Dakota Datebook: Richard Sykes

Richard Sykes was a representative for a syndicate based out of Manchester, England looking to make land investments in the northwest United States. He arrived in Dakota Territory in December of 1881 and purchased 45,000 acres from the Northern Pacific Railway for about $1 an acre in Wells, Stutsman and LaMoure counties. His goal was to sell or rent improved land to farmers for a profit.

During...