The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1885-04-01
Northern Dakota.

MERIDEN, Conn, March "a, 1885.
Mr.. Editor SO many misleading items
concerning Dakota, and especially the
northern portion of it, have found their way
into the eastern papers that l deem it but
Just to the territory, and to the many who
may be seeking homes in the Northwest, to
state few facts In 1880 ! was attracted to
the Red River valley, by friends who had
located there. After a thorough examina-
ton of the claims of other parts of the
country, and though going direct from a
visit to the Rocky Mountains, l expressed
the opinion within twenty-four hours of my
arrival that Dakota air was the finest had
ever breathed, and / have never changed
that opinion. But some one may ask,
How about the winter climate ~ My
duties have kept me at the East each win
ter, so L can but give the testimony of those
who have passed several winters in the val
ley, and of whose veracity have no ques-
ton. Their testimony is that the winters
are clear and cold, not differing much in
degree from the temperature of Northern
New England. The air, however, is so dry
that the discomfort from the cold bears no
comparison to that of the states near the
seaboard, and, with proper clothing and
well constructed houses, they pronounce
the winters the finest they have ever
known" | can give no stronger evidence
that the soil pleased me, as well as the eli
mate, than by stating that l purchased a
tract of it in $780, and have, from year to
year, increased my holdings, until now they
are more than six times the original amount.
OF the capabilities of the soil of Northern
Dakota for the production of wheat and
other grains | need not speak, for probably
no portion of our country has so extended
a fame, but l may add that my experience
has led me to send large quantity Of grass
and vegetable seeds to the farm this spring,
feeling certain that each variety will
distinguish itself in its new home. All
kinds of stock thrive remarkably in North
ern Dakota, and / should not fear to place
animals from my own place in competition
with those from any other part of the Union
There has never been failure of crops in
the Red River valley, to my knowledge
and as it is traversed its entire length by the
various lines of the st. Paul, Minneapolis
& Manitoba railroad, which, by the way
is one of the finest and best managed rail
way systems on this continent, the facilities
for the transportation and marketing o
products surpass those of many of the oldel
portions of our land. And now let me nam,
in few words some of the things that are no
adapted to Dakota soil and climate, ant
will not pay there. First, lazy man will
find that the valley has too much self-respec
to tolerate him long, for while its marvellous
fertility never tires of honoring industry, i
scorns Incidence. Second, whiskey drink
ing man will find that poverty and contemp
that awaits him everywhere both this sid
and beyond drunkard's grave Third
shiftless man, who leaves his implements il
the open fields, and his stock to shiver be
hind a stack, will gather more disappoinl
ment than sheaves. With these and kindre
exceptions, believe Northern Dakota pre-
sents most inviting field Very trul
yours, CHARLES HALL EVEREST.
Farm at Norton, Grand Forks County, o
ST y M a. NJ n r.