The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1879-01-02

Railroad Completed to Belol,

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Monday afternoon the construction train
reached the depot grounds at Beloit, no
particular enthusiasm was demonstrated
for it has been long aud anxiously looked.
for, but all felt like rejoicing, for the ~
surance Of one road at least was establish
ed.
Tuesday the entire track was laid, in
cluding the "Y," and 1t IL M. the engine
"Yankton' brought to the end Of the raj !
the .firss'pssscnger train into Beloit Ar
Merchant had fulfilled his promise to tn e
letter, and smile of satisfaction was ex
hibited as he stepped from the locomo.
tive to meet the congratulations of citizens
who were gathered at the track.
The consummation Of this work 10 .
source Of extreme qualification to those of
individual citizens, who at sacrifice have
labored to secure this road It was hard
and almost useless attempt 10 In the en-
barrassed condition Of the country to OBJ
tain voluntary contributors to any consid.
erable amount, and in the canvass for town
aid, which was attempted in four ditferen'
townships, bitter opposition WAS met with
by some who were not residents OF the
townships which defeated ths measure ex.
cept in Bsloit and Sutler twps. Then the
anticipated extension Of The Milwaukee
road from Sheldon served to divert
and ALLEVIATE attention and support from
the project that had been the only one
considered by the people of this locality
during five years past; but these are over
come, ard the croakers who are chanting
the song of "Sour Grapes" may yet be
willing to accept the benefits others have
secured them against their will
He who will not hail the arrival Of the
iron horse as a beneficiary to all, in pro-
portion to their requirements, will not ad
nit fact tn at is too patent for cavil. For
years the devel opment Of country and
the prosperity of IN ctrouolis have depend
Cd upon the construction OF Railroads.
Towns have, it is true, been changed
that is some have survived and tlourshed
to the detriment OF others, but it isa rule
OF progress that cannot be gain siacd, and
towns must yeild to the demands Of their
basc, xf,d source Of existence the eeasntry g
With Railroads, come conveniences and
comforts, their absence makesl felt seriously
Property becomes enhanced, markets
are created for every article Of value the
country can produce, capital finds its way
into channels new country always pre-
sents. Improvements follow, and the
whole system Of business Of ccmmuity
is changed. The aspiration Of men, land
able and characteristic Of the 70 ahead
spirit Of the west will be checked in some
cause and fully met in others. The mush-
room growth aud Canciful prices will come
ss before in other places, but the solid,
healthy and steady advancement will fol.
low in proper time and bear its fruit.
These towns 80 beautifully situated,
will soon attract their portion Of the great
tide of migration that is moving westward
Men will go TO the end of a railroad and
then locate where the attraction is the
greatest. The completion OF the Pemblna
extension has linked US to the great IRON
chain that traverses the continent, and that
is weaving its net work OF rail over the
prairie expanse of the frontier west. The
Sioux River, With its pure exhsustless and
rapid waters has mill privileges enough
to move the machinery that has whirled
out millions for the capitalists in the east
The country Immediately tributary to
Beloit and Canton IS not only attractive
and of fine landscape view, but rich and
exhaushtless in produce bearing element
Grain yields have been realized that not
only equaled but excelled that Of any
wheat region outside of California. Stock
growers can here find surprising growth
Of grass, with ample water facilities, In
word the Sioux Valley will recognize
no superior in all the essentials that 60 to
make rich, healthy and attractive agri-
cultural country.
Here can be made with proper manag
ment and mutual conduct on the part Of
the railroad company, a railroad center
that will build up one Of the finest towns
in western Iowa or Southern Dakota;
tho elements are here, the beauty of site
the enterprise Of its first settlers, the mark.
ed advance in Improvements made with
limited capital, and during the darkest
period the country ever experienced, its
people ripe for the enterprise that 60 to
build up aud maintain towns that With
unity Of action and concentration Of cap
ltal develop into cities. Eastern men who
have learnt from experience the methods
of success, and witnessed the growth Of
irving cities from far less native element j
than are here presented, prophecy bright
future for this place, and now that we are
brought into line aud placed in railroad
connections with the great thcrougheares
aud markets of the States, we can but feel
that the dark days are over; the long dis
tance that interviewed between the farmers
pranary and his market, has been anuhi-
lated, instead of tedious and oftentimcs
dangerous journeys to q distant market,
hs now has one within few hours re acll
and where he can take daily advantage
Of ita quotations. The traveller will rejoice
q the housing Of the jolsing rickety jerky
that afforded but limited protscti on, aud