Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1879-06-17

Gossip and Local Events.
RocKroRr, June 10, 1871 got away
from the future Jim river metropolis at 4
o'clock this morning, and while en- route to
this point passed through very heavy
rain storm, which in turn also passed
through me. literally soaking every shred
of my clothing.
left the stage here at o'clock this
morning and have spent the day among
the sons of Rockport, many of whom are
old-timers from Yankton who came up here
years ago to struggle for their bread, found
homes and institutions and make the vii.
derness blossom, and to this end they have
labored very successfully.
Messrs. J. D. Flick and Frank Foster are
located here-the former is postmaster, and
Flick & Foster are land agents and survey
ors. l am greatly indebted to them for In
formation concerning the country, as we'll
as to Mr.. LaDue and his sons with whom
formed acquaintance.
Rockport has the best and finest site for a
town in the valley, SO far as I have seen it,
and had the railroad crossed here, it would
have been the means Of building a substan.
tial city here. The town has improved
largely within few years and now has two
land Offices, law Office, one physician, a
shoemaker, barber, two dry goods and gro
cery stores, printing Office and two
hotels.
Surrounding the place is an agricultural
region unsurpassed in the vest, and wheat,
barley, potatoes and corn, p,omiDe abun.
dainty this season.
Homesteads. can be secured Eve miles
out, but the nearest available timber claim
~ or Is miles away. The proprietors
Of the town will give building lots 10 part
les who will build, and 3ithstanding the
proximity of this place to Firesteel, it has
many advantages that must secure for it q
good trade and steady growth.
The projected railroad from Yankton up
the valley is a matter Of the deepest mo.
ment to these people and 10 all the people
from Yankton TO Firesteel, and it would
have been very gratifying 10 me if I could
have given them some definite information
concerningit. Ihave. however, answered all
who have spoken to me that whatever Yank-
ton can do to expedite the building of the
road will be done heartily, and this
could say Of my. own knowledge
from the public expression at the
meetings held and the current conversations
of citizens. But : new danger seems to be
shade wing the future Of some of the places
along the valley and that is the route which
Mr.. Blair will select. II he runs his line
along the valley it will be worth Thousands
to the people here and in view of the fac,
that these people have been here 80 many
years. enduring all the privasions incident
to q frontier life and preparing the way 70,
railroads and other civilized luxuries j,
would be very unjust now to destroy thei,
hopes and ruin their prospects by locating
the railway few miles avay. Besides,
good route can be had along the valley and
more conveniences are at hand for build.
ing towns than will be the csse further bach
from the river. II Yankton can exert n
influence In this matter let i, be thrown il
favor of . valley route.
| ITEMS. s. s,
Rockport would respectfully request tha
when Yankton hereafter prays for raj.
she should limit the area upon which III,
moisture is to descend to the limits Q
Yankton county. Rockpor. does not neet
= wstsiug down.
| A COW belonging to Nr. DAniels va
recently drowned In the Russian dam.
| M. JIG. Lsckner will open store her,
July lst .-. -.....-s.,..s.-
| Mr.. Gale intends to lease his hotel 4
other parties and open drug store at Fire
ssssl. He Il indssed . this stsp BY the II
health Of Mn. Gale. TAs Gale IIssss is