Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1879-08-11

Il
In previous articles from this post 1 have
given the details Q" it's garrison life, but
have purposely omitted mention of the ex.
cellent management Of its military head, |
for the reason that the subject is one worthy 4
of a special place in my upper country
annals. Colonel Charles G. Bartlett, of the1
18th infantry, is in command here, and,
by the reliable standard of his
works, I should say that no military post
is better favored than this, go far as a COM
petent director Of it's affairs is concerned.
During his administration he has instituted
improvements all tending to enhance the
comfort of his men, and the barracks are now
in condition to compare fayorably with those
Of any garrison upon the frontier. Clean
illness comes next to Goodness in the colon
els decalogue of faith and he has exempli-
fed his belief here at Sully. The quarters
are the pink of perfection. with their we'll
scrubbed floors, their snowy bedding and
their neat canopies for the exclusion of the
mosquitoes which will present their multi
tudious bills in spite Of military prohibition.
The coy comfort Of these apartments would
almost induce one to become a soldier for
the sake of living in them. 1 went through
the guard house. the Jail, the bath house,
the bakery, the laundry, the hospital, and
all the minor adjuncts appertaining thereto,
and found that each was in keeping with
the other and all the most complete that skill
and good taste could devise. Ihave been
familiar with the inner workings of very
many military posts and hospitals in
Europe and in this country, but I am free
to say that I never found one Of either 80
admirably adapted to the needs of the men
as those I inspected at suily. Col. Bartlett
has the health and comfort Of his men as a
first consideration and he is amply qualified
to make the most out of the facilities at
hand.
The officers residences have recently
been plastered and re6tted and are in per-
feet keeping with the other appointments of
tLis admirably conducted post. All in all
I found Fort Sully a charming spot and
consequently enjoved my tarry there after
the hard knocks which come to every trav-
eler along the road.
There is only one blot upon the fair page
of my experience there, and that is the
hotel known as Franche's mess house. I
do not care to give a dissertation upon
things that crawl and dirt that remains
steadfast. I do not like to think of it. 1t
is better to drop the subject.
WHITE SWAN.
a hamlet in the woods upon the Missouri
bottom-a place Of all storts of fame, but
still holding its own as an important point
on the Travelled route through the Indian
domain. Scourged by FIRE, it has risen
from its ashes and stands again a thing Of
beauty and Joy to the wearied traveller
George Chamberlain still remains and his
burned hotel has been reproduced, with all
the improvements which improved times
will warrant. 1t is newly furnished
throughout and has . spacious lawn in
front-an evidence Of the good taste of its
proprietor. White Swan is a good place
for q days rest, or q weeks rest, with its
good accommodations and its plentitude Of
game. Searle, the telegraph operator, bag
ged two wild cats and q deer last week,
within sight Of his store, and almost every
day deer and antelope show themselves on
the wooded bottom and the bare blufs be-
yond. Since the Indians gave up the pastime
of hunting, large game is on the increase.
J. R. Fitzpatrick has rebuilt his residence
and postofice, destroyed BY fire in the
spring, and is still operating his ferry be-
tween White Swan and Randall. Searls
still holds forth - manager of c. @.
Sperry's trading store.
FORT RANDALL.
The arrival Of Colonel Skater at Fort
Randall will relieve Colonel Lugenbeel Of
the command Of that post, and place the
management in new hands. 1t is no refec-
ton upon Col. shafter to say that there il
general regret in the garrison over the
probable departure OF Col. Lugenbeel
through this change. He has long presided
over the destinies of the first regiment and
is beloved by all who have learned to know
him. The colonel has given ~thirty.nins
years of faithful service to his country and
another year will place him in . position to
60 upon the retired list, should he desire 50
to do, with the full emoluments which come
to q soldier who has earned the distinction,
It is rumored that he will ask for = years
leave of absence. This he has earned /
hundred times over. Few vacations have
came to him during his lifelong service, hi,
active nature and sense of duty induc;no