The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1878-12-19
Changes.

Railroads build, and destroy within three
years past Sioux City, Elk Point, Vcrmll.
Ion, LeMars and Sioux Falls have each
in turn received tribute from the farmers
Of Lincoln county. One year ago
We stopped at tho Ranch twelve miles be.
yond Bellowsfieldapn the Lemars road.
found seventy two Drses stabbed for the
night, and how Vanslstine, the genial hos,
managed TO stow away the owners Is 4
mystery. The road WAS lined with
freighters and LeMars merchants were
pocketng the proceeds of the enormous
sales Of grain. Geo. Holmes where We
dined that day, countedone hundred and
two teams that passed bis place before
We srrlved. Now that route is entirely
abandoned.
Sioux Falls drew at inc commencement,
Of this falls traffic nearly the entire sur.
plu, Of what yran WAS first and early.
threshed, and for zen days past one contin.
uous string Of teams nave passed our of
flee from the south and west, headed 70 T
Patle'sonviIlc, the terminus Of tho Mil.
waukee road.
This indicates another change, and il.
lustrates tho fact that farmers will go
where they can get the most for their
produce 1t IS immsterial to them whcth-
er their sale is M alc at Canton or Beloit
Dakota or Iowa, boundary lines have no
charm or prove no hindrnnce while the
pocket is ut stake.
1t Is human nature, and it Is right -
True one naturally has state, territory or
home pride and dcsires the advancement
Of their local metropolis if there be one,
but few will express that to the extent OF 4
persona. sacrifice.
This now is purely an agricultural
country, grain gi"wlng has been and will
be the chief pursuits of It's rural citizens
until capital Is III store for cattle, horse
and sheep raising. AT ,hc best our land
,i;lcrs withal the richness Of soil, beauty
Of scenery and climate have with but few
| exceptions kept themselves above need. -
| The majority with little or no means at
the start, isolated from markets that were
not at all times reliable, victims Of grass
hopper raids or lrouths ncccssitated to
incur that pest Of life, dedt, for the pro-
, curcment of daily subsistence, whca they
are fortunate enough 10 possess surplus
they nov find another obstacle, a dcprcs.
sion in the grain markets, forcing them to
eek the place that offers the best induce
mcnt.
You can't moralizc and urge the duty
Of patronizing markets nearer home, the
highest price is the regulator and will be
got regardless Of i)!ac. CT men.
A few DAYS at farlhc,l and q Railroad
is expected TO be completed 10 Deloit.
Tie Pembina naturally will be a feeder
to the Illinois Central and Northwestern
Roads that center at Chicago and Should
no arrangement be made with the Mil
wauk ee read either by forming a connect
ion or establishing. mutual rates. it is
reason able to suppose that such rates
would be adopted to secure its share of
business az would bring Chicago buyers
here into competition with St. Paul at
Sioux Falls, and Milwaukee at Patterson
vile, this would Of course cnme to the
farmers benefit.
What will be done is beyond our
prophecy, but one thing is patent to any
of US. If Beloit and Canton arc to realize
any immediate and particular benefit, and
to be the recipient Of the happy change Of
Of stopping the grain here the
balance Of the season, it will be
through the action Of President Wicker
and Superintendent Merchant 1t Is with.
In their power to halt every busbel our
farmers have to spare. And anticipating
that such will be the case we anxiously
look for the arrival of the cars, and the
change our people need and expect.
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