Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1882-03-10
The Banana Belt.

The following extracts taken from the
Evening Wiscons,n's interview with the
Hon. E. P. Wells, contain interesting
points for everyone: sl ...a- t2 -.+A..'> .
Reporter. you tell me if the facts
bear out the published reports of the Won
derful development of that tcrritorys II
Mr.. Wells.-Three years ago there were
north Of the 46th pareilel in Dakota 200
miles Of completed railroad, four weekly
newspapers, two national and three pri-
sats banks, and total population of be-
tween fifteen and twenty thousand. Now
within the same bounds there are 500
miles Of railroad, six daily and "a weekly
newspapers, nine national and some l6
private banks, and population, think
it safe to say, Of eighty thousand.
Rep.-Of what nationality are the set
tiers chiefly? ...... ......-... .-........
Mr.. Win the Red River Valley about
one half are American born, the foreign
half beng quite largely scandinavian
The James River Valley is settled almost
wholly by American born, largely from
the older western states. There are no
Swcdcs and Norwcgians, but Il good many
Germans Wisconsin has contributed
largely to the population Of North Dakota.
Dalrymple is an old Wisconsin man, so
are Van Dusen, of the Troy farm, and
Steele, of NLutcville, Anton Klaus, former
ly of Green Bay, bought four years ago
ho ustn cf Jo,p for &
an acre, and has seen it advance since
that time to from $500 to $3.50 lot, or at
the rate of 5000 an acTs tor the best lots
Rep.-Is large immigration into Da-
kota anticipated during 1882! .....r
MIR. W.-Uniess all signs fail it will be
unprecedented. Letters of inquiry arc
pouring in from all parts of the country
and from abroad. The fame Of our great
crops has spread over the world, and we
shall have this year accsssions to our pop
0latioa from every state in the globe.
Even Kansas, Nebraska and Texas have
Aad several parties in Dakota during the
past few months, making locations for
colonies that will migrate this year.
Rsp.-Do you have great snow fall in
North Dakotal
Nr. W-The entire fall for winter will
average under rather than over Is inches
There 10 usually no snow until after the
holidays. The weather from December
LIT to March 18th is generally clear, bright
and cold, sometimes very cold, but our
grain Is in the ground as early as in Wis.,
Aonsin. The summers are hot and forcing
The past winter has been mild and even
warm-open doors and windows being no
uncommon sight. E
Rep.-What are the chief towns Of
Northern Dakotal
Mr.. W.-Fargo, jamestown and Grand
Forks have been the most phenomenal in
their growth. Fargo has grown in seven
years from nothing to city of over six
thousond, with two well supported and
ably edited daily papers, gas, electric
lights, street railroads and three hotels,
either of which has the capacity nearly as
large as the Ncwhall or Plankinton.
Business property selling at four and five
hundred dollars u front foot.
Jamestown, hundred miles further
west. and four years later TO start, is fast
repeating Fargo's history--a year ago
With = population OF six hundred, to-day
twelve hundred, which will be.doubled in
side the summer. A daily morning paper,
q year old, with steam power presses and
full Associated Press franchise and reports
two weekly papers, two national and one
private bank and two large hotels. One
hundred dollars front foot is not un-
usual. end nearly two hundred per foot
was paid secenrly for choice corner.
Rep.--Wiil Dakota be divided this win
ter and Southern Dakota admitted as a
state, in your opinion!
Mr.. VII the proposition were solely
TO divide lhe territory, the measure would
pass during the present session of con-
congress, and the bill to divide will pass
now, unless the democrats fear that the
passage OF The bill for admission. The
people Of all Dakota want division now,
chiefly because they DO not want admission
before division. Admission as whole.
would certainly prevent any future di-
vision.
Rep.-W here viii the capital 50 in case
OF divisiont
Mr.. Wits temporary location viii de-
pend On the man appointed governor, as