Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1899-08-18

and although no musician myself,
[ could easy determine they were
quite expert. The city of Devils
Lake was holding a Chautauqua
on the lake and this band fur
nished the music.
Through the kindness of Brown
& Co.: real estate agents at that
place, [ was given a two days ride
through the country. Found the
people in the best Of spirits.
They say North Dakota is the best
place on earth, and from an ap-
pearance it is good enough for
anyone. The land has a gentle
roll, we'll watered and good soil.
The crops look very good. People
who have lived here for twenty
years say their lowest yield was II
bushels, and it will average from
Is to II Of good hard wheat. One
would also be surprised to see so
much corn.
I wanted to go farther west, but
time forbade, so I went my way
eastward at the rate Of fifty miles
per hour, and soon found myself in
Melrose, Mimi, a place Of 1000.
The only thing worthy Of note is a
Catholic church costing $4,000.
There is no town in this vicinity
that has one Of like dimentions.
From here I went to St. Cloud and
thence south over the Great North
ern to Pipestone, MINI.
One might ask me what [
thought Of the country, what about
the crops, and what I would advise
the poor man looking for a home
to do? Well, as I sat looking out
Of the car windows at the beautiful
fields Of golden grain, I was simply
amazed and astonished. Aboard
the Great Northern flyer it all
passed by like a beautiful panor-
anna. became weary of watching
it, but fascinated by the sight I
still continued to gaze.
Inc lied River valley is a Won
der to behold. Crops on the whole
are quite good. Everywhere I saw
great signs Of prosperity. AS to
the poor man, [ would advise him
to be up and doing, for verify he is
losing golden opportunities. It is
possible yet for him to secure a
piece Of this earth, but oportuni-
ties are fast passing by. I would
not be SO foolish as to advise the
owner of good Grundy county
land to throw it away in his anx-
iety to go west, because that is
good enough saw none better.
But the west is the place for the
Spectator, the poor man, the old
maid and the nimble nimrod. The
first mentioned must have his rake
off; the poor man secures a homes;
and the old maid-why, there are
more than enough old bachelors
scattered over the prairies to sup
ply all Reinbeck, and then they
could have quite a selection. Just
imagine how they would behold
such a feast. [ would especially
advise them to go to Devils Lake.
Our nimrods-well, such game!
Nothing like it on the globe.
From Pipestone I went to Oc-
heyedan, Iowa, and spent the next
Sabbath day there. I found all
our Reinbeck friends well and
prospecting. From there I retrac-
ed my steps to Pipestone. thence
to Breckenridge, again to st. Paul,
and am glad to say at home again,
tired after a trip Of twenty days.
during which time [ travelled over
1000 miles. I would like to tell
our people more that would inter
est them. For instance, the country
is so healthy that people will not
die, so they just kill one now and
then, that the Spectator may not
have all the earth to possess.
But enough! My letter is per-
haps too long now.
JAMES PORTER.
The Annette nj q GOat