Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1885-02-07
organized and church buildings

BUSINESS mon contemplating a resi-
dence here usually write to know what
lines Of business arc represented in
Devils Lake, and what the prospects are
for new or additional onterprises.~ The
answer to part Of this inquiry will he
found on page "a under the title of
"Devils Lake Business Directory" In
regard to the prospect for "new or addi-
tional enterprises it may be said that
in a country with such vast proportions
as this, with a soil so deep and endur-
able, there is always room for more. The
doors of Devils Lake are open to broad
gagged, industrious, enterprising men.
The business men of this city have no
reason to complain. Many of them have
made money and all have done we'll.
Q.-What is the cost of living?
A.-No greater than it is in any of the
western states Everything needed in
the line of provisions is raised here, and
in such great quantities and of such q
rare quality as TO make it plenty and
consequently very cheap. Board at the
hotels-with which Devils Lake is we'll
supplied-can be had for from 81 to S6
per week.
'Q.-What is the price Of deeded lands?
A.-From $3.50 to $40 per acre, accord
ing to location, improvement and quail
ity. Good prairie farms Of lGO acres each
within two to five miles Of the city can
be had for $500 to $1,000. Timber lands
are held at $40 to S35 per acre, according
to the amount Of timber thereon.
Q.-What kind of water?
Awe again quote from Mr.. Hills
report: "Plenty of pure, fresh, cold
water for domestic use can be secured,
any where in this section by digging
wells from 25 to so feet deep, the average
on the table lands above the lake being
from 30 to IS feet. Freshwater lakes,
five miles away, are from. 80 to 100 feet
above the level of the city, and when re-
quired a supply can be obtained from
habitants or more" 1t may be we'll to
explain here that the waters of Devils
lake tire unfit for use, being quite salt,
very nearly resembling the water of the
ocean. See article on Devils lake proper
on page q.
Q.-What of the opportunities for in
vestments?
A.-Attention is called to an article on
pages $ and 6, and acareful perusal is re-
quested; also an article entitled "Solid
Security" on page Ia.
Q.-How can government land be &C.
quired7
A.-See page Is.
els it a good stock country?
A. Read Commissioner Powers
views on page 20. The Mouse river
country, 100 miles northwest, is one vast
cattle range, and although it was almost
unknown to white men one year ago,
there are now several thousand head of
cattle being wintered there. The Mouse
river region is swept by what is known
in Montana stock regions as the "chinook
winds,' and the temperature in winter
is much milder than in many of the
older western states. Cattle run out all
winter, and grow fat upon the bunch or
buffalo grass that exists there in great
abundance. Grain-feeding is unnoces-
sary; the only feed used is hay cut from
the "bottom'' or valley lands. This the
cattle feed upon in their sheds at night
and during storms, but when tie weather
is fair cattle leave the best hay known to
stockmen and seek the dry buffalo grass
ofthe hills. Several small herds of cattle
fattened in the Mouse river region have
been marketed in this city, and the meat
is pronounced delicious. The local
butchers say no finer meat can be had in
any country.
els Devils Lake growing rapidlv3
A.-See list of improvements on
page IL.
Q.-How old is the town and what the
population
A.-The first building in Devils Lake
was put up in the early spring Of 1883,
whom the terminus Of the railroad was
Is miles east of here. The place now has
a population Of about 1000. The railroad
reached here i'll July, 1883, and it is quite
we'll understood that this will remain
the terminus for at least two wears
longer, making Devils Lake the cntrepot
of the great agricultural region extend-
ing northwest to Turtle mountain and
the cattle ranges of the Mouse river.
Devils Lake is now the depot of supplies
for all this country, and its situation and
advantages are such that it will continue
to be for years to come