The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1883-05-30
DAKOTA DESCRIBED.

proieSSed experiences of some person who
had gone to Dakota and returned dis.
/ gusted, in which that territory was made
] to appear as a God-forsaken country.
dreary and full of discomforts. The ar
ticle has been widely copied. AS we
knew personally some gentlemen who
had gone to Dakota, and who were de-
lighted with it, we were convinced that
this article grossly misrepresented that
territory, and, consequently, we sent a
copy of it to w. P. Miller Esq, former
ly of Lambertville] who is practicing law
at Hope, ID. T. lie writes as follows in
reply. 1t will be read with interest
Horn, D. T., May 10, 1888.
DEAR SIR 1t affords me much plea
sure to reply to the inquiry contained in
your favor of the tenth inst, and mas
much as you enclose an article which you
state is going the rounds of the papers,
purporting to give trustworthy informa-
ton in regard to the Territory of Dakota,
you may publish the substance of my
letter il you deem that it would be a mat.
ter of interest to your readers.
From the knowledge which have gain
ed of Dakota and its resources, have no
hesitation in saying that no part of the
United States affords better opportuni-
ty for pecuniary advancement than Da-
kota. | have yet to learn of an instance
where any one came to Dakota, possessed
of energy and perseverance, who has fail
ed to better his or her circumstances.
Dakota is particularly an agricultural
country and those coming here with
means must be prepared and willing to
put their shoulders to the wheel and
work. The Government of the United
States offers to every citizen thereof, over
81, who is the head of a family, 100 acres
of land under the Homestead laws 100
acres under the Presumption laws, and 100
acres under the Timber Culture laws SO
that every person, as above, can eventual
ly secure 4S0 acres of land by complying
with the provisions of the respective
laws. To soldiers and sailors of the late
war; special privileges are given in the
matter of residence upon the lands entsr-
ed under the provisions of any and all of
the above mentioned laws. To secure title
to land under the Homestead and Pre-
empsion laws, five years actual residence
is necessary but the time soldiers and
sailors served in the army and navy re-
spectiyely, is deducted from tho required
residence, /. G., a soldier who served three
years in the army would only be required
to live two years ON land entered by virtue
of any of the above laws, Homestead
and Presumption, to secure from the Gov
eminent patent or deed therefor.
But title under the last mentioned laws
can be secured earlier by what is known
as Communication. After six months resi-
deuce upon land taken under the Home
stead or Presumption laws, the settler can
commute or secure title to Ills land so en-
tered, by payment to the Government Of
$3.50 per acre where the land is within II
railroad grant or s % per acre where the
land is without such grant. The money
requisite for such purpose can be had at
agencies, they securing such loan by CIV
ing mortgage payable in five years and
10 per cent. upon the land so purchased.
Money is always at hand for such pur-
pose, as most Eastern banks and Trust
Companies as well as many European
capitalists and incorporated companies
seeking such investments, so that by actu-
ally residing upon 100 acres of land for
six months any person being over twenty
one years of age or the head of family,
can secure title thereto free from incum-
branee except the mortgage for the pur.
chase price, which if within railroad grant
/ would be as aforesaid $400 This land
when title is secured as aforesaid is worth
from ten TO fifteen dollars per acre, ac-
cording TO location If worth only ten
dollars per acre the settler has realized in
six months 81 GOO, less the purchase price
Of $500, or $1,000, and this may be a
net profit to those desiring it, as the set
tier can find plenty of work ON adjoining
farms at good wages, that will prove
more than self-supporting while he is Sc
curing title to his land. This is accord
ing to present estimates, but if the settler
retains his land it will be worth in five
years not less than $50 per acre, as our
lands are rapidly rising in value. This
is no fictitious estimate, for the lands are
now intrinsically worth much moro than
$50 per acre. The present valuation pre-
walls only because there are yet many
acres of Government land subject to
private entry. This land, however, is being
rapidly taken and will soon be exhausted
Indeed along the line of the Northern
Pacific Il. r. where the Government land
has all been entered, the land is selling
to-day for $50, $50 and $40 per acre and
the land there is not so valuable as that
in the vicinity of Hope because low and
level anu IItDlG W DC WCJ Ill INC OpTluR.
Our lands give an average yield OF
thirty bushels of wheat to the acre, and
this without any kind Of manure or fer
tiIizer. This wheat is now worth in our
home market 90 cents per bushel, and the
producer can safely rely upon at least
80 cents per bushe for his wheat. The
cost of breaking the land, seeding the
same, and harvesting the crop is about
so per acre and with yield Of only
twenty-five bushels of wheat por acre
there remains net profit of twelve and
fifty one-hundredths dollars per acre.
Our soil is very rich and will produce
every variety of grain and vegetables thai
are produced in the Eastern States. A,
to the peculiarities of our soil, suffice il
to say, that it has been demonstrated by
analysis as well as practical experience Il
contain the most valuable Ingredient