Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1882-10-13
FROM MIFFIIN.

October 8. lSSa.-The last Of the Da-
kota explorers (H. Cushman) returned
a few days since, all having taken up
more or less land. I. Alton, Jr., ex-
plored Aurora. Beadle, and a part of
Sphinx Co. and says he saw but one
tract OF land worth owning in the
whole. He returned without having
secured any land. The others. viz:
Harvey Cushman, who pre-empted and
bought in Sphinx county, for himself
and Mrs. Burton, and James Uarker
and W. r. Davis, who took up land
$50 acres each) in Faux county, report
the land in those parts as being very
good. OF course, as in all states and
territories. there is bad or poor land,
but there is here thousands of acres of
just as good land as Wisconsin can
produce. The surface in this region is
low, rolling enough, however to drain
the surface. The soil is black loan,
from one foot to three feet in depth.
The sub-soil is sandy grayelly, clay,
to An unknown depth in some places.
There are places where the soil seems
to have been burned or eaten, thus ex-
posing the sIb-soil. There is tract of
this kind in the western part of Sphinx
county, and IN eastern Faux. In this
region also are alkali beds, but nothing
Of the kind is visible in central Faux.
A spring is almost unknown there, but
in Faux county water oozeS out of the
hills into the "canons (valleysl,
resembling our springs, but after flow
ing upon the surface for short dis
tance, sinks into the fertile soil of the
vast prairie lying below. Water is OBJ
tanned by sinking from to So feet, and
equals our average well water in this
region. But those who have been there
recommend cistern water for house
use. Timber is very scarce. Harker
and Davis each boasts of six or eight
loads of ash. willow and another va
riety, the name forgotten, and say they
ate wild Dakota grapes and plums.
Snake River crosses their claims.
Mr.. Cushman has erected house
and stabling. ard intends moving this
fall, taking with him sixteen milch
cows, a number of horses and farmirg
and household utensils. The remain
der he will sell at auction on the 18th
inst. The others with some friends,
VIII move out in the spring.
Auction sales have been the order OF
the day here this week. 20. Cushman
seems to be the favorite "crier" from
Eden to Belmont. The only objection
to him is, he is sure to dwell a long
time upon an article If he has our bid.
DR.. Bird left last week for Chicago,
where he intends taking a course at
Rush Medical College. and then locate
in the west.
| DR.. j, 7. Parmley, accompanied by
his wife, attended the spring exercises
of Hahnemann College, took in the
eXpositions at Chicago and Milwaukee.
and returned Tuesday rs far as Dodge
vile, where John is acting as juror.
Robert Willis returned to his studies
at Hahnemann college. Will Balm
bridge; at Platteyille, and j. w. Parm-
ley at Appleton. We are glad to note
that few of our young men are dis
posed to rise higher than to lounge on
store porches, post themselves upon
the gossip of the day. and stare at the
ladies who come to trade. We wish
the boys success, and advise others to
pattern after them, that they may be of
some use to themselves and the COM
munity in which they live. Instead of
putting concealed weapons into the
child's pocket, it would be a better in
yestment and better ciyilizer of the
same, if the parent put few concealed
weapons into the childs head. These
would prove better defence, of more
value to the child, and would be Of
more credit to the parent. ROLAND,