Omaha daily bee., 1889-06-09

to-day In the thousands OF thriving
towns that sparkle like jewels Of in dus-
try on hilltopsgiand valleys. While
southern Nebras,xagrew to aflluent pro-
portions and received the lavish atten-
tion OF railroads, tho northern section
was overlooked, and neglected, left to
its own resources, and forced to
struggle with primitive methods OF
marketing its surplus Of stock and
grain. 'tto g..
Such an inviting field as tn c central
portion of the north Platte presents
can not long remain unoccupied. The
few feeble branches sent out by the
Union Pacific are totally insufficient to
develop and handle the immense re-
sources Of the region. The Burlington
extension from Grand Island northwest
opened up vast section OF agricultural
and grazing land, but many of the in
termedlate counties are wholly without
railroad communication. The Elkhorn
Valley company has also failed to
branch out and control the territory
naturally tributary to its main line,
leaving the field open to rivals.
The indifference of these corporations
created a widespread feeling OF resent
ment among the settlers. Its breadth
and determination is shown in the will
lingness OF townships and counties to
aid in the construction of new roads, not
alone to furnish market facilities to the
isolated, but to give relief to the older
towns from discriminating rates and ex-
actions. Decentralization point to an
early revival of railroad building in
that section.
Tho Pacific Short Line from the Mis-
souri, river to Ogden will penetrate the
heart of this unoccupied territory aud
prove of incalculable value in de-
veloping the resources and in
creasing the prosperity of the
people. No conqueror ever re-
ceived heartier greeting than is be-
slowed upon the route agents Of this
company, and the eagerness of the peo
pie to substantially AID the construction
of the road evidences their determine
tion to secure a competitive outlet at
any cost. ne
The Yanktou, Norfolk & Southwest
ern company is already at work on the
route indicated by its name. The two
cities will be connected by rail before
the end of the year. The hackers OF
this company are not publicly known,
| but there is good grounds for the belief
that it is the Nebraska branch of the
Manitoba road, now heading southwest
to Y Yankton. If this should prove true, the
construction and operation of the road
will make u decidedly interesting time
for the managers. Of connecting lines.
| Smarting under discriminating aud
exhorbitant rates, the people of North
Platte and adjacent towns have organ
| ICED the Missouri River, North Platte
& Denver railroad company. Over
| three hundred Thousand dollars of stock
has been subscribed land sufficient cash
put up for the expenses OF a preliminary
survey. The proposed road will start
from Albion, Boone county, and run to
Denver by way of North Platte. How
the projectors hope to make such a road
a profitable investment is not apparent.
They cannot avoid paralleling the
Union Pacific for large portion Of
the route, and encounter the blight
ing opposition of the latter. However,
the managers are determined to place
their money in the enterprise. and pur
chase commercial freedom at any cost
The activity displayed by these new
corporations will force the Union Pa
cific and Elkhorn to build new branches
as measure OF self-protection. They
can not afford to remain Indifferent tc
the invasion Of the country, and will
undoubtedly give the new comers
lively reception when they are fairly
into their territory. The North Platte
country will profit largely by such com
petition. 1t insures vast increase il
population, greater development Of th'
country, enhanced values, and a com
plete system of railroads within tw'
years.