The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1910-02-17
ROBINSON TELLS
ABOUT ROSEBUD and
Pine RIDGE LANDS
Includes Area of 1,400, 900
Acres of Lands Appropriate
for Settlers Homes.
~ poANE ROBINSON.

Pierre, s.. D., Feb. 16.-The Rosebud
and Pine Ridge bills which nave passed
the Senate and been favorably reported
in the House will open another area OF
1,400, 600 acres to settlement, or about
the same as In the Cheyenne River and
Standing Rock coded lands. The new
opening will give settlers a fine oppor-
tunity to secure homes. The lands lie
along the south bank of White River In
Mellette and Washabaugh counties.
I have personally examined the Rose
bud lands in Mellette county, but have
not been in the Washabaugh region.
Mellette county has about 40 townships.
It is bisected by Little White river and
no less than 10 parallel creeks put
down through it to the White river.
These, with their laterals, provide an
unusual water and drainage system. :.
The valleys Of these streams are all
deeply eroded, making the region close
to them quite rough, but splendidiy
adapted to stock growing, mi back
from the streams the gently rolling
prairie is finely adapted to all sorts OF
crops. The soil is Of the Larimie for
nation, a fine sandy loan and very
productive. The native prairies are
well grassed, making fine pastures and
an abundance of hay. Not much or
the soil has been cultivated, but such
patches as the Indian farmers nave
broken up bring excellent crops. In
the rough river breaks there are some
fruit trees and they yield satisfac-
torily; apples do especially well.
Good Timber Along Streams.
There is some good timber along the
streams. The White river is unique.
1t drains a large area and flows over
the white clay of the White river for
nation which gives the water the hue
Of SKINNED milk. II is a rapid stream
and carries q good flow throughout the
year. The Little White Is boisterous
and pretentious. 1t Is wide and threat
ening in appearance, very rapid and
Its milk white flood pours noiselessly
down a deep, beautiful wooded valley.
The stream, however, is very shallow
and carries little water. l recall APP
preaching 1t for the first time where 1t
was 20 yards wide and SO threatening
thai / dared not venture in. / secured
the services of an Indian for a dollar to
pilot me across. The fellow pulled of
his shoes and waded over. The water
did not at the deepest reach his an
kles. But that was during the drouth
OF 1904. Ordinarily 1t is slightly deep
er. On the whole the region Is very
attractive to the tourist and will no
doubt make desirable homes for a large
population. The rainfall averages 1S.f
annually, IA inches of which comes In
the growing months. The attitude av-
| erages about 1000 feet above sea level
A feature Of the region is the buttes;
fiat topped hills rising abruptly on the
level prairie and occupying from a hall
section to a section Of land. These
buttes mark the former level before
erosion tool place. They are perhopi
800 fee high and q strata Of sandstone
has prevented them from wearing dowr
with the surrounding region not SO pro
tected.
The region IL easily reached from tn,
extension OF the ST. Paul railroad from
Chamberlain west to Rapid City, ant
1t is understood the Northwestern viii
at ono project the Bonesteel extension
across Trip county and into the new
lands.