The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1878-04-23
VOL. III.
The Valleys.

Al the streams south OF the divide be.
tween the States and the British Pos
sessions flow southerly towards the Gul
outlet, from tho Mississippi, Missouri and
other large streams to their minor tribusa
es, settlements first appaer along thu
line Of these streams and the intervening
lands gradually become occupied as mi.
grafton increases. To those who have
watched the history Of the settlement Of
Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa psrtic ulsrly
have not failed of seeing the above state
ment v.riti,l; years and miles beyond
Railroads you will find the pioneer nestled
upon the banks of some attractive sire am
and when questioned will point to where
for years he has bent his gaze for the com.
ing train.
This fact was fully brought to our At
tention during last weeks trip to Sheldon.
which occasioned the crossing of the
Sioux, Rock, and Floyd.
The Siouxites know how long they have
thought, talked and acted Railroad from
Sioux City to Beloit, Canton and the
Falls.
At Rock Mills we found Finch the for.
mer owner of the mills at that point, hap.
py and waiting for two roads, the exten-
sion Of the st. Paul from Luverne down,
and the McGregor from Sheldon. A beau
tiful townsite Is ready for the builders
that either the st. Paul or the McGregor
road will surely bring when either is com.
pleted to that point, and fine water priv
elege that is daily wasting power that
must soon be utilized for manufacturing
purposes Finch says nature has "corral-
led" matters thereabouts, for the upheav-
els have only left one ravine that the iron
horse Can traverse, and that leads past his
own door. Happy Finch.
Up and over the magnificent table lands
that stretch towards the Floyd, He lind farm
ers who have been looking cast for the ap
proach Of the McGregor, from the time
they first broke sod, and now after years
oftoil, encouragement, alternated by some
Of prosperity, and thrift, their ears are
greeted with the news of the near approach
Of the Engineer and his crew.
This beautiful region needs but the road
to enhance its full value for ma.
ture has been prolific in its disbursement
of soil US to richness, diversity Of lay, and
ample streams for stock and all farming
purposes. 1t is one continual field for
culture, hardly an acre but what can Ike
made available. and where improvements
have been made, one can see in miniature
the finest outline of what in time will be
picture of wealth, beauty and thrift.
As we reached the rise Of land immedi.
stely west of Sheldon, the white signal
of the fiagman of the Engineer corps Of
the Mil. & st. Paul Road was :tluttering at
the right Of the bridge. So the long look.
ed for advance guard Of the old McGregor
Road that has been talked about until it is
almost trite theme, is really marching
towards the Sioux. We felt like tlinging
our hats and breaking the morning air
with three times three and u double tiger
Sheldon people were taking matters as
cody ~ if these Railroad projects were
of daily occurrence, and Brown Of the
Sheldon House who won such . reputa.
ton last winter as member Of the third
house at Das Moines, we found putting
his cigar is if sll things were smoke that
did not center At Sheldon.
He evidently is beginning to reap the
rewards of his labor and is perfectly ind,f-
ferent as to the future movements for the
road is located to there and his point gain
ed.
Piper of the Mail we found to be : gen.
ial modest chip, who frankly admits that
the Sioux Valley is the next country to
hear from, when the Milwaukee Road
reaches its fertile banks. Messrs Kimbsl
and Stewart of the survey met Us cordially
and during an hours interview in thei1
tent entertained Us, as gentlemen can who
have the faculty Of drtiting Proflss
and answering questions at the same
time. They have completed the location
to Sheldon, and when the hnsl estimates
are made for the use Of the company and
contractors, the survey will be continued
towards the Missouri. What points 1t
will strike upon the Rock, Sioux, Vermil
lion, James and Missouri River time will
show, but we can safely assure our read
ers that the level of the Big Muddy will
be ascertained, before the Harvester has
CLEANED the rich fields through which
their course must lead them.
Now ye good farmers of Lyon, Lincoln,
Turner and other counties that lie vast,
YOU can once more "look to the east" and
before many weeks see the Transit mark.
ing the line that soon must become the
road. bed for your fsvorite line.
This road At such points, as it will cross
the Rock, Sioux, Vcrmilli on and the Jim
Rivers, must necessarily be the base and
form the foundations Of thriving towns,
and if The St. Paul road strikes it 1t the
Rock, the The Pembina at Sioux, and the
Dakota Southern at the Jim, ~ 10 now
clearly indicative, then the long cherished
hopes of those Valley denizens will be
realized; and this much abused and mis-
resented region Of the north will be ensb'
led to tell ito own story, and roll In it,
mighty tribute towards fllling the gran
srys of the world.
One can hardly sbstsin nom framing
~. .-.nhic nici,ra. thst The eonpletioH