The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1880-01-15
NEBRASKA LETTER.

NEBRASKA LETTER.
LINCOLN, NEB., Jan. 4, 1880.
ED. PRESS: I will now endeavor to
give the readers of the PRESS brief
letter upon Nebraska and Lincoln its
Capital. Nebraska was acquired by
! the United States in 1903 by what will
be remembered as the Louisiana pur-
chase, organized as a territory in 1854,
and was admitted to the Union as a
State in 1857, when Lincoln was select
ed as the Capital, and Omaha was
shorn of her legislative honors. Bound
ed on the north by the promising Ter
ritory of Dakota, on the east by the
important States of Iowa and Missouri,
with the Missouri River as divide, on
the south by the smiling an3 prosper
GUS State of Kansas, and on the west
haustless mineral and pastoral wealth,
Colorado, and the great Territory of
Wyoming-ac cOnstellatiOnOfStates and
Territories which for wide range of
productions is, perhaps, not surpassed,
if equaled, by any other section on the
globe. Nebraska, glorious Nebraska!
the center of this great group the bright,
particular gem, of this most royal as
semblage of provinces, is fast begin
ming to enjoy the glOries of her millen-
ium and to have her claims to high
distinction as a favored spot recognized
in every quarter of the world. Her
population is gradually increasing and
is decidedly cosmopolitan, made up,
however, of an industrious, intelligent,
enterprising, God-fearing people. Her
boundless acres of productive land,
rich in alluviel and vegetable depos-
its, require only the magic touch of
cultivation that the bountious results
of labor may be revealed.
Lincoln, the County seat of Lancas-
ter county, and the Capital of the
State. Ex-Governor Butler, Thos. T.
Kennard and John Gillespie appoint
ed Commissionersin in 1867 by the Leg
islature, selected the cite for the city,
which is noted for it's beauty and is re-
garded as an agricultural prodigy of
growth. Just dozen years have
elapsed since its original survey was
made, and where nothing but undulat-
ing plains, destitute of everything in
the shape of vegetation save the wav-
ing rustling grasses to be seen at this
time, where the soil has been allowed
to remain unmolested presented mo-
notinous sight to the beholder, there
can be seen city a 49, 900 people, with
broad streets running at right angles,
and numberless handsome houses shad-
ed by foliage of thousands Of trees.
Her growth has been rapid and her
future is full of bright promise, encour-
aged by a strong confidence which per-
meates the whole community. Backed
by a soil of exhaustless fertility and
almost illimitable in extent as well as
being the ENTREPOT Of trade for wide
range of territory. and possessing
population endowed with indomitable
energy, pluck and enterprise. Her inn
portance as a commercial center must
overleap the bounds even of the most
sanguine expectancy. With fine lines
of railways diverging into the very
heart of the agricultural districts in
every direction, and more building,
they must become tributary to her
commercial interests and as the oppor-
tunities for the support of a much
u ,11H t. u Iii
the circle of her constituency, are glor-
iously offered there is no reason for
doubling that her manifold possibil-
tiles will be realized. The business
houses OH the principal thoroughfares
of traffic are of good architectural de-
sign and are very generally we'll stock
ed. Every branch of trade is repre-
sented here and no complaints are
made of not enough business. There
are no crokers in this fair and lovely
city. The people are attentive to busi-
ness, are social and hospitable and
treat strangers with remarkable civili-
ty. Among the chief attractions of
the city are the State House, the Uni
versity and Postoffice. The former is
of the Roman italian style of archi-
lecture, measuring 12O feet high from
the ground to the pinnacle of the
tower. It is 100 feet wide by It's feet
long, and the estimated cost is nearly
half a million dollars, though when
completed the amount may exceed
that sum. The grounds that enclose it
are pretty and it will be most beauti-
full place when little more time has
been given to its ornamentation. The
University is beautiful blick four
stories high and occupying very con-
spicuous position. The endowment of
236. 900 acres of land is the source of it's
support. Its cost was nearly $500, 900.
The Postoffice building is the hand
soonest of the kind we have ever seen.
1t stands in the central business por-
ton of the city and commands an ex-
cellent view of the country for miles
around. It is constructed of native
limestone of cream color, is four stories
high and cost $175, 900. The Peniten-
tiary, Insane Asylum. Opera House,
and High School buildings are all
marvels of architectural skill. The
Asylum and High School buildings
cost respectively 100000 and $55.OO0.
The city is well supplied with illumi-
mating gas, and newspapers both daily
and weekly, which are ably conducted
and whose typographical appearance
shows the result of enlarged exper-
ience. Her ordinances are good. For
instance: On the liquor traffic, not
every person who has just money
o,,onrL to huu q uollou IF uuhiokv opd