Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1895-03-28

shake.
Yet while we are complaining OF hard
times the record of South Dakota is
one which shows that we are at most
not q poverty stricken community.
With a population Of about $50, 600. the
best statistical figures, coupled with
conservative estimates. places the ag-
ricultural product Of the state for the
past yea at $50. O00, 900; the cattle from
the ranges at 81, SOC, 900. and the gold
production alone at $4,000, 000.s This
does not include stock shipped from the
eastern part of the state, horses, hogs.
sheep and wool among the agricultural
products, nor the output Of the other
metals and coal from the mines. and the
output OF the Quarries Of the Black
Hills, and in he southeastern part of
the state, which would put the total
wealth production OF the state for the
past year at fully $50, 000, 900.
A seeker for q new home could look
long before finding any better opening
than South Dakota. II he desires to To-
cate in q community where he can have
churches and schools. he can purchase
land In the eastern part Of the state
at prices ranging from $50 per acre In
the older settled portions to IS per acre
in the more sparsely settled, where the
advantages are not so great.
out IL tuC0S R0lCC0 oAC tOO 8ES8S tn0GS
iies west Of the Missouri river lands Just
It say 54fy SSttrsssssh5Yy. fT psF t ses eeeSxSsa5n9%ssveeshs
years will be allowed In which to make
the payment. This section IL h only
extensive body Of government land yet
open for settlers. and as they are be-
Ing rapidly taken. the man who desires
to secure such lands must make his ap-
plication soon or secure one OF
Uncle Sans farms.
What manner Of country is this which
will greet the would be resident? That
portion OF the state east Of the Mis-
souri, river IL q rolling prairie. with ar
average elevation Of about 1900 feet
above the sea level, and before its set
Element was a vast prairie on which
h limit Of vision alone was the boun-
dairy, clothed in spring and early sum-
mer with the emerald verdure Of nutri-
tious grasses. pasturage for millions Of
buffalo, but now covered with the
homes Of the thousands who took ad-
Vantage OF the offers Of the govern
ment In days gone by.
To the west OF the river where the
government land yet left lies, the coun-
try Is more rolling. cut with streams of
pure water, ach with its broad and
fertile valley, the stream itself skirted
With its groves Of cedar and cottonwood
t~nterspersed with orchards of plum,
cherries and grapes, the timber fur
nishing a bountiful supply Of building
material and fuel. This section of
about 10000 acres has In the past
been given over to stock raising alone
n thousands of acres of the original
sod OF the prairie has never been
stirred. The stockman selecting a home
ranch on any Of h many beautiful
streams and allowing his cattle to range
over thousands Of acres Of prairie with
no care except the annual spring round
up for branding and the fall round UP
to cut out the finest reeves for ship
ment to the eastern markets. Even
winter brings no greater care, the snow
rarely being SO deep that the cattle
have trouble in securing all the grass
they need to keep them fat the year
around The native grass cures on the
ground and Is more nutritious thar any
hay raised by eastern farmers. Any
desired information in regard to these
lands can be secured by addressing the
register or receiver Of the United States
and Office at Pierre.
A mistaken idea exists that this coun-
try Is cold and dreary for a great part
of the year, but the signal service fig
nreS show a different state OF affairs.
the average temperature for five years
being "a ITO for November, 20 5-10 for
December, IA 4-10 for January and IL for
February. There are a few very cold
days during the month Of January and
February which lowers the general aver
age for those months. much OF the time
the mercury standing above 20. The
anne can be said Of December. which is.
As a rule, very fine. snow rarely falling
until after the LIST OF January. The
summer months OF July and August are,
as a rule, very warm, with an average
for Ave years Of "a, but the rest Of the
year the climate is very moderate for
the season, and the dread OF the severe
Ultimate mead leon mono awav "
Besides the water supply from streams
and lakes, South Dakota is underlaid
by he most extensive artesfan basin
In the world. More than 100 wells in
different parts Of the state are spout
ing from this ~inexhaustible supply Of
nature. and the water is being con-
Quoted into streams Ind artificial lakes
n ponds, giving an increased sup
ply OF surface water every day. Be-
sides the wells already flowing many
more are being projected and will be
completed before the close OF the pres
ent year The artesian flow is struck
at varying depths. In the northeastern
part of the state the flow is found at
an average depth of 1000 feet, while in
the southeastern part the depth is about
700. In the central part along the Mis-
souri, river h flow is secured at q
depth OF about ], 200 feet and Is evidently
rom a different basin than those In the
eastern portion, as the water is OF q
temperature Of about so degrees, ac-
companied by a strong flow OF natural
gas. which will bur on The surface OF
the water az it spouts from the well,
forming a cataract OF fire, q scene not
to be witnessed at any other place.
While the mining operations are con.
fined to q small area In the Black Hills
country, the gold production for tho
past year was about $3.50. 600, and .
large amount Of silver was produced In
this same section. While gold and sill
yer II the principal product Of the
mines that wonderful section also pro-
duces copper and there are located the
only tin deposits vet developed in Amer
ica. Coal 10 also found all over the
western portion Of the state, the coal
fleids extending to within ten miles OF
the Missouri river. and while not yet
largely developed enough II being mined
In the Black Hills country to supply the
local demands OF that region. The
marble and sandstone quarries OF the
Black Hills and the granite quarrfes Of
the southeastern part OF the state em-
plOy q large number Of men, the former
supplying building material Tor Omaha
n Sioux City and the latter for Chi
NANn II Pant auA MfnnAa nn1Aa