Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-11-09
GOVERNOR MELLETe,s REPORT.

WASHINGTON, Nov. ARTHUR c. Nell
etc, the governor of Dakota territory. in
his annual report to the secretary OF the
Interior, says that the growth of popula-
tion in the territory has been singularly
rapid and stable and now reaches 650,000,
as against Ala, 900 in 1885. The number of
Dakota during the last year is given as
follows: Prescription filings. $780, home
stead Iilings, 3,1S7; timber-culture filings,
4,52S; pre-emption proofs, cash entries
2.637; committed homesteads, cash
entries, 669: final homestead proofs,
$3.50; timber culture proofs, 1l2.
The total area filed upon during
the year was 2,096, 030 acres against 1885,
142 the preceding year The bulk of the
present vacant land area, about 10, ST, 237
acres, lies in the Bismarck and Devil
Lake districts. in North Dakota, and the
Rapid City district in South Dakota, the
amount still open for settlement in the
Bismarck district b-ing nearly 140, GOO, COO
acres. The area of land sold by the North
ern Pacific railway from its grant to pri-
vate owners is estimated to equal about %
per cent of the lands entered during the
year
The report says that during the
past year there has been prac-
tically no railway building The
year 1887 WAS one of unusual
activity in railway circles and about 700
miles of new road was constructed in the
territory. This remarkable activity, the
report states, has been followed by Pc
riod of inactivity, but several new lines
have been projected and a considerable
amount of grading done during the last
year.
Upon the subject OF agriculture, the re-
port says. in part: Dakota is pre-emi-
nently an agricultural region. Almost its
entire area is susceptible to cultivation
and those PORTIONS not adapted to
the plough are available for grazing.
In no other country of the world
are there larger areas of fertile land, level
as floor, easily worked and as fruitful as
the valley of the Nile" In the older Sec
tions OF Dakota mixed farming, the report
states, is yearly becoming more general
Stock raising for which Dakota possesses
peculiar adaptations, is rapidly-growing
industry. The increase in the value of
" st OK during the last nine years is
stated 10 have been 663 per cent. Dairying
Is becoming an important industry, and
during the last two years a large number
of creameries have been established and
have generally proved profitable invest
mentS.
During the last few months the COVER
nor SAYS, the subject of irrigation has at
trac ed 4 great amount of attention. At
the last session of the territorial legisla-
ture an act was passed authorizing the
sinking of arteslan wells upon the petition
of certain number OF residents OF town
ship. Numerous petitions under the act
have been filed and the work of sinking
wells is now in progress in a number OF
counties. The success in sinking artesian
wells III Dakota, the governor says, has
been general in the flow obtained.
The tin mines in the Black Hills are at
tracing great deal of interest. Within
the last year company of foreign capital
lists has been organized with heavy cap
ltal to develop what is known as the Har-
ney Peak properties, located in Penning-
ton and Custer counties. 1t is the opin-
ion of experts, the governor says, that
these mines contain the largest and most
valuable aggregation of tin veins ever
brought to the attention of the world.
The governor speaks OF the treatment of
these ores, and says that they require no
roasting, as is the case with foreign ores.