Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1879-08-13
[Editorial COrrespondcnce.l

49, SI
soil has settled down from tbs realms of ex-
pertinent to the solid ground Of ful6llment,
and q brief time now alone is wanting to-
insure great population and an abundance of
worldly stores. Up and down the Red River
valley for scores of miles, lands are now
held at surprising figures. West of Fargo
for twenty miles to Casselton, there is an
unbroken stretch Of Improvement and one
is hardly out of sight Of waving grain fields.
During my trip the harvest was progressing.
At the grand farm Of Dalrymple. Is miles
out, not more than one-half the grain had
been cut and an army Of men and teams
were engaged there reaping aud shocking.
Farther west improvement becomes less
noticeable yet not altogether lacking. Oc-|
c~asionally one sees an immense plain of
upturned sod with ample barns aud . fine
residence reared amidst it, showing that
Dalrympls's success Is having a stimulating
effect, and other srangers with great ambi.
ton, are preparing to contest with him the
superiority which to this time has been
yielded him ~ the general in chief of grain
farmers. Noticeable among these are the
Troy farm. near the 18th siding, and the
Steele farm At the 18th siding we'll on the
way to Biemarck. In two years, with favor
able seasons these farms will claim a place
in the van Of agricultural enterprises.
These are not the only ones in course of
preparation. Back from the road the settle
ment has been rapid and the improvement
very encouraging. The country has
made such progress during the pre-
sent season and has obtained such q re-
markable prestige through it's five years of
successful growth OF crops that it is now
esteemed a favored section and the rush of
population will not subside, but will in
crease until every acre is occupied. =
Among the finest townsites along the
line, Iclass jamestown. Its surroundings
are also cheerful and the country very fer
tile. This season the little town has taken
q long stretch ahead, and I would defy the
whole west to present q more charming
little village than jamestown Is TO-DAY,
Situated on the Jim, I felt that it was q
near relation and rejolced o heartily in
its prosperity from this circumstance. Il
will remain the head centre for . vast sec
ton Of productive country for many years
and I would not be surprised # its growth
10 population and improvement was very
rapid. The county, (Stutsm ap) has already
$50 farmers cu!tivating the soil.
The number of good sized lakes along
this line is a noticeable attraction. 1 had
heard that northern Dakota was barren and
desolate, but had never been told that 1t
possessed such charming natural advan.
tages for out door pleasures. Eckelson
lake is a very fine body of water and will
undoubtedly be made serviceable 10 contri.
butipg to the enjoyment of the 1901 10 be
%millionalres of these vast grain fields.
Bismarck was another and q genuine sur.
prise. 1t surprised my expectations at least
one hall. Its locationlis very fine-com..
mandinR. land presents to the vision a wide
range with many charming features. It
was at Bismarck that l remained through
Sunday and learned that the Observance of
the day wa not 90 rigidIy observed as At
Yankton. Monday following there was
no cessation Of business nor d%iminutiou In
the numbers who throneed the streets, and
l therefore concluded that Bismarck must
enjoy Q continual business harvest through
out all the days Of the calendar month. 1
am indebted to Hon. John Stoyell. one of
its earliest settlers. for q good look at the
town and surrounding region. 1t has about
the same number of people as Fargo, and
quite as much improvement. Fargo is
growing o rapidly this year and has q
decided advantage in it, already we'll i'm
proved farms tributary. But in this re.
spect Bismarck is not altogether wanting.
She has quite q colony Of farmers in Apple
creek valley i've miles east Of the city.
This season their success has made them
jubilant. Oats are the staple production
because more profitable here than wheat.
They yield double that of wheat and sell
in this market for 60 cents . bushel, conse.
quently oats will remain king In Burleigh
county until the supply exceeds the demand
Still the 1great want of the town and
county is q rural population. The soil ,s
fertile and will produce abundantly, aud no
better market exists in the west. Wheat
can be grown here successfully, q fact which
has been SO emphatically demonstrated tha,
one of the largest -four mills In the terri.
tory has just been completed here and will
soon be in operation. :.
There is some complaint here that the
river business has been less brisk and pro
liable this season than heretofore. In this
respect it would find congenial sympathy
10 Ysnkton. But with the diminution ol
this and other sources of transient pros.
periesy, Bismarck will put its strong hand
to the pillow and then will 1t commence
building on . foundation that viii be last
Ing and upon which It will rear . pros