Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-01-14
NEW SERIES, NO. lO7.
TERMS le1,50 strictly I'm advance.
AGIChC, s2o0 Mt the years eud.
The Territory of Dakota.
ITS POPULATION AND RESOURCES


ITS POPULATION AND RESOURCES
1t seems highly probable that at the coming
session of Congress, territory will be organized
west OF the State of Minnesota, comprising the
large extent of territory cut off from that State
by the act of Congress authorizing the people of
Minnesota to form State Constitution, but
over which the authority of the Territorial Gov
ernment of Minnesota extended. This comprises
the area lying between the western boundary of
the State of Minnesota and the Missouri and
White Earth Rivers which streams form the
eastern boundary of Nebraska Many of the
residents of Dakota-men who have been prom-
nent in taking measures to secure territorial
organization-urge boundaries differing from
the above.
AS to the present population Of Dakota, sup
posing it to consist of the residue of Minnesota
Territory, no very definite information can be
procured. 1t is estimated at four thousand
giving fifteen hundred to the Red River region
and the remainder to the country, open to set
tlement, contiguous to the Big Sioux On the
Big Sioux there are several thriving settlements,
the principal one being at the Falls-Sioux Falls
City is the name it boasts. Here there are about
thirty houses o steam saw mill, and several
stone buildings. We saw letter from this
place the other day, which stated that such was
the demand for lumber that the mill was run
ming night and day, and that settlers where haul
ling their logs to the mill, and readily paving
$50 per 1000 feet for saving At Emna
few miles below the Falls, and the head of the
steamboats, navigation on the Big Sioux, there
are several houses. At Flandrau, also on the
Sioux, aud forty miles above the Falls there are
a few houses, At Medary, sixty miles from the
Falls by the tortuous course of the river, there
isa thriving settlement. boasting upwards of
twenty houses, and probably as many families.
Settlements have been made by claim seekers
at different points on the Eminija and Rock
Rivers, both of which streams empty into the
Big Sioux. AT various points on the valley is
represented as peculiarly adapted to agriculture;
the entire valley is susceptible of the highest de-
gree of cultivation, and will sustain dense pop-
ulation.
The only ceded land lying within Dakota Ter
ritory is that situated east of the Big Sioux and
3 west of the Minnesota. This strip will proba-
bly, average twenty-five miles in width, and is
about one hundred and SIXTY miles in length.
This is the only land open to settlement, until
a treaty is made for the cession of the territery
lying between the Big Sioux and Missouri now
mostly occupied and claimed by the Yankton
Sioux, 1t is probable that such treaty will
be formed the ensuing year, as the Indians are
willing, and the government, as experience has
demonstrated, seldom hesitates to Seal in real es
tate. The title to the Red River County is in
dispute. 1t is claimed by the half breeds who
occupy it, and when the time arrives for the gov
ernment to treat for it their title will probably
he recognized.
The great drawback to the prosperity of Da-
kota is the scarcity of timber. Except in the
valleys of the rivers and on the borders of some
of the large lakes no timber can be found, and
even where it does exist it is found in quantities
! sufficient merely to meet the wants of the set
tiers in the immediate locality. On the Big
Sioux, on the James River, and on the banks of
smaller streams emptying into those rivers, and
into the Missouri and Red River, timber is found
amply sufficient to meet the wants of those who
may settle on those streams but not in sufic-
ent quantity to afford supply to settlers on
the parares 1t seems to us that for many years
s at least until a system of speedy communication
in the territory, either by land or water, is per-
fected the settlements in Dakota will be confin-
ed almost exclusively to the valleys of the rivers
: Dakota is not destitute, as many suppose, Of
o navigabe streams. The Missouri is navigable
far beyond the point where it ceases to form the
e western boundary of the territory. The Big
Q Sioux nearly three hundred miles The Red river
is navigable from the mouth of the Sheyenne tc
} Lake Winnipeg, in British America. There arr
- other streams which enter into the Missouri
y north of the mouth of James river, which ar,
d said to be navigable for short distance.
n There is portion of Dakota, situated princi
h pally, we believe, on the high table lands be
t. tween the James and Missouri Rivers, whicl
E, abounds in salt springs and lakes. We convers
4, ed with gentleman yesterday, who visited tn
III largest ofthese salt lakes as early as 1887, anC
T. at different periods since that time The lake il
lr question is situated near the head quarters O
IT Salt River, saline stream emptying into th
1t Sheyenne. He describes it as four or five mile
l. in circumference, with few inches of water il
t. it, lying upon bed of crystalized salt Tn,
III bed of salt, he found on examination to be a
to least three feet deep, An energetic attemp will
to be made at the coming session, to secure the or
Is ganiSation of the Territory, and we are please
w to hear with cheering prospects of success, A
n the recent election held for Congressional Dele
m gate, six hundred votes were polled in the Tel
d, ritory, of which number A. G. Fuller ESQ.,, re
X ceived over five hundred. He will proceed t.
De Washington early in the session.-S. Paul Pic
d. neer.
Smith and Jones, merchants, were rushin,
rs round, just ton minutes before two oclocl
n raising funds, when going round the corner
us Kilby street, Jones came in contact with Smith
MS knocking him down. Smith was excited and eS
al claimed