The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1877-06-27
GOING WEST To Grow UP WITH
THE COUNTRY.

GOING WEST To GROW UP WITH
THE COUNTRY.
Fortunately for the welfare OF the people
very accurate knowledge of the far west is at
hand, and is every day becoming more ac-
cessible. 1t can not be denied, however,
that the mania for 'going vest still exists
not only in the extreme east but through
out the central states, and ii is equally
manifest that thousands who abandon their
homes in these central states to try their
fortunes IN the far west are poorly informed
in regard TO the difficulties and privations
that will fall to their lot. The
facts are of easy demonstration
that as between Indiana and any
of the states or territories further west a
home in this state is in all regards the most
desirable. Observations made by army off,
GERS and scientific travellers in regard to the
topography and resources of the western
territories fix the maximum of population
they are likely TO attain and support, as fol-
lows:
Colorado go. ..... 200 ,OOOl New Mexico. . 1890
Wyoming lO0,00 Washington. $1,000. 10000
DHs iS, $500 i1S10 Nevada.. 1000
Idaho...... ..... $4,000 Total.......l 400 900
Otah 2OO,OOOl
The states of Nevada and Colorado
are included in tie list, because in
their poverty of soil and inca
pacity for extended development they
resemble the territories mentioned
The mania for going west to grow up with
the country is likely to expend its force at
an unexpectedly early day, for even now
Kansas and Nebraska forms the limit OF
profitable agricultural settlement. Beyond
these states" says a writer stretch vast
plains available for grazing purposes only
where water can be obtained. Further west
comes the region of mountains and table
lands, where no rain falls, and where agri-
culture is only practicable along the banks
of rivers or in few localities where water
can be obtained for irrigation from the
streams formed by the melting SHOWS on
because the mountain peaks and chains are
for the most part bare of snow in summer.
West of the Rocky mountains and their
lateral ranges, the sage-brush desert, utterly
worthless for culture, extends to the Serras.
Washington territory has different char
acteristics from the elevated rainless in
terror region, but timber is its chief re-
source, and farming is confined to few val
'leys. The section of country described has
an area greater than that of all the states east
of the Mississippi river, but its population
century hence will probably not equal that
t.Nf 70 10 III, h.,
making the most OF its mining and farming
resources, may acquire population sufficient
TO entitle IL to admission as state, but not
one is likely 10 ever have more than sin
gle member OF congress. Except in the
senate the relative power of the east and the
west will not therefore be much changed in
future. There will be few more new states
erected in the present generation. Colorado
was only admitted after a long fight. Ne
'vada ought to be set back into territorial
condition. Her population is less than So
600 and it is not TO be expected that she
will ever have as many inhabitants as in the
old states are requisite to form a congress
district"
With such showing it Is fair to assume
that agriculturists can not expect to i'm
prove their fortune by migrating from Indi
ana or any of the other central western states.
The probabilities are that the vacant
lands in the central states, in Missouri,
Kansas, Nebraska, Wisconsin and Min
nesota, will in the near future
engage the attention of those who are de-
termined upon finding new homes and that
the western territories will be given up
mainly to those who prefer mining
operations and those fond of adventure and
nomadic lives. But, all things considered,
it will be found upon close investigation
that those who leave Indiana for more
saubrious climate or more fruitful soil are
more frequently disappointed than success
ful; that there are really no compensations
for the sacrifices required and privations
endured, and that those who remain exhibit
the soundest judgment and by far the largest
share of common sense.