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N.D. | Letter
Letter from Willard Grant to George P. Cather, undated
In this letter, Willard Grant asks George P. Cather numerous questions about life in Nebraska, including the method for constructing a good sod house, the possibility of raising fruit, the availability of water and timber, and the opportunities for additional work as a mason.
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January 1, 1877 | Pamphlet
Prices of B & M Railroad Lands
An examplar with the terms of purchase on credit for Burlington and Missouri Railroad Company Lands; the interest, payment dates, and sample payment amounts are meant to inform prospective buyers who may have not owned land before moving West.
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July 1, 1877 | Pamphlet
Map of Webster County, Neb., July 1877
One of the notable features of this map of Webster county is the amount of land held by the railroad; note also the proposed line between Hastings and Red Cloud. The reverse of the map is full of useful information and propoganda about Webster County, home "land of the richest quality."
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May 11, 1878 | Letter
Letter from Frank C. Bunley to George P. Cather, May 11, 1878
On May 11, 1878 Frank C. Bunley solicits advice on a potential land purchase in Nebraska from George P. Cather. He also inquires about the proximity of the railroad to Cather's land.
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October 5, 1878 | Letter
Letter from B. F. Noble to George P. Cather, [1878, Oct 5]
In a letter dated October 5, 1878, B.F. Noble writes to George P. Cather from Franklin County, Ohio, about the relative quality of the land available in Nebraska. Noble particularly wants land "within 2 or 3 miles of Railroad and Church." He indicates that his interest in Nebraska land was spurred by publications put forth by a railroad company.
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October 23, 1878 | Letter
Letter from N. T. Waters to George P. Cather, October 23, 1878
The October 23, 1878 letter from N.T. Waters in Illinois to George P. Cather requests information about available land in Webster County, Nebraska. Waters' primary concern is that the land contains a stream with drinkable water, and asks specifically about sections of land seen on a land map provided by the railroad.
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December 23, 1878 | Letter
Letter from D. F. Vanniss to George P. Cather, December 23, 1878
On December 23, 1878 D.F. Vanniss informs George P. Cather of a death in his family delaying his trip to Nebraska. Vanniss wants to purchase a productive 160 acres of railroad land and asks Cather if he can buy it before he arrives to ensure that it is not sold to someone else. He tells Cather that he plans to make Webster County his new home, and wonders about the possibility of growing fruit in Nebraska-requesting that Cather send him a report of the temperature on New Year's Day.
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March 1, 1880 | Pamphlet
Map of the Eastern Half of Nebraska, March 1, 1880
With a detailed map of Burlington and Missouri Railroad lands for sale, optimistic descriptions of Nebraska's agricultural possibilities, and timetables for routes from Eastern cities to Nebraska, this pamphlet and others like it were effective tools for railroads and their agents seeking settlers.
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December 21, 1888 | Letter
Letter from E. P. Sherwood to George P. Cather, December 21, 1888
In his December 22, 1888 letter to George P. Cather, E.P. Sherwood writes from London Mills, Illinois about the price of land and the availability of water in Webster County, Nebraska.
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March 3, 1900 | Letter
Letter from D. F. Shipre to George P. Cather, March 3, 1900
On March 3, 1900, D.F. Shipre of Quickville, Kansas writes to George P. Cather about the possibility of buying or leasing the land adjoining his current property. He estimates the cost at $100-$175 per quarter section (about 160 acres).
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September 23, 1901 | Letter
Letter from D. F. Shipre to George P. Cather, September 23, 1901
A year and a half after sending his first letter to George P. Cather, D.F. Shipre writes again on in September 1901, to inquire about purchasing or leasing land adjoining his current spread. He tells Cather that he wants the land as pasture for his cattle and estimates paying a higher price for the land than he did in his first letter. Inquiring about Cather's slow response and fearing it is because Cather distrusts land agents, Shipre informs Cather that he is only a farmer and a poor one at that.
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September 28, 1901 | Letter
Letter from Samuel Lincoln to George P. Cather, September 28, 1901
On September 28, 1901, Samuel Lincoln writes to George P. Cather proposing a buyout of a quarter section of Lincoln's land in Thomas County, Kansas. After assuring Cather that he is not another "land shark", Lincoln also offers to buy Cather's adjoining land if Cather is not interested in buying his. Lincoln feels that he cannot successfully sell or rent such a small parcel of land and that it would be more valuable combined with another holding. The 160 acres of land that originally drew settlers to railroad land as a great opportunity now appeared too small a portion to be of any value on its own.
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1918 | Book
My Ántonia
An excerpt from Willa Cather's My Ántonia.
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March 16, 1923 | Letter
Letter from E. D. Crabb to George P. Cather, March 16, 1923
On March 16, 1923 E.D. Crabb writes to George P. Cather inquiring about renting a quarter section of his land for two or three years for the purpose of raising winter wheat on it. Crabb, a resident of Colby, Kansas, additionally listed his location as "East View Ranch - Home of Pure Bred Aberdeen-Angus Cattle", indicating an establishment in Kansas. Combined with his request of only renting for a short time, Crabb's request marks a shift from earlier land transactions where owners moved to a new location for the sake of land. Crabb apparently believed he could administrate from afar.
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September 30, 1927 | Letter
Letter from D. F. Jewell to George P. Cather, September 30, 1927
In his September 20, 1927 letter to George P. Cather, D.F. Jewell asks about the possibility of buying or leasing some of Cather's land or selling or trading his own.
