The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1879-06-04
AN OBSERVER.
Letter from Dakota Territory.

GRANDN FARM, D. Z. May %, 70.
DEAR EDTToR:--
Inasmuch as yeu have
said "let us hear from YOU" l have
concluded to do as you wish, although
it is difficult thing to describe the
many beauties and advantages of this
country without making my letter too
long. However, I will try it.
From Chicago to st. Paul the rail
road passes through region Of great
fertility and richness, but it is not
until one gels west Of St. Paul that the
great wheat lands of America are
spread out before his gaze. Taking
the 1870 train, in the morning, from
st. Paul, on the Northern Pacific r.
H., we have chance to see some Of
the grandest prairie land in the y. S.
On both sides Of the railroad the land
is dotted with farm houses, and the
young wheat can be seen waving in
the breeze for miles in each direction.
After a most pleasant days ride the
town Of Moorhead is reached at eight
p. m. This charming little village
has a bright future in store for it, and
has already become a place of consid-
erable Importance, a -four mill, a grain
elevator Of 100000 bushels capacity,
4 churches, high school, three hotels
numbered among its buildings. After
a ten minutes stop the trains crosses
the Red River of the North and we
are in Fargo, the "Key City of the
Great Northwest" and Dakota Terri
tory.
As the day train goes no further,
we are obliged to stay all night at the
Headqual ters Hotel, which constitutes
the depot Seven years ago, where
Fargo now stands, the only buildings
to be seen were q couple of rude huts
since then thriving and busy town
has sprung into existence, and with
rapid strides is pressing on to the
glorious destiny which awaits it.
Already it has mayor and city gov
ernment, and has long been considered
the key city of the vast wheat country
which surrounds it. The car shops Of
the Northern Pacific r. r., are sit
uated at this point, which is the east-
ern terminus Of the Dakota division.
This railroad being the most direct
route to the Black Hills and Yellow
stone country has large passenger
traffic, which as summer advances in
creases daily. Several cars have been
added to each train to accommodate
the increasing emigration, and two
new and elegant sleepers have Just
been added to the number already in
use. The hotels at this place are
overrun with travellers and guests, and
cannot accommodate all that apply for
quarters.
The rush at the u. S. Land Office
this year has been Unprecedented -
100000 acres of land having been
taken up the first day the office was
open. In order to get into the office
| was obliged to take my place in the
line and await my turn, and as only
six persons were allowed to enter at
once, it took long time to do my
business. After staying several days
in Fargo | came down here to take a
look at the celebrated Graudin Farm.
The magnitude Of this establishment
cannot be comprehended until seen,
and then only by careful examination.
Why some Of your old farmers, who
think themHelves well off if they have
cleared hundred acres of hilly and
stony ground, would not be able to
leave off looking at the grand fields of
wheat which extend for miles in all
in this vicinity and this
land is so easily attained The very
poorest laborer on the farm, who,
perhaps gets only So per month