Omaha daily bee., 1889-04-25
KIPPINC The COUNTRY GER.
The Board of Trade Excursion
Takes in Chadron.'
VIEWING sEAuTeous LANDSCAPE
pmaha's Travellers Received Every
where With Open Arms-The
Coaches and Horses Un-
loaded For a Spin.
On the Road.

1rHE BEE. "A ride of an hour after sunrise
pm the 23d INST. brought the party 70 long
Pine When the excursionists first looked
from the coach windows they were passing
through country as uninviting as could
well be imagined II was relieved at inter-
vals Of miles only by the sod house or more
wretched dug-out of some dauntless settler.
The soil was neither white nor black.
II seemed TO be undergoing the change
which, as is well known, has changed GER
tain parts of Nebraska from desert into
garden. How human being could muster
up courage TO settle upon the vast expanse
pnd await such n change; how railroad
company could decide upon building Its line
through such country, were questions
which agitatcd the minds OF many OF the
party. And yet, the travellers had not trav-
ersed one-sixth of the country they had re-
solved to visit.
AT times. however, the road ran through
regions of rich loan, which were rapidly
being put under cultivation. These invar-
tably evoked hearty appreciation from the
party.
In this manner, passing alternately
through barren and productive stretches,
the train rushed into a section in which dark
green pines seemed to spring from the earth
like magic, and in a few minutes the party
dsembarked at Long Pine.
All of them had not reached the platform
before Major John Burke, general manager
w
and announced that he was on his way, with
d hundred Indians, for Cody's show in Paris.
He desired to know if the board wanted to
see them, and was informed that 1t would be
most pleased to do so.
Another train, east bound, stood on
an adjoining track. Two cars of this
train were filed with warriors
squaws and pappooses. The warriors
Jed past the Omaha men on the platform
They were hdeously painted in red, green
and yellow, and their hair was braided
parted, coiled. interviewer with gaudy col
ored ribbons and ornamcnted with feathers
of various kinds. They were covered with
dark blue blankets with wampum adornment
of many designs, moccasins trimmed in the
Bame manner, the work of the seml-savage
kyearers themselves. They were cheered by
the board as they marched past and 1t
Seemed as II the stern-vsaged braves appre
Giated the reception. AS they returned up
Ebe platform, one word from Major Burke
brought out a peculiar shrill though not un-
pleasant cry from the Indians, which was
construed as a recognition of the greeting
accorded them by the travellers The braves
were then led back to their car. The reason
the ladies OF the party did not appear was
ther toes mad tbonSs
home of them, to Judge from
the highly colored and mottled compilations
they had given themselves had almost ap-
preached the desired condition of irresisti-
bility.
Major Burke was delighted with the op-
portunity he had of introducing his charges
to the board of trade and remarked that he
Thought 1t was very happy coincidence
"You are going into the Black Hills" he
said TO the party, land the Indians are leav-
Ing It, They have succumbed to the civiliza-
tion of the new world and are now going to
the old to prove what you and other white
people have done for them" 1t was Ger
tainly happy feature to notice the control
bne white man could and did have over so
many wild men, who, but few years ago,
wers on the warpath with athirst for pale
face blood: Among the Majors party were
Neck and Medicine Horse. sThe ma
Iors train started and the board re-
paired to breakfast, meal in
Showers, which, 80 far as it went, would
have done credit to DelmonicoS.
A committee of Long Piuers, consisting Of
Messrs. Glover, Dawson, Paul, O'Bricn,
Meade, Malloy, Burger, Hess, Winter and
McMonigle, received the party, and car
riages were provided which took them to the
mile from the town, but they can not be
seen because they lie in a canon, the bottom
of which is not less than two hundred and
fifty feet beneath the surface of the sur
rounding country.
Many of the members of the board had not
been greatly in favor of visiting tine place,
and did so with great reluctance. When
they had got to the place they declared they
WOulu uOL nave lllSScu IL lOT u lOTbuilG.
There was certainly reason for their change
of sentiment, because the grounds are the
most picturesque and naturally imposing to be
seen In the state, They comprise section of
canon nearly six miles in length and consist
of about one hundred acres. They must
have been formed IL one of natures most
capricious moments. The visitor is fairly
upon them before he realizes that there is
the slightest break in the surface of the prai-
rie. Then he discovers on the opposite side
of the gorge beetling cliffs OF chalk like clay
which fairly glisten in the sun. At intervals
these are broken and steep and sinuous in
clines lead up TO the country beyond. Gil
gantic pines and trees OF walnut ironwood,
ash, elm, hickory and cedar abound. All
save the pines are now comparatively free of
foliage, though in season are said to afford
most grateful shade and lend impart to the
scene a beauty almost indescribable.
We drive down one of the approaches
which has been made in q most primitive
fashion, and turning sharply at when the bot
tom of the raviHe is reached, the party at n
glance comprehend new beauties in the
Bcene. A little stream, clear as crystal and
musical as the whisper OF innocent child
hood, meanders through the gorge. 1t flows
with an energy which shows an impellng
power of some magnitude because its ripples
tinger only for moment and then are lost
further down the course. Our guide tells us
the stream Is one which never rises, never
falls and never freezes in the winter He
Explains these facts by the statement that
80 'Nu W ot'Sob'"' phO ouppiy VI
which is constant. This supply comes from
the heart of the:chnlk-li like cliffs around. No
matter how dry or how wet the
season no dimunition or increase in
the flow takes place. AS a
consequence, the base Of the cliffs is marked
by water line, which it has doubtless been
followed for years. One of these springs
was found at the base of rugged hill, from
which 1t gushed in llmpid stream which
threw the party INTO rapture. There was no
cup with which TO drink the water, yet the
desire TO imbibe was too great to be set aside
Accordingly Dr. McKenna struck primitive
attitude on all fours above tho stream aud
luaffed the water as flowed beneath HIM
His example was emula.Sd by nearly every
member Of tsS party.
fine stream is damned In several places
and supplies motive power for three grisl
mills owned by three millers named Glover
Mygott and Kaynor, respectively. That oi
Mygotps Is situated nearly a mile from ths
stream and the power is supplied by cabl,
operated by wheel In the glen.
The possibilities Of this canon as pleas
ure resort, OF Chautauqua grounds, for which
latter 1t is now used, are really wonderful
II has been utilized but two years, ant
scarcely anything has been done To mellow
Its rugged beauty A few steps have beer
put In place, a compile OF plank walks hav'
been 8 retched across the stream, and tn,
simplest Of plain wood seats have, In a fov
elacea, been erected between conveniep
trees. A few rough buildings have beer
erected for meeting and headquarters pur
A.ss sl..at L.. all NhA u.IA Aasa