River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1888-01-12
FROM DAKOTA.
STILES, RICHLAND Co., d. T., ,
JannarY lSt. 1873.

January LIST, 1873.
ED. JOURNAL: Dakota, for the past
year, has had an unusual experience
in the matter of rainfall. In some
localities there was an abundance of
rain, with good crops, and in other
localities there was scarcely any rain,
consequently very light crops with a
great amount of wild buckwheat. In
some places wheat yielded as high
as 20 bushels per acre, in others only
OF 6 bushels per acre. Oats were
rather light generally. but corn and
barley were unusal good crops. What
little flax was sown was extra good.
Stock came in in the fall in extra good
condition. Hay in some places was
abundant and in other places but light.
Cattle are cheap, and beef worth from
2 TO 3 cents per Id. live weight. Pork
is worth cts. per H., but there are
very few hogs raised for market. Ow.
ing to the large number of horses used
their price is high
There has been a great amount of
improvents, both private and public.
The extension of the two railroads
west Quilt through the south part of
the county in 's6) has added materially
to the value of property along their
lines. Contiguity makes competition
in freights and prices. so that wheat
has often sold here at Minneapolis
prices.
The rainfall for the past season in
this county was but l4la inches,
which was much the lowest for many
years. All the ponds and small lakes
have been dry since July, but yet the
wells of any depth tsay 40 feet do not
seem to be affected by the drouth.
The weather for the past two weeks
has been quite blustery, so that the
two feet of snow that has fallen is
very irregularly distributed ever the
prairie, yet the trains have maze their
regular trips. The weather seems to
be settled to-day for the first time in
two weeks.
Each county in the territory voted
on local option last November, and all
but six counties voted for no license
This county voted license by 103 ma
jority, but we hope to carry it The
other way next November. The lowest
license is $500, and some counties are
putting the license as high as 81 900
The Germans and Bohemians are bard
to convert from their former habits,
but the Norwegians as class are
strongly opposed to the llOon.
The health of our people is good, but
some who had light crops, with debts
to pay, will have hard time till an
other crop comes around.
Coal is worth (by retaiD So and SO
per ton, and wood from IS to 81 per
cord. Wheat, 81 cts. per bushel; oats,
25 cents. Butter, % cts. per pound;
eggs, % cts. per dozen.
Our new town school law has been
in force since last June. Each school
in the town, with its defined territory
is numbered, and is known by its
number. The voters therein (men and
women) elect one of their number as
director for one year. The several
directors constitute the Town School
Board, who are required to meet
quarterly, and receive ST. each per
year. The treasurer is elected by the
whole town, and the clerk is elected
by the board; but neither the treas
urer or clerk can be of the board S
number. These two receive not less
than SIS nor more than $25 per year.
The law is not as satisfactory as the
old one-there is too much red tape"
about it.