The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1881-10-05
OUR WESTERN CORRESPONDENCE.
ORIsKA, BARNES Co.,
nAKnnA Sent OR 1881

ORIsKA, BARNES Co.,
DAKOTA, Sept. 26, 1SS1.}
To the Editor of the EsTxKPRIsE.
Again 1 find myself on the rich plains
of the golden Northwest, full Of busi-
ness preparing fol- early seeding in the
Spring, rs well as other matters. But
TO explain why the letter is headed
"Oriska." Carlton was the original
name of the village, but was often con-
for uded with that of Casselton just east
of here, both in mail matter and rail-
way and express goods. 1t was there
fore changed for self protection. The
name is of Indian origin Oriska was
the daughter of a Sisseton chief of high
rank, gifted with great ply sical beauty,
a cultivated mind and gentle ways. So
says tradition. If true she was far above
any Indian stock 1 ever saw in the
West. Oriska's father formerly held
his pow-wows on the Sheye- e, hunted
antelope and buffalo at large in this
vicinity, varying the entertainment by
raising hair with scalping knife from
the heads of the settlers in Northern
Minnesota and Southern Dakota until
he was Settled - in misunderstood
ing with party of pioneers who were
too much for the Sisseton crowd. Oriska
was loved by two aspiring young war
ard hand upon one, the rejected lover
slew her at the wedding feast, all of
which is of no account in history, ex-
cept the fact that the deed was done in
this very town, and this il the history of
our new name. Speaking of buffalo,
antelope, etc, above, reminds me that
some of our boys went over on the
Shevenne hunting ye"terday, bringing
an amolnt and variety of game-wild
.eese, duck, plover, crane, jack rabbit
etc.-that would delight your own MINI
rods, Messrs Vischer, McClaren, Couch
aud others. We lived high for a day
at least. 1 forgot to mention prairie
chicken among the rest All were in
fine condition, as they ought to be, fat
teningon wheat at 80 to 81 % per bushel,
for that is paid to-day. The boys report
ed plenty of all KINDS of game, but the
liveliest of all of them to bag were the
jack rabbits. This reminds me of other
game to be had without hunting. and
it is very plentiful too. You don't
need a shot gun, they are found princi-
ply in sleeping cars and hotels. The
variety is not large but they are hearty
and strong which will make up for
variety; they are easiest bagged with
a fine tooth comb. Tell the hunters to
come on at once.
Our new elevator is busy taking
wheat every day. About $4,000 bushels
have been bough here, which Is large
amount when we consider that this Is
the first year wheat has been raised in
range 56. Those who threshed early
sold at once for from 90 to $1.05 while
many who could not get machines and
were delayed by rain, loosing some
grain, beside doing great amount of la
Dor to save it are now thanking their
lucky star for delays; they are getting
to-day at the elevator 81. %, and it will be
higher in five days. One does not
know when to sell, many are holding
for higher price. saw thousands of
acres in Dalrymple and other farms
standing in tie shock, as 1 came out,
damaged of course, but the price will
balance the loss. Town lots are going
like hot cakes at Oriska. Three store
lots sold to-day for immediate building
upon. Next year With the elevator taking
$50 900 bushels of wheat, there will be
some business done. Those who get
the ground first will, of course, take the
cream of the business for the future, for
they will get the best locations, and
be among the first to make acquaintance
with the farmers. We want here at once
good stock of general merchandise, a
hardware and stove store, in fact any
thing but saloons.
made on every hand. The I" Armands,"
mentioned n a former letter, are driv-
ing business very earnestly. To see
one of them rushing business in this
vicinity, one would little dream that
either was ever charged with lack OF
ambition; yet they do say that such was
the case. They are buying land by the
section, picking out the choice business
aud residence lots in Oriska without
regard to cost. Evidently they have
faith in Dakota's magnificent soil.
mentioned the "water" question
in former letter and refer to it again
for there have been several wells made
during my absence finding delightful
water and plenty of it. A twenty-five foot
well at the elevator has twelve feet of
water, nor could it be drawn dry easily.
Barnes County can discount anything
in the Red or Sheyenne valleys for any
product. My stay will not be as long
as in the summer, nor will you get
another communication from me. Will
say in conclusion that now is the time
to get foothold on Uncle Sans faIm,
and n man with few hundred dollars
may secure 4SO acres of the best faru.-
ing land in the world for nothing.
Come on and get health and wealth and
all We who rert on shares, come and be
proprietors yourselves. PARKER.