Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, D.T. [N.D.]) 1878-1884, 1879-12-05
.BlSMARGK'S BANANA BELT.
EOOT-PRINTS OF PRE-HISTOR-
&c INHABITANTS.
The upper Missouri Hunters Para.
disc for Centuries---Concen
OF Buffalo and Indian Trails
about Bismarck.
PREHISTORIC REMAINS,

about Bismarck.
PREHISTORIC REMAINS.
A great deal has been done in the in
vesti cation Of traces left by former occu-
pants Of this and every other portion Of
the world. Written history extends only
to the dark outlines of tradition which
soon terminates in utter darkness. What
has been done, however, generally leaves
its footprints on the pages Of the world 9
comparatively indistructible history,
which may be read by the skillful for
diversity Of purposes. Among these is
sheer curiosity. We desire to know how
long the earth has been in existence; how
each race ofliving things have originated
and succeeded each other, and especially
how and when the race OF mankind com
menced with the various prehistoric
phases, degrees and progress Of this Won
dcrful present civilization.
BENEFITS DERIVED.
While these investigations have result
eel III great acquisitions to truth, science
and general satisfaction, another great
practicable benefit has been derived from
a more gnlticant, comc.oa and less
striking character Of these ancient foot
prints left scattered over the prairie and
so-called desert regions Of the United
States. Prominent among these are the
mounds and eartll-w0rks of a very ancient
people known us the Moundbuilders; but
no less interesting and instructive are the
remains of more recent Indian villages,
with their evidences Of prominence; the
numerous trails leading into them and
connecting, each other, with the buffalo
trails and other evidences of the adapta,,
tom of each particular district.to human
comfort and subsistence.
HUNTERS BzabSs.
stllessE ffoot-prints have
been used by hunters, frontiersmen and,
army guides as sure indications ottile
best routes from one place to another; al
ways traverslng the best country for graz
lag, water and timber; ever leading tothe
best crossing gs. of di1ficults:reams and find
ing the best camping grounds. But it
seems strange tllAS ASuntil very recesastly no
one thought of. deducing from these well
known facts any conclusions IN regard to
climate and adaptation to a.densely pop
uIated civilization. One reason Tor it may
be found in the fact that hunters, frontiers
men and army guides have had nothing
! but trancient knowel lge Of any particu-
lar locality and have continued on their
preconceived opinions of the country.
More recently thinking men have been
ledto inquire why 1t is that thoroughly
nOmadic race having access to all the
vailed climate and country between the
Arctic Ocean and the Gulf Of Mexico
should from time inconceivca BILE select
this northern region of the upper Missou-
III as a
FAvoRITE CENTRAL HUNTING GROUND
and the place of their most permanent
habitation. Could they subsist without
abundance cf game? Could the game ex
ist without plenty of proper food? And
could that food be produced in such
abundance without a good climate and
other concomitant conditions for the
growth Of subsistence for civilized men.
and domestic animals? The unequivocal-
answer induced u few men-not afraid Of
the Lyons in the way-to test its truthful.
ness. They found not only that the cOun
try was full Of mounds, ealtl-worhs, old
villages, burying- grounds, Indian and
buffalo trails and that their greatest con
centration was about Bismarck ANA Fort
A. Lincoln, but they found upon actual
and sufficient experiment that the climate
is excellent and that no country on earth
is more productive of every vegetable.
proper for the subsistence of men and do
mestic animals than the country tor hun
dreds of miles around Bismarck. Verify.
if the Northern Pacific railroad hsss not
been located in a verilabe Banana Belt
it has followed the centre of a belt. OF
chenook winds blowing from the North
ern Pacific Ocean eastward which modi-
des the climate and renders the entire Belt
over which it passes the most productive
ard desirable On earth. 1t has in preh
toric ages been the paradise Of Indians
and is now fast becoming the populous
heart OF an advanced and glorious civil.
zatiOn.
~