The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-03-28

ourselves in the long, large depot building
where we again change cars. and get our
baggage re checked, for no road in The
United States checks beyond Omaha, as
here all baggage is weighed and for all over
100 pounds for each passenger fifteen cents
per pound is charged. Not knowing this,
overland passengers are apt to purchase eX-
ira heavy trunks in order to secure them
from smashing; ore Of my friends did this
and between pity for her and amusemenC
at the delighted countenance of the bag
gage man, who fairly blossomed into cor
dial good-nature under the stimulus Of an
ticpation, know not whether to sigh or
smile. With whirl he sent her trunk
upon the scales. He was right; it PANIED
out well, a regular bonanza, for it brought
down the beam at 1877 pounds. How he
rubbed his hands with delight, while my
friend Slowly extracted the thirteen extra
dollars from her not over full pocket book !!
I could have choked him with good grace,
but concluded not to for my own baggage
had the gauntlet to run yet, and according
to the best of my knowledge and belief it
was not light, but previous experience had
taught me not to use iron-strapped trunks
and Notwithstanding the good promise my
trunk bore on its face, for once the young
man was deceived for it brought into their
crowded Golfers not so much as dime
This time it was I, not the young man,
who smiled. Now for look at Omaha, for
the train will not move out for one hour
and forty minutes.
Here is a city Of $4,000, very largely an
outgrowth from the trans-continental rail
road. 1t occupies the plateau which cx-
tends from the bank OF the river to the bluffs
beyond, and is as substantial in appearance
as any city of its size. Its first house was
erected in 1854, and its present name select
ed, after tribe OF Indians near by. Years
before the railroad was built emigrant trains
were fitted Gut at this point, and from here
set out upon their long, drear, dangerous
journey which often ended in death. An
old story is told that emigrants sometimes
painted upon their wagons the words: "To
Pixies Peak or Bust" How many ''busted"
before they reached the Detachable Hills, is
more than mortal can tell.
Omaha has made rapid advancement ever
since the completion of the overland road
was an assured fact, and owes very much OF
its prosperity to that enterprise, for the ma
chine and repair shops which are located
here, together with store-houses, round
house, foundry, ETC., furnish employment
for quite an army of men, all of whom, with
their families, must be housed, fed, and
clothed, thus helping the business of the
town. am told the railroad company pay
to employees, in Omaha alone, upwards of
one million dollars annually. The smelling
works for refining siver ore, employ about
| Us men, and do an annual business Of So
| 100000; there are several manufacturing
establishments with their full quota OF en-
ployees. Whether there is room for more,
| is question I cannot answer. There are
three daily, six weekly, and one monthly
papers, four banks, some twenty churches,
dry goods and grocery stores enough to make
one think if competition will do any thing,
goods ought to be cheap, and bar-rooms
enough to make Grunkar1s Of the entire city.
A dozen breweries brew domestic broiIs,
and one large dstillery, which paid to the
government for four months of the year 1877,
1892, 4S4. 40 tax on product, ought to be able
to drown out the happiness in every home
in Omaha.
The government barracks are built to ac-
commodate a full regiment, but are now
simply occupied to store supplies for tue
Platte Valley and the northern country
The Government has erected handsome
stone edifice for post office, courthouse etc.
at cost of $3.50, 900, which is either prac-
tical manifestation of the governments faith
in Omaha's future, or of the successful
scheming of Nebraska's politicians.
In the way of her school buildings, Oma
ha may we'll be proud, for they are remark
ably fine ones, and were built at an expense
of over 100000. 1t is to be hoped Their
was not so much money put into building
as to make it necessary to practice disas
trous economy in selecting teachers. In ad
dition to the numerous public schools, ther
are to two colleges, a convent. and severa
private schools.
The Grand Central is the only first-clas
hotel this is well furnished and well KEEP
rates, $3.50 per day, each fire one dolla
additional. There are numerous othe
houses where men can get along with tn
accom- modations, but always contend tina
a lady, travelling alone, can better afford t
make her last years hat do service again
than to patronize secondrate hotels.
By noon our train is made up, and with
long drawn out shreak from the locomotive
) we start on our road which stretches out S
, many miles before us. Travel is lighte
, than usual, so half-dozen of US have on
, palace car all to ourselves /; two other palac
second class passenger cars have more ha
: their usual number. Hard times are ma
; ing people think twice before they pay tn
! additional fourteen dollars and extra porter
| ACCS ALL oAOCPiLS S1iS' LII ciiS III -SAssoo Se
} I found my pretty bride and her husband
, and learned that their future home lay
| southwestern Nebraska. Maybe it will be
e tiny cottage with par!or, bedroom an
kitchen, all in one, and perhaps it will
e only ''dugout''-a hole in a hill. such
+ an aristocratic Virginia beauty lived in fl
S eight months. 1t won't matter much whie
}, it is if love keeps fire burning in the heart
t and both pull together to make home.
Il Our course the first afternoon is direct
e up the Platte Valley. through very fir
n portion of Nebraska; in fact, know of l
J, place in any of the western states whi'
attracts me more. 1t extends 400 mile
n and is said to be agriculturally rich. 1t ms
!, require irrigation in a dry season to pr
g duce its full measure of crops. though,
l. far, [ think that has been unnecessar
It The Platte river is broad, often reaching
!, arms out three-fourths of a mile, but exec
It in rainy seasons, it is very shallow, with
/ shifting qucksand for its bed. Timber
it very scarce, but farmers are planting 0