, 1882-05-06
Land Remote from Railroads.


abusing the way in which many OF them
are managed. Their estimate OF The val
ue of railroads is shown by their willing
ness to pay two prices for the land IN the
vicinity Of one. The alternate sections of
Government land contained within the
limits Of a railroad grant have been sold
for twice the sum asked fJr the same
quality located outside. Still, settlers
have almost without exception chosen the
hich-priced land. Many settlers prefer
10 90 A hundred miles further from mar
ket SO they are located on the lins OF a
railroad than 10 ike few miles IRON the
line Of a road. The situation OF land IN
reference To a railroad has more TO do IN
most parts a. the country in determing its
value than the quality of the soil Ten
erally the frs: question asked about a
tract Of land by prospective purchaser Is
in reference TO It's nearness 10 railroad
Unless there is a railroad in operation, or
one in progress of building, or projected,
few persons desire to buy land for oocu-
pancy. The appreciation OF the advan-
tages Of railroads on the part OF farmers
Is also shown by their willingness not only
to give the right OF way, but to subscribe
for shares of the original stock, which
rarely ever pays any dividends, and to
vote subsidies So Intense is the desire
Of farmers to obtain railway facilities
where there are none within easy reach Of
the land they occupy, that they rarely
ever trouble themselves about the matter
of securing cheap transportation when
voting subsidies. They are for the time
content If they secure railroad at any
price.
In many parts OF the west railroads
wer. made III advance of the settlement
If the country The roads were made by
land grant companies on the plea that 1t
was necessary TO develop the country. In
many cases the towns were all locaaed on
sections owned by the railroads, as the
managers could favor these localities and
derive large sums from the sale of lots. In
almost all cases the towns are on the lines
of the railroads. The location of stations
determined the location of the towns.
Posroffices were located at the railway
stations. 4 railway station and post
Office caused stores, shops and Offices to be
erected near them, and town was the re-
suit. Here were churches and schools as
well as places Of business. BY selecting
land for farm in the immediate vicinity
of a railroad the settler could secure so
cial. religious. and educational advanta-
.es. He could also have many advanta-
ees IN doing business. By settling On a
place remote from railroad, the farmer
was often without the means of procuring
fuel. groceries and other necessaries on
account Of the condition Of the roads.
The bad roads also prevented him from
taking his products to market when they
would bring the highest price. All these
circumstances influenced farmers To obtain
land near railroads or to aid in getting a
railroad built near the land.
Ii is evident that all farmers cannot live
IN tie immediate vicinity OF railroad,
for there is a limit to the number of roads
that can be proftabIy operated. 1t is also
evident that there are some advantages IN
living At considerable distance from a
town. Land can be obtained mEc4.
cheaper, and the taxes on 1t will be much
less. There will be much less annoyance
from disreputable characters and from
dogs. Men employed on the farm will be
less likely 10 waste time in saloons and
other Objectionable places, and to be more
attentive 20 business. For general stock
raising il makes little difference whether
a farm is tive or twenty miles from rail
( way derot. The animals can be driven
the longer distance without great trouble
or expense. 1t is better III many respects
to have a sheep farm located at considera-
Bile distance hom a town. Sheep love
quiet and require protection from dogs.
4 dairy farm can he located at considera-
bic distance from town and operated
without much inconvenience. Butter and
cheese are so valuable in comparison to
their weight that they can lie transported
in WAGONS many miles without diminish
ING their value tc any great extent
Broad acres are essential to keeping breed
ing cattle, sheep, and mich cows By
having cheap land farmer can keep a
large number Of animals, and thereby de-
rive a large income from his farm. II a
farmer has a coal deposit or wood lot on
his premises, he will have no occasion to
draw fuel long distances. As sections of
territory remote from railroads become
settled up there will be better social, ed
ucationai, and religious advantages, and
less occasion for driving to town. p"
More attention viii also be gwen to max
ing good roads and keeping them in suit-
able repair Ii is IA matter of common
observation that there are more shiftless
farmers IN the vicinity of towns than III
places remote from them
ThE Spokane Fails evening paper has
suspended publication and il would be a
good thing f"r the country if the weekly
ua,. >, s,.,.,l H. I,,l.., . .-...