Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, D.T. [N.D.]) 1878-1884, 1883-09-14
A HEALTHY TOWN.
A Tribune Reporter Visits Sims and
Looks Over Her Industries.
ALVEY and Growing Town, Although
but yet Toddling Infant.
Coal Mines, Brick Manufactures and
Other Extensive Enterprises,
Notes Of q Brief Visit.

1t is q source of real pleasure, after becoming
in the capital city, to step on board Of one Of
the elegantly equipped cars of the Pacific ex-
press and glide westward through the city, over
the great iron bridge across the Missouri, through
the handsome little town of Mandan and then
over the great rolling prairies west of the Mis-
souri,, and note the increase of population and
excellence of prosperity everywhere visible. A
short distance west of Mandan and weglide past
the large butte, where, but few years ago,
Denny Hannifin and two companions were sur
rounded by a horde of yelling and bloodthirsty
redskins, who were desirous of q more intimate
with the party; but the boys made
a gallant fight, drove the demons back, escaped
with their hair still under their hats, and now
look back at the adventure and shudder as they
realize their doom had they been captured. But
the days of the savages are over, and within
sight of that conflict may be seen the stately
blocks and splendid little city of Mandan. Con-
tinuing on we notice on every side as far as the
eye can reach, the newly erected cabins and COM
Portable homes of the settlers
who have located on Dakota's broad and fertile
acles to remain and prosper with the country.
Indeed, this section is filing up so rapidly with
eastern settlers that the North Pacific has been
compelled to put in side tracks and stations
every few miles to accommodate these people,
aud new towns are springing up almost magi-
cally at these points. Forty three miles west OF
Maudan we roll up to the new town of Sims
hardly vet six months old, and yet one OF the
most attractive and pretty little towns on the
line. Sims is very prettily located on slightly
sloping plateau and contains perhaps fifty
houses in ala large proportion of which are
constructed Of brick and give the little city
very pleasant appearance. There is one large
store that carries very full and complete line
of general merchandise. This store, until quite
recently, has been conducted by the North Pa
cific Coal company, but the stock and business
have been purchased by Mandan parties, who
will shortly move into large brick store erected
for them. There i, also an exclusive drug and
notion store, conducted by A. O. William,
former Bismarcker, and q first class druggist,
who has succeeded in building up large and
profitable business. Mr.. William, although q
resident of Sims but a few months, has made
host of friends who are pleased at his prosperity
The increasing business of the town necessl-
tated the establishment of q banking house, and
to fill this want the Bank of Sims was opened,
with G. W. Thompson as president, and mr..
Hess6eld as cashier. The bank opened with
capital of $50 600, and has done large business
ever since starting. 1t Is pleasantly situated in
handsome brick block, erected by the bank
and furnished with large vaults and everything
necessary for the safe custody Of deposits'
But by long odds the most important indus
try and the backbone of the place, is tho famous
Bly coal mine. The mines are situated just west
of the track or depot, and furnish employment
to perhaps 100 miners. The entire hill is one
mass of coal, and as one enters the shafts and
travels through the different tunnels and rooms"
as they are called, he is impressed with the be-
lief that there is coal enough here to furnish
fuel for all Dakota for century to come. There
are probably seventy. five miners down in this
coal mine, underneath the ground,' and each
man will average about six tons per day, thus
taking out in the vicinity of 500 tons per day.
This coal finds ready sale and is shipped east to
St. Paul, and as far west as Helena, Montana.
It is used by the railroad almost exclusively, and
is said to improve in quality the more the mine
is worked In order to facilitate the work
shaft is being sunk to tap the mine
in another direction, thus enabling more
miners to work. The demand for the coal is
rapidly increasing and the average shipments
during the next year will probably reach l'O0O
tons per day, thus giving employment to hum
dreds of men who will assist in building up and
making the town prosperous and populous.
The headquarters of the North Pacific coal
company are at Sims and are presided over by
Mr.. Fred Chapman ably assisted by Jimmie
Newcomb ~ first lieutenant. &c..
Another advantage that Sims has is in the pos
session of tbs finest qualities of clay, among
which is found fire clay. The discovery of this
clav has led to the formation of the Carbon
Pressed Brick and Lime company, with @. w.
Thompson a. president, w. A. Dow, vice presi-
dent and general manager. and MIR. Hinsel
as secretary and treasurer. The company have
put in machinery, steam engines, etc., and every
thing necessary to facilitate the manufacture of
brick and terra Gotta Of every description. They
are at present furnishing brick for the capitol
building, the First National bank block and
the penitentiary, at Bismarck, The brick man
ufactured at this place are by far the finest made
in the west, and $4,000 are shipped from Sims
daily. speciality is made Of enaneled brick
in every color and those turned out are certainly
fine specimens of mechanics art. The terra Gotta
work is simply beautiful, and the work now
being done for the First National block IL
superb. The terra Gotta trade is being pushed
forward rapidly and orders for this class OF
material come from a. far east as Chicago, and
from points as far west as Helena and Fort
Benton. This industry gives employment 70
about seventy five men, but before another year
rolls into the endless past at least 5co men will