The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-06-21
DISHING UP DAKOTA
What an Ohio Man Who Has Tried 1t
Has to Say.


1t seems that there has been great
transformation in the climate of Dakota
Territory during the past few years, if
all accounts are true. Either this, or it is
agigantic fraud to induce immigration to
that point in order to settle up the coun-
try.
Now, I have faint recollection of be.
ing in Dakota from 1870 to 1875, and ]
think you will be kind enough to allow
me an expression of opinion as to how il
was at that time.
l noticed in your valuable paper Of
the 18th inst, under the head of "Cur-
rents of Migration" (Which, if true, will
be quite surprise to many know,
some very plain talk in regard to that
part Of the country.
In writing this it is not my aim to dis
courage anyone who thinks of migrating.
Not at all, as | believe in the old maxim
that "bought wit is the best" Neither
do l wish to exaggeratc; but what we
have to say about Dakota is what il was
then, and not now.
One thing can say in its favor is, that
the country is healthy, the atmosphere
being clear and bracing, and singularly
free from moisture. Typhus was hardly
known.
During the five years I was there,
January 20, 1873, was conceded to have
been the coldest, the thermometer mark
ing 40 degrees below zero; July %, 1874,
being the warmest-103 degrees in the
shade. The winter of 1915 was the
most severe during period of 20 years,
thousands of heads of stock having per-
ished, and with the loss of many men.
During my stay in Bismarck read in
q great many Eastern papers glowing
accounts of the fertility of the soil in
the vicinity of this town. My observa-
tions in regard to this matter were quite
to the contrary. 1t was, | must say, not
such as farmer here would wish, the
top soil being about inches thick, and
underneath blush clay, that was not
capable of producing anything-hardly
fit for grazing, in great many portions.
Vegetables of all kinds were tried, but
with little or no success.
Water is abundant, but of an inferior
quality. Wells that were sunk to a
depth of go to so feet produced good
supply, but it had bitter, brackish
taste, and was not considered healthy.
The Missouri River water, otter being
allowed to settle, with the addition of ice,
WAS excellent; and also Cold Spring
Creek, west of Bismarck some 40 miles.
There is something singular about this
stream, as all Others that traverse the
territory are more or less affected with
alkali.
The Northern Pacific Railroad was
completed to Bismarck in June, 1873.
During the first six months it was in
operation there was shipped over it
1854 4OS pounds of freight for Bismarck
and points up and down the Missouri.
But we're they products of the country
along its line? We will say no, with the
understanding that there was 10 grain of
any kind, nor in fact anything else raised,
and the general belief was predominant
that there never would be, on account of
the extreme cold climate. | had the ex-
treme and most infinite pleasure of going
ever this road from Bismarck to Duluth
and st. Paul, and truly | could say moth
ing particularly in its favor, unless it
would be to reitcrate the old story, that
the conductor employed a boy to run
ahead and keep the track clear; and
being asked why we did not walk, was
that we would get tired waiting at the
next station until the train came up.
Now I would just like to ask one ques-
tion, and that is, Would there be any
sense or profit in man leaving civiliza-
tion and going to country where they
have snow and cold from September to
June? To illustrate this, will tell Just
one instance of this kind, and it is all
true and can be vouched for.
Some parties in New Jersey hearing of
this great Eldorado formed colony for
the purpose of immigrating; but to make
things sure, three of the party were sent
to Bismarck for the purpose of examin.
ing things generally before the grand
removal took place. They arrived there
May u, 1874. On the 18th it began to
mow, and such another snow-storm had
seldom been witnessed in the country.
To make long story short, they did not
like it, and the colony did not immigrate
Two feet Of snow at that time of the
year was not very good recommends
tion.
l am inclined to think, and it is Just
the case with many others, that if poor
man can make living in such country,
he can make better one by staying
away. II the tide of immigration is tend
INV toward Dakota and the rreat North
west with the intention Of farming, can
only say what | did at first, that the
climate and soil has improved wonder
fully in so short time, or else it is all a
grand humbug. j. S. BIRELEY,