Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1906-01-31
FROM SOUTH DAKOTA.
Ellsworth Boy Keeps Alive Interest
in the Old Home.

in the old Home.
Fred Bonsey, of Pierre, S. D., an Els
worth "boy'', in sending remittance and
renewal Of subscription to THE AaERI-
CAN, writes:
''L.ike every other person who was for
tunate enough to be born in old Maine,
am proud Of that grand commonwealth,
and read THE AMERICAN weekly with
great interest, and watch anxiously for
items Of interest concerning my boyhood
friends and early acquaintance.
at has been over twenty-five years since
/ resigned the captaincy of the old Allan
tic coasting schooner Senator, and &C
cepted the two-ribboned helm OF IA ''prairie
schooner" on the wilds of the then terri
tory OF Dakota Since that time have
seen the Indians conquered and pacified,
the buffaloes almost extinguished, and that
territory sufficiently tanned to be equally
divided and admitted into the Union as
two states. In that time have gained in
weight from is5 to 1856 pounds, have won a
wife 1.-THE best woman in the world), and
am the proud father OF Andrew, fifteen
years old, and little Ruth, eight years old.
II am located in the city OF Pierre, the
capital Of South Dakota, where by hard
and honest efforts over a steel range
have succeeded in acquiring the owner
ship OF q two-story brick restaurant,
which 1 now conduct, a good comfortable
home and other resident property.
~ am still hale and hearty, and my wife
says that look as young as ever. From
morning to night look after my res
taurant business, except when about once
a year I take a vacation and go into the
wilds in quest of deer or bear, OF to fish
at some summer resort.
about year ago, in company with
Governor Herried, Congressman Burke
and other prominent men OF this section,
being piloted by an old Indian chief,
went to the Bad Lands and Black Hills
after silver-tipped bear. With this same
party have hunted deer in the timbered
wilds OF northern Minnesota at the source
Of the famous Mississippi. Ny last vaca-
tion was with fishing party at Big Stone
lake, which is the head-water OF the
famous Red river OF the North.
''South Dakota bears the enviable dis
tinction Of producing more wealth per
cipits than any other state in the Union,
its resources being divided between the
farming, stock-raising. commercial and
mining industries.
1.-THE city OF Pierre is located on the east
bank Of the Missouri river, and on account
of active railroad deyelopments whereby
bridge has been built across the river
this winter and a railway is in the process
OF construction to the Black Hills and to
the Pacific coast, a rapid and substantial
growth OF the city is beyond question.
This railroad Will run through hereto
fore undeyeloped prairie country, which
is being rapidly taken up under the home
stead laws Of the United States by ambi-
tious young msGs, who have the pluck and
hardihood TO graphic with the perplexing
problems of settling up new country.
"Never in my life did better enjoy my
self than when went back to old Maine
in the summer OF 1901. The old hills, the
briny and fosming sea, the Bonsey wharf,
the old red schoolhouse at the head OF the
lane, the welcome hand-shake Of old
friends, the affeetionate greeting of rela-
tives, all brought back TO me tender and
sweet remembrances Of my boyhood days.
and promise you that my next summers
vacation will be back in old Maine.
BEST wishes and the seasons greeting
to you and TO all my friends"