Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1884-03-12
The Promised Land.
From the Milwaukee Sentinel.

From The MILWAUKEE, sentinel
A gentleman of this city, connect
ed with the Chicago, Milwaukee &
st. Paul Railway, is in the receipt Of
a letter from G. W. Stone, of Prince
ton, ILL.,, giving description of his
recent visit to Dakota, and an ex-
preston of his views of that newly
opened country. In this letter Mr.
Stone says; From the location of
the Territory of Dakota, had form
ed the opinion that the climate was
not suitable to general agriculture,
and especially so as to successful
corn raising. This opinion, l think,
is generally held by the people in
this section of the country, but | am
now quite satisfied that not only is
the climate suitable for corn raising,
but that Southern Dakota possesses
the soil and all other necessary quail
ilications for the production of all
crops that can be grown in Central
Illinois | have come to this con-
clusion by personal examination and
by talking with reliable men who
have resided in the country for years.
In fact the corn now to be seen in
cribs and the stalks now standing in
the fields of last years growth, can
not fail to convince the most obst;-
nate unbeliever. | speak more par
ticularly of corn, because this is our
staple crop and here corn is king.
The country that will raise corn will
raise grass, cattle and hogs. The ev-
licences are equally abundant that
the soil and climate are suitable to
small grain and vegetables. As to
any particular location, | will say
that, judging from the general ap-
pearance of the country, one could
not easily make a mistake in locat-
ing anywhere in Southern Dakota.
| was particularly impressed with
toe appearance of the country along
the Sioux Valley in Lincoln and Tn
ion counties. The bottom lands es-
pecially, seemed to be very rich,
gently sloping from the upland to
river, giving good drainage, and be-
ing equally suitable for cultivation
and grazing The uplands adjoin-
ing also seem to be good, and l am
told are preferred oy many for gen.
eral cultivation, and some even pre-
fer the isiost rolling land, or what is
sometimes called the bluffs, which
they claim gives better shelter fol
stock and abounds in springs. True
it is that all this land, both high and
low, is covered with grass. and ha;
the appearance Of being an excellen'
country for stock. / have Travelled
considerably in Iowa, Nebraska
Karsas and Missouri, have bough'
and sold land there and here for tn,
last ten years. think have hae
opportunities to Judge OF qualities 0
soil and climate, and of capabilitie
and prospects Of a country, and ca,
truly say it has never been my for
tune to see a country that present
more available points for rich ant
prosperous future than Southefl
/, Dakota. The rapid settlement Q
the country and Of the towns alon
! the line, prove that am not alon
in this opinion. Thousands ar
! fiocking in from all points to max
t this their future home. Anon
: them are no loungers or nien appa,
!. emily without ai,n or object, as ma
;. be seen ia states south or west, bl
: men with nerve and intelligenc
!. who como here TO build up the con,
! try. nakea fortune for themselv,
: and homes for their children, Som
7 10 ,'oiibt, will be disappointed, y,
many nfili su,s.Y,I.