Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1882-09-18
pAkorA's NEW POSSESSIONS.
Tho Devils Lake, Mouse RIVER, and Turtle
Mountain Territory.
Correspondence Chicago lnter.Ocean.


Correspondence Chicago lnter-Ocean.
y X
In the character Of it's water, Devils
lake is very similar to its smaller and
less important twin, but the name is a
misnomer. The Indians call it Mime
wakeD, which means "haunted water"
and their idea is that it is haunted, not
by the evil one, but by good spirits. It
is thirty-six miles long and six miles Vide
at the broadest point. 1t is dotted with
small islands, and the scenery is superb.
Its shores are lined with large white
rocks and its banks are covered with
heavy bodies Of timber. On the north
shore of the lake it is estimated that
there are about 10000 acres Of timber.
The south shore, like that of Stump
Lake, is quite broken, only more 80. but
the north shore is of an entirely differ.
ent character, and for the first mile or
two in the immediate vicinity of the
lake is not quite level; but as one goes
north from the lake toward the boundary
line, he gets into one Of the finest tracts
of land in the United States. It is of o
gentle rolling nature and rich black
soil.
There is q hill toward the north called
"Devil's Heart" affording q view of the
scenery, which once enjoyed will never
be forgotten. This lake has no counter.
part in the world, and will be popular
resort for tourists and pleasure hunters
when the railroad is completed. The
water is not 30 cold as that of Stump
lake (Which corroborates the idea that
the latter is fed by cold, fresh water
springsl the beach cannot be surpassed
anywhere, and the bathing Is delightful.
Upon the shores of this singular body of
water several little towns have sprung
up within the past few months, one Of
which bears the name of Jerusalem, SO
christened by some impious settler, and
twenty miles or so further west is Rock
Island. Both towns have good hotels
and on the northwestern corner is O set
tlement known as Zimmerello Point,
where Mr.. Dana, Of Springfield. Ills,
presides. ~
On the southern shore Of the lake
stands Fort Totten, surrounded by a mil.
itary reservation. Here is an Indian
agency, and the ssvages who were lmpli-
Gated in the Minnesota massacre twenty
years ago or 10 are still kept there as
prisoners.
Surrounding the lake is one of the
finest agricultural districts in the world,
comprising millions of acres upon which
the adventurous settlers are living in sod
houses, shanties aud tents, waiting for
the day when they can get titles to the
land. The qdarter sections are divided
with single furlow and stake at each
corner with sign bearing inscription
like the following: f'f
"Taken BY Nelson Graves, August 10;
gone to Larimore for lumber and ex-
poets to return in week"
All such and similar claims are res.
peoted BY the settlers, a. there is plenty
Of land for oil, and there il no 1umpine
OF claims by shot gun or other processei
known to the frontier. Tho settlers are
all anxious for neighbort, and no one
feels inclined TO scare the peaceable onee
away BY the sight Of big revolvees. A
man who wants land there. muai
60 prepared 70 stay With al hil
goods 10 bis possession. IL will not Dc
tor him TO 60 there and look around, aud
then 20 home 10 think about IL. The
men Who are there 81 prsseut ON The
noEth side Of the lake number about fivs
hundred. and this number il being fas,
augmented day BY day. and four or Av,