Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1878-06-14
COMMERCIAL INTER
ESTS,

A correspondent writes to the Press and
Dakotaian from up the Dakota river upon
the subject of railroads end Yankton's in.
terest in providing for its future. While
some Of his conclusions may be impractical
bic and his suggestiors over ardent, the
points put forth ere of the sort which must
sooner or later receive the attention Of the
progressive people of this Locality. Rail-
road extension beyond Yankton. that is the
construction of a railroad from here
which will strike the Missouri river at q
point above Yankton, would be looked up.
on as q serious misfortune to the CONNER
cial Interests of our city. Such it might
prove, though its contamination would pro-
duce compensatiug results not now taken
into account because We are vely slow to
realize The value of the country which
could be made tribute y to our market. But
tits of vast importance to Yalkton to be
able to control the direction of the first
railroad which makes a westward move.
ment. There sre now two railroads in pro-
cess of extension from points In Iowa to-
wards the easteln boundary of Dakota. In
time they will enter our territory, and that
time is not far distant. The indications
now are that n or both are disposed to
seek q connection with the Missouri river
at Yankton. but so long as we have no po.
sitive knowledge that such is the intention
there will arise suggestions of possibility
that they my bear northward and aim for
an objective point father up the Missouri.
The road 10 Sioux Falls is an assured fact,
and with its terminus there that city will
naturally take the trade from those portions
of the Vermillion and Dakota river valleys
lying north of the counties Of Bon Homme,
Yankton' and Clay the richest grain and
stock growing region in all the west. The
distance in many instances is less, and
cheaper freight rates will enable Sioux Falls
to pay more for grain and charge less for
merchandise than Yankton en-. These are
solid facts and it does not profit US to shut
our eyes to their existence. As all commu.
mites thrive only through their enterprise
in advancing legitimate competition in their
own favor, it is a duty to ourselves to look
out for ourselves by following this az
iom. The plan of operations which would
contribute In the largest degree to Yank.
tons future prosperity would be the con-
|struction Of q railroad up the Dakota river
to points within easy reaching distance Of
the grain and stock raising settlements Of
the Dakota and Vermillion valleys. By
this move we could retain commercial con-
troll of all that region now tributary to this
center and gain oil that lying between those
two rivers. A rai'road built fifty miles up
the valley of the Dakot, river would stand
as q barrier to the extension beyond Yank-
ton Of any Of the roads now pushing into
Dakota from the east and would give to the
reople north, northeast and northwest of w
railroad facilities adequate to their neccesi.
ties. Thsu making Yankton the c~oncentrat-
ing point for new rail systems in this new
west would ultimately result in tho con
~struction Of Q short line to Columbus, Ne
brssks. ~coDuectisg on. roads with the
Union Pacific and its branches. Our city
occupies . geographical position which VII
enabS II to construct ito own future and ai
the same time to do full justlce to the out
side communities which have aided II IN Ct
1 taSn3av iha nreaent Sm0nffAncA.