River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1883-10-18
From the Black Hills.
GENITAL CRY, OAK, Oct. II,

GENITAL CRY, OAK, Oct. II, 1898.
DEAR JoURgAL:-It can hardly be con
sidered pleasure ride from TT. Pierre to
the Black Hills by stage Yet it was my
good fortune to come when the roads
were at their best. We reached Dead
wood. a distance of over two hundred
miles in forty seven hours. When the
roads are muddy it sometimes requires
eleven days. It is nearly impossible to
get a position in these crowded coaches
favorable to sleep, and when one has rid
den steadily for two days and nights, he
is glad to turn in al a Deadwood hotel.
Strong four horse Concord coaches are
used. But they are first overloaded with
express matter and then use the passen-
gers for chinkiIg. Stage fare is thirty
dollars, while tie rates for all baggage
over fifty POUNDS will make ones eyes
stand out with fitness. | paid twelve dol
lars to have my hunk brought from Pier
re to Deadwood.
/ found much more fertile soil on the
Indian reservation than | expected.
True, there having been no rain since
June, the long drouth together with re-
cent frosts, gavethe face of the country
a somewhat barren look. But a closer
observation revealed a soil rich in prom
Use, while the little gardens at stage stands
spoke well for the possibilities of this now
useless land. Since buffalo and other
game have gone the Indians have no use
whatever, in their present state, for that
part of their reservation over which we
passed. Only raneh-men and agricultur-
lists can turn it I'd account. Alkali how
ever, the curse oi Dakota, is in almost all
the water. The stage route crosses moth
ing worthy to be called running streams
between the Missouri and Cheyenne riv-
ers. What are called creeks are quite
frequent; but they are only beds of
streams. However, every little ways iii
these beds there are deep holes filled
with water ample for immense herds of
stock. 1t is thought when an Indian
treaty shall open this section to settle
ment it will fill up rapidly. Except near
Rec Heights l saw nothing east of the
Missouri in this territory more attractive
than some portions of the reservation.
But if were seeking western home |
would come farther. | would try to get
under the shadow of these everlasting
hills. The man who has a cattle ranch
within fifty miles of these Hills cities has
fortune. Cattle Craze during the winter
and come out in the spring ordinarily in
good condition without being fed. Yet
to say nothing of good prices for surplus
stock, butter is in good demand at fifty
cents a pound and eggs at from forty-five
to seventy cents q dozen, while all
vegetables bring at least four times as
much as in the st. CroiS valley. To this
there is some Offset in the high prices ask
ed for commodities wanted, yet this off
set is small to the man who raises his
own bread and meat and vegetables.
True when railroad comes it will
change these rates but the peculiar struc-
ture of these towns and mining camps
will compel generous prices for many
years to come, and when fancy prices are
no more, all tie other advantages remain.
Still let the man who has good farm in
the Saint Croix Valley thank God and
stay where heis.
NJ, ovn,,