The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1882-09-02
LETTER FROM NEBRASKA.
A NGOnOngnlfa Bows Descrlp.
ton of that State..The Crops.
Land &c.


A NIononxalia Bov's Descrip-
ton of that State..The Crops.
Land &c.
NORFOLK, NEBRASKA, August IL
AS this is comparatively new coun-
try may be a few words would not be
uninteresting to your many readers.
Norfolk is situated in the northeast
ern part of Nebraska about go miles
west Of the Missouri river, and near
the same distance from the southern
boundary of Dakota at the confluence
of two rivers Elk Horn and
Northfork, from which already radi-
ate five lines of railroad like spokes
from the hub. 1t cannot fail to be
seen by glancing at recent map Of
the State. There are no richer val
leys anywhere in the State than these
two, and with its splendid railroad
connections makes its advantages for
business unsurpassed by any other
town in the State. The crops that
are already harvested are very heavy
such as rye, barley, wheat and oats,
and corn is estimated to average 60
bushels to the acre. Have lived in
the great corn growing State Of the
Union--Illinois-and never saw a
finer prospect for heavy crop of
corn anywhere than can be seen
around here.
Fish in great quantities abound in
the rivers, and game of numerous
varieties on the prairies making it a
great place for the sportsman. From
the lst of January till the 10Th of
August the laws prohibit killing
certain birds, such as prairie chick
ems, quails, &C., and after that date
they are slain in merciless quantities.
The morning of the 18th, before day
light, teams could be heard taking
wagon loads of men, boys guns and
dogs out to sec who could bag the
most chickens. To hunt prairie
chickens successfully,three things are
essential good "setter" dog, a good
Double barrclcd breech loading shot
gun, and experience, as they arc al
ways taken son the wing" The
most exciting time has not arrived
yet: that of hunting the deer, elk and
jack rabbit.
The first of settlers of Norfolk and
surrounding country were a good
class of Germans from Wisconsin,
and up to the building of the S. c. d
p. and O. N. d b. ii. railroads in 1879
and 1880. Norfolk was but a mere
hamlet, but since that time it has
grown rapidly till now it has about
$500 inhabitants, and at its present
growth will soon number 1000. OF
this number the larger part arcAmer-
leans, the remainder Germans; all
wide-awake industrious and enter
pfising citizens, some quite wealthy,
and all well to do.
All branches of business seem well
represented-even to horse-stealing.
The sheriff of an adjoining county
passed through here few days ago
with rather an intelligent (?) looking
youth, who wore his shackles with
good grace, and seemed to enjoy the
situation as much as possible, and on
being Intercepted what was the mat
ter said: SCOT considerably in debt,
and in order to get out l thought l
would take few of my neighbours
horses to help along some" Well ii
will help him along-to the Estate
HOTEL where he belongs. Have four
saloons, each paying $500, which goes
to the school fund of the town. AL
ready two mercantile firms do con-
siderable wholesaling in addition TO
their large retail business. Have
three private banks, one of which will
be National bank soon.
Our latitude is the AID parallel,
making us surely very fine climate.
The hottest day of the season was this
week-mercury standing at SO de-
grees Fab. in the shade. It gener-
ally averages between IS and 80 de-
grces. The nights are very pleas
ant-no complaining of being too
warm to sleep.
1t is hardly necessary to say any
thing about the soil, for l have al
ready spoken about the excellent
crops, and any one knows to produce
such crops the soil must be Of the
best quality.
At present railroad lands from 5
to 10 miles from Norfolk, can be pur-
chased at So to S. per acre, on long
time, at 6 per cent. interest. Improved