Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1880-09-09

OvERroN, Neb., Aug. 23d, 1880.

M Editor thinking perhaps It may
be interesting to some of your readers will
give a slight sketch Of this State so far as |
have seen on our limited trip. Leaving
Omaha we rode up the Platte Valley 22l
miles to this town, and must say it was one
Of the finest rides l ever enjoyed. In 1876
took this same route and the intervening
four years have made a vast change in this
infant state. Nearly every acre of land in
this great valley has been taken up, and to-
day the long trains Of the Union Pacific X.
r., are busily running East and West laden
| with every description Of freight going to
all parts of the world. The herders are in
their saddles galloping over the prairie while
the farmers ride with their two horses and
heavy wagons ana carry their produce to
market Every few miles there is a r. r.
station and little town; a cattle yard or
| teorral) grain elevator, windmill for hoist
| ing water, eating saloon, telegraph office,
etc. Valuation here is determined by the
number Of cattle sheep, hogs. horses, ponies,
acres Of grain or number Of trees one has.
Very nearly all the trees here are cultivated,
set out in straight rows and some farms are
completely hemmed in by trees forming
square with house in the centre. fire
break generally plowed) surrounds the
whole to shield it from prairie fires. A per-
son from Maine gets greatly deceived in dis
tance here as two miles on the prairie looks
not over one. The language and phrases
are quite in contrast with those of Maine
aud it is somewhat amusing as well as study
to always take in their meaning. The eli
mate is very fine, but little fog, and at this
point We are over 1000 feet above the sea,
so the air is somewhat rare. Many come
here for their heal. h and find it very bene6-
cinl. The water is charged with alkali and TO
those not used TO it, il is not pleasant at
first. There is plenty OF it and it can be easily
got Simply an iron tube with a pump at
,ached driven through the sand on level with
the Platte River. which at this point, is about
nine feet and YOU have an abundance of water.
The forests of corn are almost incredible,
and one riding from Chicago through Iowa
and Nebraska tires Of il even though it is so
beautiful at first. Some farmers have in
smaller grain, and many Of them use it all
for their stock during the winter months,
and this brings Us To stock. They have
various laws regarding stock, just according
TO how thiclly settled county NAV be and
whatever will benefit the greater portion Of
the people; however the prcdominating way
is for some one person to herd for several
others with hi, own stock, drive them to
rivers or creeks for water and guard them
.~l-i. f-~I.-.- 'h., ,h-, Ion't ue, ir.., mis-
chief. receiving in payment therefor a ees-
tain sum for each head per week or month.
Stock is not sheltered much here during
winter although it is essential TO have a
good quantity of hay stacked in case of
heavy falls Of snow or poor feed. | say
stacked because there are very few barns
except small ones made Of sod, as lumber is
high.
The old Mormon and California trails are
yet quite visible and TO some il seems
dream that only few years ago it was
seasons journey to cross the continent
while now il takes but few DAYS. In some
places the cars can be seen for great dis
tince, though generally about six TO eight
miles; first will be seen the smoke then the
stack and so down until long train, some
times quarter of mile long. rolls into
view and gldes over the prairie out Of sight
The surface is vet badly cut up by buffalo
wallows where they dug for alkali and every
few rods YOU will be reminded of their great
numbers by their bones vet strewn over the
ponies are yet quite plenty, and can often be
seen in small herds grazing in the distance.
Geese, ducks, prairie chickens, snipe, cranes,
etc, abound in abundance. beautiful
sight is the wild grapes and plums which
are very abundant on the creeks and banks
of the river. The plums are about the size
of damsons some are red and some yellow
when ripe and are very nice cooked or raw,
and no one need go without sauce, for
person can pick several bushels in day,
and | shall go to some expense trying to
raise them in my garden in Franklin.
The eastern portion of the state is more
thickly settled and most improved, and land
much higher. Maine is well represented
here. Some raising sheep, some cattle,
some farming, etc. All over the State can
be found Maine men as well as from all 9TH
er parts of the United States. Watermel-
ons ,cucumbers, ,cabbages, tomatoes, squashes,
etc, grow to enormous size. All that is nee
essary to raise ANYTHING is to plow, drop in
the seed and the rich soil will bring it forth
with rain to wet the roots. Every farm ought
to have wind mill so in case of drouth to r-
rigate and always be sure of crop.
Yours Truly,
r. ]. SWAN.