The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1922-06-09
VOLUME XI.
THE ROSEBUD

sisting of Gregory, Tripp, Todd and
Mellette counties, known the world
over as the ROSEBUD, was only a
few years ago one large Indian reser-
walton peopled by the Sioux, that
grand and naughty tribe OF the race
of Red Men. For years, this reserva-
tion had been their hunting grounds,
the splendid grasses furnishing sus-
tenance for the herds of buffalo and
game Of all kinds, and no wonder they
loved it. No wonder they made their
last determined stand against the ever
encroaching march Of the white man
However many realizing that a Won
derful empire could be built on these
fertile prairies, with its many advant-
ages for agricultural purposes, pre-
vailed upon the tribe to enter into
treaty with the government whereby
the greater portion Of the reservation
might be thrown open to settlement.
This was accordingly done and the
Rosebud in the course of few short
years has come into its own. The
early history of this section is too
well known to need mention in this
article; suffice it to say that unusual
hardships and privations were met
and overcome by the splendid people
who came from every state III the
Union to make for themselve a home
in q land where every one had his
chance A man S success depended
not on his family lineage nor on his
former social standing. Here was a
country where he must stand upon
his own merits, where climatic condl-
tons were all that could be desired
and kind Providence seemed so an
xious to assist him in his efforts.
Surely he could not fail and to his
everlasting glory, let it be said that he
did not fail; and today the Rosebud
agriculturally, and as land in which
to rear a family under most favor
able conditions, stands supreme.
Too often success is Judged by
moneys and goods, but it cannot be
overlooked in bringing forth the
actual accomplishments Of any given
territory. The following facts and
figures will give the reader some idea
of what has been done in the short
time that the Rosebud has been
thrown open to settlement. The pop
ulation is now 36,245-race suicide
is not practiced here. Assessed valua-
ton $79,l67 ,627.00-rather a tidy
sum. Thirtv-fve strong banks with
deposits of approximately $1O,OOO,-
100000. This is more than the de-
posits Of the entire state twenty-eight
years ago, and it might be mentioned
in passing that the Rosebud, so far as
it's banks are concerned, has weathered
the storm. Cattle, 107, ,422; horses,
35,3OS; hogs, 1929; automobiles,
3,691. no one need walk in the Rose
bud. Crops in 1921: corn, 1923
600 bushels, wheat, l,O5O,675
bushels; oats, 2,162,55O bushels.
From this it can be easily understood
that agriculture is really diversified in
the Rosebud and no one crop is de-
pended upon as in many sections OF
the west. Alfalfa is to be seen on
every farm. We have over thirty
two thousand acres in this crop,
which is producing splendid yields OF
hay and pasturage. Dairying is one
of the leading industries and it is
growing rapidly. The time is fast
approaching when we will sell all OF
our grain and feed on the hoOf.
Of special interest to business men
of the iobbing centers might be the
fact that the Rosebud in 1919 bought
III cars of coal, lumber, $50 cars,
miscellaneous 4,946, and shipped out
1916 of live stock, 1913 cars OF grain,
miscellaneous goods, 1924 cars, which
should be sufficient evidence that this
section has business to offer on a
scale tnaC Is Weil WOItH WHiiC'
To sum it up: the people OF the
Rosebud are proud of their country,
are evincing their abiding faith in its
future by investing thir earnings and
savings in permanent Improvement.
Comfortable farm and city homes are
TO be seen on every hand, and it IS
hard for our visitors to realize that
our present progress has been made IN
so short time. Land is still avail
able Mt moderate prices and can be
purchased on such terms as makes 1t
possible for any man who is willing
10 make the effort to own home.
The countrywide depression has been
felt to some extent owing to the low
prices for our products, but the Rose
.ot y country IN waste time