The Irish standard., 1897-06-12
A P1CTUREsQUE AND FERTILE REG
ION IS TRAVERsED BY
the NORTHERN PACIFIC RAILWAY
LIVELY DESCRIPTION OF THE
TOWNS ALONG THE ROUTE.
The. "INDIAA OUTBREAK" A MYTH
THE WHITES NOT MUCH ALARMED
OVER THE SITUATION.
Especial Correspondence.)

| Especial Correspondence
There is much to interest the traveller
| along the line of the Northern Pacific
railroad. Throughout the length and
breadth of this great transcontinental
route can be found some of the best
wheat producing lands, the richest and
most productive mines, grazing lands
inexhaustible where stockraising has
no limit, minerals of almost every ma
ture and a climate attractive as Minne-
sota-cheering, exhilarating and fasci-
| mating beyond the Rockies" AS a
scenic route, as we'll as in other respects,
the Northern Pacific overland can we'll
lay claim to superiority over all COM
| petitors, and along this great line has
sprung up large number of progress
sive cities and towns, mention of some
| of which has already been made in a
former letter. There is Little Falls,
Mimi, with a magnificent water-power
that must one day make that city one Of
the great manufacturing points in the
state This is what made it possible for
Minneapolis to have 100000 people to-
day, and it is fair to assume that Little
Falls, as that part of the state in which
it is situated becomes more and more
noted as successful agricultural re-
gion, must inevitably become great
and thriving city. 'Tis pretty city,
neatly laid out, has population, per-
haps of 5000 people, and can already
boast of number of flour mills and
other manufacturing industries. Be-
yond Little Falls is Staples, railway
town." This is junction, contains in
the neighborhood of 1,500 souls, and
cannot easily be excelled for town of
it's size and advantages.
Leaving the main line at Winnipeg
Junction, 25 miles this side of Fargo,
we pass through the noted sRed River"
country as far as Grafton, N. D., and
right here it may be said that it is a
somewhat mooted question where the
Red River country begins and where it
ends. There is no doubt about it's great
belt it cannot be excelled in this or any
other land. Of course. there are draw
backs in the Dakotas just as there are
elsewhere. What they have to fear
most in the growing of cereals are the
hail storms that are quite prevalent
some seasons destroying much of the
grain and naturally causing discourage
ment as we'll as financial loss to those
unfortunate enough to meet with such
reverses. But going back over decade,
and taking the seasons as they go, the
losses of the average Dakota farmer in
manner unexpected or unforeseen have
been no greater than the losses of those
engaged in similar occupation whether
in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin,
or perhaps other states that look largely
to the farmer for their advancement.
Over this branch of the N. P. and pass
ing in line are Crookston, Grand Forks,
Grafton. Grand Forks is the largest of
the three, but all are bright cities and If
big crop and a fair price shall be re-
allied this season-the prospects we're
never brighter for a crop-then that
country will reach an era Of pros
perity equal to that in it's most palmy
days. Fargo, Casselton, Valley City,
on the main line cherish the same hope
and with the same privileges their
prospects are as bright as those of tho
other cities mentioned. And mention of
Fargo reminds one that it is another
town-an entirely new Fargo-since the
great fire which swept over it but few
years ago. Everywhere throughout the
many of them built of brick and stone
and all with commendable view to
fire protection. In all the magnificent
structures to be noted there at the pres
ent time, but few are beyond four stor-
les in height, many of them being but
two and three. Added to this are neatly
paved streets and electric light. Fargo
is metropolitan now in every respect.
Passing along Bismarck is finally reach
ed. The capitM of North Dakota does
MT seem to be in the procession with
its sister citiAs of equal population and
facilities. There is an air Of quletude
here. Perhaps it is the opposite extreme
of that hustle which prevails during
legislative sessions. Whatever the
cause there is certainly a lack Of that
push and enterprise that may be found
in Fargo or Grand Forks or still nearer
by-Mandan across the river. In the
latter city are located the railroad
shops and payroll each month is a very
important factor and does much in the
general advancement Of Mandan's in
terest. And then there is Dickinson.
still farther beyond, just as bright as
the brightest. But we must hastily pass
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