Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-03-04
SETTLING THE STATE.
What is Being Dona Along the Southern
Minnesota Railway.


The present year promises to be lively sea-
son in Southern Minnesota, and especially along
the line of the Southern Minnesota railway.
The last season tho road was extended from
Winnebago City to Jackson, forty-six miles,
though the company was only required by the
land grant act to build but seventeen miles. It
has until 1881 to build to the western line of
the State, but it is proposed to build the entire
distance. eighty-fve miles, during the present
year-the ties are already purchased, and sur
yeys made When the road reaches the western
boundary of the State in Pipestone county,
there Will have been opened in two brief
seasons l3O miles more of our beautiful prairie
to settlement and advanced civilization, and
portion OF our State unsurpassed for fertility
and resources. Not only the distance in our
own State is destined for grand wheat field
and stock range, but as the road penetrates Da-
kota 1t strikes one of the finest sections in all
our boundless West. The road will be prompt
ly pushed through to the Big Sioux river in
Moody county, Dakota, which county already
contains population of nearly 1000 people.
One reason for the increased settlement of
| eastern Dakota, is the fact that nearly every
quarter section has settler upon it and no
odd sections are taken by railroad companies.
THE SOUTHERN MINNESOTA POLICY.
The Southern Minnesota Extension company
acquires large tracts of land as it progresses
and the manner it has opened them to settle
| ment is worthy example for other land grant
companies. 1t puts settlers upon the land and
contracts to allow $3.50 for breaking and so
cents an acre for the first crop, and conse-
quently no money is required down. We are
informed that the sixty miles of the st. Paul
Sioux City land grant, which this road
passes through, is being held by the Sioux City
some two dollars per acre in advance
of former figures, aud previously the price
was from seven to ten dollars for wild prairie
This certainly is the wrong policy to pursue,
and ono that tends to make the country almost
! desolate waste. This company owns nearly
all the odd sections in the north half of Martin
county, and much more in Jackson. Mobiles and
other counties. 1t can but be regarded an un-
wise policy to keep these splendid lands from
| settlement by high prices. Homesteaders
have settled around these lands and
| are paying the taxes and improving
| the roads, and building the bridges and school
| houses and supporting local and State govern
| ments, while the railroad is holding these broad
acres for high prices. We trust this policy will
| not be adhered to.
THE JEssUP, JAMES AND ROOSEVELT LANDS
being special trust of the Southern Mime
| sofa Railway company, and consisting of about
| 100000 acres in Faribault, Martin, jackson.
Murray, Rock, Pipestone, Cottonwood, Lyon.
Redwood and Blue Earth counties, are about to
be oHered on the same terms as our State and
school lands sold. These lands have beer
SO thoroughly and carefully examined that
parties desiring to purchase can ascertain of
| the general agent, J. G. Easton, Lanesboro,
MIMI, or of local agents near the lands, the
| exact character of the different sections or
| quarter sections. To make them the more gen
orally and publicly brought to the notice of
immigrants and settlers, and feeling deep in
| terest in settling prairies, we understand
| that Hon. 0. P. Whitcomb, State land commits
sioner. has consented to sell these lands after
offering and selling the State lands, if parties
are desirous of purchasing. 1t is intended to.
at least on some plan, to have two public sales
during the year, and in the meantime they can
| be purchased on the same terms at private sale
at any time. The policy is to get the lands into
the hands OF actual settlers and under cultiya-
| ton.
All these several plans seem so liberal. and "a
| q consequence are likely to be the means of
bringing to our State large immigration, that
we deem it our duty to give this extended no.
tice of what our friends in the Southern part
of the State are doing and can but commend
the course adopted by the Southern Minnesota
railway to other land grant companies holding
large tracts for high prices. It certainly does
seem to be the wrong policy to exact high
prices for lands. Settlers raising wheat and
cattle to transport may prove more profitable
than the extra price received by holding the
| lands.