Democratic Sentinel, Volume 14, Number 40, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 October 1890 — A VERITABLE UTOPIA. [ARTICLE]

A VERITABLE UTOPIA.

THE SCINTILLATIONS OF A WESTERN DIAMOND. Brilliant Achlavements of the "Gemot the Jim’*—The Topeka of the Northweet— Enterprise and Excellent Resources to Capture a Prize in the Near Future. Hubon, 8. D., Oct. 21, 1890.—50 many erroneous articles have been published relating to the condition of the farmers throughout the West, that the following letter from. “Prim, the übiquitous correspondent,” will be of interest to many: “A rolling stono gathers no moss.” and J’ am glad of it, because I dislike “mossbacks,” and in this wide-awake and enterprising country I have failed thus far to find any of these fossilized specimens. Huron is a delightful city of 3,100 inhabitants, located exactly in the center of’ the State, north and south, and fifty miles* east of the center, east and west, omitting the permanent Indian reservations. Situated on the main line of the C. & N. W., this city is surrounded with a rich farming country, which since its earliest settlement has* produced abundant crops. The new system of artesian irrigation, by means of artesian wells, has proven so eminently successful, that it is safe to predict for the whole Jim River Valley most brilliant results in the near future. A pleasant walk about -Huron discloses 253 business houses, supplied with large stocks of goods; four national banks, two* of which are United States depositories; two insurance companies; seven churches; two excellent graded schools, well equipped with all of the modern educational facilities. and provided with one of the most efficient school superintendents In the West ably assisted by a well-trained corps of teachers; a handsome Court House, erected at a cost of $60,000. Ten hotels add to the comfort of the visitor, amh a new four-story brick hotel, costing $75,000, is now nearly completed, and will be the most elegantly furnished in thlssectlon of the country. Her weil-paved streets, electric illumination for streets and houses, and street'railway system attest the enterprise of the citizens of Huron. The excellent fire and police departments afford protection to the citizens and their interests. In addition to the above, two flourlnz mills, a creamery, brick yard, bottling works, the depot of supplies for South Dakota of the Consolidated Oil Tank Line Company, and the Northwestern machine shops are situated here. All the professions are well and ablv represented, and she has, without doubt, the finest brass band In the State. The following newspapers, with very flattering circulations, are published here: Tlie dally and weekly Huronite, the Rurnlitt (official organ of the Alliance for both North, and South Dakota), dally and weekly weekly Herald-Democrat, weekly Independent, and Dakota Farmer. The social advantagesare unsurpassed in the West. The following organizations are represented and have large memberships: A., F. &A. M.; R. A. M. I. O. O. F., I. O. O. F. Encampment, K. of P., G. A. R., Modern Order of Woodmen*. W. R. C., W. C. T. U., A. O. U. W., and a number of other kindrod societies. TheUnited States Land Office, Surveyor General’s Office, United States Signal Office, and the office of the Agricultural Statistician for both North and South Dakota, as* well as the State Engineer of Irrigation, are also located here. The health of the city is excellent, the surrounding country being especially adapted to a continuance of vigorous health—malarial fever and.ague being absolutely unknown. The city water is supplied by a six-inch, artesian well sunk 803 feet. This well hasa pressure of 175 pounds to the square inch, furnishing power for all the printing presses, laundry machinery, fire department purposes, and the water from this well is one of the most palatable beverages to be obtained in Dakota. This well flows 1,500 gallons per minute, and throws water more than three times the height of the highest buildings. A number of other wells aren >w being sunk for power purposes. The above summary of the social, religious, educational and commercial advantages of the city of Huron. 8. D., is veryremarkable when we take into consideration that but ten years have elapsed since* its founding in 1880. Her citizens are men of unusual enterprise, typical Westerners,, and visitors are accorded a degree of hospitality practically unknown in Eastern communities. I wish to correct a false impression conveyed through the mediumship of the press regarding bouth. Dakota’s agricultural prospects, and. especially of the section immediately adjoining the city of Huron. Wheat, corn, oats, barley, rye, millet, flax, small fruitsand root crops can be and are raised in abundance. No better specimens throughout the West have been presented at any of the State fairs, than those exhibited at. the State Fair at Aberdeen. The new system of irrigation has opened a wide field in.' South Dakota. Her bright prospects areunlimited in point of agriculture and manufactures, and the advent of the artesian, wells which stud the valley of thei Jim River from end to end will in the near future make Soutft Dakota one of the most productive Western States. The “Harrison-Day” well, which was sunk last spring, supplies immense volumes of water for irrigating purposes. The waterfrom this well is absolutely clear and freefrom sand and dirt. The water is 68 degrees Fahrenheit, and in the coldest weather will not freeze in the ditches in running onehalf mile* The artesian well as a source of water for irrigating purposes Is a much cheaper method of irrigating than anyknown in the world. The depth of this well is 847 feet, size, four inches, inside measurement. This well is located on the highest part of’ the land, and by ditches run in every direction it can easily irrigate 1.000 acres. Experiments have proven highly satisfactory, and have demonstrated that hot weatherand winds do not in any possible manneraffect the irrigated crops. Exceptionally situated is Huron, being easily accessible by rail to at least 323,000 of the 336,000 inhabitants of the State of South Dakota, and abundantly provided with natural and other advantages unsurpassed in the Western country, the countyseat of Beadle County—one of the largest counties in the State—a thriving railroad? center, through which two lines of the C. & N. W. run, also the Great Northern, and having close connection with the C., M. & St. P.. the center of irrigation, and the center of a rich agricultural country, with, a fine school section located within One-half mile of the business center of the city. Here all interests of a public nature center. And here nearly all conventions are held. Huron affords many beautiful and attractive sites for a handsome capital building. Every lot in Huron is so situated that it can be built on. The drift of public sentiment, as gathered by me. a disinterested party traveling through the State, forces me to the conclusion that this city will be so chosen as the permanent capital at the coming election, Nov. 4, by a handsome majority. Phim. Game is so plenty down in Connectlclit. that the partridges are reported flying into the cities and roosting on the back fence, where they are shot and roasted, for dinner. This sounds more like a fish than a game story. A family in Isabella, Pa., was thepossessor of four kittens joined together after the manner of the Siamese twins. A cord fastened them together which., seemed to pass through the four. They lived several days. A negkess, Juliana zlldyrety Corrales, has just died in San Aitonio de los Panos, Cuba, at tho reputed age of one hundred and twenty-five, years. So much In excess of the Supply Is the demand for whalebone that several tons were sold last week in London at the. fenormous price of £1,950 j>er ton.