St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-07-16
REDFlELD.
Which is to be Southern Dakota's
Capital.
The Metropolis of Sphinx County and an I'm
portant Railroad Center.
Especial Correspondence Of the Globe. |

Especial Correspondence of the Globe
July 14.-There is no region of country on the
globe, that has, during the past few years, been
written about, talked about and attracted the at
tention of SO many thousands of people as the
Territory of Dakota. A great deal that has been
said perhaps has heen exaggerated, but in the ma
jority of cases those who have talked and written
of the wonderful resources of the country, its
beauties and products, have not colored the facts
1t is certainly fact, that no region has received
such remarkable inflow Of people in the history
of our government. 1t is indeed a wonderful
country, possessed of wonderful resources and
advantages
THE jim RIVER VALLEY.
The American continent cannot boast of a
broader expanse of rich and fertile prairie coun-
try than that designated as the Jim River ualley,
and in which Sphinx county and Redfeld are stu
ated. 1t combines more elements Of wealth and
prosperity to the agriculturist than any other.
similar area of the prairie states. This may
seem somewhat extravagant to those unacquaint-
ed with the facts, but not to those who have
seen the region indicated. In order that the
reader may more fully gain
proper appreciation of the present condition
and development of the country surrounding
and tributary to Redfeld, it will be well to sub
nit briefly retrospective view of the, same con-
trast, as it were, the present with the past.
Scarcely decade has passed since this region
existed in its primitive state, with not trace of
civilization to be seen-no railroads, no cities or
villages, no golden tinted fields; naught but
expanse of country bedeeked in the robes in
which nature had clothed it, the only inhabitant
the deer, the elk, the buffalo, and the wandering
bands of savages. This was The condition of the
country scarcely fourth of score of years ago;
and he that visits this country at the present
time, and sees its numerous railroads, its flour
ishing villages and cities, its crop laden farms,
its focks and herds, will not deny the wonderful
Development of the past, or the rich prospects
of the future. A country teeming with all the
numerous resources that nature brings to aid in
the development of superior civilization,
country rich in agricultural possibilities and en-
dowed with all the natural requirements necess-
airy to make it rich and prosperous, a fertile and
productive SOIL a healthful climate, an abund-
ance of water, pleasing landscape, are all
among the elements that are contributing to d
growth and development unprecedented in the
annals of civilization.
THE HISTORY OF REDFIELD
Is not unlike that of many other towns that are
spriaging up throughout the Northwest. Less
than four years ago not a single inhabtant
marked the spot where now stands the enter
prisng city,--the leading city of the Jim River
valley. First came the engineering corps of the
c. & N. w. r. r. Co.; next the construction
ton party, followed by the ''iron horse;'' then
came the people who comprise the citizens of
one OF the most prosperous cities in Dakota
Redfeld has never had that mushroom growth
that most of her sister towns have had, but has
grown steadily year after year until it now num-
bers over 1900 inhabitants, the appearance of
which is substantial and well-built town. The
city is nicely located on an elevated 'plateau
on the banks Of the Turtle river, overlooking a
landscape, the graceful and symmetrical outlines
of which bespeak architectural skill superior
to any human accomplishment There is, per-
haps, not another fowl in the territory, and few
if any, in the older sections of the country that
present more solid and substantial appearance.
There is every indication of prosperity ON the
part of the people, in the scores of new build
ings completed under the course of construc-
tion