Year: 1878

BLOOMINGTON, NEB., Dec. IL, 1878.


DEAR CoLoNEL:-Ani indisposition,
no doubt resulting from a sudden
change of climate, as well as the trans.
fer from a feather bed to sshake
down tn dug OUT must plead my
excuse for not remembering the PRESS
with more regularity.


l have recently made trip from
Kearney Junction to Bloomington,
the County seat of Franklin. distant
from Kearney fifty miles. will say
that l have no ak to grind, and in my
description of this country shall ad-
here to the truth SO far as my feeble
judgment will permit.


After leaving Kearney short dis
tance in the rear, you arrive at the
Platte river, which is spanned by
wooden bridge, nearly one
mile in length. 1t was built atthe ex-
pence of the County when in its in
fancy, but its enterprising inhabitants
bore the burden without murmur,
knowing that it was bread cast upon
the water. Such has already proved
to be the case. The number of teams
laden with grain, is almost incredible.
After crossing the river ride of about
two miles brings us to the first point
of interest on the route, viz: Johnny's
Rancho. Johnny is noble specimen
of the teutonic race, fact known by
every man, woman and child that has
ever travelled the route since the or
gsnization of the County his Ranch
is crowded nightly With freighters and
it is not the fault of the host if his
guests depart with either vacuum in
their stomachs or frOwn on their
countenance, as he is, under all circum-
stances, overfiowing with original
good humor, and must say, you re-
quire all your good nature the next
eight or nine miles of your journey,
for you soon strike the sand hills,x
and for few miles the sun never
shone upon a more desolate strip of
this mundane sphere. You at once
become disgusted with Nebraska, and
denounce land agents with all the ad-
jectives known to a moral vocabulary
but Nebraska is large State and has
plenty of room for the husbandman
outside of her sand hills. But we
soon emerge from this scene of DESC
lation onto vast rolling prairie, and
in contemplation of its extent and
grandeur, natures poverty in our rear
is soon forgotten. Ranches are to be
seen here and there scattered over this
vast panorama. Wheat and corn fields
greet the eye on every hand, and now
and then herd of cattle grazing in
contentment, their glossy coats telling
plainly that even in the month of De.
cember, Nebraska grass at least, is not
fraud but for thirty-five miles not 8
tree or shrub greets the eye, except
those planted by the hand of man, but
many timber claims have been set out
in the past two years, and have grown
with wonderful rapidity, and it re-
qaires but small stretch of the imag-
ination to see in a few years hence a
nice grove of timber near the home OF
every enterprising inhabitant. A herd
law must supply the place of fences for
many years to come. At present they
have no use for them, and very much
doubt whether one rancheman in
twenty would accept of one as a pres
ent; if he did it would be with view
of converting it into fuel, the scarcity
of which is the greatest objection
have yet found to the country. But
while these thoughts are running
through my mind we arrive at Jayne't
| the secoud rancho of entertainment OF
our route. Here refreshments can bt
obtained for man and beast, of better
quality, and for less money than the
same can be obtained at country hotels
in the East. Every available space il
crowded nightly by freighters. Two
| ladies cater to the wants Of the hungry
crowd, and never have l seen the re
fining influence of woman more fully
demonstrated than in converting these
rough frontiersmen, who have gaine6
more notoriety by their generous deeds
than for their refinement in using theil
mother tongue. There is but littl.
change in the scenery for the mex
twenty five miles of our journey. Al
we Jog along over this grand prairie


nv mind travels back to Ohio, aud thu


vast army of hungry homeless wan


derers that. are begging from door t.


door. What to do with this danger


Gus element of society, has busted th'


brains of many statesmen, and causee


many of their constituents to lie dowl


upon uneasy. pillows while contem


plating the insecurity of door lock


and the probability of tramps reachin.


for their money bags. My mind ha


solved this vast problem, and 1 will


make the Government gift of tn
solution. On the vast prairie tina


stretches out before me is employmen


for more of this unfortunate class thar


have tramped through Ohio since Re
publican administration closed til


doors of the workshops against then


and started them on the road to starv


alton or crime. tOrganize them int


Colonies and place some good homes


Democrat at their head, and sen,


them out here to work. In few year


they will have comfortable homes,an'
money in their pockets, and politician


will have 10 seek some other them


less difficult of solution, while thei


constituents can again resume thei


slumbers, undisturbed by dreams o
lost money bags.


We are now on the Divide thirt,
| <,o,,, rnou nhich sovc tn fh