The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1877-02-10
LETTER FROM NEBRASKA.

LETTER FROM NEBRASKA.
TONE CITY, Neb., Jan. 25th, 1877.
Mr.. EDIToR:-We still survive, and after
many days Of absence, come again to the
front. demonstrating on the Western prai-
ries is not so favorable to letter writing
and news gathering as most other occupa-
/ tions: hence our delinquency. But to
business. SO far we have had a very severe
Winter, sometimes the mercury falling to
eighteen and more degrees below zero.
Still, as one becomes acclmated they can
stand it quite well. Nebraska is far differ
ent now than during the great locust raid
of 1874. Most all have recovered from the
disasters of that fearful season, and are
now in much better circumstances. Many
of the farmers have exchanged their dug
outs and sod houses for comfortable, and,
in some cases, imposing frame buildings.
while in our town and villages more
marked improvement appears, both in the
number and style of the buildings Those
engaged in public business appear we'll sat
istied with the present state OF their trade.
On the whole, | am confident that cur
young State will, at no distant day, rank
among the foremost of the agricultural
States. For stock raising Of ali kinds this
is certainly perfect paradise.
To give you some idea Of our resources
and the general prosperity, | will now give
a statement Of shipments from Columbus,
our county seat, 10y the Union Pacific rail
road during 1876: Wheat / 49, cars: rye
%; corn 1o6: oats %; barley 50; flax seed
II; flour 10; potatoes :; broom corn 8; live
stock "a; dressed hogs t; sundries IS.
Your readers may depend on this showing
as perfectly correct. In conversation with
the agent at the Union Pacific office some
time ago, he assured me that the shipment
of wheat alone from this place. the present
season, would aggregate one million bush
els. \ few years ago single car held the
whole amount of grain that could be spared
from home consumption.
From this, those persons who are looking
towards the great West, with an idea of,
emigrating, can draw their own differences
in regard to this particular locality. We
have Government as well organized, with
the laws as well executed, as many of the
older States. and our system of common
schools is acknowledged to be among the
best of any State in the Union. There is
still Government land open for settlement,
,y,I
can be bought quite low, and on accommo-
dating terms.
The foregoing is certainly good show
ing for so new a country, but, as there is
not a "bitter without a sweet" there are
also some bitter things to be seriously con
sidered before persons should jump at con
clusiCns in the matter of emigrating. In
the first place, the grasshopper is our great
enemy and, indeed, we might say the only
serious drawback. Ii is true timber is
scarce, but we can buy the best of coal for
$50 per ton, and in regard to water, we
have an abundance for all needful purposes.
In all our stock ranges. an ample supply is
always found. The rain fall here exceeds
that of many of the Eastern States, and,
strange but true, it never rains only during
the growing seasons of the year.
"Who should come West - and What
amount of capital is needed are questions
that should be wisely considered. In re
gard to the first, would say that the young,
with stout hearts and strong arms, are the
best fitted for the undertaking. Neverthe-
less | see many here advanced in life who
are doing well. The next question is
equally important. What can a man do
with a whole section of land, if he has not
means to buy team and necessary nipple
ments TO work it? Nothing. absolutely
nothing, He can't eat, neither wear it.
A man should at least have from $500 to
$500 left after paying all expenses incident
to their coming. and then, | would say, to
atient labor the pri re Of success is sure.
Perhaps some of your readers would like
to know the Columbus market report
Here it is: Wheat 81, barley Is cents, rye
80, corn 90 to %, oats 30 to "a butter II to
20, eggs - to 20, potatoes % to 80, onions
- to 81, coffee % to 30, sugar II to II, &c.
hope these few lines may be of interest
to some of your patrons: and, to my old
friends in Cecil would say, that should
be most happy to see them out here in this
PARKWAY land, where thousands and many
tens of thousands of acres of as good land
as the sun ever shone upon awaits the COM
ing of the needy and industrious to claim
it as their own, without money and with
out price. In conclusion | would merely
say, that it is a matter of surprise how
soon people of limited means become salts.
fed here; that is--well satisfied that they
can't get away. That was our experience,
at least, and now we are beginning to res-
| lie that it was the best thing for us.
BAY VIEW.