The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-10-13
THE PROGRESS OF Dakota.
The Territory Has Suffered from Drought
but Great Gains Have Been Made.
Secretaries Manning. Whitney and Bayard
Return to the National Capital-MOre
About the Seizures of Fishing Vessels.
DAKOTA TERRITORY.
Its Growth and Prosperity Shown by Gov.
Pierce's Annual Report

WASHINGTON, Oct 12-Hon. Gilbert A.
Pierce. Governor of Dakota Territory, in his
annual report to the Secretary of the Interior,
says:
''The year has not been altogether as prosper
Gus as was desired Dakota suffering in common
with the rest of the country from more or less
business prostration and from the drought which
injured the small grains thereby materially less
ening the yield. The drought was not general.
however. but local in its character, some parts
of the Territory showing large yields. while In
others the failure was almost complete. 1t is
difficult to estimate correctly the shortage in the
crops over last year, but think it safe to say
that II wheat and oats 1t will be at least one
third, and, fear, more. Flax. rye and barley
also suffered but to what extent il is impossible
to say. The yields of potatoes and other roots
will probably bs near up to the average. The
cattle industry has developed very RAPIDLY dur
ing the year in other parts of the Territory.
1t has been supposed that the large cattle
ranches must be confined to the western part of
the Territory, where the abundant
grass and limited snowfall enable
cattle to Craze during the winter months Late
cattle-raising can be probably pursued even IN
the extreme northern part of the Territory, and
the result has been the establishment of large
cattle ranches in various sections. The bonded
debt of the Territory remains the same as one
year ago, namely. $568, 300 The assessment of
1885 shows an increase over last year of about
$24. O00 900. making the total assessment for the
year about $3.50 900 000 The tax for Territorial
purposes for the year 1886 is but 2 10 mills.
The total county Indebtedness of the Territory,
bonded and floating is little over S., 0O0.O 600.
School statistics for the last year have not vet
been received. but there is no doubt but the
remarkable progress shown during the fiscal
year of 1885 is continued. On the subject of
the growth and development Of the Territory
the Governor quotes at some leOgth
from the report of the Commissioner of
Immigration, which says: ''There were
22,431 new filings on the public lands
during the year under the three general land
laws, divided as follows: Homesteads, 1856;
preemptions, 1894, and tree claims, 707l The
area newly filed on during the year was 1861.
366 acres There were 1862 final proofs made
during the year. The sales of land by the North
ern Pacific Railroad Company during the year
are estimated at $4,000 acres. The total in
crease in population of the Territory for the
year is estimated at $1,000. giving Dakota pod
uation, on June 80, 1886 of fully 500 900 The
railroad building of 1886 bids fair to be much
greater than for any previous year in the history
of the Territory.
The Governor estimates the total construction
of railroad in the Territory, of 1885, at 800 miles
In conclusion. the Governor discusses the sub
ject of the admission of Dakota into the Union.
and adds: II renew my recommendation. most
earnestly. that this great people be no longer
kept from their riehtfu heritage. but be permit
ted share and voice in that government they
honor by their public spirit and sustain by their
industrv.H