Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1884-07-11
The washington Springs:

OF ILLINOIS,.
The washington Springs:
Correspondence Dakota State Jour-
hal, st. Lawrence; Hand Co., D. T:
Ohio Township, June 10, 1884.
Mr.. Editor-I recently enjoyed a
pleasant trip across the country over
the Washington Hills, touching at the
Springs, across the flats in the neigh
borho6d Of Woonsocket, Letcher and
Mt. Vernon. AS WI neared the Springs
a magnificent view spread out before
us, extending as far as the eye could
reach. Away to the northeast, 26 miles
br more, glittering in the sunshine
"The gem Of the plains" sat the beau
tiful and busy city Of Huron; away to
the east the Jim river and beyond the
lowering horizon 1iihits the vision in
that direction; turning to the southeast
Woonsocket, fletcher, Mitchell and Mt.
Vernon greet our eyes All over this
vast e3panse thickly settled, sparkled
the comfortable houses and pleasant
homes Of the contented and prosperous
farmer. Descending to the Springs we
soon found ourselves in aquiet country
town. Our team cared fot we soon
Wended our way to the Springs, about
80 rods distant. We passed an old, di-
lapidated, one-story log house, ii which
the builder showed some.taste by hew-
ing the logs. on the outside; this was
said to be the. home of a MI. Wessing-
ton, whom the Indians killed a few
years age, and after whom the hills
were named. The walk here leads
down short declivity, passing rustic
seats, vine-clad bowers, beneath ancient
oak, elm and ash, over the rustic bridge.
now we approach the falls below, down
comes the noisy, roaring, pouring, spark
ling water over vegetable petrifed rock
about 10 or Is feet in height, These
falls are formed semi-circular in three
terraces across the ravine. Passing up
the stream, we soon arrive at the foun-
tain. The towRsite association has
opened Up this spring. forming acircu-
lar. reservoir about 4 rods in diameter;
a flume placed IN the dam, through
which the water passes. and fall from
an apron in a thin, vapory sheet. A
pipe is laid from the reservoir, supply
ing the city with pure water.
There are several springs here said to
contain. mineral properties, sulphur,
iron, maghesia-others, simply limpid
water. About 40rods below the waters
from all these springs, unite and form
one stream affording power sufficient
to run 40 run of stone.
!, Washington Springs is the county
seat of Jerauld. county, containing 2
hotels, 2 drygoods stores, hardware,
drugs, groceries, ! school-house, and /
church, but no saloon, J.!
! The Washington Springs hotel is filled
to OVERLOOKING every day by visitors.
J A daily line of stages connects this
place with 'Woonsocket an Mitchell.
Twelve miles south we come, Twin
Lakes; where we stop and take dinner
at the house of a MI. Bigger, formerly
a minister, but recently turned his. at
tentfon to real estate; in which hetakes
more interest than formerly in the
ministry. Mine miles farther and u
journey ends. q. > !",;
We have passed oyer. as fnea country
as thesun ever shone upon; large, way
ing fields of wheat out in heads, long
and broad fields of corn-two feet high.
POTATOES in blossom. Flax and oats
looking well, far ahead of Ohio town
ship. AL here puts on the garb of
peace and plenty Here and there a
!s~chool-house and a church, "but no sa-
loon in the valley" This is what our
township may present. not many years
hence, where our children may attend !
school; old folks, young men and maid
ems attend church on the Sabbath, and
all, will be contentment, peace, and
prosperity. So may it be. So say.I.
49,. M. Z. ANDREWS.
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