The Arkansaw traveler., 1889-03-16
AURORA COUNTY, DAKOTA.


Aurora county, Dakota, is situated on the
same line Of latitude west of Milwaukee, on
the main line of the Iowa \ Dakota division
of the Chicago, Milwaukee & st. Paul rail
road. IL is one of the few counties in south
ern Dakota which, on account of it's natural
resources and geogra phical location, has never
needed the artistic touch of the Dakota
boomer to give II position as one of the very
best agricultural and stock raising counties
in the territory. Being located midway be
tween the Missouri on the west and the Jim
river ON the east, its surface Is high rolling
prairie entirely removed from mAlarial in fiu-
ences. Ii contains twenty townships, of six
miles square each, or seven hundred and
twenty square miles. and not over one square
mile of waste land in the county. There Is no
government land In the county. The settlers
are largely Americans, and represent every
state In the Union on the same latitude east.
The school privileges are of the very best,
there being eighty-t two school houses in the
county and two graded schools in the city,
thus giving over four schools to every siX
miles square 1t has a population Of over
eight thou sand and bonded indie edness Tor
court house and jail of $4,000. The affairs of
the county have Deen so conducted that In Nes
are lighter than in any of the adjoining coun-
ties. Ii ia well watered by the Firesteel. a
stream running dIagonally across the county,
from northwest TO southeast, also 10y three
good lakes, all of which con tain different kinds
of fish Good water and plenty of II can be
obtained at a reasonable depth, every
quarter section of land IN the county. Wheat
and all kinds of grain are raised in great
abundance. Corn yielding from thirty five to
i've bushels; oats, forty to seventy five
bushels, and all other kinds of grain in pro
portion. Ii is particularly we'll adapted to
rn-rasing on account of the high altitude of
the county, giving us a dry, clear atmosphere,
making il less subject to early fall frost
stock raising is fast becoming one of the chief
Industries. The large slaughter houses at
Sioux City, about one hundred miles distant,
create a demand for cattle and hogs, equal to
any of the Northwestern states. Immense
crops of hay are harvested, which is of such
nutritious nature that young cattle and horses
with little shelter will keep IN good condi-
ton all winter. These are the general advan
tages of the county. But the one that will
interest our eastern friends most, is that land
can be bought at a very low price. con sldering
the advantages. 1t is the inevitable law of
westeIn settlement that there must he three
classes of people settle in the country before
we reach the permanent settler. The pioneer
must give way to the man with little money
that is willing to pay him what his improve
ments are worth. Aurora county has just
reached that stage at the present time W hen
the first settlers are getting uneasy and want
to go farther west, and you can buy their land
(eIther for cultivation or speculation at
prices away below it's real value. The eyes
of the whole nation have been on Dakota this
last year, and especially southern Dakota.
Kansas and Nebraska have had their boom.
and this year railroads and capitalists are
directing their energies to bringing the tide of
immigration to Dakota, and they seldom fail
where united effort Is made. 1t Is money
we'll invested to buy Dakota lands at present
prices and Aurora county can furnish you
the best selection for the prices asked in the
FLANKINTON
PlankInton, the county seat, is situated
within two miles of the geogra phcal center
Of the county: 1t is town of about twelve
hundred inhabitants, and is conceded by the
dislnterested outside business IN estOrs to be
the most thrifty and promises the best invest.
ment of any town in southern Dakota. The
Territorial Industrial School for Boys and
Girls was erected here last year.
1t is a splendid structure built of granite at
cost of over $4,000 The Duluth, WATERFOWL
Il Pacific railroad is surveys ed and will be
built next summer. II runs diagonally across
the county from northeast to southwest.
crossing the Chicago. Milwaukee & St. Paul
railroad at this ace. This will give Plank
inton market facilities unsurpassed by any
town in the territory. The town has o com
plete sy stem of water-wOrks, the water being
supplied by an artesian well, at q natural
pressure of rs pounds to the square inch, fur.
nishing all needed protection for fire purposes
at nominal cost to the town. 1t has graded
school erected two years ago at q cost OF over
eight thou sand dollars. 1t has 1--WE churches
pal. Catholic and Baptist; five elevators to
handle the immense amount of grain brough:
to this market; one splendid Touring mill
with latest improved roller process, three
hotels; four newspapers, three weekly and
one monthly; two banks and two of the largest
brings q capital of over $500 to the town
each year. To business men seeking loca-
tion we would recommend that they see
Plankinton before leaving the territory, and
to the eastern farmer We would say, do not
fail TO visit Aurora county before purchasing
farm. IL has facilities unsurpassed by any
other county for safe Investment. and as wide
can and In any state or territory.