destroyed. The wheat crop was hurt
to some extent, but it was mostly harvested
before they came. | never saw such clouds
of insects, locusts, or whatever name they
may go by, in all my days before. They
darkened the sun and made noise as they
flew, almost equal to tornado. Will they
come again? that's the question. Some
think not, while others are fearful of re-
suits, and almost daily you may see one or
more emigrant teams heading for the East,
while others are coming in and going West.
For our own part we intend to stay and
see it out. If the hoppers stay away sue
cess is about as sure here as any place on
earth; and, if they come again, what then?
Why, we'll buy few sheep and get COW
or two, as the foundation of the future
herd, and work it out on that line. Some
may ask, is there anything that we can
raise, suppose the hoppers do come back?
This is question or subject that I have
examined into carefully, and am prepared
to say that broom corn, sugar cane (sor-