Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1873-07-24
Correspondence of the Herald.)
SOUTHERN DAKOTA.
LETTER from Gen. w. p. Dewey-souihern Dn.
kota- Growth and Resources-soii-
Timber migration-sioux
Falis-A City In Embryo
The st. Anthony
OF Dakota.
YANKToN, d. r., July Z, 1873.

I'VE miles, enables ore TO form some
idea Of the extent, beauty and re-
5, URGES OF southern Dakota as an ag-
ricultural country.
Leaving the valley formed by the
confluence of The Dakota and Missou-
ri rivers, the highway leads over q
rich prairie country, somewhat I'M
dulating and rolling, not by any
means abrupt, but sufficiently un>
eaven of surface to furnish proper
drainage and at the same time not
subject the lands TO wash from ex-
tensive Ians. The soil is rich-a
black loom, sufficiently mixed with
sand to render it light, warm and
easily worked, particularly so after
a shower or spell of wet weather.
Clay creek is crossed about twelve
miles from YanktOn, and Turkey
creek some or 10 miles further on;
and thence the road leads by Swan
lake to the Veimillion river, forty
miles from Yankton, and thence on
to the Big Sioux river. twenty miles
from the Vel million and five miles
from Sioux FaIls. The country is
woll watered, the streams all fur
nishing an abundant supply of good
pure water, and all having gravelly
beds, which of course is o sure indi-
cation Of pure, healthy water and an
abundant supply.
The scarcity of timber, however,
is seen on every hand until the Big
| Sioux river is reached. Here the
monotony is broken and tho view
changes. As one approaches the
Sioux, a view of the river, as it
courses in serpentine form through
the valley, is before you for many
miles, and the traveller imagines
that he has reached the prairies of
Wisconsin. Considerable timber
abounds in the Sioux valley and the
valleys formed by streams tributary
to the Sioux, The Sioux valley is
wide, level and most excellent in
quality OF soil. SO also are the up
lande, rich and fine for agriculture,
resembling very much the best Wis
consin praires Timber, though not
as abundant as in some of the states,
is still in supply sufficient for all tenn
porary purposes.
At the falls OF the Big Sioux, in
Minnehaha county, is situate the
beautiful village OF Sioux Falls. The
town is located chiefly Oh the west
side of the river and near the head
of the falls. In speaking Of the
"Falis," one speaks Of something
that actually exists-not mere rapids
but actual water falls, the equal in
majesty and grandure Of St Antho-
ny, and only surpassed by Niagara.
In a distance of from ono sixteenth
to an eighth OF mile this river
plunges its waters over huge rocks
and piles Of granite q depth of at
least sixty-fVe or seventy feet, fur.
nishing one Of the most extensive
and magnificent water powers in the
whole northwest. At the head of
the falls is an Island Of about fif-
teen or twenty acres in area, cover
ed with a heavy growth of hard
wood timber, and with the clear
waters, projecting rocks and green
verdure surrounding, this Island
spot is one of the prettiest localities
imaginable. The business portion of
the town ia located near this Island.
The town is thriving and prosperous
and growing to remark able degree
for one so new and in such a new
country. The natural advantages of
the site, country and place are go
many and so superior, that ultimate.
ly a large city is sure to be built up.
A first class hotel, the Cataract
House kept by Harry Corson, a Wis
consln man, furnishes superior ac-
commodations to the traveller The
details for the erection Of another and
larger house, to be located near the
head of the Falls, are about conclud-
ed and settled upon. A company of
capitalists are about to engage in the
improvement OF the waterpower,
preparatory to the erection of sever
al Touring mills, wooden mill, pa
per mill, and other manufactures -
The people and business men of the
town are hospitable, intelligent, err
ergetic and full of grit; and already
the settlements are SO extensive as
to furnish a large and increasing
trade. A better class of settlers new.
er migrated to any country than
those settled in the Sioux Valley
Prairie Schooners are seen in every
direction The population of Mime.
haha county will double this season.
Several Railroads are already project.
ed to Sioux Falls, and of the number
the Sioux City and Pembina road is
in process of construction. Mime
haha county is one of the best, if not
the best watered county in the Ter
ritory. The land is of the very finest |
quality, both as to quality of soil and |
general make up of the country. In
the face of so many natural and &C.