Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1884-02-29
Dakota Letter.
Sandwich lllinois.D Argus.
Elmer. Dakota. Feb, 3. 1884

Ss
newspaper reports. the winter SO far
has been severe. not only throughout
New England and the west, Jut even
far down in the sunny south. WehaTe
also noted d weather report from cen
trail Illinois that this had been the
coolest winter for tNenty-lfveyears in
view OF the severe storms and intense
cold, it will net be cut of place to give
you the weather report FROM this part
of Uncle SAINTS domain, aland for which
in years gore by, hothing good seemed
to be claimed, looked upon as q barren
waste, a land of ice, snow, and terrible
blizzards.' Well this is our third winter
in this terrible land, and if most three
years does not furnish us with al noes
sary knowledg and weather experience,
it 1t least gives us a reasonable amount
Cf5data, from which W. can draw fair
conclusion, if not an absolutely accur-
ate statement as to all phases Of Dakc-
ia weather. The winter of 81 and 'S2
was the finest we ever experienced.
While in Illinois and Iowa, were wal
lowing through mud, with incessant
storms of sleet and rain. In Southern
Dakota we had no storms from Novem-
Der until March. It was almost con-
slant sunshlnewith an occasional snow
squall, strong northwest wind and a few
cold days. In the month of February
we saw the plow turning up the rich
soil, and men preparing the ground for
spring Wheat. Thus passed the winter,
without q severe storm, snow blockade,
or any interruption whatever to immi-
grafton.
The winter of 'S2 and 'S3 was the Sc
verest known to the oldest inhabitants.
We have not the weather report at
hand to give the average, and yet we
had none of the blockades known to
Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, or even
Illinois. In fact there was not snow
enough for light sleighing, until Mar,
and then it came down as gentle us the
summer dew. to the depth of about
twelve inches. The absence Of snow
and the dryness of the atmosphere made
the winter with all the cold, more ac,
ceptable than a winter Of much less Sc
verify in Iowa. or wen Illinois with
their storms Of sleet and dampness.
This winter, SO far, although not az
fine as that Of two years ago, has been.
with the exception Of the last week OF
the old year and the first of the new,
remarkably fine and free from storms
and heavy winds. We give the tenn
perature of the weather for the months
of December and January, and if those
who compare lit with the average in
Illinois and other western states, will
bear in mind that southern Dakota, is
in the winter free from snow, with a
clear, dry atmosphere, free from the
chill and dampness of Illinois and Iowa
also the heavy SHOWS of Wisconsin or
Minnesota, they will see at once that
our winter has thus far been exceeding.
ly good for mar as well as beast.
First ten days of December, average
IS degrees above zero: second ten days
in December, average IS degrees above
zero; third ten days in December, aver,
age Il degrees above zero: first ten days
Of january below zero; second ten
days in January, sixteen above zero:
third ten days in January, ii above ze-
70. The lowest in January was IS de-
grees below zero at 8 a. H., and the
highest 30. degrees above at the same
hour. The readers Of the Argus will
readily see that our winter has been
mild, and taking into consideration the
fact of absence Of snow and severe cold
winds, far superior to the weather in
many ATTITUDES, where the people look
upon Dakota as a land of almost con.
slant heavy winds and terrific billiards
The past year has been one of great
advance in all that pertains to the com.
plete settlement, growth, and general
prosperity of a new country. Crops
have been good. Flax on sod has gone
from eight to fifteen bushels per acre
wheat from twenty to thirty, and oats
from fifty to seventy, while in vegeta:
bles we al hardly be beat. Potatoes
went frem three to four hundred bush.
els per acre. We raised seventy-fve
bushels from n Of early Ohios. Can
Illinois beat that? Corn planted7e early
yielded a good crop, the late planting
being nipped by the early frost. We
had a small strip Of Yankee corn that
matured in August, and yielded at the
rate of between seventy and eight,
bushels per acre. We never saw such
ears, or the same amount Of fodder
either in New England or the west
from the best possible cultivation.
Some may think that we have Dako.
ia on the brain, but we are only stating
words of truth and soberness, and in
our heart pity thousands.of young men
in the old settled states, who exc out
only a poor apology for a living, when
they might have a good home in this