Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1902-07-15
PRICE FIVE CENTS.
A MICHIGAN LADY
RELATIVE OF MIR. AND MRS. C r.
COLBY WRITES OF ENJOYMENT.
OF yrEIp 10 Nrnrorr1r n 1za.1.. -

Z
OF TRIP TO NORTH DAKOTA.
Mrs. G. E. Colby, of Sterling. sends
the Tribune copy Of the Orion. Mich,
Review, containing letter written by
Carrie Bradford Seeley, a sister of
Mrs. Colby, who has been visiting
at Sterling, in which she says:
Imagine me set down in the midst
Of this boundless prairie, one and a
half miles from Sterling. I fondly i'm
agined a prairie to be vast level
plain, and as had been told that it
was rolling, in the vicinity of Sterling.
/ supposed 1 should see small undula-
tions, but imagine my surprise to find
large elevations, which we in Michigan
would call rather large hills
My sisters home is situated in a
valley, which they have named Peculi-
ar Valley, and is completely surround
ed by these lovely hills. which bound
the horizon and seem to touch the Sky,
in all directions. My brothers home is
ON the top of one, Of these elevations,
and from it one can see miles of prai-
rie, dotted here and there by the clus-
tered buildings of the distant ranch.
men, while to the west. twenty-five
miles away, are the immense bluffs on
the bank Of the Missouri river. Over
these, on clear day, rests a beautiful
blue haze, which adds much to the
loveliness of the view
The prairie has put on its prettiest
garb of green in honor of my visit. no
doubt, and is thickly strewn with wild
flowers, some of which are very beau
tiful
For diversion l have taken up horse
back riding. Some Of the spirit of my
girlhood has returned to me here in
this free life, or else SO much atmos-
phere has gone to my head" for find
great enjoyment in gallop over the
prairie, and my niece. who is an ex-
| pert horsewoman. tells me that if |
only stay little longer, shall be able
to round UP the cattle in true cowboy
style. But, alas. l cannot stay long
enough to acquire that accomp. sh-
ment.
My brother and myself made "trip
to Bismarck to see the sights of >he
capital city. 1t is progressive ws:t-
ern town with thirty-five hundred IN
habIants, electric lights and water
works. Throughout the east we hear
much about the wild and woolly
vest but the crop must have been
pretty we'll sheared off before l arrived
for the whole west shows progression
and up-to-date ideas. was taken to
the capital building at Bismarck and
was introduced to Governor White
felt that great responsibility rested
upon me to represent in a proper man
ner the great state of Michigan. my
Michigan. and I braced myself to meet
L..
in learned manner, the good and bad
qualities of our altruistic Pingree and
the courtly Governor Bliss l express
ed my pleasure in meeting the COVER
nor OF SO great a state; but he laugh
ingly disclaimed all idea of greatness,
and said he was only plain westelner
We saw the great Missouri. two
miles from the city. Like the Missis-
sinpi, it is very muddy stream and is
called by the people the big muddy"
It has a swift current and is full of
eddies and whirlpools, which render it
unfit for boating and bathing. The
immense bluffs on either bank of the
Missouri make the scenery very beau
tiful, and the fine million dollar bridge
and the site of old Fort Lincoln across
the river. where General Custer was
stationed just before he went to mis-
death in the famous battle with Sitting
Bull and his braves make this point an
interesting one sg~-,5.
The prettiest trip l have made Wass5
to the historical Sibley Butte. ten miles
from Sterling. 1t is the scene of bat
tie between General Sibley's command
and the Sioux, in 1868, when our men.
after desperate engagement drove the
red men across the river Sibley Butte
is the highest of seven rocky bluffs: is
$50 feet high, and towers over all the
surrounding hills. From its top, fine.
view of the prairie for thirty-fiye miles
in all directions can be obtained. At
the foot Of the bluff nestles the home
of a noted ranchman Of this vicinity.
Mr.. Harvey Smith, and his herd Of
sheep and cattle Craze on the surround
ing hills. II was a sight worth the
pencil of an artist, and well repaid me
for my wild scramble up and down the
old butte's rugged sides.
The people here are noted for their