Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1878-01-23
A Ramble through the County.

Elk POINT, d. T., jan. 20, 1878.
EDITOR COURIER :-In company will
Deputy Sheriff Dovee, we started one day
last week for a trip through the norlf
end of our county, the weather Wal
d elightful ard in a giffy We were passing
through Richlaud, the young city noted
for its beautiful LEGATION and silent streets
We said good morning to Mr.. Rich and
sped on.-in passing Mr.. Webbers beau
tiful farm, we noticed that since our last
visit he had erected a large pine barn
ard cattle shed. Mr.. w. is a good man
to have in the country. When nearing
Portlandville we saw the largest flock of
piairie chickens that we have ever seen
in the territory, they were feeding on
Mr.. Sargents buckwheat field. Passed
the quiet town of Portlandville and soon
arrived at Mr.. Duncan Ross' magnificent
farm. Mr. Il was just starting to p. with
twenty two large fat hogs. We looked
about the premises a few moments and
found the following items of earthly
goods in store 5000 bushels corn, 5000
bushels wheat, 1000 bushels oats, 400
bushels barley, and n cellar full of pota.
toes. Aud, horses, cattle, sheep. shoats
and geese in abundance,- If this state Of
affairs didn't make us wish we were farm.
ing hope to whistle,-but there Is no
one in the Sioux Valley more deserving
such good fortune than Mr.. X. May his
later years be his pleasantest. Passing
on we were soon at Otis Mill which we
found running night and day, with q
number of teams waiting for gr'st, Since
Grill g. Woods dam went out Mr.. O.
has all he can attend to. We were soon
at Mr.. CUNTS where we ascertaincd that
Mr.. Head, our county surveyor, was
teaching school at Calliope. An othe:
hours drive brought us to bis residence;
conversed with Mr.. Heald ST., who with
many others is much interested in having
a bridge built across the river at Calliope
as In high water they are obliged to cross
with a scow. We referred him to Com.
Mcymber. Plymouth county is ready to
build her half; it seems but just that they
should have n bridge rs there is none
across that strcem between Portlandville
and Canton. Mr. Nelson has a small
grist mill in running order but needs a
larger run of burrs sadly. Mr.. Hamilton
formerly Of Richland. has a store here.
Every body is praying for o railroad.
The town is not as lively as it was in days
Of yore when it was the seat Of govern
ment of Plymouth county, at or about
the time when the Hon. Board of Com
missioners voted TO issue 81, 900 in war
rants for fencing aad identifying the
court house grounds and the worthy
treasurer Ga gentleman of our acqualnt
ancc( flew the track and the "ring" gave
him $500 to resign, which he did But
those times are passed aud these unneces.
sary debts are nearly paid as we learn by
Journal. We had o crossed the bluffs
and passed the head OF Union GEEK and
Sheriff BeaumoDt's old homestead, which
now has the largest and best farm house
on it that there is in the county, occupied
by Mr.. Dodd. We soon after dark ar.
rived at Esquire Folsom's and put up for
the night. We found to our surprise
that Mr.. F. had built a new house far
thcr up the hill and was we'll prepared
to care for us or any body else that should
ctance to pass that way, when the shades
If night are falling fast. We must say
that it is a glorious thing to have sucl, Il
cook as Mrs. F. about when one is hungry
and has only had a cold lunch for dinner.
Our visit was ve:y pleasant although We
differ with Mr.. F. on religion and the
ditch question. The next morning being
bright ard pleasant we took a walk with
neighbor CostaI, who has as fine a farm
As lies out of doors, a fne residence and
everything comfortable about the place
and a herd of az head Of cattle. Came
down to Mr.. Vassars', found him nicely
setuated rs We expected. At this point
there is a splendid opportunity for some
one to start a store with a small capital
and do we'll. Grove Hill post Office is
near by. Leaving here we passed on
down the Brule valley and brought up
at Mr.. Lawrence's for dinner. Mr.. l.. is
proud Of his farm, and well he may be
for it is a nice me-. We also took q e cd
look at his 700 pound pig. Dinner over
we soon passed the Swece church, which
is 22x34 feet on the foundation. with
belfry covered with pine aud painted.
These people have no pastor at present.
Everybody seemed happy and more
ground is pIowed than ever before in
Union County aud we say 60 away
giasshopper. and our word for it the
farmers Of old Union will make the year
1878 the best in our history. So mote
it be.