The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1890-07-18


eoutn Dskota's Artesiap wells.
Lieut.. Frederick Schwataka in Chi.
cago Herald: Probably no artesian we'll
DISTRICT in the world has d~eseryedly at
tracted more attention than that of
south Dakota. Here are found some o
the largest flowing wells in the world,
whose source of supply has been found
AZ q very short distance below the u r
race, thus making a minimum Of ex-
pense. In fact the largest artesian we'll
~ the world is at Woonsocket, about 100
miles south Of Pierre as a Crow Indian
Ties II a Sioux war party is after him.
This Woonsocket we'll has been but re-
Gently sunk, and very recently photo
graphed, a copy Of which ! send to illus
trate it. It throws q four inch stream
of water si%xty-one feet into the air, and
as such IT is shown In the photograph,
But il a 219 inch cap be put on the nozzle
it will throw a stream 1865 feet vertically
and at 100 feet vertically will tear the
weatherboard off a frame house. 1t is
but 726 feet in depth, and although in
this case 1t cost $500 such wells ought
to be dug at 8 1000 apiece, In Bradford,
Pa and Lima, o., oil districts they are
sunk for less. About 675 feet are through
compact clay and about 50feet Of argilla-
ceous shale forms the lowest stratum.
It discharges every minute 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 subserye the wants of a city
Of 10000 people, lifting the water at least
200 feet high if confined in pipes; or TAX
ing the average of the worlds cities it
would supply aplace Of 100000 souls. It
would daily I'LL one mile a canal that
would float the upper Missouri river
boat or a canal could be six feet deep and
thirty wide. It flows more than the Jim
River, the second largest river in the
state: and whose valley holds nearly half
the population Of the state. Woonsock-
cts wonder is not alone in the state; all
of it east Of the Missouri being almost
riddled with them, a dozen being success
full where one is a failure. This giant
geyser, il it could be transported as we
transport potatoes or wheat, could be car
ried where it would bring 100000. So
we can hardly estimate the value of all
these numerous artesian wells of South
Dakota. Ill had q rich friend-which,
unfortunately for me and fortunately for
him, l haven't know of no more bril-
liant speculation in the world than buy
Ing large tracts of fertile land here and
irrlgating them by artesian water. Quar-
ter section farms can be had for $500, or
$4,000 by the section or $4,000 by the
township; $4,000 would sink six wells
that would irrigate the whole area and
raise the price to $40 an acre readily or
nearly a half million dollars for the town.
ship. or about $50 per cent. on the CAPT.
tai. Don't all speak at once! Certainly
1t the country west of the Missouri river
should prove to be as good a field for ar
tesian wells the subject Of arridity and
WOAp Az Euutu DdAOld IL Well
settled, and the state will be before long
also. 1t should be remembered that this
water problem does not detract from the
grazing value Of the lands. the state not
having One-third 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
other western states during a residence
OF thirty-seven years in them, 1 should
say that the former deservedly has as
rilliant prospects as any of them, while
Its young capital will at least share the
prosperity Of the state, and bids fair to
rank with those cities I have tabulatcd
above as leading in the great western
race for..population and wealth.
Chicago has a deep and abiding inter
est in all the west, northwest and south
west, as to their unparalleled advance
ment Is due that of the Gateway City to
them, and to South Dakota quite as we'll
as to the rest Of them, she may we'll
wish snccess=-a wish that will surely be
realized.
Tr.r,-s.l- r-I---If-