Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1877-11-16

WSoso W Ailly oAOPe Cut Will IafAuee WHICH
furnish good water and some timber. Its
general bearing is north and south but it is
somewhat irregular. On the east is a SINH
lar but much higher border of hills the
general course of which is north northwest.
There is q better supply of timber there
also, and the water is abundant in both.
Much Of the northern and eastern parts of
the Sissiton reserve is a nearly level plain,
bordered by some sand hills near the north
ern line. The Wild Rice rises near the
northwest angle Of the reserve and breaks
the continuity Of the Coteau, but the hills
reappear in irregular order upon the Shey-
enne along the western and southern parts
Of its great bend. AT the south the Coteau
fades into the region, level, rich, grassy and
with lakes, near the head Of the Vermillion;
and to the southwest into a high rolling
prairie along the Winona & St. Peters R.
R. into Minnesota.
Of unsettl I'd eastern and central Dakota
.nine-tenths has irst-class soil, and is suited
to agriculture or stock raising as we'll as the
settled parts. Any one who wishe, can
from the above and a good map Judge fairly
the character of the whole or any general
part of this region which in a very few
years is to become important as the now
settled parts. The Sissiton reserve is nearly
%central in the eastern part. 1t looks like a
barrier, but We believe it will not prove 80
to be. These Indians are most advanced
and civilized Of the Sioux. The departing
generation takes all who have not fully
adopted civilized dress and to a considerable
extent civilized habitations, industries and
habits. Many are now se%lf.supporting,
some we'll educated; all appear contented
and happy. Those worthy and Industrious
have their own homes and lands secure.
The annuities from the government expire
IN q short lime. Then doubtless the self
supporting will remain on their own lands
and subsist by their own industry while the
less worthy will be loo Ated elsewhere. Then,
too, we can see NO reason why railroads
should not penetrate the reserve, and the
whole region pass under one law, Indian,
half breed and white alike, for there are
many Of each class upon and about the re-
serve. The prospect of these Indians is
favorable in every point of view.
Now look at the situation of this middle
region in respect to development. Rail-
road routes are practicable across it nearly
anywhere and in nearly every direction.
And the railroads will come quickly, the
Wlnona and St. Peters is built to Kampeska
and settlement has begun and is now in
creasing. The Hastings and Dakota rail-
road in Minnesota is now being constructed
Westward from Glencoe and will in all
probability be completed to Inkapa in
Grant county, DakotA. at the south end of
Big Stone lake next year, causing a large
region to be settled east of the reservation.
Settlements are already pushed far up the
Wild Rice river, and are beginning upon
the Cheyenne. But there is another enter
prise, now determined upon, which will
surpaas all others in the permanence and
vastness of its effects upon this whole region.
That is branch of the Northern Pacific
railroad from some point near or east of
its second crossing of the sheyenne IS to
80 kiles west of Fargo, southwark to Yank-
ton. The exact points and route are not
decided but the road is sure. The remotest
period named for its completion is six years.
After it crosses or leaves the Sheyenne it
has a level plain with no difficulties all the
way to any point it selects ON the Dakota
river. 1t can come on the east side of and
near that river over a smooth route to with.
in rs miles Of Yankton, and can enter the
valley proper at Firesteel or above and find
an easy way by various routes. that can be
built more cheaply than any other line of
like extent in Dakota, and will connect US
with Duluth the future great market for our
northwestern hard spring wheat. The ad-
vantages Of this road are surprising. Other
roads will connect with this. We may hope
for another north and south line near our
eastern border. The movement in all these
enterprises will be more rapid than the las.
four sluggish years would make us be-
lisve.
Yoa may have thought me "oa my fsst'
. little ia pfsisias ths sassrpriss and gen.