The Dickinson press., 1906-10-06

Saltwater Beautifully l
Bowman county, in the southwestern
corner of North Dakota, is "a miles in
extent north and south and 81 miles in
length, or nearly the same size as Stark
county. 1t is bounded on the north by
Billings county, on the east by Hettin-
ger, on the south by South Dakota and
on the west by Montana.
The eastern portion of Bowman county
seems especially adapted to farming and
the numerous streams afford many wide
valleys suited to crop raising, and as
soon as railroad facilities are afforded,
which will be during the coming year,
the soil is going to be cultivated to a
great extent. The western part of the
county is more broken and in many
places is admirably suited to the grazing
of sheep, cattle and horses. Stock grazes
out through the winter and keeps in
good flesh. The prudent farmers and
ranchers, however, put up hay and feed
once or twice during the stormy days.
Bowman is one of the best watered
counties in the state. The larger streams
are the main fork of Cedar creek, Buffalo
and Lightning creeks and the north fork
of Grand river, with their tributaries, in
the eastern and central portion; while
the Little Missouri river flows north
through the western portion. The larger
tributaries of this river from the east are
Coyote and Spring creeks, and from the
west Box Elder and Little Beaver
creeks. In addition to the streams there
are many large springs of fine water.
Native coal is abundant in all portions
of Bowman county and the settlers have
but to mine and haul the same when lay
ing in winters supply of fuel. The
usual cost of coal delivered is from SI.5o
to s. per ton.
, Until about three years ago Bowman
county was given over entirely to stock
raising and few large herds occupied
this entire territory. About this time the
Western Land Securities Co. bought
large tracts of railroad land in this vicin-
ity and farmers from Iowa, Minnesota,
Wisconsin and other Middle West states,
who were looking for free government
homesteads and cheap lands adjoining,
were quick to see the possibilities of this
country. The distance was considerable
from the Northern Pacific, the nearest
railroad, and it was rather discouraging
tor the advance settlers: Lumber and
all supplies had to be freighted 40 and 50
miles and even further.
The town of Saltwater was founded in
was secured via Dickinson and New
England, and settlers came in large NUM-
bers. -. .$:ss;...,. ...4:.
Few of the 1905 settlers had time for
preparing much virgin soil for crops that
year so that really the first grain crop to
amount to anytMngt was harvested this
fall. 1t is estimated that Go acres were
cropped this season, the greater portion
being sod crops or from first breaking.
Crops of all kinds have given abundant
: yields and the settlers are all pleased.
The company's 8o-acre field of flax has
been the subject of much favorable COM
ment. The average yield will be IS
bushels or more.
Elsewhere in this article are given
individual yields for 1906.
SALTWATER.
Saltwater is located in the northeast
ern portion of Bowman county and is as
miles due south of Belfeld by air line.
From Dickinson the distance is 48 miles.
The stage road and the one mostly trav-
elled in going out from the last named
place is via New England and the dis
tance is s. miles. The road is good, and,
although passengers 20 six miles out of
direct line, they seem to prefer the last
road.
1t will be of interest to note here that
the old DeMores stage route from Me-
dora to the Black Hills, which was in full
sway in 1884, passed just west of Still
water. The Marquis was trying to get
business for his town against Dickinson
and Bismarck, but he undertook too
much.
Approaching this prairie village from
the north or the south one is at once
greatly impressed with the beautiful
location in the midst of wide expanse
of level country. The Rainy buttes are
IS miles distant to the northeast, while
the Chalk buttes northwest have the ap-
pearance of snow-capped peaks. Every
thing has been laid out by square and
compass and the grounds and buildings
are neat and we'll kept.
The Saltwater site is on land owned
by the Western Land Securities Co. and
all the buildings are owned by this COM
pany. A model two story hotel greets
the weary traveller on his arrival AS
many as 81 people have been cared for
at time in this hostelry. 1t is painted
and kept in perfect order, being sup.
piled throughout with running water.
In the rear is coal room and also a
laundry room with cement Aocr and
supplied with faucets and drains.
Mr.. and Mrs. ]. S. Carter and son, F.
B. Carter, are managers of the hotel and
also of the large new store. F. B. Carter
is assistant postmaster but the work OF
the office the past summer has been
largely in charge of his sister, Miss Ruth
O. Carter. Frank Huff is head clerk in
the store. l.. ,s
is. Carter came out from Kansas in
Februarysto take charge Of the. hotel
He was given full authority to 60 ahead
and make such repairs and additions as
were needed and he has certainly sue.
ceeded in making a model place.
Mr.. Carter and his daughter have
homesteads across the street from the
townsite that they value at $500 each
The Securities company has sold land in
the county, which is no better, at ~!
per acre. @ss f@s >s>.-
st The. Saltwater stables are owned BY
the Securities company, with L. Stencil
oa,, 1oco1 Tie a1c<