Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-12-08
West Point.


West Point the oldest town IN the Elk
horn valley, is situated in the center Of the
best agricultural region in the state OF Ne
braska Cunning county produces every
thing common-to the best farming sections
OF the west and In great abundance. Corn,
as matter of course, is the principal
product and the soil appears to produce
this cereal each succeeding year with un-
diminished fertility. Years ago an effort
was made to convert West Point into q
manufacturing center; the magnificent
water power furnished by the Elkhorn
river at this point was deemed to be sum
oient to insure the future Of the town in
this direction and high hopes were in
dulged in by the citizens, the prophecy
being freely made that West Point would
become the Lowell of the west. But, alas,
these dreams vanished away, and today
the immense force of the water power OF
the river is running to waste a flour mill,
cement block factory and a brick yard
being all that the city can show in the
way OF manufactures.
In spite, however of this non-use or the
natural advantages Of the place, there does
not exist in the state more prosperous
community than this. The surrounding
country is in a high state OF cultivation,
farmers are possessed Of large and commo-
dious houses and barns, their farms are
well stocked with blooded stock; they UNI
derstand and practice modern methods of
farming and their children attend. the
colleges and university Of the state. The
city proper is filled with the privileges
which make life worth living in Nebraska.
Magnificent school buildings, churches,
some Of them ranking among the best in
h.. aIu Itch
class body of clergymen of all denomina-
lions; enterprising, up-to-date merchants,
with large stocks excellent newspapers
and a law-abidng, thrifty population
A large amount Of available capital lies
idle here. The deposits in the three banks
of the city aggregate more than S5Oo,0OO.
Much OF this wealth could be made TO
circulate in the community II the oppor-
tunity was offered for investment In safe
enterprises conducted under tho eyes Of
the people. aat
A canning factory could be established
here with every prospect Of success. All
the raw material necessary for a plant
Of this kind could be raised successfully
here, its cultivation opening up field Of
labor which would be welcomed by a
large floating population, dependent upon
daily work for q living. A shoe factory
would find this an ideal location. Land can
be purchased for factory purposes for a
song. living is cheap, hundreds Of families
OF working people could be accommodated
in the city and the community generally
would welcome most heartily any move to
install a manufacturing plant Of any kind
In the town. Assistance in many ways
can be counted upon, prospective builders
Of factories will receive every encourage
ment possible, both in the initial work of
installing manufacturing plants and in
their maintenance and future success,
A plant for the manufacture OF denatured
alcohol would be profitable from the start.
Material in the greatest abundance is here
ready to be delivered at the door OF the
plant at first cost, quite an important fac
tor in the success of any manufacturing
problem. Factories, in short, OF any ma
ture that could utilize the raw products
of this section would stand every chance
OF permanent success. West Point stands
ready to welcome any proposition that
may be made looking to this end, and her
people will do their utmost to encourage
and foster any new industry which may
establish itself here.