Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1894-03-08

boundaries are about one hundred and
| tifty-onc thousand square miles. With
| the exception of Pcmbina. on the bor-
der OF the British possessions. Fargo
and few other points in the valley
of the Red river of the North. the cle-
| walton ranges ON the plains from
| twelve hundred to three thousand
| feet above the level of the sea In
the mountainous upifts of the Black
HILLS the elevation is much higher.
iIarncy'> Peak being the highest
point. ii attainS an altitude of nine
thousand. seven hundred feet i.
Through the greater portion. the Da-
kotas may be said To he a high. dry.
undilIaling plain. a prairie ocean in
lnld-contlncnt. for ii has the appear
ance To the eye of Il limi1lcss sea
Along the eastern border and in the
lar north ii is diversified by numerous
small lakes and rivers. the largest of
which is The Red River of the North.
In the northwest portion by the upper
Missouri and his hcadwaicr trbutar-
les. which flow in from various noun
tal'i districts. Some of these aS the
Big Horn. have become famollS rs the
place OF some struggle ciWccu the
white and red man of the plains.
In the extreme southwest part the
surface Is broken by an extensive tract
al water and wea1her-worn hills that
lift their ancient barren beads many
feet above tlr level of the surround
ing plains. These are the much talk
ed of ''Iiad Lands" Here. i'm This iso-
lated and intensely Interesting region
llle architecture of all ages and all
kinds seem To be reproduced by ma
tlre', hands. Towers. callcdral>. res
licences, business blocks and massive
forms unknown To the eye are pictur-
esquclN placed before YOU almost as
realty. The visitor may we'll gazc in
awe and wonder al this aged and Won
dertll perspective
Here and there, ovcr this almost in
l"rlnlnablc prairie are isolated points
called bulteS, and at intervals Il chain
of hills Of various height. These hills
nave the appearance of miniature
mountain ranges When they extend
over long distances and are located lD-
on the highest plains as is HE case
with the Missouri divide. their inrlu-
ence upon climatic conditions assume.
III Il large degree. such as cXcrtrd hv
the existence of Il mountain range.
HE Missouri divide is he longest
and most important chain OF these
hills. II the reader will examine a
map ot The Dako,a~ and Manitoba he
Will observe that they extend from
TAR within Tie British possessions and
stretch dia9onally across ,ne Dakotus
from the extreme Northwest point.
In their course they follow The gen
cral direction of the Missouri river.
and about 100 miles East. Near The
middle of South Dakota opposite the
long eastward bend of TIL" river they
spread ont aud blend with the high
plains country between the Missouri
and James rivers. They follow the
highest elevation of The plans. and
in their irregular aud broken course
average an altitude of 100 To 300 feet
above tllc level Of the surrounding
country Throughout their extent
lieI form the eastern brimof the Up
per Missouri Basin. They are the ai-
viding line between the two general
climatic divisions. To the eastward
o. he divide begins family. but sure
ly, the climate "f the Mississippi Val
ley. the Great Lakes and the Red
River OF the North. Tothc westward
begins the dry and sunny slopes of the
upper Missouri.
In the ea>, divide country many of
the essential characteristics of an
ideal region are present. AS You pass
eastward the dampnes> Of both soil
and atmosphere increases. the sun
comes more abundant and the winters
longer and colder. Vet the climate of
Minnesota is justly famous for its
hcalthfulncss. Many have in the past
taken advantage Of its pure. cold air
and in consequence have been benefit
ed beyond expectation. Eastern Da-
| kOla is still more favorable for the in
valid and prospective sufferer. and yet
| ii retains all the advantages for the
| farmer and stocknan. and many for
| the artisan and merchant. Excessive
cloud and danpncSs are not present
beyond what is necdful for successful
agriculture. The air is rare. pure and
eXhilerating. The soil. in all seasons,
is devoid Of undue moisture. DiScas-
eS Of an acute character are not cX-
tcnsively prevalent. and outbreaks of
epidemic diseases are rare and'casy ia
control.
1