The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1889-03-08

The ral:tl cttleMent OF 1hi.sSection, especially
the northern part of it, is n vcrltablo ro-
nance The movement was like one or those
vast migrations read II i'll ancient history,
when whole nations uud races, driven by enc
mics or inpclled by some common impulse
swept over u new region und changed oil tha
subsequent history of tho world. a single
railroad line brought in $1,000 immigrants III
ono season. In many cases whole townships,
thirty-six sections or la 'clainls," were taken
in u day by single squad of settlers and in
advance Of the government survey. When
that was completed they followed the line Of
stakes to tho nearest land office and perfected
their titles according to law. Contemporary
with this movement from the eastern states
was movement of Scandnavians, including
Icclanders and "Cauadian Liberals of Brit
ish Scotch and Irish origin, which filled all
the valley of Rcd river. In the counties OF
Walsh and Fclnbina one may rido over the
thirty-tive miles from tho river to tito SO
called ''mountnin" III mero ridgel, and not
find Il single quar-. section without a sub
stantiul dwelling. IL this mnrvelously fer
tile valley or plain Of 1000 square miles or
5000 congressional farms, it is hard to find
single acre that will not readily produce from
twenty to forty bushels OF the finest wheaton
corresponding ne,ount Of rye, oats, DUCK
wheat, potatoes or turnips.
On the eastern border of Dakota is lovely
little valley; ut the south end is Big Stone
lake, ,lislling into the Minnesota river; at tho
north end Lake Traverse, tho head Of Red
river In tho valley the eyo perceivcs 10
divide, yet tho water OF one site goes out
to Lake Winnipeg and Hudson's bay, that on
tho other to tho Gulf of Mexico. Similarly,
across tho territory to tho northwest, no di-
vide is visible to tho eye, yet the streams on
one side flow down to tho Missouri, and those
| on the north side seek the Red river Their
| iuterlock is most curious. Thus tho james
| and tho Cheyenne flow parallel and but few
miles apart, through hundred turns from
near latitude 4S dogs. down to tho center OF
! the territory; then tho latter suddenly turns
| on itself and goes back to join tho Red, Whllo
| tho James flows on 500 miles to join tho Mis-
souri, near Yankton. Tho strange beauty OF
their prairies, tho poetic traditions left by tho
Dakota or Sioux Indians, and still moro tho
reputation Of their wheat in tho markets OF
tho world, have created in the people pride
in their local name which makes them insist
on retaining it for both divisions The north
ern might appropriately be called Pelnbina,
| or even Huron.
On any map of tho United States of lS49-
80 tho observer will sec that all the region
north Of tho northern line of Kansas was in
ono great district-soon after called Nebraska
from the Missouri to tho summit Of tho Rocky
mountains-and' that all west of tho summit
was i'll tho two territories Of Oregon and Cal
ifornia A little later Dakota extended from
its present eastern boundary to the mountain
summit. Then the western hulf was cut of,
and with eastern Oregon was made into
Idaho, and after the gold discoveries In the
north a vast district of Idaho was erected
| into Montana AS late as 1868 tho present
territory of Wyoming was section OF Da
kota. Montana has wonderful variety ol
climate and natural productions. On ths