Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1879-12-27

ne, Red river, aud other streans the coil ID
exceptionally rich. producing large crops ol
. grain and grass. 10 this region there are no
: extensive areas OF marsh or sand. The
country Is fairly wAtered by the streams
named and their tributaries, and BY numer-
Gus lakes in the northern end eastern por-
tons. have yet to hear of the point in the
territory where water cannot be had at Q
reasonable depth by digging. West at the
Missouri river the character OF the soil ia
not so fully determined, most of that sec,, n
being Included in Indian reservations, but
as far "a known it Is generally good. The
district west of the Missouri river, prom,
nently shown npon the maps as the bad
lands" might be compressed into q few
townships. 1t may be said, in fact, that the
proportion Of waste land In :be, territory. Nv.
Ing 10 the absence of swamps, mountain
ranges, overlooked aud sandy tracts, Is less
than In any other state or territory in the
union. In the valleys and foot hills of the
Black Hills the soil is rich and productive.
and the rainfall abundant the past season
II Unexpected that, in an agricultural way,
that region will be self sustaining withou,
irrigation.
Owing to the dryness Of the atmosphere
and general evenness Of temperature the eli.
mate OF Dakota Is very sulubrious, and vel,
adapted TO agricultural pursuits. Toe av-
erage Temperature of southern Dakota m
oe compared to that of southern Illinois,
northern Indiana, and Ohio. In the north.
ern portions the winters are somewhat
more severe. 10 the southern part early
trosts are very rare and the weather very
ine down to the LIST of November. Little
snow falls in the winter, and sleighs are al
most unknown.
The agricultural products of the territory
include the whole range of those common
TO the northern states. Small grains and
vegetables grow in the greatest perfection.
Northern Dakota. particularly the Red riv.
or valley, is destined to become one of the
greatest wheat producing regions in the
country. No systematic effort has vet been
made in pomo.ogY, tut, from what has been
doue, there is no DOUBT that when the VAIL
etles best suited to the soil and climate are
settled upon. fruit growing will become a
profitable occupation. AT present, next to
grain, stock raising is the most growing In
duslry. The excellent grasses and mild eli.
mate have given this occupation a great i'm.
pe,us, and within the past two years large
sums have been invested in young stock.
Deputy surveyors employed this season,
west of Bismarck and near the line of the
Northern Pacific railroad. report coal crop.
pings at various points near the Sweet Brier
river, and between that aud the Big Heart
river. One vein in that vicinity is being
worked To q limited extent, but the coal ia
ken out so far, from near the surface, is ofa
somewhat inferior quality. Bituninous
coal has alse been found in the Black Hills.
but the vein has not been sufficiently de-
veloped TO determine its economic value.
Nc metals have been found in any GUAM
tity outside of the Black Hills. In that dis
trict gold. silver. lead, and mica have been
found in quantities of commercial value.
A fine bed of the latter is now being
worked.
Of the gold and silver product, it can only
be said in the limits of this report that it is
steadily increasing. Daily more capital and
refined methods are employed in the vari-
Gus mines now open, and new discoveries
are constantly being made. The ease with
which the aurlferous ores are worked makes
profitable the mining Of very low grade ores
There is said, by persons competent ID
judge, TO be enough gold and silver ore ''in
sight" in the Black Hills to employ the
present mining facilities for the mex. ten
years.
From the best statistics l have been able
TO obtain, | estimate the present population
Of the territory to be l65, 900, ard the in
crease the past twelve months at $4,000 to
$4,000 At the time of the taking OF the
ueXl national census the territory will con-
tain a population of 200 600 or over.
Aside from the Missouri river, which, CD
terlng the territory near lis northwest cor
uer, after traversing in its winnings nearly
600 miles, leaves it at the southeast cor
ncr, and the Red river, navigable from the
Northern Pacific railroad to the north bouu-
dsry of the territory, there is a complete
system of railways, built or building, into or
through the territory.
fnn Northern Pacific railroad, extending
from Fargo, on the eastern boundary, 225
mIies westward;
The Wlnona and Saint Peters railroad
(CaacaGp sa! NortDwestsrn), nov running
To Watsitn"n. near Lake Kampeska, and 10
catrli west TO Dakoia river;
The nayot. .-ou'hern railroad, from Sioux
City, Iowa, To Y"nklou, and projected
northward up the vale, of the Dakota riv-
er, which q ter. by the way. is probabl,
the longest stream on the continent not nav
igable in any OF It's parts;
The Mi!"aukee aud St.. Paul railroad,
with some so miles built ola line from Can
ton to the Missouri river;
: A so a line upon which work is now 10
progress from Elem to Yankton;
The Sioux Falls and Pembipa railroad,
up the Big Sioux river valley of which some
10 miles are In operation:
The Dakota Central railroad, located from
Carey to the Dakota river, upon which work
is now progressing;
The Worth,ngton and Sioux Falls railroad
saint Paul and Sioux Cl,y). of which abou,
20 miles are built, having Yankton Cor its
objective point; and
The Southern Minnesota railroad. build
ing from FIandresu to Sioux Falls.
The total length of road now in operation
in the territory is about GOO miles.
All the roads mentioned are not only pro-
jected but located, and the construction of
nos of them 10 active progress. 1t is ex-
pecied that in less than two years there will
be three if not four roads crossing the terri
tory from east to west to the Missouri river,
one or more Of which will continue on to
the Black Hills.
The immigration TO the territory has new.
er been so great in its history as now,
nor the prospects so bright for those who
come.
Var, r,,oootf,II,