Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1871-03-10
FROM Dakota TERRITORY.
Sioux FALLS, Minnehaha Co.,
ID. r., March lst. 1871.

Mr.. EDIroR:-I desire, through
the columns of your paper, to give
its many readers short description
of Sioux Falls and the country in
its vicinity.
The Falls at this point will ever
attract lovers Of NATURAL might
say grand-scenery, as well as seek
ers of pleasure. Invalids will also
come here to recuperate their de-
biliated constitutions; seeking the
mild dry climate of this part OF Da-
kota. The weather here is regular;
none of those sudden, damp changes
which characterize the Middle and
Southern States. Coughs, colds,
and consumption are unknown, and
to persons who are suffering from
pulmonary diseases this certainly
would be one of the most desirable
locations on earth.
The summer, autumn, and winter
has glided away with as clear sky
and balmy air as ever Italy could
boast. Hardly can we realize that
rude winter has thus passed away.
and occasionally do we hear our
friends lament at winter passing
without any snow.
The Falls are series of cascades,
making a descent in less than half a
mile, of one hundred and fourteen
feet and eight inches. Standing at
the base of the lower fall and look
ing up, there is spread out, on ma
lures own canvas, one Of the finest
scenes on the continent.
The water comes leaping, laugh
ing, singing, and sparkling over the
grand old red granite; dashing up
its spray, and surrounded by as
bright bow as graces Niagara's
terrible front.
Huge piles of granite, standing
detached and alone, rear their heads
from twenty to fifty feet in height,
looking rs though some master ma
son had lain their corner stone.
They are found in the midst of the
roaring torrent, against and around
which the wild waters dash, as if
intent upon forcing them from their
foundation, and hurting them into
the boiling, seething abyss below.
AT the head Of the Falls stands in
island, of eighteen acres, covered
with venerable oaks and clms, Il
lovely spot for picnics or Il noon-day
sicsta, where one can be lulled to
sleep by the music of the waterfall
below.
The rocky bluffs along the falls
are lined with Red Cedars, and on
a little plat of ground, on the east
side of the river, of about two and
a half acres, which is about on 4
level with the first fall, is bcauti-
full grove of cedars, that look more
like work of art than nature.
These cedars, with the roar of the
waters, even in winter, give the
place Il glow of life and beauty.
Longfellow should have seen these
falls, and Minnehaha would have
been their name rs well as that of
this county.
Roll on thou beautiful stream;
mingle with the "Big Muddy" but
thy fate shall be to be buried in the
deep, dark gulf, and ere thou
reachest thy final resting place, up
on thy bosom Shall be strewn the
sweet scented blossoms of the
orange and the lime.
1t seems to be the universal opin-
ion of those who have seen the falls
that here is one Of the finest water
powers on the continent, and that
it can be made practically useful ut
very little expense. AS yet, no
mills have been erected here, owing
to its having been so late in the sea
son before the Military Reservation
was removed, and the land left open
for homesteads and presumption.
But during the present year mills
and manufacturing establishments
will be erected, and the city Of
Sioux Falls will commence its up
ward career. A number of new
buildings have been erected during
the past fall and winter, and the adj
joining country is in every direction
dotted with the dwellings, of the new
settlers.
The soil is surpassed by that Of
none of the Western States. 1t is
very similar to that of Illinois, Iowa,
and Minnesota; producing the same
kinds of grain and vegetables in the
same abundance with that of those
States. The soil is sandy loan
with a clay subsoil. The general
feature of the country is not SO roll
ing as that of Iowa or Minnesota.
The country is well supplied with
small streams ofpure water. There
is a scarcity of timber; not for pres
ent, but for future use.
Some idea may be formed with
what rapidity our county has been
settling, by the official report from
the local Land Office. Sixteen
thousand acres were taken by actual
settlers, during the month of No
vember; and still they come, and
are welcome.
1t will not be long till we will
have railroads here, and be united
with bands of iron to the rest of
mankind.
The Minnesota Southern Railroad
to lankton will cross here. The
McGregor, Astabula q Dakota II.
Il. is almost sure, and the Sioux
City Il Pembina Railroad is already
surveyed to this place and work
commenced.
Our markets for agricultural pro-
duets for the next few years, will be
ut our own doors; or a ''homc mar
ket," which is the best in the world.
To those who are homeless and land
less, would say, arise shake off the
dust of poverty from your feet, and
come and have a lovely home given
you in this fertile valley of the
Sioux. w. II. McLAuHy.
A Colorcd Printer in Congress.
Robert Il. Elliott, the colored