junction of the North and South Forks, is
not far from three-fourths of a mile; its
average depth is séx inches. In the months
of September and October the river is at
its lowest stage.

The lands lying along this river are a
portion of the land granted to the Union
Pacific railroad, and the company are
offering liberal terms and great inducements
to settlers. Much of the land is as fine
agricultural and grazing land as can be
found in any section of the Northwest.
Should it be deemed necessary to irrigate
these plains, as some are inclined to think
is the case, there is plenty of fall in either
fork, or in the main river, for the purpose,
and during the months when irrigation is
required, there is plenty of water for that
purpose, coming from the melting snow on
the mountains. Ditches could be led from
either stream and over the plains at little
expense. Many, however, claim that in
ordinary seasons, irrigation is unnecessary.

From Omaha to the Platte River, the
course of the road is southerly, until it
nears the river, when it turns to the west,
forming, as it were, an immense elbow.
Thence along the valley, following the
river, it runs to Kearny, with a slight
southerly depression of its westerly course;
_ but from thence to the North Platte it re-

covers the lost ground, and at this point is
nearly due west from Fremont, the first
point where the road reaches the river.
That is as far as we will trace the course
of the road at present.

The first view of the Platte Valley is im-
pressive, and should the traveler chance to
behold it for the first time in the spring or
early summer, it is then very beautiful;
should he behold it for the first time, when
the heat of the summer’s sun has parched
the plains, it may not seem inviting; its
beauty may be gone, but its majestic grand-
eur still remains. The eye almost tires in
searching for the boundary of this vast ex-
panse, and longs to behold some rude moun-
tain peak in the distance, as proof that
the horizon is not the girdle that en-
circles this valley.

When one gazes on mountain peaks and
dismal gorges, on foaming cataracts and
mountain torrents, the mind is filled with
awe and wonder, perhaps fear of Him who
hath created these grand and sublime won-
ders. On the other hand, these lovely

plains and smiling vallevs—clothed in
verdure and decked with flowers—fill the
mind with love and veneration for their

   

AND PACIFIC COAST GUIDE.

   

43

Creator, leaving on the heart the impres-
sion of ajoy and beauty which shall last
forever.

Returning to Fremont—and the railroad
—we proceed seven miles to

Ames—formerly called Ketchum—
only a side track. Near this station, and at
other places along the road, the traveler
will notice fields fenced with cottonwood
hedge, which appears to thrive wonderful-
ly. Eight miles further we reach

North Bend—which is situated near
the river bank, and surrounded by a fine
agricultural country, where luxuriant
crops of corn a evidence of the fertility
of the soil. The place has materially im-

I
proved within the last few years and now
has some fine stores, two hotels, a grain

    
 
 
   
  

elevator, and about 75 dwellings and
places of business, and a population of
about 350. Young cottonwood groves have
been set out in many places—good fences
built, and altogether the town has a pro-
gressive appearance.
Leaving the station, for a few miles the
railroad track is laid nearer the river’s
bank than at any point between Fremont
and North Platte.
we arrive at
Rogers—a new station, and appar-
ently one of promise—7 4-10 miles further
is
Schuyler—the county seat of Colfax
county, containing about 800 inhabitants,
and rapidly improving. It has five
churches, two very good hotels, with court-
house, jail, school-houses, many stores, a
rain elevator, and several small manu-
factories. The bridge over the Platte
River, two miles south, centres at this
town a large amount of business from the
south side of the river.
From Schuyler it is 7 8-10 miles to
Richland—formerly called Cooper—
a small side-track station, from which it is
eight miles to
Columbus—the county seat of Platte
county—eight miles west of Richland. It
contains about 2,000 inhabitants, has two
banks, six churches, several schools, good
hotels, and two weekly newspapers,—the
Platte Journal and the Hra. The Ham-
mond is the principal hotel.
Columbus—from its location in the
midst of the finest agricultural lands in
the Platte Valley, with the rich valley of
the Loup on the north—has advantages
that will, at no distant day, make it a city
of many thousand inhabitants.

Seven miles from here