Jerauld County, SD News.....Editorial August 26, 1887
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Wessington Springs Herald August 26, 1887
Rush River Farm, Casselton, Dakota

Editor Herald:

    Here we are in the great "wheat belt of the Northwest", the "Red River
Valley", at the home of our kinsman Hall, enjoying the beauties of one of the
large Dakota farms, while we rest thoroughly. Were it not for the prospective
money in it, the broad, expansive fields of wheat which meet the eye on every
side would become monotonous and tiresome; the average yield being 25 bushels to
the acre, and never less than 50c per bushel, and that the exception. The 250
acres of wheat, of this branch of the Hall family, stands in the field at a
height which dwarfs my own, as the head reaches my nose, and the oats as tall as
myself, with heads well filled with Scitch Fife wheat and White Russian oats,
both of which are used mostly in this country. The noted Dalrymple farms are in
this community, and we had the pleasure of a hand grasp by the wife of one of
the wheat kings by that name, who is an earnest white ribbon woman, so devoted
to the work that she got up from a sick bed and drove eight miles to hear your
humble servant, doubtless feeling afterward that she would have reaped a richer
reward by remaining at home.-Her husband it was who was accidentally killed, and
the widow herself controls the business of the immense acreage, the same as her
husband. Who says woman is inferior to man in business capacity?

    But here as elsewhere dwells the serpent, and we find the same unequal
division of spoils between people and the rum-seller as elsewhere. One such
having retired from the rum-business with $10,000, who began a few miles from
Casselton with no capital save a beer keg and a few boards to shelter it, there
not being space enough in his shanty for more than three victims at a time.

    Aberdeen honored us, or the cause, by throwing open its largest church with
its electric lights, and a good, intelligent, appreciative audience, while I
tried my best to do honor to Wessington Springs. Aberdeen is certainly a marvel
with almost every business represented, and its pretty, clean, business-like
air. We were met at the depot and escorted to the home of Dr. Heustis, where the
W. C. T. U. was in session, and from what we saw and heard there, the life of
the liquor traffic is in danger.-The white ribbon women are daily reducing the
profits of the saloon with their water tank, which they have erected in the
heart of business and which they keep constantly supplied with pure, good eater,
receiving the thanks of the public in general.

    Webster is a thriving little town of some 600 inhabitants which boasts a
water-cure establishment, successfully carried on entirely by an M. D. of the
feminine gender, a noble looking woman of 60 years, who claims that her great
success in practice has come through the practice of true hygienic principles.
While presiding at the lecture, she whispered to us, "Oh, I am so tired, as I
have had no sleep for three nights," and there she sat, outwardly calm, and
composed, presiding with dignity and grace, never one thinking of taking
something to tone her up.-Where is the weaker vessel? Webster W. C. T. U. is
preparing for a demonstration at their county fair, part of which will be tables
well filled with articles for sale, which have been prepared for sale by the
members of the Union.

    Ortonville, "beautiful for situation", as the waters of its lively lake
gleams in the sunshine, seems given up to the rum-traffic, and we gave a sigh of
satisfaction as the cars rolled out of the station.

    Wahpeton is perfectly lovely. The rivers, and forests, and islands all
combine to make a lovely picture, and the homes have a substantial look, which
betokens prosperity. Our hostess, a woman of middle age, whose face is a poem
and reminds one of the pictures of noted dames in history, has charge of a
"Kindergarten", is president of the W. C. T. U., keeps a column in a newspaper,
is sup't of the Band of Hope,-does more than her share of work, and runs a farm
besides. As I looked in her face, and heard her quiet, sweet voice, with her
courtly dignified manner, I felt we never need lack territorial officers in our
work while Dakota is the home of such woman. Leaving the warm hospitality of
those we had met, we shrank from meeting new faces, but there was a hearty
welcome given us at Casselton, the home of Rev. Griffith, formerly of Appleton,
Wisconsin, which increased when they discovered that we were neighbors of the
Batemans's and Riddle's. But with all the beauties and advantages of this
country, I am lonesome for Jerauld county with its waving cornfields, as well as
all other grains, and hills abd valleys, and clean, happy people, free from
saloon rule.

    Yours, more than ever in love with prohibition.

                               Mrs. Nettie C. Hall


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