The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1891-05-07
TRIP TO OREGON.
The Arid Wastes Of Nobraska. with
Nothing Bat Dosolaslon 70
Greet the Eye.
Beautiful Mountain Scenery, Where
His Satanic Nj ajesty Seems 70
Have PossessiOn.
Natures Odorous Perfumes, Givlns
Life, Health, Sweetness
and Beauty.

A-AAC9 AAOAsSAsS SWoSS0SOO
and Beauty.
EUGENE, Oregon, May ], 1891.
EDITOR ADvANCE:-In attempting
to give description Of trip to the
Pacific coast, recognize the fact that
the ground has been gone over by
mucl, ADLER pens than mine, therefore
l shall merely give facts as l found
them, or as they appeared to me, in the
language of a plain farmer, with no
attempt at originality, and much less
at imitation.
The next morning after leaving
Worthington found US at North Platte,
Neb., and here was our first disap-
pointment. On viewing the great
North Platte river, that figures so
largely in the history Of Nebraska, we
found it stream, muddy, shallow and
full of sand bars, with only water
enough in it to make respectable
sized brook. owing probably to contin-
ued dry weather. From here to the
mountains was one vast stretch Ofsun-
broken prairie, beautiful to behold but
apparently worthless when viewed
from the standpoint of a farmer. A
stack of hay or straw, or a man pl0W-
ing, to break the monotony of the eter.
nal plains would have been great re-
lief, but as nothing of the kind ap-
peared was occasionally forced to
turn my eyes towards the inside Of the
Car to find something OH which to rest
them.
This scene was intensified in every
respect when we crossed over into Col
orada. Language is entirely made
quate to describe the magnificently un-
dulating prairie that meet the view of
the traveller across the corner of the
state named. traversed By the main
line Of the u. T., but like the rest,
worthless except for grazing, and SEEM
ing|y not very good for that.
The winter just passed, like its pre-
lecessor, was very severe over the
plains and thousands of cattle perished.
In the towns along the railroad from
25 to IS per cent Of the buildings were
empty, the people had y objected and
discouraged look, and would gladly
leave, but like man stranded on a
desclate and barren island in mid
ocean, they have no way Of getting
out, us it is several hundred miles
either way to anything better. One
man stated that lie started in the win
ter with l,50O head of cattle, and
spring found him with IS head of very
poor and almost worthless cattle, the
rest having perished during the win
ter. Some day this country may be
the garden OF the world, but it must
IF II necessity be ages and ages hence,
unless the millions IF capital that is
being boarded in the east by individ-
uals and syndcates be placed here to
bring this vast country to what it un-
'I"ubtedly would be with plenty OF
water. which could be obtained by ir-
rigation. Here is 4 chance for those
who have grown enormously rich by
robbery and oppression of their fellow
man, to partly make amends for their
c ines. But will they do it? Yes,
when they are sure of several hundred
per cent profit on the investment. But
| forego the temptation to dwell Ion
ger on this lest l occupy too much of
your valuable space.
Crossing over into Wyoming the
monotony was soon broken by the
abruptness of the change in the face of
the country, first hills and then cliffs
appearing to the view with Il sudden
ness that made it appear as il they
jumped out of the ground. An hour
was spent at the lively, busy, energetic
ely of Cheyenne. giving US a chance
to speculate on the probability Of be-
ing riddled with bullets. but we were
assured that the majority were peace
full if the minority were not of the
most angelic.
Onward and upward We sped until
Laramie was reached. Here another
hour was spent and we boldly sailed
forth, in defiance of any imagined dan.
ger from stray knives or bullets, EN-.
boldened by the clear pure atmosphere
and our nearness to the clouds. The
energy, enterprise and push of Chey-
enne was distanced bv this city of
1000 inhabitants and as many feet
above sea level. We counted over IS
business plants aside from ordinary
stores, shops, etc. Here is more life
and energy to the square inch than in
any other place in the U. 8.
Still onward and upward we went un.
til Summit, the highest point reached
on the Rockies by the railroad. The
day was fair and the air very clear and
distance was nothing. for nothing
could be seen outside Of the little sta
tion but desolation drear and dismal,
but grand withal. The air was keen
and good tester of weak lungs. Just
across the track lowered the monu-
ment of Oaks Ames, of Credit Mobi-
lier notOriety, put, not "where II
would do the most good,' but where II
would do the least harm.
During the next several hours ride
after leaving the Summit, nothing
much is to be seen but sage brush and
alkali, with an occasional mining town
until after entering Utah. when We