Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1895-09-05
A GAME TOWN.
Dawson the Hunters Head
quarters, and the Shoot
ing Thereabouts.
The PrairieS in Fall Dress and
the Feathered DWellerS
Thereof.

son and Tappan developes the fact that
there are more birds in that part OF the
state than here, although in the lmme-
d,ate vicinity of Dawson they have been
we'll hunted out by numerous hunting
purties. About the only duck ponds to
be found are about eight or ten miles
north OF Dawson in the hills. The last
two years OF dry weather have COM
pletely svaporated the water from about
all the lakes and now there are large
surfaces of the lake beds white with
alkall that blows of IN clouds in every
passing breeze. The fresh water is only
to be found in the broken and billy
country further from the track of the
railroad. The farms generally cease
about Is to 20 miles north Of the North
ern Pacific track. in that part of the
state, and then range and stock interests
predominate.
Crops around Dawson and Tappan are
better this year than for several seasons.
The sandy soil got enough rain at the
right time. The acreage of flax seems
unusually large in Kidder county this
year and the yield good. There is also
larger acreage of potatoes than usual.
Most of the grain has been stacked and
large amount OF 1t cut with headers.
The same unpainted appearance of farm
buildings abounds, but the natural
weather preservatives in North Dakota
atmosphere largely take the place OF
paint, and the expense is therefore saved.
The Tappan farm, managed by Mr..
Harker, clever man and sportsman
himself, who also runs the elevator and
hotel, has had good crop this year.
Thresbing is going on and the little
station has every person living IN it at
work, even small children being put to
some useful purpose during the rush OF
fall work. The sight OF farmers wife
pitching straw IN u field, barefooted, like
romantic Maud Muller with the
romance left out, also indicated the ex-
tent that female labor is used on the
poor mans North Dakota farm, all the
same as in the old country. The bare
foot part, however, was no doubt due
to choice, not poverty. The farm peo-
pie are not inhospitable and will fre
quently tell hunters where chickens can
be found. They are glad to see strange
faces and get an incident to speak of
afterwards.
The prairies are row beautiful in their
early autumn dress and the grass in the
western part OF the state where the
herbage is thick shows many elegant
spots OF prairie scenery. Daisies. golden
rod, and wild sunAowers in great patches
give the scene lively appearance and
the bright yellow flower gardens contrast
handsomely with the yet clear green Of
the grass. A dsisied patch. eoldenrod-
ded, embellished with clusters OF 1usset
grass. and dotted with purple wild
flowers, here and there, on the slope OF q
gentle rise, Is as fair sight to look
upon Us the land can give. The whole is
bright aud sparkling IN the clear sun
light. with the breeze just bending the
grass trihe and mildly noddinv the
taller sunAower heads. When in this
spot Of prairie elegance a pointer stand
ing IN rigid Rracefulness like cbiseled
figure, and the beads Of demure family
OF prairie fowl. cautiously peering from
the grassy cover, are seen, the sight is q
picture that fastens itself in recollection
with instantaneous ard permanent pho
Biography.
Dawson is headquarters for hunters
duck and goose, Wild bird of all kind,
chicken, wolf and jack rabbit. There
are number Of good dogs owned there.
Lee Pettibone OF the leading hotel, is q
sportsman and q genial host, and has
several. The house register containe the
names Of many prominent people in all
professions from all over the United
States. There are guides and teams to
be had, and sport in plenty when sought
for in the right way. There are many
disappointed who 60 to Dawson simply
because the livery men take them over
the same old ground that others have
whipped out; but to get game one
should 60 further of, where it is. and
the best shooting in the state is to be
found in that locality. The dry weather
has spoiled the shooting close to Daw-
son that has made the place famous, but
in the fall OF the yesr ON favorable
windy days the geese tiy SO thick and
low that it is never an uncommon thiog
to kill them from the street Of the little
station.
Mr.. j. Gokey is also one of the best
known guides and hunters at Dawson,
and has taken agood many prominent