Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1884-02-29
Old. Old Cities.

-
Mr.. James Stevenson, of the geologi-
cal survey, has discovered the sites of
several ancient cities in the SAL Juan
region. Arizona, which probably have
been deserted since lorg before the
Christian era. 'The REMAINS belong 80
what is called the stone age.Which was
long before metals were used in the
constructions Of weapons Of war or Of
domestic utensils for household pur-
poses. Plenty of stone axe and mauls
We're found-bpt iron was evidently
unknown to the dwel!ers Of these an
Gent cities The houses We're peculiar.
The apartments We're dug down into
the rocks and the only entrance was
from the top. Evidently these cities
were Intended as places eff refuge in
tilnea'of war. There are many antlq-
uitie5 of this kind in Arizona, New
Meyieeq, apd still further to the south
west. Their great antiquity is shown
by the fact that the geology Of these
regions has greatly changed since these
cities Were hahitable. There is no
trace Of water in many of the places
which formerly must have been densely
populated; when, of course. that liquid
must have been a prime necessity and
easily pr%ocurahle. Young Americans
who think Of travelling to Nineveh,
Babylon, Egypt, and other eastern re-
gions filled with The ruins of ancient
empires, would do well to lock for re-
mains equally remarkable in their own
country.-Demorest's Monthly.
The late ruling Of Commissioner Nc
Farland regarding the duties of the
clerks Of district courts has been serv-
ed on all the land officers in Dakota,
Judge Edgerton, who appointed the
clerks, II is said holds the same views
of COMMISSIONER Mcfarland, and great
trouble may now BE anticipated.-Pi-
ere Journal.
The recent decision of the General
Land Office that clerks Of the district
courts in counties where no term Of
court has been held are not competent
under the law to take final proofs, is
causing great uneasil4ess in the coun-
ties west and north. where thousands
of such proofs have been made. But
we do not think those affected need
feel alarmed. Even il the uncalled for
and unjust decision is not overruled.
Congress will surely ONE to the res
cue with an act %legalizing such proofs.
--Woolsey Journal.
From above and similar comments,
by the Blunt Times, Pierre Signal, and
other papers in the Huron Land Dis
trict on the letter Of Commissioner Ne
T Garland to the Register and Receiver
of the Mitchall land Office, which was
published in the Daily Republican at
the time it was received al the Mitchell
land office, it will be seen that an En-
ronous conception If the order commits
sioner Mcfarland prevails in the north
and west part Of the Huron Land Dis
trict.
The editor Of the Republican called
yesterday upon Register Everitt and
Receiver Barber to learn the practical
workings and effect OF the ocder. and
learned that the order does not effect
any proof made prior to the promulga-
ton Of the order, and further where
orders have been made for Judges of
PROBATE and clerks Of District Courts to
take proof before the order was receiv-
ed at the Mitchell office, the proof will
be taken in the same manner as hereto
fore. Hence, it will be seen that there
is no cause whatever alarm az the late
ruling Of Commissioner Mcfarland
does not effect any proofs made or or.
dered to be made prior to the promul-
cation of the letter which has caused
such CONSERVATION in the Huron dis.
trict.
1t is a general lazy in the land de.
partment that no order shall be retro.
active.
G y