St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-12-18
Especial Correspondence of the Globe.
BEADLE COUNTY.

Beadle county is one Of the largest organ
lied counties in Dakota, the Wonderland
and is. to-day the most thickiy
populated of any county east of
the muddy Missouri. 1t contains TWEEN
ty-fve townships, or 1850 square
miles, and nearly every acre can be culti-
waited; that portion that crops can not be
raised produces excellent crops of hay.
THE SOIL.
The soil in Beadle county is the best in
the territory. 1t is mostly a black, sandy
loan from two or tour feet in depth under
laid by sandy clay impregnated with lime
and magnesia that proves strong fertilizer,
and retains moisture to a remarkable degree
making drought almost i'm possible. 1t has
been greatly enriched for years past by the
ash or decay of rank vegetation.
In some localities there are
great boulders scattered over the
surface, but instead of their being a detri-
ment to the country they are a benefit, for
they are gathered and used for building pur-
poses. They rarely extend beneath the soil.
Years ago, when the writer attended school,
his common school geography told him that
Dakota was part of the great American des-
ert, place where sage brush alone grew,
where the buffalo died for want of grass and
water, but to-day it is called the ''wonder
land" 1t is in many respects ''garden of
Eden,' land Of ''milk and honeyn A few
short years ago Beadle county was unknown;
not furrow had been turned, not an ear Of
corn or kernel of wheat had
been raised, but to-day large fields are under
cultivation, broad acres of wheat, corn, oats,
barley, fax, rye, potatoes, and all kinds of
garden vegetables are raised, and raised in
abundance, equal in quantity and quality to
any raised in any of her sister states. Years
ago immense herds Of buffalo roamed over
this beautiful prairie, only disturbed by the
red man, the only human being known to
this country. To-day the buffalo has disap-
peared, and in their stead swarming droves
of cattle and horses are seen, and instead
OF the Indian, who only knew how TO hunt
and fish, the white man, the sturdy farmer,
is seen tilling the soil. Instead of the tepee
large and comfortable farm houses and barns
dot our beautiful prairie. The government
land has all been taken long ago, but valu-
able tracts can be bought from So to SIS per
acre. There never was a time in the older
price, and when l say land can be bought
here for the above figure it does not signify
that the man having it for sale in
tends to leave the country and 90
back to the states. In most instances where
a farmer has piece of land for sale he has
also two more quarter sections, and by selling
one he can get money to better improve
those he wishes to keep for his future home.
WATER.
Beautiful streams of water cross the coun-
try in different directions. The famous
James river is the largest, but there are also
Pearl, Cain and Shoe creeks, besides Lake
Byron and other smaller ones that furnish an
abundance of fresh and living water for all the
stock that will ever be raised within the bor-
ders of Beadle county. Good well water can
be had by digging at depth of from ten to
thirty feet.
POPULATION.
The population is mostly American. There
are many Germans and few of the other
nationalities, and will number from $4,000
TO $4,000 all of whom are most enterpris-
ing class of people. 1t has often been said
by eastern parties when visiting this country
that ''the most enterprising citizens
Of the east have certainly come
west" In answer TO that will simply refer
TO an old adage: ''Fools and idiots never
emigrate."
CLIMATE.
The climate of this locality cannot be sur
passed. Instead of the long and disagreeable
winters, with constant billiards, as people
in the east say we have, we have, without
-
in the west, and the billiards no worse than
those endured on the praires of northern
Iowa and southern Minnesota, while our negh-
bors are now clad in heavy fur coats in
the beautiful city of st. Paul and enjoying
themselves sleighing and snow balling, not
fake OF snow has yet put in an appearance
here, and the citizens are only clad in COM
mon winter clothing; there have been but
lew days so far that a fur coat has been
needed. Our streets are dusty and the sun
shines brightly.
To prove that this country is far in ad-
vance of southern Minnesota even, will say
that last spring when the snow still fingered
in the fence corners and the fields were
not in condition to receive
the grain, the crops of small
grain was all in in this locality and the far
mers were preparing their corn ground.
here last season.
SCHOOLS.
came to Minnesota when it was a terri
tory, and it was, for a long time, a remark
able thing to see the country school house.
they were few and far between. Not so here.
This county to-day is young, butthe country
school house is TO be seen in all directions,
nearly every district has its school house and
every school house has its teacher and
is filed with merry, laughing children.
In speaking of Beadle county as l have,
think there is no one, who may come TO see
it, that will criticise my statements in the
least, or claim that l have drawn on the
Imagination the least. l tell it as see it.
and that must suffice. 1 will now say some.
thing of
HURON,
the county seat of Beadle county and the
coming city of southeastern Dakota. 1t has
been rightly named the Seem City of the
Prairie" 1t is certainly gem, one that it,
citizens may feel proud. 1t lie not only
the gem, but it is the central city of south
ern Dakota also. 1t was plated as town
in April, 1880, and has since grown witt
marvellous rapidity, and is to-day large and
hourishing city of fully 5000 inhabitants
nearly all native-born Americans. The bust
ness men are full of push and enterprise, and
are determined to make Huron the future me
tropolis of central Dakota, if pluck, energy
and capital can accomplish that end There
is scarcely day but some one from tb,
east is seen looking over Huron
with the intention of locating.
They see in the young and fiourishing cit,
the signs of future greatness, aud are enthus
iastically placing their capital in business en-
terprises here. Every day or SO deyelope,