512 
AMEEIOAl^' AGEIOULTURIST, 
[Novembek, 
Western Editorial Notes. 
Kapid Growth of Dakota Towns. 
In the Nov. number of the American Agriculturist, of 
lastyear.wo described the rapidgrowth of Dakota towns, 
through which we had passed while going through the 
centre of the Territory, over the Chicago & Northwestern 
Railroad to the Missouri River at Pierre. We, at the same 
time, described the land fever then prevailing, which 
was equal to the gold craze in California, or the oil fever 
in Pennsylvania. We then journeyed westward from 
Tracy through Huron and Wolsey. This year we pro¬ 
ceeded further north to Minneapolis, then from Minne¬ 
apolis journeyed nearly due west to Aberdeen, and then 
southward through Dakota over the Milwaukee and St. 
Paul Railroad. While the furore for purchasing or 
locating lands, has materially subsided, we have 
found towns on this route southward, whose growth 
has been as marvellous as those wo last year visited 
while going westward through the territory. 
Aberdeen, located nearly three years ago last June, 
now has a population of three thousand; one Presby¬ 
terian church, one Methodist, and one Catholic, are built, 
while a Baptist church is being erected. Many of the peo¬ 
ple are from the Eastern States, and came here to build 
up what they believed would be a very large place in 
the centre of a great agricultural region. 
Warner, ten miles south of Aberdeen, lias twenty 
houses, and two large elevators. Stretching out in every 
direction, as far as the eye can reach, the prairie is dotted 
with white houses. There is considerable farm macliinery 
lying around tlie depot at Warner, wliich should be 
housed by the owners. A good deal of the prairie is also 
broken in the neighborhood of the depot. Proceeding 
south from Warner, we strike an unbroken prairie 
though little or no government laud remains uutaken in 
this vicinity. 
Melette. —Reaching Melette, twelve miles south of 
Warner, we find a village of about thirty houses. There 
is a large frame elevator near the depot. The country is 
level hereabouts, and several buildings are going up. 
Here, as at Warner, there is a good deal of farm machinery 
lying carelessly about the depot. Faraway iu the distance, 
at the right, the dim outline of two or three villages is 
seen, while the James River appears at the left, fibre, 
as at Warner and Aberdeen, the settlers state that they 
have had good crops. 
Aslitoii. —Proceeding eleven miles further south to 
Ashton, we find a village three years old, of about live 
hundred population, and forty houses. The people here¬ 
abouts are mainly from Iowa and Wisconsin. There is a 
Methodist church built, and another church being erect¬ 
ed. One elevator is built, and another is being con¬ 
structed. There is likewise an artesian well near the 
depot. The James River flows not far from the village. 
Redfleld. —Nine miles further south we reach Red- 
fleld, situated on a bi-oad plateau of laud; there is a 
large depot here, and a flourishing village of over one 
thousand population. New buildings are going up 
rapidly, and the town is booming. In the October 
American Agriculturist there is an error, so far as tiiis 
town is concerned ; instead of saying railroads one hun¬ 
dred miles off, somebody omitted the word lands ; that 
is, railroad lands one hundred miles off. The Chicago 
and North Western Railroad crosses the Milwaukee and 
St. Paul Railroad here, so that there are two railroads in 
the village. Hard wheat is selling here at sixty cents ; 
soft wheat fifty cents a bushel. 
■Wolsey.— Passing through the hamlets of Tulare and 
Bonilla, we reach Wolsey, twelve miles south of Aber¬ 
deen. This thriving viilage, which was founded only a 
year ago this autumn, now has a population of four hun¬ 
dred. The people ai’o mostly from Michigan, Wisconsin, 
New York, Indiana, 'Vermont, and some from Missouri. 
There is one Methodist church built ; Catholic and 
Presbyterian church buiidings are being erected. A 
branch of the Chicago and North Western Railroad 
crosses the Milwaukee and St. Paul here. There are two 
grain elevators and two coal sheds near tlie depot. The 
prairie is rolling and unbroken for miles in every direc¬ 
tion around Wolsey. Hail storms last July cut down the 
crops iu this vicinity. There is a fine school-house on 
the hill at the left of tlie railroad near Wolsey. South of 
Wolsey, wheat and corn were badly cut down last July. 
We have seen many prairie chickens flying on both sides 
of the railroad from Aberdeen down to Wolsey. 
Alpena.— Continuing our journey southward from 
Wolsey, we pass through Virgel and reach Alpena. Al¬ 
pena has two dozen houses, a big school building, a 
business street, and two handsome buildings being 
erected by the railroad. Tlie land is rolling, with hills in 
the distance. 
■Woonsocket. — Coming still further south ten 
miles, we reach Woonsocket, which is twenty-seven 
miles south of Wolsey. Here another branch of the 
Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad coming due cast from 
La Crosse intercepts the division of the same railroad, 
passing from Aberdeen southward to Mitchell. Woon¬ 
socket was only laid out October, 1883, but now there is a 
population of six hundred people, three banks, two 
newspapers, and three handsome looking blocks. There 
are two churches—one Methodist built, and one Presby¬ 
terian under way. The brick building in Main street 
presents a fine appearance. The place, altogether, looks 
very tlirifty and enterprising. 
mitckell. —Twenty-seven miles further south, we 
reach the flourishing village of Mitchell, where the 
road coming from the north intercepts the branch of the 
Milwaukee and St. Paul, running nearly due west 
through Prairie du Chien, to the Missouri River at Cham¬ 
berlain. Mitchell is settled with people from Iowa, Wis¬ 
consin, Michigan and Illinois. It has six churches, three 
hanks, two hotels, and about four thousand population. 
There is one daily paper here, and three weeklies. On a 
hill overlooking the village, thoMethodists are now erect¬ 
ing a large university. The City of Mitchell gave the 
land, and the railroad ran the tracks from the main line 
up to the plateau on which the university is erected, for 
transporting building supplies. It also gave the quarry 
stone for the erection of the buildings, which are to be 
very tine. Mitchell is named after the president of the 
Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad. Turning now due 
cast, towards Iowa, we pass tlirough a rolling unbroken 
prairie, crossing the James River, which is invariably 
called the Jim River by the settlers. 
Parker, fifty-one miles east of Mitchell, has an 
oldish appearance. Woods and fences now beginning to 
appear as we move eastward towards the Iowa boundary. 
A few miles further, and we have passed from Dakota 
Territory into Western Iowa. D. W. J. 
Free Information about the Great West. 
The following have signified their willingness to 
give any desired information about lands in their 
respective localities. Their letters were received 
too late to have the particulars incorporated in 
the complete tables, published on pages 476 and 
477 of the Supplement to the October number: 
J. H. Bennett, Pueblo. Pueblo County, Colorado. 
J. A. Tresslar, Blufl’Creek, Johnson Counly, Indiana. 
P. C. Jacobs, Bluff Creek, Johnson County, Indiana. 
John Miller, Blufl'Creek, Johnson County, Indiana. 
O. H. Tresslar, Blufl' Creek, Johnson County, Indiana. 
W. H. Paddock, Smith’s Valley, Johnson County, Ind. 
A. D. States, Cherokee, Crawford County, Kansas. 
J. M. Clatchy & Co., Sacramento, Sacramento Co., Cal. 
N. R. Burnett, Atalissa, Muscatine County, Iowa. 
J. Y. Spangler, New Bedford. Bureau County, Illinois. 
John P. Wallace, Bismarck, Burleigh County, Dakota. 
Edward Sloan. Bismarck, Burleigh County, Dakota. 
S. J. Scriher, Rochford. Peiiuington County, Dakota. 
L. Schardon, Walla Walla, Washington Territory. 
R. Olney, Marathon, N. E., Buena Vista, and S. E., 
Clay County. Iowa. 
P. G. Botid, Glyndon, Clay County, Minnesota. 
J. E. Russell, Cleardale, Sumner County, Kansas. 
P. C. Peltz, Ogallala, Nebraska. 
Isaac 11. Banthes, Farmingtoti, Washington Territory. 
Chas. Hitchcock, Hitchcock, Beadle County, Dakota. 
S. S. Moffett, Kingsbtirg, Fresno County, California. 
W. P. Latnphere, Washington, Washington Co., Kaus. 
C. A. Cause, Graymont, Livingston County, Illitiois. 
Peter Detiny, Brewersville, Jennings County, Indiana. 
C. W. Marstou, Cedar Jutiction, Katisas. 
A. P. Crane, San Lorenzo, Alabama County, California. 
C. N. Hull, Parkerville, Kansas. 
Richard Hill, Dayton, Colurado County, Wash. Ter. 
Ophriaii Cooper, Ogallala, Keith County, Nebraska. 
Levi Clapp, Woodstock, 'Vermont. 
II. S. Cutter, Larkin, Kansas. 
J. E. Yerks, Dwight, Richland County, Dakota. 
D. H. Webster, M. D., Austin, Cass County, Mo. 
I. Miley, Marvin, Kansas. 
I. J. Woolstou, Butte, Dakota. 
J. B. Slater, Medical Lake, Washington Territory. 
E. H. Ernst, Olathe, Kansas. 
J. H. Lee, Leisburgh, Stafford County, Kansas. 
R. W. Lee, Leisburgh, Stafford County, Kansas. 
Samuel Mather, Leisburgh, Kansas. 
W. N. McGuire, McCune, Crawford County, Kansas. 
C. N. Udell, Canon City, Colorado. 
P. E. Egge, Decorah, Iowa. 
Nation & Parris, Bridgewater, Dakota. 
A. D. Urquhart, Kenneth, Sheridan County, Kansas. 
L. C. Chase, Netawaka, Jackson County, Katisas. 
M. M. Halleck, Central City. Nebraska. 
F. J. Fowler, Arispie, Pottawatotnie County, Kansas. 
Chas. T. Zunich, Grand Harbor, Dakota. 
H. H. Leavitt. Walnut Road, Redwood County, Minn. 
Victor E. Calderwood, Crary, Ratnsey County, Dakota. 
J. R. Huffman, Huffman, Indiana. 
J. S. Turner, Cerro Gordo, Jewell County, Kansas. 
J. E. Horton, La Grace, Campbell County, Dakota. 
Chas. P. Foltz. Fremont, Graham County, Kansas. 
T. K. Long, Mandan, Dakota. 
James W. Gurney, Dover, McCook County, Dakota. 
John II. Lawrence, Greenleaf, Meeker County, Minn. 
Bell J. Fowler, Lincoln, Placer County, California. 
Konrad Luther, Tooktay, Charles Mix County, Dakota. 
Jas. B. Simpson, Dallas, Texas. 
Wm. J. Urqiihart, New Rockford, Poster County, Dak. 
Mrs. S. A. Snyder, Angus, Polk County, Minnesota. 
R. H. Hewitt, Los Atigeles, California. 
John F. Barr, Juuiata, Nebraska. 
James McNamara, Diana, Sanborn County, Dakota. 
W. E. Boise, Bellevyria, Steele County, Dakota. 
Allen C. Whitemati, Murdock, Butler County, Kansas. 
Jos. B. Gossage, Rapid City, Dakota. 
P. T. Pairbatiks, Hopeville, Ga. 
H. A. Stiles, Pavilion, Wabautisee County, Kansas. 
J. P. Zeoiker, Franklin, Frankliti County. Nebraska. 
Martin Allen, Hays City, Ellis County, Kansas, 
W. J. Egan, Selish, Missoula County, Mont. Ter. 
Van R. Brown, Arvilla, Ranforks Counly, Dakota. 
Ed. Sutherland, Minburn, Dallas County, Iowa. 
John C. King, Banning, San Bernardino County, Cal. 
Augustus McPherson, P. M.. Bath, Brown County,D. T. 
M. B. Moyer, Clay Centre, Katisas. 
J. W. Gregory, Sherlock, Finney County, Kansas. 
C. M. Weston & Son, St. James, Minnesota. 
Wm. Dyke, Eftiugham, Eftingham County. Illinois. 
Sally M. Baker. Cresbard, Folka Counly, D. T. 
I. C. Martin, Blue Hill, Webster County, Nebraska. 
J. H. Avery, Girard, Crawford County, Kansas. 
Harry Swift, Chapman, Kansas. 
Alex. N. Sayre. Vashon Island, King County, Wash. T. 
John Hadden, Hancock, Stevens County, Minn. 
Robinson, Watson & Company. Osborne City, Kansas. 
A. D. Evans & Company, Axtell, Nebraska. 
W. L. Griggs, Kirksville, Mo. 
John B. Missamore, St. Clere, Pottawatomie Co., Kan. 
B. L. Grover, Burrton. Harvey County, Kan>as. 
Martin T. Gilbert & Company, Arapahoe, Nebraska. 
J. H. Shugart, Guide Rock, Nebraska. 
M. McCran. Larimore, Grand Porks County, D. T. 
Alex. P. Hirize, Wisconsin, Allen County, Kansas. 
John B. Wallbridge, P. M., Frankfort, Spink Co., Dak. 
Luther Armstrong, Wells, Minn. 
W. W. Boddle, Larimore, Grand Porks County, Dakota. 
Robert Dawson, Fairfield, Clay County, Nebraska. 
Alvin Praizer, Paoli, Orange County, Indiana. 
Catalogues Acknowledged. 
NURSERYMEN. 
H. S. Anderson, Union Springs, N. Y.—General list, 
with several new strawberries and other small fruits. 
Colored plate of Duchess grape. 
Ellwanger & Barrt, Rochester, N. Y. — A catalogue 
of small fruits, one of bulbous flower rootSj and a sup¬ 
plementary list of novelties aud specialties. 
Green & Co., Rochester, N. Y.—General assortment 
with small fruits a specialty ; all the novelties. 
W. P. Hbikes, Huntsville, Ala.—Wholesale nurseries. 
Oriental pears a specialty. 
Joel Horner & Son, Merchantville, N. J.—Small 
fruits and grape vines, new varieties. They sensibly 
offer the American Agriculturist as a premium to pur¬ 
chasers of their stock. 
J. T. Lovett, Little Silver, N. J.—General autumn 
catalogue, with special sheets describing the Hansell 
raspberry and Parry strawberry. 
John R. & A. Murdoch. Pittsburgh, Pa.—General 
nursery list, and a separate bulb catalogue. 
Randolph Peters, Wilmington. Del.—An immense 
stock. Peaches, a specialty, are divided by periods of 
ripening into sixteen groups. 
John Perkins. Moorcstown. N. J.—Very full in fruit 
aud ornamental departments, with several novelties. 
John Saul. Washington, D. C. — Wholesale list of 
fruit and ornamental trees, greenhouse stock, roses, etc. 
SEEDSMEN AND FLORISTS. 
Benson, Maule & Co., Philadelphia, Pa , in a note 
say: " we think our seed catalogue superior to any we 
have issued, and equal to that of any other establish¬ 
ment.” We think so too. 
J. A. Everitt & Co., Watsontown, Pa.—“ A Revo¬ 
lution in Wheat Growing,” advocates the “ Martin Am¬ 
ber,” and gives useful directions. 
D. M. Ferry & Co., Detroit, Mich.—Catalogue of 
bulbs and seeds for fall planting, including winter 
wheats. 
Peter Henderson & Co., Nos. 35-37 Cortlandt St., 
N. Y. City.—Sjiecial strawberry catalogue with colored 
plate of the ” Henderson,” and an illustrated bulb cata¬ 
logue. 
MACHINERY, LIVE STOCK, & MISCELLANEOUS. 
F. H. Britt, Ridgeway, N. Y.—Description of hls im¬ 
proved Cheshire pigs. , 
Dana Windmill Company, Fairhaven, Mass.—De¬ 
scriptive catalogue of the Dana Centrifugal Governor 
Windmill. 
Eastern Manufacturing Co., Philadelphia, Pa.— 
Description of the Granger Fruit Evaporator. 
James Gardiner, Mantua, N. J.—Improved Portable 
Scalding Trough, which may also be used for steaming 
food for stock. 
Goodell Company, Antrim, N. H.—Peach, Apple, and 
Potato Parers, Clierry Stoners, Hammock Chairs, etc. 
Heebner & Sons, Lnnsdale, Pa.—Level Tread Horse 
Powers, Threshers,Drag Saws, and other Farm Machines. 
King & Company, Ow'ego, N. Y.—Describe and illus¬ 
trate their hand-made harness. 
R. L. Orr & Co.. Pittsburg, Pa.—“Standard” Peed 
Mills, “ Ajax Wood-boring Machine, and others. 
Powell & Douglas. Waukegan. HI. — Illustrated 
catalogue of Hunting, Fishing, and Pleasure Boats. 
Salem Iron Works, Salem, N. C.—Describe and il¬ 
lustrate Hege's Improved Circular Sawmills. 
L. B. Silver, Cleveland, Ohio.—Improved Chester 
Hogs, with letters from purchasers. 
Stbdman & Co., Aurora, Ind.—Steam Engines, Hay 
and Cotton Presses, Sawmills, etc. 
' J. E. Stevens & Co., Chicopee Palls, Mass.—Stevens’ 
Bicycle Rifle, etc. 
Williams, Clark & Co., No. 101 Pearl St., N. Y. City, 
—High Grade Bone Fertilizers. 
v^aCCEEDINg :P?I6E^ :K0^MN3FEr^E^¥IN6 V 
