The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-03-15
The Newly Organized Territory Of Da-
kOta.

Dakota Territory, comprising the resi-
due Of the Territory Of Minnesota, after the
State was organized, lies, in general terms,
between latitude ~ deg. 80 min., and 40
deg. north, and longitude 90 deg. 80 min.
and lob west. 1t is bounded on the north
by British America east by the States of
Minnesota and Iowa, and south and west
by the Missouri and White Earth rivers
the eastern boundaries of Nebraska. Its
length from north to south is $50 miles, its
average width is about 200 miles, and it
has an area of 10000 square miles.
The present population of the Territory,
is not over 5000, three-foarths Of whom are
half breeds, mostly resident at the extreme
north eastern section of the Territory, on
the Red and Pembina rivers. The white
population is confined to the valley of the
Big Sioux, with few scattering settle
ments on the James, Vermiion, and Missou-
ri rivers. Sioux Falls city, is now, and
has been for three years past, the princi-
pal point in Dakota, 1t is situated at the
Falls of the Big Sioux river, 80 miles from
its mouth, and 40 from the nearest point
on the Missouri, and about "a miles from
the Iowa line. There are about so houses
here, mostly claim shanties, and from 200
to 800 people, resident on the town site,
and upon claims, within two or three miles
of it. There is saw mill and store
in the town, while the Falls afford ample
water power for extensive manufacturing
operations. 1t is also the capital, and the
residence of Gov. BRooKINs, of the squatter
government. The head of steamboat navi-
cation on the Big Sioux is claimed to be
Em'nija, at the mouth of Split-rock river,
9 miles from the Falls,-but no boat has
reached higher point on the river than
Commerce City, 40 miles from its mouth.
Westfeld, ten miles lower down, is another
settlement. At the mouth of the river, Sioux
City, thriving town in Iowa, is situated.
A few emigrants went into the James river
valley last summer, and there is also a set
Element on the Vermillion. On the Missou-
RI there is a settlement at YanktOn. few
miles above the mouth of the James
larger one at Bonhomme, about 70 miles
south west of Sioux Falls City, and small
cluster of settlers at the mouth of the Wan
anri river. The Yankton Agency, is quite
an important point; it lies on the Mis-
souri,, almost due west of Sioux Falls City
At Medary and Flandrau, 40 to so miles
above Sioux Falls city, on the Big Sioux,
there are few persons, but these settle'
were broken up by the Indians few years
since On Red river if we except the flourish
ing paper towns of Sheyenne, Lafayette, etc.
there are no settlements on the west side of
the river, until we arrive at Pembina, near
the 49th parallel. st. Joseph, thirty miles
west, on the Pembina river, is the principal,
almost the only settlement in this northern
part of the Territory. The population in
this section is a rowing one, consisting al
most entirely of half breed hunters, and is
variously estimated at 1900, 1000 and 5000
souls,
The climate of Dakota is similar to that
of Minnesota. The general character OF
the country is that of high rolling prairies,
well watered by lakes and small streams.
The most serious drawback to its prosperi-
ty 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 settlers in the immediate vicin-
ity. On the Big Sioux, on the james river,
and on the banks of smaller streams empty
ing into those rivers, and into the Missouri
and Red Rivers, timber is found amply suf-
ficient to meet the wants of those who may
settle on those streams; but not in sufficient
quantity to afford supply to settlers on
the prairies. 1t seems to US that for many
years-at least until system Of speedy CON-
munication in the Territory, either by land
or water, is perfected-the settlements in
Dakota will be confined almost exclusively
to the valleys of the river. On the streams
emptying into the Missouri from the west,
and into the Red River on the east, there
are extensive pineries, but it will be some
time before they can be made available to
those who may seek for homes on the almost
boundless prairies of Dakota.
Dakota is not destitute, as many suppose,
of navigable streams. The Missouri is nav
igable far beyond the point where it ceases
to form the western boundary of the Terri
tory. The Big Sioux is navigable for 70
miles, and the James river for greater
distance. The Red River is navigable