The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1877-07-06
Letter from the Vest.
Council BLUFFS. Iowa. June %

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa, June 25, 1877.
EDITOR FnEEaAN-Almost three years have
the Alleghenics and landed in the prosperous
state OF Iowa; but as have recently taken
hundred miles to NV western experience." he.
ing now a dwelier in the extreme western por-
ton OF the state: and as Council Blufs is a place
concluded TO indite you short epste of u de-
First, then. Council Bluffs is. as yon are aware
from personal observation, having been here
on flying visit on one occosion. the western
terminus OF all the eastern railroads, as well as
the eastern end, as the Supreme Court has final
ly decided after pondering over the subject for
four y ears, OF the great Z Mon Pacific railway.
You see the city OF Omaha. just across the Mis-
souri, river. contended and insisted that the
road terminated within its limits, all of which
would If successful, have been ''some''-in fact
"a big thing".for the city aforesaid; but as
ties, the result was long legal contest which
finally eliminated In victory for "our side,'
and ae a consequence the L. =. Co. about TO
erect magnificent depot at this point, which,
when flushed, will be rhe finest structure of
the kind vest of Chicago.
Council Bluffs takes its name from the fact
that it is in close pro1 unity to the bluffs which
IN years agone were the scche of great coun-
ell participated In by the tnen noble red mem
of this vast region. The town is within mile
of the Missouri river, over which and plainly
visible from this place is the big bridge of the
U. =. X. r., most marvellous piece of work
manship. 1t is about mile in length and cost
some s3.OUo,Oe0. The iron piers upon which IL
rests are sunk into the sanGy bottom sixty feet
tower upward from low water mark a distance
of sixty feet more. The approach to the bridge
Onthis side is about steep as the grade around
Horse Shoe Bend" on .he Pa, X. r.. and the
iabored putting required of an engine in draw,
celebrity with which it brings one down.
Council Bluffs is city OF over $1,000 irhabit-
ants anc Notwithstanding the present great de-
preston i'll business, is exceedingly prosperous
and progressive. 1t contains several fine build
tngs. among which may be mentioned the Og-
den House, new hotel recently finished, con-
tanning 125 ROBINS or thereabouts and elegantly
furnished and supplied With all the modern i'm
rf.N Nrat
and extensive of its kind in the great north
west. ana the Public High School building,
which is located on the most elcva ted spot in
town. The reasons for placing an institution
gives the scholars good exercise I'm reaching 1t,
and secondly, il is thereby enabled 10 turn ont
its graduates with q higher .and more erdlted
know ledge of what they have really learned 10y
climbing the educational ladder"
BY ascending one of these hills a magnificent
view of the country for miles around, well
in Iowa as Nebraska is obtained. The fertile
/ fields OF the granger and the busy workshops
| pear before the vsion-a vast and beautiful
panorama of natures handiwOrk coupled with
| the fruits of industry and civilization.
This portion of Iowa is one OF the most pro-
| dnetiVe in the State, the crops here never havA
| idg at any time been failure. Little fear Is
| entertained in regard to the grashopperS, as
| the late Spring cold snaps Laid them out" by
| then iilonS, and every means of determination
| is now being employed 10 eXterminate them,
! the latest and simplest methed being the
| smearing of a plank with tar and drawing it
over the fields. Emo woe betide the festive hop
! per- that go far forgets himself as to hop on
| comes forciby convinced of the fact that it is
a nice thing to tie to, and consequence
makes up his mind TO ride ''it out that l:ne if
| il Ia kes all summer" Yours, G. S. c.