The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1879-12-04
FROM MONTANA TERRITORY.
Crow AGENCY, MONTANA TER. /
Noyemher 26- 1879 1

ED. PREss.-Having assured my many
friends in old Perry narrative of some of
the interesting incidents connected with
my journey to, and through the territory
of Montana, avail myself of the medium
of your sheet to make good my promise.
In this period of so complete and ade
quate rail facilities extended to the tour
ist, there are but few who havr not taken
advantage of the annual excursions to COM
pare their own industries with those of az :.
jacent states, cities, towns and villages and
hence an article is declared of interest. that
does not carry you with ready speed
through the teeming industries of Central,
Ohio, into the heavily timhered sections of
northern Indiana, ont into, and acroas the
seemingly endless prairies of Illinois, to
the great distributing mark of the North
West, Chicago.
Here we afforded ourselves the luxury
of good nights repose. and the following
evening veered ont toward the great north
west. Congratulating ourselves that we
of repose, and transit at the same time,
comfortably stored ourselves away in one
of the elegantly appointed sleepers of the
e. & N. W. r. R.
In the early dawn of the following day,
We find ourselves Speeding rapidly along
through the fertile country of Wisconsin,
winding around its numerous hills. cross
ing huge gullies, and encountering pictu-
rescue scenery of rock and waterfall, until
imperceptibly We find we are across the
border reviewing the objects OF the adja-
cent state Minnesota, and about noon we
are landed at its capitalI
ST. PAUL.
This is city of fine proportion and
marked thrift. Its buildings are construc.
ted mostly OF stone, giving it the appear
ance of stolidity and durability pleasing
to contemplate. Minneapolis hears the rel
ative of rival city and while it is said to
possess less wealth is certainly a formida-
BILE advocery said to possess a population
of so 900 inhabitants and her daily chip
ments of -four alone aggregate 5000 bar
rels The former city is built upon the
bluff, streets narrow and irregular, while
| the latter is constructed on a level plat
with broad and systematically arranged
streets. 1t is said to possess the finest wa
ter power in the United States. From St.
Paul we resume our journey, and that
night and portion of the following day
etill finds us in Minnesota. We traverse a
magnificent belt of fine timber and can
readily form an estimate of the stupendous
lumber tra6c here from the immense quan-
tity of drift logs filling every available
stream. The agricultural interest present
a very lively appearance and the residen'
licences of the husbandmen bear testimony
of their artistic tastes and enterprise. We
are coon however impressed with the
marked contrast of the surrounding coun.
try and find the seemingly endless plains
of Dakota facing us. About mid day VIZ
are brought to stand still and find con
fronting US pretentious town, with fins
buildinge, mostly frame, and every thing
bespeaks thrift and generous living. This
is Fargo, and to be seen here aIso are nu
merous immense elevators, pointing al
once the mind to the great commodity o
this section, namely, the growing of the
cereals. Beyond this POINT We encounte
farms of gigantic magnitude the famon
Dalrymple and Steele farms furnishing {
~ hor md
and more in single field under cultiva
tion in wheat alone. There ia but littl,
timber to be seen, yet quite profusion o
small lakes dotting the wide expanse otter
horizon, the apparently interminable are
of space is presented to your admiration.
Harvest is later by about a month as com
pared with Ohio. Still on we rattle ::behol
ding a continuity of unbroken prairie will
most luxurient growth of grass and yol
are led to indulge in the wonder that yol
see no cattle. The frequent snow fence
however, is quite suggestive Of severe ant
destructive winters and consequently tn
absence of natural protection will for som
time to come cause the growing of cattle t
assume an Indifferent relation, as compare
with the other industries of the territory
While the cereals are furnishing such am
pie returns to capital they will continue t
: hold all other industries in obeyance. Thi
: great source Of revenue, however is quit
: sufficient and eminently calculated to giv'
| nolx m ~ nd MI
I great producing sections of the north ives
A We now begin to see evidences of the cha
Al acteristic thrift of the western veomanI
% for here and there dottlng the landscaI
y thoughtful and Industrious settler hs
J. found not onl, calculated to insure prote
3. tion to his crops, but in addition lendir
~ charming to his possessions worthy te
II fold the time and outlay.
,f The snug cottages and pleasant surroul
dings impress us with the connection tn
We are nearing the terminous of rail Al
the shrill whistle of engine tells us to pr
pare to alight after almost one half da
eide without a single stop. Here we are
:, Bismark the. present terminous of Il
Northern Pacific R. r. After satisfyi
:. our hunger at the Sherman house and ha
ing met the Superintendent of the Couls
line on the train who informed US th
good fortune was in store for us, that
= steamer WAS at the landing for Ft. Bent
and would leave in the morning, We &C
:. graduated ourselves at the opportune
- suit and after taking final look at
:. noble emblem of civilization, the brave {
ho iron steed and with the pleasant thouQ
that neither mighty river, frowning mou