St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-12-10
CHAM BERLAIN.
One Of the Bright Dakota Towns
That is FloUrishing Like a Green

CHAMBERLAIS, Dec. 6.-There never has
been in the history OF our country, and per-
haps never viii be In all time TO come. a
territory that mas had SO much written about
IT as has the territory OF Dakota. Not only
the territory a whole, but every county
town and hamlet in tie territory has received
its share. And, in great many instances,
things have been said about certain portions
that ought not TO have been, for II has been
the means Of inducing people in the states to
come 10 those parts Of the territory, and they
were disappointed aud returned TO
their old homes, saying, 81 don
want any Of Dakota in mine" But, take
Dakota as a whole and there never was and,
perhaps, never viii be, another country lac
ii; bat in this article only wish to speak OF
Brule county and Chamberlain, the chief
metropolis OF the county, a. have just Il ade
trip through the county and sojogrned
several days at Chamberlain.
BRULE COUNTY.
Brule county is located on the east side OF
the Missouri river. about forty miles north
Of the forty-third degree OF the north latitude,
and is, in my opinion, one Of the best counties
in the territory IT contains over 500
square miles OF territory, aud OF this nearly
five townships are still what is called Indian
land, and is not, as yet, open for settlement;
leaving in Brule county, yet unsettled, be-
tween six and seven hundred square miles
Of the finest farming lands in the northwest,
there being but little inferior lands in the
county, except in the Immediate vicinity OF
the river where there are a few bluffs. and
these are well adapted to cattle ranches, sud
are rapidly being appropriated tor that pur-
pose.
Brule county was permanently organized
September 90 1879, and its progress, since
that time, has been equal 10 anything in Da-
kots. Three fourtils Of all the land IN
the county four years ago was government
land, all of which has since been taken
under the land laws Of the United States,
and greater portion of it taken as home
steads, on which there are to-day hundreds
OF settlers who have made themselves COM
Portable homes; they have large tracts OF land
under cultivation, large herds Of cattle, sheep
and swine, and in few years the farmer.
in Brule county VIII compare In wealth
favorably with any county in our sister STATE
Of Minnesota.
TIE CLIMATE
The climate OF this part Of th,
territory is no more subject Uo
the extremes of Temperature than
all other sections Of the northwest, aud is no
as disagreeable in winter time as The clirnat,
in our old home in southern Minnesota, and
| f1,o 4
the people are clad in common winter cloth.
ing, without overcoats, the streets are dusty
and not fake of snow is In sight. Ther,
Is snow in several Of the eastern states, and
people are wrapped in their heavy fur coat:
and cloaks. In spring aud summer there I,
always an abundance OF rain and heat 10 in.
sure the rapid growth OF vegetation to its
maturity. During the remaining part of th,
year rains and SHOWS are scsnty, and give
| place to the most charming fall and
winter weather, with bare grounds, dry roads
and warm, spring-like DAYS. Open winters
are the rule. The famous Dakota bhzzards
have lost their terrors, and are now regarded
as temporary annOyances not 10 be com.
pared in magnitude TO the long seasons oi
mud and water which in many states lay as
complete an embargo upon business and
travel in the winter months.
THE SOIL.
The soil of Brule county is mellow. fine
black loan, of great richness and strength.
The black soil is very deep upon The lcw
lands and in depth from one
to three feet upon the high
grounds Below this is variety Of coarser
soil, clay, sand, gravel or chalk. But no.
where does a heavy clay subsoil render
drainage necessary. There is a liberal per
centage of slick in all localities, and as
much of the subsoi has been partly produced
by the decomposition Of soft limestone, Their,
is an abundance of lime and plaster con
tanned therein. Gypsum crystals are exceed
ingly common in the deeper strata, snd ths
scientific farmer of Dakota will not Lave Il
SOW land plaster TO import guano or TO lay
drain tiles.
INDUSTRIES.
This is 'pre-eminently an agricultural re.
gion. There is but a small portion Of The
and that can not be plowed aud that will moi
produce good crops. All kinds Of grain and
vegetables grow here, and corn does exceed
Iugly we'll 1 have seen as good corn rails d
here as l ever saw raised in Iowa, where they
brag on their corn crops. Stock raising is d
profitable aud rapidly developing industry.
All the farmers are getting stock as fzst as
possible, and many nave large herds already.
The business pays from twenty-five 10 fifty
per cent. All kinds Of grasses are raised here
in abundance, and are claimed the most uu-
| tritious OF any in the world. Cattle have been
! Aintered on hay alone in this section of the
| country and come out in The spring in as
tne order as those FED on hay aud grain in
Iowa and Minnesota.
WATER.
The county has plenty OF good pure water
There are numerous lakes and several sinai
streams running through the county, ano
good water can be had BY digging. tn,
iakes are full of splendid ish afiording spori
for the sportsmen.
CHAMBERLAIN.
After talking of Brule county at some
length wish now to say something about
the beautiful young city o.
Chamberlain, the future metropolis Of tn,
great northwest / do not know of city il
the great territory Of Dakota, the age anc
size of Cham berlain, that has grown aread,
to be a city.
The city of Cham bersin was layed out in
| November and Dect mber, 1850, sever
months before the railroad was completed L
the Missouri river.
Immediately in front or the town is Amer
lean Island, containing some seven hun,
! dred acres, mostly covered Wit
heavy growth of timber. A
more beautiful and picturesque place
can not be found anywhere on the great
Missouri river, with its g. 900 miles of nayi