Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1892-03-25

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North Dakota comprises about 10000 square miles Of prairie
land, usually we'll watered by living streams and inland lakes, and
including a portion of the greatest artesian water basin in the
world. The Red River valley on the North Dakota side is thirty
and is from 800 to 800 feet above the sea. The remainder of the
St n1,e east .o of the the Missouri Ii ne1it river ~ is ism me ore u a5 y nh1 and elevated,
tf ntE ,.; ana IN T the u T9gthW M;s1an portion p%aqan admirably In ia1?y adapted t., to
grazing and sock-raHing region, and at the same time rich and
productive, and we'll suited to diversified farming.
The chief rivers Of the State are the Red along the east Dor
der, the Missouri, cutting through the western portion, and the
Mouse, James, sheyenne, Wild Rice, Maple, Goose, Forest, Park
Missouri are the Cannon Ball. ~ Heart a'1 knife rAt's and IL Little . Missouri s. aHy
with their tributaries. Numerous lakes are scattered through the
son counties. and Stump Lake, in Nelson. Artesian water is gen.
orally easily found, although it is sometimes brackish. Good wells
the depth required varying considerably, but the average may
perhaps be stated at from twenty to thirty feet.
All these rivers and lakes are more or less wooded-some of
them heavily with valuable DC timber. Heavy bodies of good tim
her are re also also found statd in na the = T tnt Noun, Mountains, along the northern
COAL AND OTHER MINERAL DEPOSITS.
The mineral resources Of the State are yet but slightly de-
veloped, but enough: is known to indicate that they will be Of no
mean Importance in the future history Of the Northwest.
some of which is we'll suited to the manufacture of the finer dish
ware. Some localities afford superior terra Gotta and ornamental
brick clay. Excellent brick clay for ordinary purposes exists at
One Of the chief sources of mineral wealth is the coal, which
exists in great abundance throughout the western portion of the
State. Roughly speaking, it may be said to be found west of a
line running from the Turtle Mountains southwesterly to the
point OF intersection of the Missouri river and the southern bound
airy OF the State-this line, of course, being subject to some irreg-
ularities. The coal crops out on the surface in numerous places,
is very easily mined and accessible, and all that is needed to rem
der it of immense value, not only to North Dakota, but to all sur
rounding states, is additional railroad development and reasonable
shipping rates and facilities. The statistics gathered last year
show that this coal is mined at a cost Of rs cents to sl.Oo a ton
only two mines in the State reporting the cost greater than sl!oo,
and one 1.-THE largest in the State) placing it at IL cents per ton.
The thickness OF the coal veins frequently reaches twelve to ff-
teen feet, and sometimes considerably more. The quality of the
coal is an excellent Ignite, almost free from the bitumen which
gives the offensive smoke and odor incident to burning most soft
Goals, and unusually free from sulphur. Its heating power is al
most equal to that OF ordinary bituminous coal. Last fall twenty
samples were analysed by the Professor of Chemistry in the State
University, Prof. r. J: Babcock, under the auspices of the State
Commissioner of Agriculture and Labor, which showed the fol-
lowing results for the twenty analyses from the mines in the diff
erent parts of the State, viz:
CLIMATE.
Contrary to the belief Of most people who have never been
here, the climate of North Dakota is extremely pleasant and
healthful The air j. bracing and invigorating, and even during
the seYerest winter months the cold is not felt so keenly as q much
higher temperature il the danper regions east and south. q Ne
is but little snow but what comes usually lasts most 81 sthlIss san-
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