Stevens County tribune. (Morris, Minn.) 1877-1880, 1879-03-13
From the st. Paul Daily Globe March 4.
ara SETTLING THE STATE.



MlmmesOt@ Railway. FE
The present year promises to be lively
season in southern Minnesota, and especially
along the line of the Southern Minnesota rail-
way. The last season the 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. 1t has until 1881 to build to the west
ern line OF the State, but it is proposed to
build the entire distance, eighty-five miles,
during the present year-the ties are already
purchased, and surveys made. When the
road reaches the western boundary of the
State in Pipestone county, there
will have been opened in two brief
seasons 40 miles more OF our beautiful prairie
to settlement and advanced civilization, and a
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
Dakota it strikes one OF the finest sections in
all our boundless West. The road will be
promptly rushed through to Big Sioux river
| in Moody county, Dakota, which county al
ready contains population OF nearly 1000
people. One reason for the increased settle
ment of eastern Dakota, is The fact that near.
| ly every quarter section has settler upon ii
and no odd sections are taken bv railroad com
Panies.
THE SOUTHERN MINNESOTA POLICY.
The Southern Minnesota Extension com
panY acquires large tracts of land as it pro
| greses, and the manner it has opened them tc
settlement is worthy example for other land
grant companies. 1t puts settlers upon the land
| and contracts to allow 81. SO for breaking an6
| 80 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. Pau
q Sioux City land grant, which this road passe:
through, is being held by the Sioux City Co.
| at from seven to ten dollars for wild prairie
This certainly is the wrong policy to pursue
| and one that tends to make the country almos
| desolate waste. This company owns nearly
all the odd sections in the north half of Martir
| county, and much more in Jackson, Mobiles
/ and other counties 1t can but be regarded al
unwise policy to keep these splendid lands
from settlement by high prices. Homestead
ers have settled around the lands and are pay
ing the taxes and improving the roads, anC
building the bridges and school houses an(
supporting local and State governments
| 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 o
about 100, 900 acres in Faribault Martin, Jack
son, Murray, Rock, Pipestone, Cottonwood
Lyon, Redwood aud Blue Earth counties, ar
about to be offered on the same terms as GU
State and school lands are sold. These land
have been so thoroughly and carefully exam
ined that parties desiring to purchase can as
certain of the general agent. j. c. Easton
Lanesboro, Mimi, or of local agents near tn
lands, the exact character of the differen
sections or quarter sections. To make then
the more generally and publicly brought I
the notice of immigrants and settlers, an
feeling deep interest in settling our prairie
we understand that Hon. o. P. Whitcomt
State land commissioner, has consente
to sell these lands after offerin
and selling the State lands. if parties
are DESTROYS of purchasing. 1t is intended t.
at least on some plan, to have two publ
sales during the year, and in the meantim
they can be purchased on the same terms 6
priv ate sale at any time. The policy is to &c
the lands into the hands of actual settler
and under cultivation.
All these plans seem SO liberal, and as
consequence are likely to be the means {
bringing to our State large immigration
, that we deem it our duty to give this eXtende
rotiee of what our friends in the Souther
part of the State are doing, and can but con
mend the course adopted by the Souther
Minnesota railway to other land grant CON
|, panies holding larger tracts for high price
Uncertainty does seem to be the wrong polio
to exact high prices for land. Settlers raisin
wheat and cattle to transport may prov
more profitable than the extra price receive
by holding the lands.