Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1890-10-03
ARTISAN WELLS.

ARTISAN WELLS.
Lieut.. Schwatka, the Great Traveller
and Explorer, Gives Some Points
Concerning Woonsocket's Gusher.
Lieut.. Frederick Schwatka in Chica-
go Herald: Probably no artesian we'll
district in the world has deservedly
attracted more attention than that of
South Dakota. Here are found some
of the largest flowing wells in the
world, whose source of supply has been
found at a very short distance below
the surface, thus making it a minimum
of expense. In fact the largest arte-
sian well in the world is at Woonsock-
ct, about 100 miles east of Pierre IS a
Crow Indian flies if Sioux war party
is after him. This Woonsocket well
has been but recently sunk, and very
recently photographed, a copy of which
l send to illustrate it. It throws a A
inch stream Of water 81 feet into the
air and as such it is shown in the pho
tograph. But if a 21s inch cap be put
on the nozzle it will throw a stream
165 feet vertically and at 100 feet YER
tically will tear the wetherboard off a
frame house, 1t IS but 726 feet in
depth. and although in this case it cost
$500. such wells ought to be dug at
81, 600 apiece. In Bradford, Pa, and
Lima, o., oil districts, they are sunk
for less. About 675 feet are through
compact clay and about fifty feet OF
argillaceous shale forms the lowest
stratum. 1t discharges every min
ute over 5000 gallons of water or
10000 barrels every hour. On the basis
of Rome, Italy, the best water supplied
city IN the world, this would subsevve
the wants of a city of $4,000 people,
lifting the water at least 200 feet high
if confined in pipes; or taking the ay-
erage of the worlds cities it would
supply a place of 100000 souls. 1t
would daily fill one mile canal that
would float the upper Missouri river
boat or canal could be six feet deep
and thirty wide. 1t flows more than
the Jim river, the second largest river
in the state, and whose valley holds
nearly half the population of the state.
Woonsocket's wonder IS not alone in
the state; all of it east of the Missouri
river being almost riddled with them,
a dozen being successful where one is
afailure. This giant geyser, if it could
be transported as we transport potatoes
or wheat, could be carried where it
would bring 100000. So we can
hardly estimate the value of all these
numerous artesian wells in South Da-
kota. If had rich friend-which.
unfortunately for me and fortunately
for him l haven't know of no more
brilliant speculation in the world than
buying large tracts of fertile land here
and irrigating them by artesion water.
Quarter section farms can be had for
$500 or $4,000 by the sections, or $685.
600 by the township; $4,000 would
sink wells that would irrigate the
whole area and raise the price to 500
an acre readily or nearly a half million
dollars for the township, or about $50
per cent on the capital. Don't all
speak at once! Certainly if the country
west of the Missouri river should
prove to be as good a field for artesian
wells the subject of aridity and arte-
sian wells in South Dakota is we'll set
tied, and the state will he before long,
also, 1t should be remembered that
this water problem does DOT detract
from the grazing value of the lands,
the state not having onethird the
stock it can easily support thereon,
nor does it enter in the consideration
OF the bottom or valley land, which is
always humid enough to insure at
least fair crops.
From all l saw of South Dakota and
ather western states during a residence
of thirty-seyen years in them, 1 should
say that the former deservedly has as
brilliant prospects as any of them,
while its young capital will at least
share the prosperity of the state, and
bids tair to rank with those cities I
have tahulated above as leading in the
great western race for population and
wealth. 49,
Chicago has deep and abiding IN
terest in all the west, as to their un.
paralleled advancement is due that of
the Gateway city to them, and to South
Dakota quite as well as to the rest of
them, she may we'll wish success-a
wish that will surely be realized.