Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-11-05
Gov. picrce's Annual Report.

Hon. Gilbert A. Pierce, Governor of Da-
kota Territory. in his annual report to the
Secretary Of the Interior. says: "The year
has not been altogether as prosperous as
was desired, Dakota suffering in common
with the rest Of the country from more or
less business prostitution and from the
drouth, which injured the small grains,
thereby materially lessening the yield. The
lrouth was not general however, but local
In character. some parts of the Territory
showing large yields, While in others the
failure was almost complete. It is difficult
to estimate correctly the shortage in the
crops over last year, but think it safe to
say that in wheat and oats it will be one
third. [ fear more. Flax, rye and barley
also suffer, but to what extent it is impos-
sible to say. The yield of potatoes and
other roots will probably be near up to the
average. Cattle industry has developed
very rapidly during the year in other parts
OF the Territory. 1t has been supposed
that the large cattle ranches must be con-
fined to the western part Of the Territory,
where the abundant grass and limited snow
fall enable cattle to Craze during the winter
months. Late experiments have demon
strated, however, that embarrassing can be
protitably pursued even in the extreme
northern part of the Territory. and the re-
suit has been the establishment of large
cattle ranches in various sections. The
bonded debt of the Territory remains the
same rs one year ago, namely, $56S, 200.
The assessment of 1856 shows an increase,
over last year of about 1924, OOO, 200, making
the total assessment for the year about
$130,0O0,000. The tax for the Territorial
purposes for the year 1856 is but "a mills.
The total county Indebtedness Of the Ter
ritory, bonded and floating is little over
S3,000.000. School statistics for the yea1
have not yet been received, but there is no
| doubt that the remarkable progress shown
during the fiscal year of 1885 is continued
On the subject of the growth and de-
velopment of the Territory, the Goveno,
quotes at some length from the report of
the Commissioner of Immigration which
says: There were 22,431 new filings in
the public lands during the Year under the
three general land laws, divided as follows:
Homesteads, 7,4GG; precmptions. 1891.
and tree claims, 7.071. The area newly
| filed on during the year was 3.5G5 1866 acres,
The sales Of land Lv the Northern pacti,
Railroad Company during the year are IS.
timated ut $4,000 acres. The total in.
crease in population of the Terrtory
for the Year is estimated at $4,000.
giving Dakota a population on June 10.
1856, of fully 100000. The railroad build.
ing of 1885 bids fair 10 be much create,
than for amy previous year in the history OF
the Territory
The Governor estimates the total con.
struction Of railroads in the Territory III
1856 at 500 miles. IN conclusion, the Gov
elnor discusses the subject of the admission
of Dakota into the Union and adds: Il re-
new my recommendation most earnestly
that this great people he 10 longer kept
from their rightful heritage. lut be permit-
ted share and voice in that Government
they homer by their public spirit and sus-
tain by their industry"