The Oskaloosa herald., 1910-03-03
OUT IN DAkorMa
Joe Bishop Tells Of the Trials and
Hsrdshlps Of the Past Winter.
Dallas, s. D., Feb. 2. 1911

Dallas, s. D., Feb. 2, 1910.
Editor Herald: Since my last let
ter several months ago. have learn
ed much about the wild and woody
west and my ups and downs, more
downs than ups, have been numerous.
We have had severe winter with
much snow, and my son Clarence
and | got the benefit of one of the
worst storms. One night in Decem-
Der we started from Dallas with a
load of coal and darkness caught us
on the prairie about six miles from
home. The snow was two feet deep
on the level and still storming and
blowing from the northwest. We
were facing 1t and it got so dark and
stormy that we could not see five
feet ahead and there was no sign OF
road. We wandered around through
rayines and hills until the horses re-
fused to face the storm any longer
and as they were about exhausted
/ led them along for several hours
through that awful snow until we got
a glimpse OF light which we finally
reached after getting stuck in a
ravine nearby. But l went to the
house and got help to get the team
out and We put them in the barn.
Then we were taken into the house
where his wife prepared a meal for
US and we stayed there the rest OF
the night. The place where we had
come to was a neighbors about four
miles from where We lived. His
name Is Henry Ebeling and they came
from near Norfolk, Nebr. was worn
out and badly frozen, could not have
gone much further We arrived home
the next afternoon with the coal and
do not feel any the worse for the
experience. Last June a beautiful
prairie stretched So miles to the south
and west and today 1t is dotted with
farm houses, most of them being good
homes. Fences are seen everywhere.
when in June there we're merely gov
eminent trails. We followed them in
their worm like way but to-day the
section lines are making themselves
a prominent part of the landscape.
The bad storm of several weeks ago
made the settlers realize that the
much talked of Dakota winter ives
upon u.s. The blizzard was the worst
in twenty years and it has ccnla and
gone without sacrificing a lie. ~
immense amount of work has been
done in this country in the past six
months and it is great to see men and
women struggle to get back to the
soil A great many of the lucky ones
in the drawing were from the cities
where they had lived all their lives
and they are the most intense work
ers.
One of the most exciting times was
October / when the last numbers
were drawn at midnight all the land
that was left was thrown open TO
''squatters" and do not think there
is an eighty in the county that Is not
occupied. Such a scramble for land
was a great sight, many pieces hav-
ing as many as twelve claimants and
many paid the man with an auto
800 to be taken at midnight so as to
be the first there. The c. & n. w.
railroad, has officially announced
where it will build through the coun-
ty and work will be started early in
the spring. Four towns have been
laid out along the right-of-way, Ca
lone, Winner, Jordan and Carter.
Winner is in the exact center of the
county and will be the county seat.
Buildings Of all kinds are going up
now regardless of the weather. Lam
70 Is now the county seat but the
railroad misses it about two miles,
so they are moving the town to Win
ner. These towns were opened by
the Western Townsite Co, the pro-
prietors being Ernest and Frank
Jackson, sons of Ex-Governor Jack
son, of Iowa. They are live energetic
honest young men OF whom any place
might be proud. They have recently
completed a cement Office building
in Dallas, it is modern and a beauty.
Our snow is fast leaving US and things
are beginning to stir. have killed
a good many jack rabbits so IL you
come out l will make you a fine stew.
will also send you and Roy Robin
son some rabbit ears or foot TO
wear that he may have good luck
while pencil pushing"
This is ground hog day and l an
sorry to say he can see his shadow
and not half try, so l suppose We are
in for some more winter. So like him
will have to retire to my den and
make the best OF 1t. but meanwhile
am going to stay out Just as long as
it is good weather for just at present
It is fine for this tine Of year. Give
my regards to all friends.
Yours truly, ]. E Bishop.
Goose Thlrty-Two Years Old.