Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1884-03-13
Westward Emigration.

patrons.
Westward Emigration.
That the emigration fever that has
ragged among all classes of people, in
the east as well as the south, has not
abated, is evidenced by the stream of
fortune hunters that has already COM
menced to pour into the western terri
tories. The desire to 90 west is no new
disease. 1t has been a chronic ailment
with the American people ever since the
landing of the Mayflower at Plymouth
Rock What are now the Middle States,
were then the unknown west. Even
many of the eastern states, then not ex-
plored, were an object of curiosity for
the emigrant, and many expeditions
were organized to 90 to the new country
and locate. Privations were nothing to
the seekers after homes. Suffering was
about the only recompense they got in
return for their curiosity; for curiosity
it is, and nothing more.
lSNtl olnCt NlC MINUS III IllC
of Dakota have been in the market,
there has been an annual emigration
there that is simply wonderful The
facilities for travelling are SO much bet
ter than they were a.quarter of century
ago, that almost any one can become
an emigrant. To get there is the only
question to be solved, and the prepara-
tons made towards that end during the
winter are carried out in the early
spring. The mover does not stop to
consider what he is to do after his ar
rival in the new country. Can he take
up and successfully cultivate farm? If
a mechanic, are there openings for his
branch of business that will afford him
remunerative wages for his labor? If
professional man, can he at once enter
profitably upon his profession? If a
laboring man, is there demand for his
labor? These questions, unfortunately
do not arise until after the individual
has expended, his last dollar to get to
the place where he expected to find
everything serene.
No one can doubt but the man with a
small capital, sufficient to keep him
from want for twelve month, can go
west and by judicious management enter
upon course of business, either farm
ing or something else, that will prove
profitable. But the man who goes west,
having only means sufficient to pay his
transportation, expecting to at once
strike profitable business, will, when
it is everlastingly too late, find out his
mistake. To be sure, it is no trouble
for an individual to secure homestead
in the west, with but little outlay of
cash. But when the homestead has
been taken up, he will find that it re-
quires money to obtain living from
that homestead, the same as it does
from farm in the east. Those who
have made the experiment know that
such is the case; although they say that
farming can be carried on cheaper and
more proftably than in the older settled
countries.
Let any man stop and consider this
matter. Look around, and figure what
percentage of those you know have
made their experiment profitable. Even
from Grant county, there are many who
have gone to the great territory of Da-
kota, who, to-day, are not even with
their cash account, but they are there
financially wrecked. and cannot return.
TIE HERALD has no desire to put
stumbling block in the way of emigra-
ton; but would just say this much to
its readers: If you are comfortably To-
Gated, let we'll enough alone. No man,
while on the downhill side of life, is JUS
tilted in selling himself out of home.
comfort and ease, and strike out to en-
dure privations himself and make his
family miserable. 1t is grand thing
to be the owner of vast landed estates,
but it is much more grand to be so stu
ated that storms nor droughtS cannot
effect you.
The present season win no doubt see
as heavy an emigration westward as
has been known in previous years. AL
ready accounts are published of whole
emigrant trains being on the road, the
main desire being to be the first one
out. Ii is best for those who cannot es-
cape the western fever, to first make
trip, secure q location, provide COM
Portable quarters for the family and then
return and make the move. Good loca-
tons are not as easy to obtain as they
have been; although no doubt there are
many fine claims that have been taken
that the claimant would gladly dispose
of for enough cash in hand to get him
back 10 his old home.