The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1879-07-10
For the TELEGRAPH.
A VOICE FROM DAKOTA.

who have never visited Dakota, its
name doubtless stands associated IL
their minds chiefly with grasshoppers
and wild Indians. And yet, without
any exaggeration, here is one Of the
! fairest and most fertile portions Of oul
national demesne. The two things
which most impress a thoughtful new
resident are the yastness Of the Terri
tory, and its apparent unlimited re-
sources. It's area is equal to that OF
the states of New York, Pennsylvania
Ohio, and Indiana combined. Its
prairies are very rolling, and are beau
tifully diversified with long river val
leys varying in width from two to ten
miles, fringed with timber, and afford
ing pasturage capable of sustaining
herds of cattle innumerable.
While N. T.. Dakota is unquestiona-
bly, part (and a large part) of the
great Wheat-belt of the continent, and
Western Dakota is rich in mineral re-
sources of various kinds, the S. E. por-
ton of the Territory is evidently de-
signed to be the great stock-raising and
dairy portion Of the new Northwest
During the present season hundreds OF
large herds have been brought into this
section, and also a great number OF
calves and yearlings. Calves are at q
premium, and all resident lovers OF
"cutlets" are obliged to dispense with
the luxury, and cheer their gastronom-
ical natures with the prospect of zeal
to come.
The immigration this year has been
simply immense. All along the main
lines of travel, day after day, for
months together, have been seen scores
on scores of covered wagons the
"prairie schooners'' of the west. Most
of these newcomers are the right kind
|of men-young, active, Industrious,
bringing with them horses and cattle,
and determined to make success
Occasionally these "prairie schOoners
have notices painted on their white
canvas, which are amusing as indica-
ting the character or anticipatiOns OF
the owner. For instance, one which
entered the Territory the other day at
Cameron had the significant painted
determination, Dakota, or die" That
is the kind of grit Dakota needs in its
Incoming people. Another, which
crossed the Big Sioux at Canton, bore
the motto, "To the Jim River or bust.
But one poor fellow, whose expecta-
tons had not been realized, and who
had not sufficient perseverance to re.
main and fight his obstacles, started
eastward with his schooner" emilia.
zoned with the ignominious watch
word. Bound for my wife's people"
Concerning the grassboppers inform
alton may be desired by citizens OF
your burgh who have made some slight
investments in Dakota Climber
Claims Well, a few counties in the
S. E. corner have suffered from them
this season, chiefly the four counties
of Clay, Turner, Union, and Mime
haha. Large numbers of eggs were
deposited last year in the above coun
ties, which commenced Matching out
IN the month of April. BY the latter
part Of May these "hoppers' had be
come so numerous. large, and lively
that they commenced a work of de
lvouring, which lasted for several
weeks, until most Of the wheat ant
oats and nearly all garden produce ha(
been utterly annihilated. Still, The
evil might have been much worse
: Most of the farmers had time and en-
ergy to plough up the destroyed fields
and go to planting, so that now, where
ragged the devourer, promising fields O.
corn are waving in the summer breeze
and the gardens re-planted promise /;
rich yield i'll autumn. Then, the Dor
ton ravaged by the pest is exceedingly
Ismall compared with the vast, almos
boundless, prairies beyond. Thos,
farmers who fight the hoppers," b,
ploughing ditch around their cultiva
ted land, and by drawing with team.
the kerosene tin, constructed for tn,
purpose, through the attacked grain
8 thereby, on the one hand preventin.