Lancaster County NeArchives History .....Lincoln In 1870 Sketch October 28, 1870
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Debra Crosby http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00010.html#0002467 May 1, 2018, 9:07 pm

The Weekly Nebraska State Journal Fri Oct 28, 1870

              Lincoln
     The "Local" on the Wing--He Visits the Capital for
     the First Time--His Astonishment--Lincoln a Fact.
   After a residence in Nebraska of nearly sixteen years,
we visited the Capital city--Lincoln--for the first time,
a few days since. We had expected to find a small town
boasting of fine public buildings and containing but few
handsome residences and perhaps an half a dozen business
houses; but we were agreeable disappointed.-- Instead,
we found large, substantial stone and brick business
houses, which compare very favorably with those of our
own town; palatial residences which throw those of Messrs,
Dillon, Kinney, Hawke, Craig and others of this city,
entirely in the shade; hotels, as well, if not better
kept that those of Omaha.
   Lincoln is beautifully situated on what might be 
termed a second bottom. The site is gently undulating
and drainage easy and natural--the streets requiring
but little grading or filling.
   Business, unlike our own beautiful city, is not confined
to one street, but is carried on vigorously on all sides
of the Public Square and the side streets adjacent thereto.
   What a change has taken place in Lincoln since it's 
location! Scarcely three years ago, where now stands the
capital of Nebraska, with its 2,500 inhabitants; its
magnificent capitol building; its grand State University;
Insane Asylum; Penitentiary; it's many substantial 
business houses and it's hundreds of elegant residences,
was a "howling wilderness," a wild solitude, unbroken by
any evidences of civilization, and occupied by a sturdy
pioneer as a homestead. The log cabin of the pioneer has
been removed farther west and its stead erected a fine
stone business house.
   Through the kindness of that prince of good-fellows,
Jimmie Reed, we were shown through the State buildings,
the churches, school houses, printing offices, and
other places of interest in the Capital city.
   Nebraska City is well represented at Lincoln; among
our old townsmen who have become wealthy in the embryo
city, we might mention Nelson Brock, reported to be 
worth $40,000; Ballentine Bros. $30,000 Austin Humphrey,
$20,000; James Reed $15,000; Rich & Oppenheimer $10,000
and one big baby; Billy Rotton $2,000; I. B. Compton,
can't state positively, but presume at least $10,000.
   Our friend Jimmie has opened a five acre farm on one
of the tall eminences East of the city and contemplates
erecting a $2,000 residence in the spring, and will 
commence keeping bachelors hall--perhaps.
    Lincoln can boast of many modern improvements that
are entirely unknown in this city. For instance: Many
of their residences have the French or Mansard roofs;
their churches, hotels and public buildings are heated
by pipes from huge furnaces; their hotels are supplied
with alarm bells leading from every room in the house
to the office; their business men are more enterprising
and set an example worthy of imitation by ourselves--
they all pull and work together for the interests of
their city.
   We regret that our space will not permit us to give
more extended notice of the State buildings, businessmen, 
contractors, &c., of Lincoln.
   Under the administration of David Butler, Lincoln
has become one  of the most prosperous town in the
State--without Butler, Lincoln would be as it was
three years ago, a wilderness.--Neb. City Times.

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