Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1883-02-19
WANDERING LOBBYISTS.
Making the Overland Trip Between Huron
and Yankton in Twentv-seven Hours.
Huron Huronlte, 9Th.

Making the Overland Trip Between Huron
and Yankton in Twentv-seven Hours.
Huron Huronlte, sth.
On Saturday, January 29, 1883, be-
tween the hours of two and three p. M,
Q party consisting of W. B. Ingersoll,
NJ. +. Wright, l.. s. Hazen, F. E. Stevens,
J. 81. Alexander, Chas. Reed, N. T. Smith,
A. i. Millville and the writer left Huron
for Yankton. Rolling over the smooth
roads ut rapid pace on beautiful
winter afternoon with entertaining com.
panions, the party were in the best of
spirits. One could help noting the great
farm Improvements that dotted the road
out for distance of from ten to fifteen
miles, and feeling from this cause alone
if no other that the bustling little city
we had left behind would become an
important point in Dakota. just as the
twilight was falling we came upon the
little village of Forestburg nestled in
the hills just where the grade of the
southern Minnesota branch of the Chica-
go, Milwaukee and st. Paul crosses the
Jim. We judge the little hamlet might
make pret0y picture on bright, sunny
morn, but the attractions of warm
supperand a hurried departure prevented
further investigation.
After riding several hours the moon
arose and lighted our way with great
brilliancy. The keen, frosty air began to
make itself felt even through our thick
wraps, and about ii p. M, We were not
sorry to get our first view of Mitchell.
Alighting at the Alex. Mitchell, we were
not long in reaching the Office, and after
numerous vigorous STRINGS and shak-
ings of the huge Office stove we at last
secured comfortable temperature. AL
though the night was cold, the atmos-
phere was perfectly still, and after con.
sultation the party agreed to continue
their journey with the exception of Mr..
Reed. He insisted that we had already
travelled sixty miles and that we ought
to remain unit! morning, but he finally
gave way to the rest of the party. We
secured fresh teams and started for Scot
land, fifty miles distant. As we departed
the full moon illuminated the frost la
den grasses with innumerable colored
lights that spnrkled like brilliant colored
gems, producing the finest effect of the
kind that we ever witnessed. AR we de.
parted from Mitchell we must confess
that the.same disappointment awaited us
that We noticed on our arrival from the
north-the lack of actual settlement OF
the surrounding country, 1t is not fair,
nor do we desire to Judge rival by
moonlight. We were well treated at the
hotel which, with its ample size should
be credit to the town; but q
vigorous application of the scrub
bing brush would not decrease from
| its favorable reputation. The main stree,
is not SO wide as that of Huron, but there
are number OF substantial, fine.appear.
ing business houses, and the new court
house loomed up conspicuously in the
uncertain light. The country is more
bsoken than with us; at least in the i'm.
Il hediate vicinity. w Our driver wAs unac
Il qnainted with the road aud Mr.. Hazeu
u was recognized as guide. After driving
few miles we discovered we had missed
the way and we soon found oussssve,
wanderers in the rank, grasses on the
famous bottoms Of the "J,m." Wefinaliy
arrived at crossing on the other slds ol
which stood the immense house Of the
Russian settlement. We were informed
that u number OF females occupy tht
same house, and that this place contained
fror. forty to fifty families. The colon,
controls large body of land and are il
; charge of q priest, and all property il
common stock for the benefit of all.
i The walls OF many of the buildings at,
made from clay and straw prepared in
peculiar way, which Mr.. Hazen will b,
pleased to describe to the curious. Th,
meals of these people are said to be com
posed Of preparation of milk and breas
J placed di1tnsoonmon dish Each membe
Of the family is provided with
spoon, and OF given signal they al
: commence operations, and the rapidit,
: with which food disappears can b
! better imagined than described. No
8 desiring to cross, the party followed th,
: river short distance. when wir
fence compelled square turn for tn
a hills. Our guide having met with sucl
8 poor success, Judge lngersoll, who wa
e driving the other teaS,, started out "ol
c his own hook" and thereafter his tear
D seemed to have ..n insane desire to scal
It the precipitous bluffs, while our own de
D veloped an abnormal affiuity for th
!. banks OF the "Jim." The party wer
It not lacking in spirits and notwithstane
!. ing the uncomfortable chilliness an in
Q nsnse amount Of tan was devslope