The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1884-01-18
DAKOTA IN 1899.


1883 Of the governor of Dakota sets forth in
language that is none too strong tho wonder
ful change that year has wrought in the
great Territory Of the Northwest: "The
progress and development of Dakota during
the past year have been almost phenomenal.
Tho tide of immigration which sctin strongly
in 1880 has been constantly increasing, until
during tho past year, I think, a fair estimate
Of the increase in population would reach
100000, while tho increase of assessable
property has even been more marked than
the increase in the number Of inhabitants" I"
Year by year, as its resources and c,lpa-
bilities are proved more fully by the pnscti-
cal test of experience, MS We cease to rely
upon the vague reports of travellers and sur
veyors and come to the proved results Of
settlement, the horizon of Dakota's future is
extended, and more adequate idea Of what
the Territory is, and is to be, may be OBJ
tained. Agriculturally the outlook is annu-
ally improving; and now, instead Of the vast
desert tract through which the Missouri
was once supposed TO flow, an inviting
and prosperous section lies encoungingly
open to tho thousands who are seeking
a free and Independent life. "Thcrc is very
little waste or entirely valucless land in Dako-
u" says Gov. Ordway. Even the bad lands
of the Little Missouri arc found to be excel
lently adapted to stock -raising, and with tho
rapid development Of the Territory as
whole, new directions in which industry
mny proftably exert itself are constantly be-
ing discovered. The production Of gold and
silver continues to advance. and the compile
ton of new railroad facilities is expected to
give great impulse to the Black Hills, as
well as to other regions. Tho school rev.
enues Of the Territory for the last year re-
ported were nearly s5OO.OOO, and under
the reorganized system adopted by the
last legislature great improvement in edu-
cational facilities is expected. II is esti-
mated that q tax Of three and half mills on
the dollar Of the assessed valuation will
meet oil obligations, and the financial con-
dition Of the Territory is summed up as
follows: ''Four years ago the Territory
owed some $4,000 in warrants, which
securities, bearing 10 per cent interest, foz
want Of funds, were selling at large dis
count. These warrants have all been paid
Of from current revenues, leaving hand.
some surplus in the treasury, and tho Ter
ritory will have an outstanding indebted
ness, when all the bonds provided for by
thu last two legislatures arc issued,
o. s894, 500, bearing but S and 6 per cent an
nual interest" To Offset these inconsidcr-
able liabilities, the Territory has public insti-
tutions costing $4OO, 600, and tits estimated
that it's total indebtedness could he paid and
every bond retired by a fve-mill levy upon
the assessable property. These figures give
some index of that great development which
only those who have witnessed it or been q
part of it can fully comprehend. The foun.
dations of Dakotas prosperity are firmly laid
and the time is not so FAR distant when this
great region will take honorable place among
the most prosperous agricultural States ol
the Union.