Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1885-10-10
8 . RIvEh STOCK.


Grand Forks P1alnd6aaes
Mr. John McKelvey having recently
returned from the Moose river stock
ranges, the Plaindealer sought an inter-
view with him, knowing that he was OBJ
serving, and that as far a stock was con
cerned, his judgment was second to
none. Nj. cKelvey says he was agree
ably surprised at the character Of the
country. In 1879 he made hisSirst trip
to Fort Totten, being q government con
tractor, and the country from the foot
hills to the post did net impress MIN IA
v6rablY, and he was informed that the
country through to the Moose river and
on to the westward was mostly Door, COM
posed in . measure Of useless sandhills
and not available for agriculture. From
the west end Of Devils Lake toward the
Moose river he found land which, when
opened up by a railroad extension, will
become q fine farming country. They
have the buffalo grass in abundance,
though unlike the Montana and Wyom-
ing ranges, it does not cure 20 fast as to
be available for winter food, but, on the
contrary, it stays green until the frest
kills IT. While il might sustain cattle
during the winter, providing it was not
covered by too much snow, it would lack
the nutritious qualities OF the Montana
grass. On the Moose river there seems
little doubt but what stock raising may
be made to pay. The fine bottom lands
will furnish q great quantity Of hay, and
the ranchers can thus put up enough to
feed the cattle during a severe season.
The sand hills. which are claimed as
good grazing, Mr.. McKelvey believes are
good enough in summer but not in the
winter.
The class of stock which the people
have put in there are good, and all seem
in y fair way to make money from their
investments. He thinks there is more
danger from overstocking the country
than anything else. a many are Of the
opinion that they can go in and let their
stock run, and if they. do SO will suffer
loss. Col. Towner has one Of the finest
locations on the river, and is in a posi-.
ton to make money in the stock bust.
ness. The colonel puts up plenty ofhay
and raises grain to feed his stock during
the winter. There Halso good timber
shelter on his farm, but Mr.. McKelvey
does not approve Of timber shelter as q
rule, as the cattle do not get out and rus
tie If accustomed to it. Col. Towner't
stock ia Of a good quality, and like the
i Qthesstock that is out there, is doing well
When railroads are built into that
country, it will become a very good az.
%ricultural country, but at present il
costs too much for transportation and il
not the best for settlers. While it re
mains as it is at present, the stock men
are the only ones that cansucceed. The
country on through to the Missouri rive1
was similar to that which lies between
Devils Lake and Moose river, and is ye
practically unsettled. There is gcot
grazing land, occasional sand hills anG
streams, which, when some road pushes
on westward, will make a rich and pros
porous country.
The Moose river IS fed by many spring
which abound in the timber, and fol
this reason the water ls very good. Be
tween Devils Lake and the river at Bro
kenbone is a large lake surrounded b,
timber, and in the midst of it are two as
fine springs as can BIZ found in the west
A settler is located at each, and tn,
opening for q dairy could not be excel
ed. Az time goes on these advantages
will be improved and the country Of tn,
now far west will become something re
markable in the line Of stock production
and agricultural pursuits.
Mr.. McKelvey's observations cover {
wide range in stock matters, and his ex
perience has taught him a great dea
, about the business. He holds that TO
nutriment while it is green, the grass o
the Moose river ranges, as compared
with those of Wyoming and Montana, j
about three to two. but the atmospher,
of the latter countries cures the grass II
July, and :tholds its ~fattening properties
seeming increase liz substance. TIL
Red river grasses are ven better thar
those of the Moose river ranges, and ia,
better for blooded stock which mus
have care and shelter during the winter
J, A Great Discovery.--
Mr.. VIM. Thomas, of Newton, Ia, says
"MY wife has been seriously affecte.
with a cough for twenty-five years, an,
this spring more severely than before
, L Oh 49, ...>1 $4,000. -.