Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1875-10-06
EDITORIAL EXCURSION.
A TripiThrough Nebraska.
[ Concluded from gesterdou.l

a AEApiAnTOuSn NeDfNSKO.
concluded from yesterday.l
WE GO WEST ON THE UNION PACIFIC
Howard Kennedy, Esq, of the Land
Department of the Union Pacific Rail-
road Company, announced on the train
before reaching Omaha last night, that
the Union Pacific had promised them.
selves the pleasure of introducing the
gentlemen of the Press 10 the beauti-
full country and magical DEVELOPMENTS
OF North Platte, to which end train
would DC at the service of the party at
Z o'clock the following morning, and
that they would feel sadly disappoint-
cd and sighted If every one connected
with this large and intelligent repre-
sentation of the PROSE-, including the
ladies, did not favor them in the way
suggested. We wanted TO sec some
6uiialoes, elk, prairie dogs, and In.
dams. There was some apprehension
OF danger but Mr.. Kennedy promised
his protection, and Junkin agreed TO
take his gun, so that wo decided to
rick our lives and go.
Seven O'Clock in the morning found
US aboard, somewhat diminished in
numbers, but full Of anticipation of a
day of enjoyment Hero we wero on
this great thoroughfare, which con-
meets the two great oceans. this iron
band which binds all the nations, this
snblime monument of the genius,
perseverance and energy of the 10Th
century and tho American people. this
realization of the poets dream of put
ting girdle around the world in a
minute, the StAtesman's prediction that
"the voice Of reclamation and graft.
tnde, starting on the shores Of the At
lantic. should be transmitted through
the millions of the sons of the Pilgrims,
until 1t looscs itself in tho murmurs of
tho Pacific Seas" and the Historians
prophecy about hearing tho tread of
coming millions. Yes, this track 30
smooth. this road.bed so solid, wonld
axe us right on 1900 miles over
mountains, and across valleys to the
Golden Gate.
The country we entered ia fine
specimen Of Nebraska scenery, rich,
high, rolling prairie. in good state OF
cultivation. The absence of fences is
noted hero as everywhere in Nebraska,
tho Hcrding Law dispensing with
them, and diminishing very greatly
the cost of making farms. The sorvi-
ces of boy aportion of the year Is as
good as miles Of fence.
The objective point of the expedi-
ton was Grand Island, l54 miles west
of Omaha. We passed. many thriving
villages and towns, and abundant time
was given to view them. Forty-six
miles brought US to the Platte River,
which was in view all the rest of the
way. What a singular stream !
Stretching ont between it's banks al
most to the width Of Lake, SO shall
low and 80 treacherous with its islands
! of sand. The general face OF the coun-
try is level, with bluffs in the distance
on the north. and on the south side of
the Platte. There is little timber ex.
cept along the streams, but artificial
groves are In sight everywhere. The
State exempts 100 acres from taxation
for every five acres of timber planted.
We passed SUCCESSFULLY and stopped
short time at Fremont, county seat
of Dodge county, 46 miles from Oma.
ha, population 5000; Schuyler,
county seat of Colfax county, rs miles
out, has GOO inhabitants, Columbus.
| county seat of Platte county, is SO
miles out, numbers 1900; Lone Tree.
county seat of Merrick county, is 1872
miles. and claims 500 people, until 3
O'Clock, p. m, brought us to Grand
leland, capitol of Hall county, distant
west 154 miles. A flourishing young
city Of l, 200, evidently public spirited,
and prosperous inhabitants with u,
S. Land Office, Land Office of the T..
z. Company, q bank, stores, shops, a
brewery, &c. Tho site il level, no
sidewalks necessary, the natural sur
face being dry, and hard at all times. :
The air is pure and bracing. There is
q, 9, q eSe Us q s y 1884,
of the Union Pacific, we noticed, is an
enclosed plat adjoining, with fonn-
tain and full of flowers.
The principal stations of the U. r.
are all eating houses. They are owned
by the company who furnish fuel and
lights. The only rent they charge is
. reduced price for for boarding the
employees Of the company. The result
is good fire, bright lights, and luxu-
rious living. The company regaled us
| with dinner here so excellent that
VIC conld not withhold the exclama-
ton of Sancho Pansa, "God bless the
man who invented eating" 1t was
abundant, well cooked, and admirably
served. We were told that this was o
fair sample of the the eating houses
on the whole line.
We were called upon here to bid a
sad adieu to several OF the party,
whose genial manners and agreeable
conversation had endcared them to us,
Alas! whcro shall we three meet
again! 1t was decidedly unfortunate,
as it broke up our choir, and deprived
US of the protection of Junkin's shot
gun. But there was no help for it,
Sich ia life! We meet moment, learn
to love, then the remorseless current
parts us and bears us further away for
ever. The fact is orr friends had
heard about the 5000, 600 acres of land
owned by the U. p, in this great
Platte Valley, a portion of which We
had seen, which is now offered at 81 so
to $1,000 per acre, on ton years time at
6per cent interest, no interest only at
the end of the frat year, a portion OF
the principle and one years. interest
at the end of each subsequent year,
with deduction of 10 per cent at
same price, for cash, and townships of
homestead lands, absolutely free, al
ternating.
o! FOR A FARM IN NEBRASKA!
Who would not have home in this
Garden of Eden, where it can DO had
for nothing or on such terms as that it
will pay for itself. just think OF q
State 430 miles East and West, POS
North and South, $1,000 square miles.
All between the 40th and 43rd paral-
lels of North latitude, the parallel of
health, population and productions al
luvial with a slight impregnatien of
lime; deep and inexhsustible; no stones
or timber to clear off never too wet or
too dry; well watered; good market
on the two great international lines of
railway magnificent school fund Of
two sections in every township. We
repeat who would not have farm in
Nebraska? We opine our friends
who switched off at Grand Island