Omaha daily bee., 1909-11-14
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IgQas

9DAAaNA bNhNAbAAOA must ANhAh
- o. from their school books or
IslfEf9I histories. Here and there are
49, survivors of that historic migra-
ton, actors in the stirring drama Of half a
century ago, from whose lips our children
may learn Of the mode of life Of the pioneer
settlers of lie Nebraska prairie. We shake
our heads resretfully and say I'VE shall
not see its like again" The day of the
pioneer Is over, for no longer is there
any frontier. The last west is gone" Yet.
though few are aware of it. there are,
scattered throughout the remote districts
Of the western part of Nebraska, scores of
settlers whose homes and home-life are
unchanged from the era Of the pioneer.
1ere' far from the beaten trail, time has
0cod still. Here we may step back into an
era that we thought existed only in books
and see perfectly reproduced, the daily
life of the early pioneer.
Thayer county has been very successful
In subduing the wilderness. Many years
ago the free rural mail box and the tele-
phone pole drove back the frontier all
along the line.
Thayer county is in the southernmost tier
OF counties in Nebraska. It is the fifth
west of the Missouri river. from which
IL II distant 100 miles, and is the ninth
county east OF the Colorado line, from
which II is distant 225 miles. 1t is sixty
miles southwest Of Lincoln, the capital Of
the state, and 100 miles in the same direc-
tion from Omaha, the metropolis Of Ne
braska.
The surface Of Thayer county is what is
generally termed a high rolling prairie.
There are no hills in the general ac-
ceptation OF the term, but there are oc-
ca~sionally prominent bluffs to be seen
along Little Blue river. While there are
many tracts of plain land, there are none
so fiat IS to lack natural drainage, or so
level as to be monotonous to the eye.
There IL no sameness to the surface, but
an ever-changing and agreeable variety.
The streams run through valleys from a
quarter Of a mile to two miles or more in
width. and are bordered generally by trees.
1t slopes to the east.
To gain a clear conception of the ty-
biography Of the county, one must cross
the valleys and divides nearly at right
angles. The observer will by this means
discover that the most rolling lands gen
orally border the valleys or bottoms. As
he advances, the rolling and sometimes
broken character OF the surface disappears
when the divide is reached which sep
arates II from the next drainage stream.
Here the land swells out into a gently
undulating plain, presenting an appear
anoe of great natural beauty. and possess
ing characteristics only met on the west
ern side of the Missouri river. The flat,
tiresome monotony Of the prairies Of cen
trail and southern Illinois is entirely lack
ing while in Its stead is the appearance
OF the graceful contours Of an oceans UNI
dylating swells suddenly solidified-its
Caves transformed into fruitful soil and
dressed In rich verdure.
No questions relative to a new country
are OF more Importance thar those relat-
ing to It's climate. Upon the climate Of a
dhOpntry very largely depend not only the
natural productions, but comfort and
= healthfulness of the Inhabitants. The tenn
perature Of the winter months. December,
January and February, is somewhat
higher than that Of central Illinois and
Ohio, 1t is by no means an
sight to see farmers blowing during the
winter months. There are, however.
Rtorms OF considerable severity, but the
dryness Of the atmosphere renders them
more endurable than storms of a less de-
gree OF cold further east. The mean tenn
p%erature OF Thayer county during the year
is about 56.
In the fall there is no lovelier country
TO live I'm than Thayer county. Although
the sun shines brightly in the summer,
with frequently oppressive heat, yet this
is tempered with a gentle breeze, which
is constantly blowing. The nights are cool
and refreshing and sleep is afforded, and
thus nature is recuperated. with its
splendid climate, the purest water and ex-
cellent crops, this county is attracting the
attention OF parties locating in the west.
Many causes combine to make the at
mosphere exceptionally clear and pure.
Among these causes may be mentioned
the mean elevation OF Thayer county, 1850
feet above the sea, its fine siicious soil
and perfect natural drainage, its constant
breezes, and its freedom from swamps,
boys and sloughs, Fogs are rare, and ex-
eept In autumn. even haze does not occur.
The rainfall is increasing from year 70
year and corresponding changes in the
Etreams and vegetation are taking place.
ne buffalo grass that once covered the
country has now almost entirely disap-
peared before grasses indigenous to molsger
climates, The growth OF native timber has
largely increased. The mean volume OF
water is also Increasing. It is thought
that the planting OF trees and the inereaI-
ing absorptive power OF the soil, resulting
from cultivation, are the principal causes
OF the Increased rainfall But Il Is also
probably true that the great rain belt Is
moving westward from the Atlantic coast
in obedience to some great periodic law.
No place Is absolutely free hom disease,
but this part OF the state is singularly ex-
emDt from It's seveEer forms, Nearly every
one who comes into this county from the
cast feels a general quickenins and elastic
ity OF spirits. Digestion and appetite ex-
peHenee a wonderful Improvement, and
y the mind and body respond 20 nvelier i'm
\ pulses.
All the cereal grains common to this iati-
tude produced IN Thayer county. Corn
Il. however, the principal crop. and ordi-