Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1875-06-04
Western Correspondence.

After leaving Ottumwa we jour
neyed westward, stopping at the
pleasant little cities of Charlton and
Osceola; but found in them nothing
Of interest, and after short visit to
each, we took the evening passenger
tor Creston. This is city Of $500
inhabitants, and much resembles In.
dependence in the enterprise OF its
business men. 1t is situated in
very fine farming country, and enjoys
a large and prosperous trade. We
visited the Gazette Office, and passed
pleasant half-hour with the editor
and the '.boys." Creston will, at no
distant day, take rank among the
live and enterprising inland cities, for
which Iowa is SO justly noted. After
pleasant day spent in Creston we
again $50 west" making Red Oak
Junction our next stopping place.
OF this place we do not care to speak;
but as we are duty bound SO to do, we
shall say as little rs possible. Red
Oak occupies the position which
might be occupied by thrifty wes-
tern town, were it not for the niggar-
dly disposition of those that should
be, its prominent business men. In
stead of this, it has a superhuous
number of cid, rickcty, tumble
down buildings, some of which are
used rs business houses. OF its hotels
we will not speak, only to say that
they surpass in filth and "slim" accom-
modations, any station on the Chica-
90 Burlington & Quincy road. Leav-
ing this wrctched western hole, we
enjoyed a pleasant ride Of four hours,
reaching Hamburg in time to partake
of an excellent dinner with "mne
host" Hunter, of the Metropolitan
House. Hamburg is situated within
4 half-mile Of the Missouri line, and
twelve miles from the Missouri river.
| 1t is city of 5000 Inhabitants, and
is populated almost exclusively by
! New York people. On three sides of
the place rise high bluffs, thus shell
tcring it from the wind and storms of
winter. We made a brief call at the
office of the Democrat, but found the
'boys" terribly crowded with work,
and the editor sick. Should any of
your readers ever visit Hamburg, let
them not fail to stop at the Metro
politan. Upon leaving this pleasant
little city, we made direct tracks for
Nebraska City, which place we
reached after a pleasant ride through
heavy timbered country, where the
trees were fast taking their suits of
green. Arriving at East Nebraska
City, we at once boarded the ferry,
with the hope that We We're to be
landed across the river in the course
of few moments, but the hope was
vain indeed, as we took journey
upon the muddy Missouri, seemingly
long enough to be accomplish trip
to San Francisco, albeit we were
kept for three weary hours tossing
upon the current of the river, as the
boat could not effect landing,
owing to the rise in the river. After
reaching the point of search, we were
again doomed to enjoy (?) the hos
pitality ot-a poor house-the Gin
cinnati Hotel. At this point we met
"Bcrnic" Gaylord and 4. A. Alexan-
der, of your city, and in their COM
pany visited the last, sad, resting
place of Geo. Platncr, formerly of
Independence, who died and was
buried here in the autumn Of II. A
plain white slab Of marble marks the
spot where lies the body of honest
George. After a day Of sightseeing
we would not select Nebraska CITY
as u place in which to rear family
or as Il pleasant place in which to re-
reside. 1t is built upon slightly
elevated table land, on the west bank
OF the river, contains population of
5000, largely German; has several
very neat church buildings, a Bah
cock fire engine, y good school build
ing, and a score Of empty blocks
The farmers through this section have
eufinret1 farrih1v from tha ravaUoa of