46

CROFUTT’S NEW OVERLAND TOURIST

 

Fort Kearny, in 1859 and 1860, an order | place, with a population of about 100.

was issued forbidding the soldiers to shoot
the buffalo on the parade ground.

Proceeding westward 7 7-10 miles, we
reach

Alda—a small station just east of
Wood River.

After crossing the river, the road follows
along near the west bank for many miles,
through a thickly settled country, the
farms in summer being covered with lux-
uriant crops of wheat, oats and corn. Wood
River rises in the bluffs, and runs south-
east until its waters unite with those of the
Platte. Along the whole length of the
stream and its many tributaries, the land
for agricultural purposes is surpassed by
none in the Northwest, and we might say
in the world. The banks of the river and
tributaries are well wooded, the streams
abound in fish and wild-fowl, and the
country adjacent is well supplied with
game, deer, antelope, turkeys, chickens,
rabbits, etc., forming a fine field for the
sportsman.

‘This valley was one of the earliest settled in
Central Nebraska, the hardy pioneers tak-
ing up their lands when thesavage Indians
held possession of this, their favorite hunt-
ing-ground. Many times the settlers
were driven from their homes by the In-
dians, suffering fearfully in loss of life and
property, but as often returned again,
and again, until they succeeded in secur-
ing afirm foothold. To-day the evidences
of the struggle can be seen in the low,
strong cabins, covered on top with turf,
and the walls loop-holed, and enclosed
with the same material, which guards the
roofs from the fire-brands, bullets and ar-
rows of the warriors. :

From Alda, it is 8 1-10 miles to

Wood River—asmall station. Here
can be seen one of the old-fashioned speci-
mens of plains station-men,in the person
of Charley Davis. He keeps an eating-
house and saloon, where freight and emi-
grant trains often stop for meals. Char-
ley’s specialty is the “Jerusalem Pickle.”
A good “square meal” is served for 50
cents,

Passing on 7 5-10 miles, we reach

sheltom—a side-track, where a flour-
ing mill, store, and a few dwelling houses
constitute the place. To the westward 5
8-10 miles, is

Gibbon—It is situated in the midst of
a fine farming country, was once the coun-
ty seat of Buffalo county, and is a thriving

     

Proceeding, it is 8 4-10 miles to

Shelby—(formerly Kearny)—a small
station of little account.

Westward again 4 miles, and we reach
a place of some importance,

Kearny Junction—named for the
old fort of that name on the south side of
the river, nearly opposite—the county seat
of Buffalo county. Here the Burlington
& Missouri River railroad, and the Den-
ver & St. Joseph railroad, form a junction
with the Union Pacific coming in from the
south, on the same track, which crosses a
bridge over the Platte River, two miles
distant.

In 1878, the first few buildings were
erected here, since which time the place
has improved wonderfully. It now con-

tains apopulation of over 1,200, with two

weekly newspapers, the Z%mes and the
Press, and one daily; think of that, O ye
Pilgrims! for a place only five years old—
the Daily Press would be a credit to any
city of twenty times the population of this!

The local business coming in on the B.
& M. and the St. Joseph roads, makes this
place one of unusual activity and business
promise. The town contains the usual
county buildings, which are built of brick,
has two banks, six fine churches, two
schools, many stores of all kinds, several
hotels—the Atkins and the Grand Central
are the principal—and some fine private
residences.

The country around the town is not as
good agricultural land as we have seen
further to the eastward, yet some good
crops of grain are raised, and large quanti-
ties are hauled here, to be shipped to the
East, West and South.

From this point west, the country is oc-
cupied principally by the stock men.

Stages leave here daily, except Sunday,
for the Republican Valley, and all interme-
diate points, carrying the U. 8. mail to
Franklin, Bloomington, Republican City,
Orleans and Melrose, where connections
are made with stages for every town in the
Upper Republican Valley and Northern
Kansas.

Let us take a look at the grounds on
which stood old ‘

Forr Kerarny—This post was_ first
established at Fort Childs, Indian Terri-
tory, in 1848, by volunteers of the Mexican
war—changed to Fort Kearny in March,
1849. In 1858 the post was re-built by the
late Brevet-Colonel Charles May, 3d Dra-