Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1886-11-25

the Scandinavian Sections.
Especial CorresDondencel
BISMARCK, d. T., Oct 1s.-The influx of
immigrants to Dakota during the last few
years has been something phenomenal, even
in the phenomenal history of the new north
west.
The territory now claims a population of
over half million. 1t had less than fifth
of that III lSs2-an average increase of over
100000 per year for period Of four success
sive years.
The newcomers in the north half of the
territory were principally Scandinavians,
from Norway, while in the south the large
majority were Americans-Iowa sending
far larger quota than any of the other states.
Thus two wholly different civilizations were
represented-one contending that the capital
should continue at Yankton, in the south, the
other. arguing that it be moved to Bismarck,
in the north The Bismarck, or Scandi-
navian, faction prevailed; the capital was
moved and this was the immediate cause of
the bitter antagonism that prevailed between
the two SectiOns-an antagonism that led to
the nominal secession of the southern half Of
the territory and threatened for few weeks
to precipitate the people into the horrors Of
an internecine conflict. After the southern
counties had proclaimed their independence
they organized phantom government, called
it the state of Dakota, selected Huron for the
capital and proceeded to elect full corps of
state officials. Congress refused to recognize
the new state. Thereupon the leaders Of the
revolution began to show their teeth in a very
disagreeable manner. Secret consultations
were held. Military companies were formed:
but, owing to some reason unknown to out
siders, the prospective rebellion suddenly col
lapsed. The old feeling Of hostility is still at
fever heat, however, and unless congress con-
sents to dissolution of the territory have
little doubt that blood will flow before the
matter is finally settled.
The south half of the territory is less fertile
than the north, but at the same time its
average production Of crops is larger, owing
to the frequency of hail storms, cyclones and
prairie fires in the higher ATTITUDES
l spoke of hail storms and cyclones, but
doubt whether both combined are mol3 de-
structive to the crops than the prairie fires
These fires are constantly burning in the
fall of the year They are started in many
ways Sparks from locomotives, portable
engines and cigars have frequently ignited
immense wheat fields. A farmer too lazy to
make fire-break by plowing round his home
frequently seeks the shorter way of protect
ing it by setting fire to sage grass and stub
BILE, and burning circle of safety round his
premises. Such fires frequently leap beyond
control, however, and play havoc far and
wide
can conceive of no grander spectacle than
prairie fire l have seen the town of North
wood hemmed in by a Gordon of flames
These flames would twist and writhe through
the low grass in places like glittering ser
pents, then, as they touched wheat field,
they would leap skyward with hiss and
crackle, and the night sky would turn Grim
son with the light. Once the fire came to the
very verge of the town. A panic followed
A little army Of men rushed out with coffee
sacks saturated with water and began to
fight the flames, and it was only after an hour
of fierce work that they succeeded in rescu-
ing the town from danger. Scenes like this
are common in Dakota.
Dakota No. hard wheat has the reputa-
ton of being the best in the world At least
it commands higher price than any other in
the markets of the northwest
"I'll tell you how 1 account for the superior
quality of our grain up here" said a farmer
to me- one day THE ground never lacks for
moisture. We may have a drought of six
weeks, and the ground is still in splendid con-
dition."
"How's that!"
"Well, you see our long, hard winters freeze
the earth to the depth of several feet was
digging well in July of last year and found
the earth frozen at the depth of over two
yards and q half. The heated condition of
the surface in the summer time keeps draw
ing the frost upward and melting it, and the
crops are thus supplied with moisture in
manner best calculated to perfect the grain"
The Greeley chestnut, go west, young
man, etc." should be subjected to several
If the young man has a little
capital, and has the pluck to live rough,
lonesome life on a ranch or in the uncongen-
ial society of a frontier town, his chances of
making fortune are better in the west-in
Dakota, at least-than they are in the east
If he is sharp, unprincipled and has turn for
speculation, he can make IS here where he
can make 81 in the east. But where one
poor, high principled man succeeds in the far
west, at least two fail, and are only too happy
to return to their friends and relatives in the
states WILL HUPBARD kERN\N