New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-08-06
DAKOTA.
THE GREAT NORTH wRsT-wHAT Is BEING DONE
THERE-GENERAL CONDITION OF THE COUN-



TRY.
YANEroY, July 2i-Dakota is the last rem
naut OF the great "Notth.wcst Territory from which
some Of our most important states have been carved and
which has had such ala important influence On the polit
zeal history Of the nation II extends now from the "
n latitude the British possessions on the North ana
from Minnesota on tho east to wyoming and Montana
on the west and embraces about 10000 square miles or
more than 100000 Upland It's mean altitude Is
about above the level ocean and the climate
resembles that OF Western NewYork or Pennsylvania.
In 1865 the United States Government obtained the first
cesson OF lauds from tie Indians and the next year
few settlements made In the lower part OF the terri
tory for the pioneers wished 10 be near Sioux City,
Iowa. as possible that they might obtain supplies and
escape the dangers attendant upon remote settle
mont But now, though only a decade has passed. we
find enterpnIng and prosperous settlements hundred
and fifty miles up the Missouri River and the Indians
who once held undsputed possession have
either passed 10 tho hunting grounds OF
their fathers are gathered under Gov
ernment tutesgo upon and within reservations.
Indian outbreaks and massacres have AT tunes spread
and desoaton. and retarded greatly the settlement
OF this Territory dohths nave wheIed ihe crops Twice.
and thrice the grasshoppers have come Ia swars like
the lOcusts OF Egypt, and have swept nearly every
yesge OF vegetation from the land. But still have
continued 70 grow" untll we nave DOW population OF
fully 10000. During the last three months not less
population, aud during the month OF juno more
than 1859 acres OF land were taken under the
homestead ana BrCtmpuOn aCtb Dg hCtual hFtUerb
Villages are sprnging up along our streams ana mills
being erected, and trade aud industry are being
tablrshed. Many may ask, Why Is Mist II IA true
have no mining excitement 70 lure men from the old
States, but have what every one who Is seeking
place To build home desires We have land OF untold
fertility, OF e1hauslless resources, and climate whose
Is frcghted with the essences OF life.
We have iand where the poor man can obtain iarm
nominal fee Of S4 he get his patent for 100 OF
better land than can be found within the limits OF New
England. This is what is causing the influx Of pOpula
ton, and those who come come TO stay.
RESOURCES.
The soil Of Dakota is composed Of a dark calcareous
sandy loan, light fr1abe. and when broken easily
cultivated The crop Of wheat this year will not
fall below 95 bushels per acre, and In many places will
reach 90 bushels per acre Oats win average about co.
and from 10 to 50 bushels per acre Potatoes pro
duce from $40 10 GO bushels acre. and all kinds Of veg
etaees do well There has been no fruit raised here yet
for the reason that up 10 last year there had been
trees brought INTO the Territory. Wild plums
and as large az the best cultivated varieties in the East
H OF da Ins GaTd % Sa as oRRs ss Sat6
this region, however, Ia In It's capacity for producing
grain aud stock The river bottoms will yield from two
fine prairie land AZ The sun ever rose on furnish range
for cattle uneTceed north Of Texas The old settlers
here look upon the Christopher plague IA at an end
The swarms that have infested mis- TERRITORY have been
the same that have spread from the British Possessions
reached the Atlantic Ocean They have paid Their com
pmens to us very eectualy In years past and we now
stripped the earth OF all vegetation and left nauRh but
desolatlon In their track
WATER COURSES.
This Territory is well supplied with rivers and small
streams The Missouri River has about 400 miles OF
igable waters within this Territory and flows through
valley OF untold fertility, while hundreds OF smaller
streams from 10 TO 20 miles apart empty into the Mis-
souri,. The VermliOn, Big Sioux, Dakota Niobrara,
Big Cheyenne, White Earth, and the Red River OF the
North are among the most important Along the banks
OF most OF the streams ash elm cottonwood, and
black walnut trees but our supplies OF timber will
hayeto DO brought from Minnesota and from the
Black Hills" These Black Hills" form a spur OF
the Rocky Mountains, and are in the western
part OF Dakota they are covered with fine TIMBER and
abound In minerals Cold iron lead and anthony
been discovered there but the country M VET he NV the
sOuI Indians who would ut present any attempt
at exploration or settlements within their lhuIts
CLTNATB-HEALTH.
The climate Of Dakota is much milder than that OF
States lying In the same latitude In the East obserVa
lions extending from December 1852 to May 1854 show
that average temperature higher here than m any
OF the Eastern Middle States At Fort Clarke Dakota
in 4o north atitadenye degrees farther north than this
polnt-the average temperature was $50; at Am
herSt Masa.. for tho same time. IL waa $50. W