The Grenada sentinel., 1899-08-05

Wesb W DenVeF, anu Is the oNIy ShdIiOH
on the main line of the Union Pacific
In the state OF Colorado.
For the first fifteen or twenty miles
out of Omaha the railroad climbs
through bluffs and hills to long
stretch of remarkably level prairie.
Up the grade the speed OF the very
long train was probably about twenty
five miles an hour, but aftor the level
prairie was reached the ponderous
engine pulling the train whirled it
along at fifty miles an hour with ape
parent ease.
The Platte valley from the top OF the
bluffs to Kearney, is one Of the richest
farming regions OF the Great West.
Vast fields of corn, wheat oats, clover
and other crops line the railroad on
either side as far as the eye can reach.
Capacious farm buildings and other
evidences OF thrift and prosperity are
n noticeable feature of all that region.
Great herds of cattle, some OF them
thousands in number, are seen every
few miles. Grass and crops Of all kinds
look exceedingly we'll, and it is ap-
parent that the east half OF Nebraska
has been favored with plenty of rain
this season. Eastern Nebraska is Il
great sugar beet region, and there is a
big beet sugar factory and refinery at
Grand Island, a city Of 10000 popula-
tion, 152 miles west Of Omaha.
The soil westward from Kearney is
lighter than it is eastward. and it is
absolutely poor toward the west end of
the state, though there are rich areas
varying in size from few acres to
miles in extent. The principal in
dustry west of Kearney, clear through
to the Rocky Mountains, is stock rais-
ing, and each town and station has its
stock yards and loading chutes. While
the country appears very level, it grad
ually rises as we 60 westward.
North Platte, town Of about 1000
people, 294 miles from Council Bluffs,
is quite ~ live stock market and ship
ping point. 1t also enjoys the distirc-
tion OF being the home of Hon. VIM. F.
Cody, better known as "Bulralo Bill,
the Snowman. His home, adjacent tC
the city on the west is stately stone
mansion, with large horse and carriage
barns and other outbuildings, ali nestl.
ing in grove covering three or four
acres. Col. Cody has a wife and two
daughters, one married. The un-
married daughter and her mother oc-
cupy the home and Col. Cody spends
the winter season with them. About
mile further along is Col. Cody's
ranch embracing 700Oacres of excellent
grazing land. 1t is equipped with good
buildings and the ranch hcme grounds
are embellished with trees and shrub
berry. At the entrance to the drive
way to the house is an arched gateway
upon which the name "Wm. F. Cody
appears in large letters.
As already remarked, there is a
gradual rise as we 60 westward. The
Union Pacific railway track in Council
Bluffs is $50 feet above sea level; in
Omaha, 1881 feet; Grand Island, 1860
feet; Kearney, 214G feet; North Platte,
279G. From North Platte westward
the ascent is much moro abrupt, and
two engines pulled the train from there
1913 miles to Sidney, the elevation at
Sidney being 1890 feet above sea level
| But for the time being we will part
from you here in the Nebraska prairies
and revert to the welcome extended the
editors to the Pacific coast before leav'
ing Chicago by Col. Pat Donan, known
all over the union as one of the most
brilliant and virile newspaper writers
Of the day, and who year previou:
met the editors at Denver and invited
them to the coast. The Colonel is now
located at Portland and his siren song
has allured many to those golder
, shores. He said in part:
To the Members OF the National Editoria
Association: Greeting'
France-land OF Robespierre ani
Napoleon. of Danton, Lafayette, Zola
, Dreyfus, Ferd, Peck and Sallie Bern
J hardt-awards her Legion of Honor
crossbones and surcingle for any ant
every conspicuous public service Of
disservice-battle, book, picture, play
. statue or skirt-dance. I think I earn
: ed several gcod-sized punches of rose
and smartweed, wild onions, laurels
larkspurs and lady slippers, when a
; Denver, last September, l persuaded
. YOU to hold your great congress thi
I year in Portland, Oregon. certainl!
did an incalculable service to the ma
jestic region I had the honor of repre-
senting before you, In inducing you t
? traverse, and In the world wide herald
, ing OF its advantages and possibilities
that will inevitably follow. And, l an
satisfied, you will find, before you
Q Journey Is ended, that I did you indi
1 viduallv and collectively no disservice
v,nom{aod yO, ynunv thinus nm,