Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1883-07-19
Letter from the West.
{ DoLAND, ID. T.. July 5. 1889.

ED. NORTHWEST had the privi-
lege of fperusing letter published in the
columns of the NORTHWEST of date
NAV 10th, headed Letter from the
West. Fargo, ID. T., May lst, signed
Y. A. III. 1t is not my intention to re-
ply to the above mentioned letter or to
refute any argument used to deter emf
grafton from coming TO this Territory.
The public has the benefit of it If there
is any merit in it, or truthful state
ments. ! am acquainted with the
writer Of the above mentioned letter,
and cannot think that he would make
any statement that he did not think
was true. Fargo, it will be remember
ed, is very far north in the Territory.
He, no doubt, has given his version Of
that section of the country, and does
not refer to the central or southern pOr-
tion of the Territory. will just say
what is true of the Northern division i'm
many respects, is not true of the Central
or Southern portions. ,-..
The object of this letter is to answer
some questions propOunded to me from
friends and old acquaintance in Ohio,
relative to climate and productions of
this country. My experience as touch
ing those points is rather limited, be-
ing in the Territory less than three
months. However / may be able to
give my friends some information who
are contemplating emigrating to the
West. Imust confine my observations
and information to Central Dakota, as |
have not been in the Northern or South
ern portions. My lot has been cast in
what is called the Jim River Valley, in
the county of Sphinx. AS to climate, it
is subject to sudden changes similar to
Ohio and other western States. I be-
lieve it to be very healthy climate,
and why, because the air is dry and APP
parently very pure. We do not see the
people going around barking like pack
of hunting hounds, as 1 have seen them
in some places that | know of. The
doctors tell me that there is not that
malaria here that there is East. The
air appears bracing; l don't mean the
billiards, as they are called. They are
the productions of the Fargo country
1 have not seen any of that sort down
here, yet believe that in the winter
and early spring, we will have pretty
strong wind, sometimes just enough to
remind us of our dependence upon the
Creator of all things. -..
AS to the soil, am convinced that it
is good, hand to beat anywhere; and
why do say that, because I have seen
with my own eyes those things that
demonstrate it, such as wheat, oats,
rye, barley, flax, potatoes, beans, and
all, or nearly all kinds of vegetables and
garden truck. Everything looks thrift
ty and strong; even sod corn looks prom
ising that was planted early. Every
thing goes to prove to my mind that
the soil is strong and productive. find
it every where in the county as far as |
have been to be from two to five feet
deep. The grass that grows here proves
it to be productive. Ali that is needed
in my jfdgmeat to make this soil pro.
ductive, is plenty of rain fall and in the
right time and plenty of hard work.
will just say to those contemplating
coming to Dakota to make farming theil
business, and who expect this glorious
soil to produce milk and honey or any
other good thing without using brain
and muscle will be disappointed.
How the growing crops will turn out
this season remains to be seen. A bet.
ter prospect l never saw in any new
country; most of the crops in this coun.
try is on spring breaking. Good well
water is obtained here from eight tC
thirty feet and in abundance. The arti
Gle of fuel is little expensive here yet
coal will be obtained here in abundance
and at reasonable rates. Hard wooC
can be obtained at Sc per cord at any
station on the railroad. think it will
be purchased in another year at mucf
reduced figure. 1t is my candid con
viction that any one holding a claim
here will come onto it with good team
and go to work in earnest, as though h'
meant business and turn over the SOC
and plant and SOW he will surely reap
{ Pretty good wheat has been raised OF
first breaking. 1 believe | have an
swered all questions propounded to tn
best of my knowledge of this country
If any can benefit by it, they are wei
come and have my best wishes.
HI. H. THRAPP.