1889 HISTORY OF LINCOLN, NEBRASKA

     (57) Less than thirty years ago the words, "Great American Desert," were printed in large capitals on nearly all maps representing the western half of Nebraska and adjacent territory. Less than ten years ago a really wise editor of Iowa, gravely announced in his paper that farming, west of the one hundredth meridian, could not be carried on successfully in Nebraska and Kansas. These opinions are part of the candid belief of their tinge, and are standard humor in Nebraska at this time. The hundredth meridian passes through Keya Paha, Brown, Blaine, Custer, Dawson, Gosper, and Furnas counties; and millions of bushels of corn, wheat, oats, potatoes, and other farm products, are annually produced in Box Butte, Cheyenne, Arthur, Keith, Lincoln, Frontier, Red Willow, Chase, Hayes, Dundy, Hitchcock, and other counties west of that ancient geographical dead line. Hundreds of thousands of farm annuals are supported in that region. Many bright cities and towns are building up there, and railway have penetrated nearly every part of that much-libeled territory. The development of Western Nebraska has only fairly set in, and it is not beyond the power of any ordinary citizen of the State to certainly predict that within ten years the western half of Nebraska will be a populous, rich, and thriving empire, nearly five times the area of Massachusetts, and more than thirty times as productive of King corn.

     The growth of Nebraska in population, wealth, schools, churches, and general improvements, has not been surpassed, probably not equaled, by any equivalent area on the globe, in the past ten years, and she now ranks as one of the great States of the Union. Her real merits will not be appreciated by the country at large until after
the next census is reported, when it will be admitted that she is (58) swiftly moving to a position beside the richest agricultural and commercial States of the Nation.

     The State of Nebraska is situated between 40° and 43° north latitude, and long. 95° 25' and 104° west from Greenwich. The length of the State is about four hundred and twenty miles east and west, the width about two hundred and eight miles, north and south. The area is 76,855 square miles, or 49,137,200 acres. It is the eighth State in the Union in size, not considering Montana, not yet fully admitted. The topography of the State is made up of rolling prairie, table land, and valleys, with a small percentage of bluff land, or high rolling surface. The State is devoid of mountain, possesses few lakes, and is practically without swamps. The prairie is as beautiful as any in the world, and comprises about fifty per cent of the whole area; the table lands are really high prairies, terraced, and make about twenty per cent of the area. The valleys are generally low, level prairies, and, perhaps, make up nearly twenty per cent of the surface, while the high, rolling and bluff portion may be estimated at about ten per cent. There is a gradual slope from the west end of the State to the Missouri river, causing the three principal rivers, the Niobrara, Platte, and Republican, to take nearly an easterly course. The principal tributaries of the Niobrara, which is on the northern side of the State, flow northward; those of the Platte, which occupies the lower central portion of the State, flow to the southeast, and the branches of the Republican, which has its course along the south side of the State until it passes into Kansas, in Nuckolls county, also run in a southeasterly direction. A glance at the river system of Nebraska will give an idea of the general topography of the State. The Loup river is a tributary of the Platte, on the north side, and, with its branches, drains and waters nearly all of the north center of the State. The Elkhorn river is also a considerable stream, flowing southeasterly across the northeast corner of the State, and meeting the Platte about thirty-five miles from its confluence with the Missouri river. The Blue river takes its rise within five miles of the Platte, and flows in a southeasterly course through the southeast corner of the State, and empties into the Republican river, in Eastern Kansas, This is one of the most picturesque streams in the State. All three streams were fringed with timber in the earlier years of the State's history, and much of this yet remains. Along the Niobrara the (59) trees were pine, cedar, ash, oak, walnut, and such varieties as grow with these. In the western cañons there was and is yet fine cedar timber. Along the easterly and southerly streams there were cottonwood, oak, hickory, elm, maple, ash, locust, willow, box elder, linn, . hackberry, sycamore, mulberry, coffee-bean, and ironwood. There are fifty species of forest trees in Nebraska. Blackberry, gooseberry and other shrubs grow luxuriantly, and nearly all kinds of ordinary fruit trees are found in the orchards of the State. Almost every farmer has a grove of maples, cottonwood, walnut, or other trees which he planted, and in a few years fuel enough for use can be grown in almost any part of the State. The cultivation of groves of forest trees has been greatly encouraged by the establishment of "Arbor Day," a holiday conceived by Hon. J. Sterling Morton, of  Nebraska City, and devoted by the people to planting trees. This day is now made the subject of a general proclamation by the Governor every year.

     The planting of trees and cultivation of the soil has made Nebraska a State of very equable climate. Drouth very seldom visits the State. Rains come with almost perfect timelines in the State generally, and tornadoes are scarcely ever known. This seems strange, and is, in fact, a phenomenon of nature; but it is true that while the face of Kansas is raked from end to end by the most terrific storms, and while Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, and Dakota, are frequently devastated in places, Nebraska has scarcely ever known a genuine tornado. The atmosphere is dry and invigorating, and such diseases as consumption are little known. The mean average temperature during 1888 was 49° Fahrenheit. The winters are not severely cold, and the summers are not oppressively hot. The climate is both favorable to human health, the growth of farm animals, and agricultural products of all kinds. This is shown by the fact that Nebraska has had excellent crops for three years past, while States and Territories on all sides have suffered from drouth during the same period. The reason for this favorable condition of climate is owing, probably, to permanent natural causes, based on the topography of the Missouri Valley, and the location of the State with reference to the meeting of the hot and cold currents of air from south and north.

     But the soil of Nebraska is peculiarly adapted to stand drouth or heavy rainfall. This is true of every part of the State. To show (60) the remarkable homogenity of the soil of various sections of Nebraska, we will quote the figures of an analysis of soil taken from the counties of Douglas, Buffalo, Loup, Clay, and Harlan, representing the eastern, central, northern, and southern parts of the State. The columns represent the counties in the order named:

     This analysis was made by Prof. Samuel Aughey, of the Nebraska State University, and is of soil taken from the high prairies and table lands. It is of the lacustrine or loess deposit, and is unsurpassed for agricultural purposes. Speaking of the foregoing analysis Prof. Aughey says: "From the above it is seen that over eighty per cent of this formation is silicious matter, and so finely comminuted is it that the grains can only be seen under a good microscope. So abundant are the carbonates and phosphates of lime, that in many place they form peculiar rounded and oval concretions. Vast numbers of these concretions, from the size of a shot to a walnut, are found almost everywhere by turning over the sod and in excavations. The analysis shows the presence of a comparatively large amount of lime besides alumina, soda, and potash.

     "As would be expected from its elements, it forms one of the richest and most tillable soils in the world. In fact, in its chemical and physical properties, and the mode of its origin, it comes nearest to the loess of the Rhine and the Valley of Egypt. It can never be exhausted until every hill and valley which composes it is entirely worn away. Owing to the wonderfully finely comminuted silica, of which the bulk of the deposit consists, it possesses natural drainage in the highest degree. However great the floods of water that fall, it soon (61) percolates through this soil, which, in its lowest depths, retains it like a sponge. When drouths come, by capillary attraction the moisture comes up from below, supplying the needs of vegetation in the dryest season. This is the reason why, all over this region where this deposit prevails, the native vegetation and cultivated crops arc seldom either dried or drowned out. This is especially the case on old breaking and where deep plowing is practiced. This deposit is a paradise for all the fruits of the temperate zone. They luxuriate in a soil like this, which has perfect natural drainage, and is composed of such materials."

     About seventy-five per cent of the soil of Nebraska is of this wonderfully perfect kind for the production of grains, fruits, vegetables, and other vegetation. This soil ranges in thickness from five to two hundred feet.

     The river valleys generally possess a soil of alluvium deposits, which is rich, like the upland or lacustrine soil, and differs from it in possessing less silica and a greater percentage of organic matter and alumina. This soil varies from two to twenty feet in depth, often has an understratum of sand, and is generally dry and warm, though it at times and in places becomes cold and wet, and is not always good for farming purposes. These valleys produce almost unrivaled crops of vegetables and corn, and, perhaps, not as good wheat, oats, and fruits, as the high rolling lands. Both soils are valued very highly by farmers and are scarcely surpassed in the world for reliability and abundance of yield.

     There are a few alkaline spots in the central portions of the State, and somewhat larger areas in the western part. But all told, there is not enough to merit any special mention.

     With such a splendid wealth of soil, it night be expected that Nebraska's farms would prosper, her population increase rapidly; that railroad mileage would multiply with great activity, and manufactories come swiftly into existence.

     The facts will justify all these deductions; and a swiftly-growing state always attracts the best people: and so schools, newspapers, and churches, have multiplied in Nebraska. Located in the center of the temperate region of this continent, it becomes the theater for the highways and cross-roads of the "Belt of Empire" of the world. The city of Lincoln is nearly in the geographical center of the United (62) States, and the growth of the State and her capital have both been the marvel of the past two decades.

     The growth of population shows that Nebraska has genuine merits. There were 122,993 people in the State in 1870. In less than nineteen years 1,100,000 more have been added, an average annual growth of 61,000 for the entire time. Texas, with nearly, three and one-half times the area of Nebraska, and twenty-one years the start as a State, only gained at the rate of 98,000 population annually, or but a little over 28,000 per year for the same territory that Nebraska possesses. Minnesota, with nearly nine years the start as a State, and nearly seven thousand more square miles of area, has only made about even figures with Nebraska since 1870. It is probably fair to say that but two States have made such splendid progress in population since 1870 as Nebraska. One is Iowa, probably without an equal in the Union, area and age considered, but with twenty-two years the start of Nebraska as a State; and Kansas, with much the same natural advantages as Nebraska, and with over five thousand more square miles of area, and six years the lead in admission as a State. So Nebraska has made a very creditable race with the best States in the Union in attracting home-seekers.

     Now, how has the soil of Nebraska supported the high opinion of scientific analysis and the confidence of the armies of people who annually cast their lot within the State's borders. In 1880 Illinois produced 326,000,000 bushels of corn. (Round numbers are used in all these illustrations.) Iowa produced 275,000,000 the same year; Kansas, 105,000,000; Nebraska, 65,000,000. In 1888 Illinois harvested 271,000,000 bushels of corn; Iowa, 278,000,000 bushels; Kansas, 158,000,000; and Nebraska, 144,000,000. Here it will be seen that Illinois did not maintain her record, Iowa gained a very small percentage, Kansas improved her record by a little over fifty per cent, and Nebraska leaped forward at the rate of one hundred and twenty-one per cent. Here Nebraska soil meets and overmatches the giants in her rate of progress. It will be found that the percentage of successes of the corn crop in Nebraska will be equally as favorable as her growth in number of bushels.

     The year 1888 was not generally favorable to a wheat crop in the States named above, but the remarkable power of Nebraska soil to endure unfavorable seasons was manifested, though there was really (63) nothing approaching a drouth here, as known in other States. The striking superiority of Nebraska soil and climate is shown in the subjoined table comparing the wheat crops of 1880 and 1888 in Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, and Nebraska. Nebraska was the only one of these cereal-producing States that made progress on the record of 1880. Here is the exhibit of that fact, taken from the tenth census and report of the Washington Bureau of Agriculture for 1888:

     In a similar way it can be shown that Nebraska is in the front rank of the world's most progressive States in the production of oats, hay, potatoes, and other farm grains and vegetables. It can also be demonstrated that the numbers, grade, and value of her horses, hogs, and cattle, are going forward with the very best States of the Union. In fact, the climate of this State is very favorable to the health and growth of domestic animals.

     And it will be found by the census of 1880 that the manufacturing interests of Nebraska have increased several hundred per cent in magnitude; in fact, are moving forward with her other and diversified interests.

     On the first of January, 1867, there was not a mile of railroad in Nebraska. At this time, July, 1889, twenty-three and one-half years later, there are about 5,000 miles in operation in the State. There has been an increase in mileage of over eighty-one per cent in four years. The gross earnings of Nebraska roads in 1887 were $23,446,343, and the net earnings were $10,571,858.

     Popular intelligence and enlightenment generally follow rich soil combined with favorable climate. Hence the many schools and numerous fine churches of Nebraska are one proof of her great natural resources. By the census of 1880 Nebraska had the lowest percentage of illiteracy of any State in the Union, and Wyoming Territory alone had a better record in all the United States. The following table will show this, the State and Territories there exhibited having the (64) lowest rate of illiteracy in this Nation, and being, probably, unequaled in the world:

     We believe that leading educators of this State now calculate that Nebraska has improved her record since 1880, and stands at the very head of all States in the world in freedom from illiteracy.

     At the close of 1888 there were 5,187 school houses in Nebraska, or sixty-five (nearly) to each of the eighty organized counties. These were attended by 215,889 children during the year, and this army of children were instructed by 9,886 teachers. The wages paid teachers for the school Year ending in 1888 amounted to $1,699,784, or a sum equal (nearly) to all money paid out for educational purposes in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, put together, for 1886-7. Besides the wages of teachers, the State spent enough on her common schools, for the year ending in the summer of 1888, to make a total cost of $3,238,442, an amount not exceeded by over fourteen States in the Union. The total value of public-school property in the State for the same date was $5,123,180. Besides these public schools, there are now probably ten colleges in Nebraska, two having been added to Lincoln alone since the last report of the United States Commissioner of Education. In these higher schools there were, it is fair to estimate, fully 1,500 students during the year which closed in June, 1889, taught by about 100 instructors, and possessing libraries aggregating probably 25,000 volumes. These institutions possess buildings and grounds worth, together, about $1,000,000. Such are some of the evidences of educational growth in a State which did not possess an academy in 1870, and employed but 536 teachers at that date in her public schools. The churches have grown as rapidly as the schools.

     We have given these statistics and estimates to suggest the real wealth and greatness of Nebraska as it is to be in a few years. It has been such a few years since the buffalo and antelope roamed over the (65) ground where the State Capitol stands, that even our own people have not come to realize the swift progress our State is making in gathering population, wealth, and facilities for mental culture; and States east of the Mississippi are positively incredulous that such almost miraculous results can be realities. But they are, as we have shown, and it is but just that the merits of this noble State shall be properly appreciated now.

     When we see how the State of Nebraska has moved forward, it is easy to explain the wonderful growth of her capital, Lincoln, which is declared a marvel by intelligent people even within the State, and is incomprehensible to men of the Eastern States. The city is merely moving with the farms, the railroads, and the factories. The multiplication of farms explains it. The wealth of grain, stock, and other products within her trade limits shows why the city grows. Her railroad system comprises twelve roads, radiating like the spokes of a wheel to every section of Nebraska's noble domain, and also piercing Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, New Mexico, and Kansas, and, with their connections, supplying Lincoln with a direct territorial patronage fully double the area of Nebraska, or 154,000 square mile, equal to nearly 100,000,000 acres, or over 600,000 farms of 160 acres each. Here is a trade of 1,000 towns, representing now fully 2,000,000 people, and the same area will, within ten years, possess 4,000,000 people, or more.

     The corn and wheat alone of this territory were worth $44,000,000 last year. The oats, hay, potatoes, horses, cattle, and hogs, were worth twice as much more. So that the buying power of the territory in review was more than $125,000,000 last year, without counting the products of wool, butter, cheese, fruit, timber, vegetables, minerals, and manufactures. Here is a magnificent jobbing trade that must be attended to. Lincoln divides Northeast Nebraska with Omaha, but is on shorter lines to Central Nebraska and all the South Platte country than Omaha. Lincoln divides with St. Joseph and Kansas City in Southeastern Nebraska, and is on shorter line to South-central Nebraska, Northern Kansas, and Eastern Colorado, than either. Omaha is cut off on the north by Sioux City, on the south by St. Joseph, and on the southwest and west by Lincoln, which has actually the same in-tariff as Omaha, St. Joseph, and Kansas City. Hence, for jobbing and distributing manufactures, the future of Lincoln is fully equal to (66) that of Omaha, and it is a possibility that may yet be realized, that Lincoln will outstrip Omaha, on account of commercial superiority. This is a possibility of the next twenty-five years. To supply this commercial empire, there is a perfectly legitimate reason why Lincoln's jobbing trade should grow; and it has grown, there being sixty-eight wholesale houses in the city now, and four hundred traveling men make Lincoln their home. Lincoln's jobbing trade will require her to grow for fifty years to come, at least. For the same reason, Lincoln's manufacturing interests require her to grow. There is call for vast supplies of all ordinary manufactures, and this city must grow to keep up with this demand. In keeping with this demand, seventy factories are now operated in Lincoln. On this account alone there will be a call for a city larger than Lincoln at the hub of the main railroad system of this splendid territory. Then, the railroad interests of Lincoln require a city at this place, and those who think Lincoln will stop growing should remember one fact, namely: the railway system of Nebraska is cast for all time in favor of Lincoln; and instead of the city failing, there is reason to believe that on this account alone reliance may be placed for long-continued advancement. The roads have reason to push the city, and they will do so. Here are three great universities, calling in many who desire to educate, and who spend large sums, in the aggregate, to the inspiration of trade. Here is the capitol and three State institutions, amalgamating the interests of the State with those of this city. Here is a center fur beef and pork packing, and we find two large packing houses with growing businesses, and a town springing up on their account alone. In brief, there are all the diversified commercial demands for a supply and distributing metropolis here that the swift development. of a territory of almost unlimited resources could require. With her intelligent, enterprising, and persistently energetic people, the wonder is not that Lincoln grows with phenomenal momentum, but whether the city could stop growing if it so desired. It must grow; it will grow. The buildings erected during 1888, with permanent improvements, amounted to $3,287,418. From raw prairie in 1867, the progress of Lincoln for twenty-two years has been about 2,500 population on an average for every year of that period. Last year her growth was 7,000 people. At the rate the city is now advancing, and has gone forward for several years, it will contain 125,000 inhabitants before the close of the next decade.

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