USA > Iowa > Pottawattamie County > Council Bluffs > Directory of the city of Council Bluffs and emigrants' guide to the gold regions of the west, 1866 > Part 2
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Council Bluffs.
destined to be, in ten years from now, such a city as Chicago is to-day. This result is not dependent on any remarkable combination of propitious circumstances in the future, but will result from the position and location of the town -from natural causes already to be seen - just as certainly as effect follows cause in any of the arrangements of nature.
But it is not necessary for the farmer to wait ten, fifteen or twenty years to reap the reward of his toil -he is not asked to wait a life-time for the town to grow up that shall afford him a market for his surplus. Council Bluffs furnishes, to-day, as good a market for the surplus products of the farmer as can be found in the West- every grain of wheat or corn, and every pound of pork that he has to sell, finds here, and now, a ready market at the highest prices ; and in five years from this time, when the Pacific Railroad has penetrated the vast mineral regions of the Great West - when its cars shall be loaded at our doors, and unloaded in the Rocky Mountains or on the Pacific Coast -every pound of the farmer's surplus will command a higher price in Council Bluffs than in Chicago, for so great will be the demand of the mining regions, that millions of bushels of grain will be shipped westward, not only from the banks of the Missouri, but from beyond the Mississippi. The day is not far distant when the farmer of Illinois will look to the West for his market.
This is not mere speculation -a fancy sketch, which men are asked to believe without any reason for it. But let the reader take the map of the United States, and he will perceive that the portion allotted to the "wild West" is nearly two-thirds of the map, and that the compara- tively unknown region which we designate as the "mining
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Council Bluffs.
district" is larger than all of the thirty-four States of the Union. Let him then bear in mind that this district is rich enough in mineral resources to afford profitable employment to a population much denser than that of the. States, and is, at the same time, comparatively barren in agricultural advantages - that while it yields all the prec- ious metals in rich abundance, it will not produce wheat and corn -let the reader, we say, bear these facts in mind, and he will see nothing extravagant or unreasonable in, the assertion that the Missouri Valley, with its teeming fields and almost fabulous harvests, will not be able to. supply the demands of the Great West.
We say, then, to all who are looking for homes, "come this way." If you desire to live in town, there is no. point in the United States that offers you inducements superior to those held out by Council Bluffs; our people have capital, and they have energy, and the amount of work in the city would be increased tenfold, if the work- men could be had. All kinds of labor is literally remu- nerated - wages are not higher anywhere in the country -and the mechanic or working man who comes here without a cent of capital, if he is only willing to work, need not be more than two or three years, at the farthest, until he has gained for himself a home, and is comfortably " fixed for life." But if you prefer to "farm it," we offer you lands not inferior, in any respect, to the best the sun shines upon, and at such prices that the sum necessary to. buy a " potato patch," in the East, will here purchase you a farm; we offer you a market as good as the United States affords - where you can . always get the highest. price for everything, without taking " store-pay "-and give you the assurance, supported by the incontrovertible. evidence of facts, that. this market will always remain aa
1
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Council Bluffs.
good as it is now, while the probability amounts almost to a certainty, that in a few years hence it will be better. Then, we say, "come and see us;" and when you make up your mind to " move. West," buy your ticket to CoUN- CIL BLUFFS.
We can assure that you will be welcomed by our people ; our citizens stand ready to take the new-comer by the hand, and assist him in finding a good location, and in making himself a home. The stranger who comes to settle among us is not startled by the extravagant prices of lots and lands, but is rather astonished to find prices so low-and not without good reason. The man who knows that wild lands in the territories, far away from timber, and many miles from present or prospective market, are frequently held as high as twenty dollars an acre, is very naturally astonished to find two, three and five dollars an acre the ruling prices for as good prairie land as ever the sun shone upon, convenient to timber, and only a few hours' ride from as good a market as can be found in the United States. The man who is aware that imaginary lots, in imaginary towns, frequently sell at prices ranging between five hundred and a thousand dollars, may well be surprised to find good residence lots, in a city like Council Bluffs, for sale at twenty-five to fifty dollars apiece. We desire to say to those who design moving west, that the property holders of Council Bluffs are not extortioners. The actual settler can purchase a residence lot in the city, or a piece of land, convenient to town, at prices far below the ruling rates for property in "paper towns." Our object is not the same as theirs-speculation in property-but to secure citizens, and to this end we are offering inducements as liberal as any could ask!
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Routes Across the Plains. CHAPTER III.
A FULL AND RELIABLE DESCRIPTION OF ALL THE GREAT ROUTES ACROSS THE PLAINS.
The following description of the various routes from the Missouri river across the Plains, is from the pen of a gen- tleman now holding a high position under the Federal Government, and whose official duties have led him over all the routes of which he speaks. His statements are made from personal observation, and his table of distances are prepared from actual surveys made under his direction. It is entitled to all the weight of an official report .:
The attention of the public is just now being drawn to the country on the Missouri and west to the Mountains. The season of the year is approaching that emigrants are preparing to cross the plains-and very few have any cor- rect knowledge of them or of the main features of the vast plains east of the Mountains that have a controlling in- fluence in locating and confining the line of travel to cer- tain sections of country now known as the Overland Routes. I give you a description of each, having traveled all of them. The country over which they pass is so marked and peculiar that they are all, in many particulars, much alike. After passing a belt of country about one hundred and fifty miles in width that borders on the Missouri River, we strike the Plains, some 400 or 500 miles in width, extending from thence to the base of the Mountains, with the exception of occasionally small spots, small, indeed, compared with their immense extent, these plains are not not susceptible of cultivation. This great belt of semi- barren country extends from the British Possession on the north to the Canadian River on the South, being the extent of my travel over it. The valleys as a general thing are covered with grass, often luxuriant and suitable
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Routes Across the Plains.
for hay. The uplands generally have a straggling growth of buffalo-grass, but are often for miles entirely destitute of vegetation except the Prickly Pear, Cactus, or Sage Brush, this is more especially the case of the country north of the Cheyenne Rivers. No part of this great arca is susceptible of raising grain or vegetables, except on a few streams and tlicre only by irrigation, nor does it, as yet discovered, possess mineral resources, to any very great extent. It is almost entirely destitute of wood, and run- ning water cannot be depended upon, except along the great streams that rise in the Rocky Mountains-flow East and empty into the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers -or the streams rising in the Big Horn, Black Hills and Powder River Mountains, which flow North and empty into the Yellowstone. Had it the proper shelter, it would be the greatest and most magnificent stock-raising region in the world. The buffalo-grass that grows upon it through- out its entire length, being the most nutritious of any wild vegetation now known; up the great valleys, and over the higher tables, are the best natural roads in the world, and nature has so constructed them that through this great belt, there are four great water-courses, traversing it at right angles, at distances from one to two hundred miles.
NIOBRARRAH ROUTE.
Commencing on the north, the first overland route is known as the the Niobrarrah, up which stream the road runs to its source, and, up to the present time, crosses to the Platte, terminating at Ft. Laramie. Col. Sawyer's wagon-road party endeavored, this season, to find a road on this route, directly through to Montana, via Powder River and the mouth of Big Horn River, but obstacles met with, determined them to abandon it, and they struck south and took the road made and explored by Gen, Con-
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Routes Across the Plains.
nor. No doubt a better road than the route pursued by Col. Sawyer the past year can be found by going up the White Earth or Cheyenne, and turning the Black Hills on the north by the Belle Fourche, then to Pumpkin Butte, then to Fort Reno, where the junction with Gen. Connor's road is made. No practicable road north of this, until the Stevens route is reached, can be found, and even this has obstacles and difficulties to overcome that render it, for the present impracticable.
THE MONTANA ROUTE
Starts from Fort Laramie, follows the North Platte to the mouth of Sage Creek, thence crossing the Cheyennes to the West base of the Pumpkin Buttes, thence to Pow- der River at Fort Reno, (formerly Fort Connor, a Post established last Summer), thence to East base of the Big Horn Mountains, crossing Crazy Woman's Fork of Powder River, Clear Fork, Tongue and Big Horn, enters the Val- ley of the Yellowstone at Crossing of Clark's Fork, and thence to the Yellowstone Mines, where it strikes the mining settlements of Montana, and the roads leading to all parts of that Territory. This, from the Platte, is a fine natural road, its only disadvantage being the lack of run- ning water during the Fall of the year, for a distance of eighty miles, from the Platte to Powder River, but springs are found every ten or fifteen miles; it is abundantly supplied with wood, grass and game. The road hereto- fore used to Montana was by way of South or Bridger's Pass to Green and Snake Rivers, then up Snake River through the Rocky Mountains to Virginia City, crossing the Rock Mountains twice in the trip. The new road saves in distance four hundred miles. The military opera- tions the past Summer opened this road, and as soon as the Indian troubles are over, it will be the Great Overland
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Routes Across the Plains.
Route from the States to Montana. All travel east of Ft. Laramie will concentrate at Laramie, and take this road, which, when the amount appropriated by Congress is ex- pended upon it, will make it equal to any route over the Plains, and across the Mountains. Holliday will put his coaches on it this season-Government will protect the travel over it and thus secure its permanency. To;Council . Bluff's and Omaha this route has peculiar interest, as the natural outlet and inlet of all travel over it, is, after reach- ing Laramie, down the north side of the Platte to the Missouri River, or to the Union Pacific Rail Road. The distance from Ft. Laramie to Virginia City is five hun- dred and fifty milcs.
PLATTE ROUTE.
The second route is known as the Platte Route-start- ing from different points on the Missouri River, such as Council Bluffs, Omaha, Plattsmouth, Nebraska City, St. Joseph, Atchison, Leavenworth and Kansas City; the roads all converge at or near Ft. Kearney, as a common point, and follow the valley of the Platte to its forks, and either lead up the North Platte via Fort Laramie, South Pass, to Salt Lake, or up the Lodge Pole Creek, Cheyenne, and Bridger Pass to Fort Bridger and thence to Salt Lake ; or continuing up South Platte, goes to Denver, diverging et Juuction, passes up Cache LaPoudre, across Laramie Plains, thence through Bridger's Pass to Fort Bridger and Salt Lake. On this route, at all times, and for the past eleven years, to my knowledge, an abundance of grass, running water and wood for all practical purposes of travel has abounded. It has the best passes through the Moun- tains and is by far the best natural road from the Missouri River to the Pacific Coast. The Telegraph, Mail and Express Lines run over this route. Most of the emigra-
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tion passes over it, and along its entire length the Gov- ernment has established permanent Military Posts for protection, and finally the Government has adopted it as the route for the Union Pacific Railroad. From March 1st to August 10th, 1865, there passed Fort Kearney on this route going West 9,386 teams, and 11,885 persons, which conveys some idea of the vast amount of trade, travel and capital that is flowing to the great mineral regions of Colorado, Utah, Montana and Idaho. In going this route from Denver west, choice can be taken of the new route to be opened through Berthoud's Pass, across Middle Park down White River and over the Uintah Valley to Salt Lake. This route was surveyed and partially opened the past Summer by Lieut. Col. Johns of the Utah command. Holliday has obtained a charter for Mail and Express line over it, and proposes to run it the coming season from Denver to Salt Lake. It saves one hundred and fifty miles over the present road. The distances on the Platte route are
Council Bluffs to Ft. Kearney
185 miles
Leavenworth Ft Kearney .. 285
Ft. Kearney to Cottonwood.
97
Ft. Sedgwick.
208
Ft. Laramie.
378
Junction.
.310
Denver. 392
Ft. Halleck 534
Ft. Bridger
797
Salt Lake 921
SMOKY HILL ROUTE.
The third route established the past year possesses many advantages as to the travel south of Iowa and Nebraska and is known as the Smoky Hill route, leading from At- chison, Leavenworth and Kansas City, up the valley of the Kansas River to Fort Riley, thence along the Smoky
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Routes Across the Plains.
Hill Fork of the Kansas River to Fort Ellsworth, and along the Smoky Hill Fork to its source, and crosses the divide to Big Sandy, follows it for eighty miles and then crosses the country near the heads of the Beaver, Bijou and other streams, and follows down Cherry Creek to Denver, where it connects with all the other routes diver- ging from that center. By this route from Leavenworth to Denver is 100 miles nearer than to go by way of Ft. Kearney, and makes the distance by Smoky Hill to Den- ver for all points south of the Nebraska line about the same distance as from Council Bluffs to Denver by the Platte route. It is a very good natural road with no ob- stacles to overcome except, that from Big Creek on the Smoky Hill to Beaver Creek, (which flows into the Platte), there is no running water portions of the year. The road as now laid however, obviates partially this trouble by striking numerous springs and wells so that water can be obtained every ten or fifteen miles. The balance of the route is well supplied with water. The entire route is well supplied with grass, and innumerable herds of buffalo and abundance of other games roam along it for hundreds of miles. Coal has been found in heavy veins from Ft. Ellsworth west, and the indication of heavy beds of bitu- minous coal for a distance of two hundred miles of its length are unmistakable. Butterfield's Overland Dispatch, Stage and Express has been established on this route, and the Government has placed Military Posts along it at con- venient distances for its protection, all of which is open- ing it up permanently and effectually. The distances are : Leavenworth to Fort Riley. 120 miles
" Fort Ellsworth. 205 4
= Camp Fleteher 257 44
Monuments. 349
Ponds Creek. 396
Denver 604
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Routes Across the Plains.
ARKANSAS RIVER, OR NEW MEXICO ROUTE.
The fourth and last great route is the Arkansas River route, which either follows the Smoky Hill route to Fort Ellsworth and strikes from thence across to the Arkansas River, or starting from Kansas City follows the divide routh of Kansas River to Council Grove, and goes into the other at Fort Zarah and leading from thence to Forts Larned, Dodge, Lyon and Union to New Mexico. This route follows a stream, which like the Platte, rises in the Rocky Mountains, and is abundantly supplied with water and grass for all practical purposes of travel is sup- plied with wood; buffalo and other game abound along it for a distance of 300 miles ; and roads diverge from it at or near Fort Lyon to Denver, connecting it with the north route, also to Fort Garland and the Southern Min- ing districts of Colorado. Over this route passes all the trade and travel of New Mexico, Arizona, parts of Mexico, Texas and Southern Colorado. The distances are :
Kansas City to Council Grave 122 miles
Fort Larnard. 286
Fort Dodge .341
= Aubrey Crossing. 439
4€ = Fort Lyon 511
66 Raton Pass. .650
Fort Union
750 ..
66 Santa Fee. 846
The great difficulty of making roads to connect these overland routes from North to South between the 100° parallel of Longitude and the base of the Mountains, is the fact, that as soon as you leave the great streams you lose running water. The secondary streams that rise in the divides instead of the mountains, for instance, the White Earth, Cheyenne and portions of the Republican and Smoky Hill are from one to two hundred miles of their length destitute of running water during the Summer
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Routes Across the Plains.
and Fall months. Occasionally springs and water-holes or lakes can be found, but to make roads follow them would take them from their proper direction, and add greatly to their distance and often to their grades. In view of these facts, and of the peculiar advantages for travel to particular destinations, I hold that the natural outlet for trade and travel of Nebraska, Northern Colo- rado, Utah, Idaho and Montana is over the Platte and Montana routes to the Missouri River at Council Bluffs or Omaha, and then east across Iowa, or south, as the case may require, and that for all time it will be so directed .- The trade and travel of Kansas, New Mexico, Southern Colorado, Arizona and that section of country, is down the Smoky Hill and Arkansas route so the Missouri River at Atchison, Leavenworth or Kansas City, and then east or south.
These routes occupy a strip of country extending from Nibrarrah on the north to the Arkansas, and the Cimmar- on on the south-small in extent when compared with the great natural importance of the route. To effectually pro- tect them from Indian difficulties, I hold that in any and all Indian treaties, the right of way over them should be permanently secured, and the Indians confined to the country north of the N. Platte and the Niobrarrah, and south of the Arkansas. Every year makes this more feas- ible, from the fact that the great amount of game that abounded on and between these rivers is becoming scarce, being driven rapidly North and South by the travel over these routes. To-day the buffalo and other game is very scarce on the Platte route, and abound for a length of some 150 miles over the other routes, excepting the Mon- tana route, where it abounds its entire length, thus making the region between the two rivers named, valueless to the Indians as hunting-grounds.
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Routes Across the Plains.
Over these several routes must pass not only all sup- plies for the mighty empire springing up in the mining regions of Colorado, Arizona, Utah, Montana, New Mex- ico and Idaho, but also the great overland-trade and emi- grant-travel to California and Oregon. From the nature and formation of the country it follows, that for all time must be sent across the plains from the valley of the Mis- souri not only breadstuffs to feed, and articles of manufac- ture to supply the hundreds of thousands now there, but also a population rapidly increasing by an immense yearly emigration which is forming a mighty empire now merely in its infancy-an empire rich in mineral resources, and destined, with its wealth of precious metals to form the future basis of our financial system.
On two of these routes, the Platte and Smoky Hill, Rail- roads are being pushed forward with much energy, and another season will find them two hundred miles west of the Missouri.
That it is the duty of the Government to thoroughly protect these routes and make them comparatively safe, no one can doubt, and the system of organization of trains, the distribution of troops, are such, if all comply with the orders guiding travel over all these routes, no danger may be apprehended ; for during the entirepast year, with all the tribes of Indians hostile, no train was lost, and no per- son injured, except when they persisted in taking their own course instead of complying with the orders of the officers in command. The present season less danger ex- ists, from the fact that but a very small portion of the Indians who have been on the war-path now remain hos- tile, and a man can travel the great thoroughfare with as much safety as he can the streets of our great cities-the robberies and murders in any of which exceed by far the depredations on the plains.
NOTE:
The canvass for the following Directory of Council Bluffs, was made in the early part of 1865, since which time some changes have occurred which are not here noticed, but the locations will be found in the main correct.
DIRECTORY
OF THE
City of Council Bluffs,
IOWA,
FOR THE YEAR 1866.
DIRECTORY.
ALLISON, T. H., Physician, Madison street. Amy, R. D., Trader, 4th ward.
Allen, W. W. Rev., Congregational Minister, 4th ward.
Axtell, L. S., County Sup't Pub. Schools, Madison street. Allen, Chas. sr., Auctioneer, Middle Broadway. Allen, Chas. jr., Trader, Middle Broadway. Allen, Benjamin, Printer, 5th ward. Almond, W. B., Tinner, Upper Broadway. Arbuthnot, Mrs. L., Milliner, Lower Broadway.
Armstrong, Wm, Stock Dealer, 5th ward. Armour, Phil., P. O. Clerk, 2nd ward. Artman, C. P., Dentist, 2d ward.
Allison, Thos., Miller, Lower Broadway.
Allison, W. H., Miller, Lower Broadway. Ahles, John, Blacksmith, 2nd ward. Andrews, Ed., Tanner, 2nd ward. Andrews, Wm., Painter, 2nd ward. Amy, Dustin, Tinner, Main street. Abbot, J. S., Teamster, 2nd ward. Ashton, John, Laborer, 1st ward. Annis, S., Digger, 1st ward. Ackman, Jas., Sawyer, 2nd ward.
BUMP, A. J., City Marshal, Stutsman street. Brown, John, Carpenter, Pierce street. Beershiem, John, Merchant, Pierce street.
3
4
DIRECTORY.
Baker, Henry, Teamster, Pierce street. Baker, J., Foundryman Pierce street. Browising, John, Laborer, 1st ward. Barton, George, Laborer, 2nd ward. Bradshaw, James, Peddler, 1st ward. Brasee, David, Carpenter, 1st ward. Bryant, C. W., Trader, 1st ward. Brown, Horace, Laborer, 1st ward. Brown, Wm., Teamster, 2nd ward. Baughn, Hiram, Trader, 1st ward. Bell, A. J., Stock Dealer, 1st ward. Bonham. A. S., Nurseryman, 1st ward. Baughn, Chas., Stock dealer, 1st ward. Bennett, J. D., Saloon keeper, Lower Broadway. Bechtelle, Peter, Hotel, Middle Broadway.
Burhop, Henry, Groceryman, Middle Broadway.
Babbitt, C. H., Publisher, (Bugle) 3d ward. Beeman, F., Barber, 2nd ward. Browning, J., Teamster, 5th ward. Billings, A., Dentist, 2nd ward. Burke, H. M., Printer, Jenson street.
Burke, W. S., Publisher, (Nonpareil) Jenson street. Burke, F. A., U. S. Assessor, Jenson street.
Burk, Patrick, Teamster, Jenson street.
Burk, Peter, Teamster, Jenson street. Bayliss, Marshal, Pacific House. Benton, N. G., Bank Clerk, Middle Broadway. Blake, W. T., Teamster, Madison street. Bloomer, D. C., Lawyer, Bancroft street. Baldwin, N., Bancroft street. Beck, A. S., Merchant, Bancroft street. Baldwin, Harvey, Painter, Upper Broadway. Boyd, Robert, Teamster, Madison street. Bylesby, F. Rev., Episcopal church. Bayliss, S. S., Court street.
5
DIRECTORY.
Brewster, James, Merchant, Bancroft street. Badolett, V., Merchant, Bancroft street. Beale, Rufus, Trader, Main street. Baldwin, J. T., Trader, 4th ward. Betz, Jacob, Saloon keeper, 5th ward. Babbitt, L. W., Editor, 5th ward. Bunse, H. Rev., Lutheran Minister, 5th ward. Barton, Chester, Laborer, 5tlı ward. Beachtel, J. S., Laborer, 5th ward. Bartell, Augustus, Foundryman, 4th ward. Rebbington, Geo., Lumber dealer, 2nd ward. Browniser, J. M., Laborer, 2nd ward. Barhyte, John, Baker, Broadway. Bernard, Albert, Clothier, Broadway. Bowers, J. G., Wagon maker, Main street. Blaxsim, Geo., Shoemaker, 2nd ward. Baglie, James, Laborer, 2nd ward. Barlow, Wm., Blacksmith, 3d ward. Brown, Sam'l, Laborer, 2nd ward. Brown, John, Laborer, 2nd ward. Baxter, Wm., Ditcher, 3d ward. Burnet, C. F., Saddler, 3d ward. Brett, C. A., Laborer, 2nd ward. Blackburn, Wm., Laborer, 2nd ward. Bertholf, Geo., Laborer, 1st ward. Beebe, Calvin, Teamster, 1st ward. Beck, Christian, Laborer, 1st ward. Bird, Jonathan, Laborer, 2nd ward. Briezeer, Casper, Laborer, 3d ward. Beck, Christian, Laborer, 5th ward. Bock, Charles, Brewer, 5th ward. Baldwin, C., Lawyer, Public Square. Burdick, Ed. F., Clerk District Court, Lower Broadway. Boothe, John, Grocer, Middle Broadway. Bates, N. S., Mayor, 4th ward.
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