River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1892-02-25
DAKOTA LETTER.

Ed JoURSAL:-I had intended New Years
greeting to the JOURNAL and its numerous read
ers, bur about that time General Grip arrested
me very uneeremoniously and since then have
been deprived of my liberty and ability. Al
though he has let me out OF the guard-house his
grinning spectre still dogs my steps. ! suppose
many of your readers have been similarly
treated by the sneaking outlaw.
The year 1891 has been a bountiful year foI
our highly favored country and North Dakota
has enjoyed the blessing in high degree. In
the north part of the state the iTamense crop
could not all be secured for lack Of help. and
thousands Of acres that bare from 80 TO 40 bush
els per acre is yet in the shock, and the ground
unplowed for the next crop. 1t is not reason
able to suppose that such wheat will be fit fol-
either -four or seed.
In the southeast part OF the state the crops
were not so heavy, Gas we did not have SO much
rain) and help was fairly plenty, so that all the
grain was secured at least in the stack, some OF
which stands over for lack of threshing ma
chimes. We had the usual number of machines
and in some places more, but a machine thresh.
ing from 1900 to 1000 bushels a day made but
little impression on the mass. The average
yield in Richland county was p bushels pei
acre, (wheat) but some towns did not exceed 10.
But all the wheat is No /, and weighs about 6.
lbs per bushel, (machine measuEe). oats were
very heavy weighing about 40 lbs per bushel
and went from SO TO 90 bushels per acre. Corr
on low ground was much hurt by frost, but
otherwise large crop, and sound potatoes were
so abundant that many were not dug.
Horse raising OF improved breeds will soon
supply the horse demand. Cattle are plenty
and cheap but bids fair for better prices in the
future. sheep husbandry is making rapid
strides in North Dakota, and will solve the
problem of too extensive wheat raising. Twvl.
ty thousand good sheep would find ready sale
ON the rolling land Of North Dakota; the grass
and climate is all that could be desired fol
healthy sheep and heavy fleece.
The opening of the sisseton Reservation in
the spring win make times lively for time and
is likely to raise the price of real estate in this
county-lands have advanced from 1a TO !.
within the past six months, The north line o
the reservation is the south line of Richlano
county, and the Great Northern and 500 rail
roads run west through the south part of the
county, within from TO 10 miles OF the south
line. While the greater part of the reservation
is in South Dakota, the best farming land is IL
the north part and will be reached by thest
roads. The stations of HankinsOn, Seymour
and Lidgerwood will be the markets Tor the set
tiers till railroads will be located and built
These roads in the north part will be the exten
ton of the Great Northern from Browns Valley
west or west by north to Rutland, and the North
ern Pacific south from Great Bend the wild
Rice to Watertown, S. d. These roads viii
cross each other somewhere from 10 TO Is milei
south of Hankinson-surrounded by the bes
farming land in the northwest. The extension
of the $500" last season from Hankinson u
Valley City on the Northern Pacific is but the
first step to connect with the Canadian Pacific
tap the coal beds on the Missouri river, and
make the shortest road from the Sound to New
York, by over 200 miles. This road will be able
to furnish coal at Hankinson from 50. 80 to IS 81
per ton. All land seekers to the Reservation
coming by rail will reach it by this route the
north part Those wishing to settle on the east
corner of the ''nat-iron" will ship to Browns
Valley, and those wishing TO locate on the south
corner will ship to Watertown, S. d. These are
the railroad gates to enter it from either east OF
west, north or south.
II the Presidents Proclamation will be as
announced, april l5) there will be wave Of
land seekers as soon as the snow is OF, and
many are there already, as the snow is but
slight-not more than inches on the level.
What snow fell in December was all melted by
the January thaws. During our cold wave the
mercury went down to Ss9 for several mornings
But stock has run out during the day all the
time, and some stock, both horses and cattle
have not been housed all winter and look a.
well as those that are stabbed
With few showers in Jnne and cool July
another good crop is assured.
Prohibition prohibits in North Dakota where
the public sentiment is in its favor. and this
predominates in the Red River Valley The
immoral condition of Breckenridge, Moorehead
and East Grand Forks over the line in Mime
sofa is a standing reminder of what Wahpeton
Fargo and Grand Forks would be with licens,
TO sell the greatest curse of the age In tn,
western part of tine state is more of the frontier
stripe, they are clamoring for resubmession. Blu
as it win be years before il could take effect
we live in hope that it never will Ninety dayi
in Jail and 500 fine is the medicine for selling
and five of the (goOd?) citizens of Wahpeton are
taking theirs now, and quite number else.
where. The enforcement league is making
clean work this winter. The blind piger hav,
had ample warning and they have no excuse.
There has been vast and varied improvements
during the past year, and many more on tn,
way. JOHN MCMILLAN.
Seymour, n. D., Feb. Is, 1892.