Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1878-08-31

tn1t III IOIueu ~ tue Oam ~ M21WeIIs mlll1,
where there n quite thrifty and live little
settlement. Still on for 4 few miles through
the rich valley Of the river, till you cross it
again by bridge at Olivet. another energetic
hamlet Of ten or dozen houses, and of
course school house and school marin, in
season. From Oliyet, which is on be auti-
full ascent, and rightly named, with fertile
farm lands to right and left, and the finely
moulded hills of the Jim river to the east,
is another joyous ride from Bellons' farm,
at Wit.emberg, on to Milltown, where the
scenery is richer than ever, but thrift seems
a little out at the heel. At this point is the
junction of Twelvemilc creek, with the Jim
river, and the valleys of the creek and river
blend in one.
Two miles above Milltown is Martella, or
Bowen's farm-our destination this time, and
as far up as we care to go at present, thank
you, l would praise this spot, and the en-
ergy, character and industry that have
made in the 80 called desert, solid and
comfortable home, with all the re6nements
OF the east brought westward and planted in
living souls on the banks of this beautiful
river. Isay l would praise this spot as it
deserves were it not that the relations be-
tween the Press and DAkotaian and Boven,s
farm are so intimate that such praise would
seem like fulsome fattery. But the spot it.
self is beautiful, and the faces of father and
mother tell Of the highest and deepest ex.
periences of human life, and the conquered
struggles that are the essence of all true
homes. Here we rested for two nights and
one day, breaking the rest by tramps in
search Of "claims," by fishing, cunning and
mosquito killing, and such other pleasures
as the bright and good faces of the farm
house helped us to enjoy. And if man
wants to see well made, we'll formed, we'll
fed, clean faced, we'll toned herd of cattle,
let hlm go up to Bowen's farm, on purpose,
and when the Glowing herd winds SLOWLY
Ger the lea" at sunrise or sunset, he will
forget that the grasshoppers are about, and
thank heaven there is still some good beef
in the land. For man must live and the
COWS must die, while the Jim and other
rivers flow OH forever.
From Bowen's to Rockport is charming
drive, in the cool of the evening, and the
happy traveller who has hreakfasted in
1ankton at a. M, and dined at Scotland
at noon for twenty-five cents, reaches Rock.
port in time for supper, and if he can find
anything to eat there and bed, he will
probably eat we'll and sleep we'll. For a
full days pleasure is full days work, and
will be while the world spins round.
From Rockport to Yankton the ride is. if
anything: more charming and invigorating,
for there is gradual descent, and facing
southwark the view is constantly more ex.
tended. As matter of history, it perhaps
ought to be recorded just here, that from
1ankton to Martella the democrats hurrabed
for Trip, and if there were any republi.
cans around they did not hurrah for Bennett
or commit themselves in any audible way.
But politics l., queer" you know, and for our
own part We have kept out of the excite.
ment for many happy year. In another
generation the Jim river valley will proba.
bly, be threaded with a steam railway on
each side Of it. Our children and children's
children will learn to love it for its richness
and value and beauty. Many an industry
will crowd and compete here for competence
and just reward. Future poets Of Dakota
will sing its praises. Prophets will suffer
and triumph. and lovers sigh their sad DAYS
away on its bosom and shadows, and while
the world stands, or rolls, which is all the
same to the world, the Jim river will be one
of the loveliest streams that ever flowed
from the hills to the father of waters and on
to the sea. For it should never be forgot
ten by the folks Of this region that the Mis-
souri, is the great river of this land, and that
the Missouri valley is yet to rule-the world.
w. H. THoRSE.