Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-05-10

Correspondence Of THE EVENING STAR
NORTH PLATTE, NEB., May 3, 1884.
This is thriving little town Of about two
thousand inhabitants on the Union Pacific R.
R., 291 miles west of Omaha, and 2, zoo feet
above the sea level. The air is dry and pure
Spring Is backward here, the trees are only
budded and the prairie wears its brown winter
coat, except where the fire has passed, leaving
the range black. There was slight fall of snow
yesterday. The towns growing rapidly; 1t has
several good hotels, two banks, and two news
papers. The United States land office, located
here Is now closed owing to the death of the
late receiver of public moneys, Mr. John Taffs,
who was for many years a member Of Congress.
AS consequence this district is losing q
large portion of its regular spring influx of emil
grants who come to settle on the government
land Mr.. Samuel GooZie chief clerk of the
land office, informed THE STAR correspondent
however. that between Jan. LIST, "a, and March
14th, there were 45S entries made Of government
lands aggregating GS All 6S acres The rainfall Of
Western Nebraska Is reported to be increasing,
and the fact that the country is settling so fast
would seem to indicate that the people believe
that farming will be, as stock raising is now, an
assured success.
THE BOTTOM LANDS OF THE NORTH PLATTE
river are SO impregnated with alkali that in dry
seasons vegetation suffers greatly. Very fine
vegetables are said to be grown when the
ground is properly mulched, but the hills and
valleys are covered withicattle. 1t is not usual
to protect or feed stock in winter, and as con-
sequence the spring finds them very poor, and
many die, in fact, one stumbles upon dead
horses cows and sheep constantly during his
peregrnatiOns about the country. To one ac-
customed to seeing timber the country appears
very desolate, but the fine air which is exceed
ingly inyigorating. the rich land and business
prospects, go far toward reconcling him to Hv-
ing here. Trees can be raised, but they must be
carefully tended and mulched. Prices of mer-
chandise are high. Lumber is worth from $50
per thousand upwards and coal from S7.25 for
soft to SIG per ton for hard coal. The U. P. r.
r. own coal mines, and furnish the towns on its
line with fuel, and fix its own rates. They trans
port no coal except their own, and conse-
quently, there is no competition. This is the
road which received such heavy land grants from
the government. This company, however, fur
nish employment to about five hundred men In
their boiler and locomotive departments In
North Platte. They own the largest and best
hotel, and dispose Of more land probably than
the government does within the twenty miles
limit of the railroad. / am told they do not
select their lands until purchasers are found,
and thus escape taxation, their lands being tax
able only after they are patented to them by the
United States.
Game is quite abundant, especially geese.
plentiful In the hills back from the river. II
would be glorious place to come for q camp
ing and shooting excursion In September. Some
of the farmers have made little ponds by dam
ming the streams, and have attempted the rails
ing Of carp with good success
INDEPENDENT PEOPLE AND HEAVILY TAXED
LIQUOR.
The people are somewhat reserved. Their
conversation il brief, and they rarely salute o
stranger they may meet on the road This
seems odd to one accustomed toVirginia and
Maryland One pays for what he gets, and
every one wears an Independent air. The ranch
men affect leather breeches. and occasionally
revolvers and drks. Pheir little ponies are en-
numbered with enormous saddles. Some Of the
ladies are good riders, and seem to enjoy gal
Top amazingly. There is plenty of liquor to be
had, but the saloons are taxed very heavily, the
proceeds Of the license going to the credit Of the
school fund. People viii drink, and 1t Is some
consolation to know that their extravaganza In
this respect helps the cause Of education.
North Platte has its celebrity, the famous Buff
falo Bill. who owns a fine residence not far from
town. and whose example, when about the viii
lage, is said to be far from productive OF good
to small boys who indulge in hero worship.
H. B. A