Omaha, the largest city of Nebraska, capital of Douglas co., on the Missouri river, opposite-Council Bluffs, la., 50 m. N. E. of Lincoln, and 490 m. by rail W. by S. of Chicago; pop. in 1860, 1,883; in 1870, 16,083, of whom 6,320 were foreigners; in 1875, about 20,000. It occupies a beautiful plateau, rising gradually into bluffs. The streets are broad and cross each other at right angles. The city is lighted with gas, and is well provided with street railroads. The level portion is chiefly devoted to business purposes, while the bluffs are occupied by handsome residences with tastefully arranged grounds. The United States court house and post office is a fine building of Cincinnati freestone, 122 by 66 ft., and four stories high, costing $350,000. The high school building, the Grand Central hotel, and the depot and general office of the Union Pacific railroad are also noteworthy structures. Omaha is the E. terminus of the Union Pacific railroad, and also of the Omaha and Northwestern and the Omaha and Southwestern lines.

By bridge and ferry to Council Bluffs it is connected with the eastern railroad system. (See Council Bluffs.) There is considerable trade, the wholesale business in groceries, dry goods, hardware, crockery, lumber, and agricultural implements amounting to about $9,500,000 a year. The city has two national banks, a state bank, and a private bank, with a total capital of $600,000, and deposits to the amount of $2,700,000. Manufactures are increasing. The principal establishments are extensive smelting works, smelting and refining gold, silver, lead, and zinc; large linseed oil works, steam engine works, a cracker factory, two soap factories, and several large breweries and distilleries, besides the repair and construction shops of the Union Pacific railroad. There is also a pork-packing establishment, The public schools are graded and of a high character; the average attendance is about 1,500 pupils. The city is the seat of the state institution for the deaf and dumb, and the United States courts for the district of Nebraska are held here. Three daily and six: weekly newspapers and three monthly periodicals are published. There are 24 churches. - Omaha was laid out in 1854, and became the territorial capital.

It was incorporated as a city in 1857. Its rapid growth dates from the construction of the Union Pacific railroad.

Omahas #1

Omahas, a tribe of American Indians of the Dakota family. Marquette represented them on his map in 1673, and about 1766 Carver found them on the St. Peter's. They formed two tribes, the Hongashano and the Ishtasunda or Gray Eyes, divided into 13 clans, one of which preserved a sacred shell in a rude temple constantly guarded. They cultivated corn, beans, and melons. Among their customs was one prohibiting a man from speaking to his father-in-law or mother-in-law. About 1800 they made a lasting peace with the Pawnees and Poncas. In 1802, from a tribe able to send out 700 warriors, they were reduced by smallpox to 300; they then burned their village, and became wanderers. The Sioux pursued them relentlessly then as now. In 1805 Lewis and Clarke found them on the Quicoure, numbering 600. Treaties were made on July 20,1815; Sept. 23, 1820, ceding lands at Council Bluffs; Oct. 6, 1825; and July 15, 1830, ceding lands for an annuity, a blacksmith, and agricultural implements. The Sioux frequently drove them to the Elkhorn, but in 1843 they returned to their village and made peace with some Sioux bands. A mission begun in 1839 failed, and one established in 184(3 has had but little success. By a treaty of March 16, 1854, more of their lands were ceded.

Their great chief, Logan Fontanelle, was killed by the Sioux in 1855. Since then they have devoted themselves exclusively to agriculture, and their condition has rapidly improved. In 1873 they numbered 1,001, and had a good church and three schools. Their property was estimated at $75,000, and their reservation contained 345,000 acres, in the N E. part of Nebraska, between the Elkhorn and the Missouri.