St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-06-17

wears, driven by the hue and cry of the in
dustrious ''boomer,n has been pouring into
Dakota and the more western territories
The chief attraction was, of course, govern
ment lands, to be obtained under the
homestead and forest-culture laws; and
as those first on the ground had opportunity
to select the choicest sites, it was but natural
that there should be disposition to rush
thither But such condition no longer ex-
lists. The crowds that have already gone
there occupy all the best and most advan-
tageously located lands, and those who follow
now are compelled to accept the less desir-
able.
To any one acquainted with the subject, it
is self-evident fact that reaction has be-
gun in north Dakota. The great hue and
cry in her hehalf has caused an unsubstan-
tial growth. The tide of immigration is turn
ting away from this over-rated and industri-
ously doomed region. Capitalists and home
seekers-who have heard such extravagant
praises of the north Dakota section
and have gone there to investigate-are
now coming into southwestern Mime
sofa, convinced that the advantages found
here are vastly superior. This refuge would
not now be open to them had it not been
that litigation concerning the title of the rail
road lands-7eoW made le,Ject-delayed their
sale. The good results, sure to follow the
conservative policy pursued by those inter
ested in ''The Land of Plenty" are now ap-
parent in legitimate fruit, One sees farm
ers, business and professional men, railroad
builders, capitalists, representing almost
linz of IN narnantila life flnplxinU into
southwestern Minnesota, asserting that it is
singular how such rich and promising sec
ton should have been overlooked for so long
time, while other localites-less favored by
nature in every way, and vastly inferior in
possibilities for the future-should have pro-
gressed so rapidly. A 7leoO dispe,lSGt5On has
come about, and this portion of Minnesota
is rapidly filing up with settlers; real estate
is coming into the hands Of intelligent, we'll
to-do agriculturists and stock raiserS; the
wild lands are being brought under cutiva-
ton the resources and richness of
the counties are increasing every year; busi-
ness men of every branch are building up
new towns and increasing the population
and prosperity Of the older ones; capitalists
are looking for locations for the establish
ment of manufactures; railroad builders are
projecting new lines of road, realizing the
fact that within another decade southwestern
Minnesota viii be thickly populated and af
ford magnificent field of remuneration in
the way of freights destined for the great
markets of the world. In fact, this section
has progressed more rapidly in the past tive
years than during the ten preceding years of
its history; and the prospeeAfor more rapid
development and substantial growth within
the next few years is conceded to be the
most fatJering by close observers of events
and business men Of keen sagacity.
The question for the immigrant to consider,
when choosing a location for new home, is,
whether he will come here, where he may
become a member of an already estab-
lished community, and have the ben
eft of numerous railways, good
wagon roads and bridges, churches, schools,
markets, and ali the other conveniences of
civilization! Where the climate is desirable,
its healthfulness assured, the soil fertile and
durable, the water from springs and wells
pure abundant and easily accessible, fuel
comparatively cheap and always obtainable?
The question is whether he will come here
and help to improve the cheap and still I'M
occupied lands, and develop the resources
of this region, or whether he will go where
he cannot have all of these assurances? And
that question can only be answered by each
immigrant for himself.
Each one, however, should bear in mind
that as he goes farther west, he will have to
pay additional freight or transportation on
all that he raises to sell: on every foot of
lumber, stick of frewood, bushel of coal,
pound of sugar, coffee and tea, yard of fabric
for clothing piece of farming machinery or
tools, and very many other things that he
Iaust have for use and consumption.
| All his final markets and his first sources
of supply generally are east of him when
| here, and will remain so; and the farther
west he goes from them the greater the ex-
pense incurred in reaching them either to
| buy or sell. Even if he could find there all
| the other advantages he may avail himself of
here, there is still this disadvantage of differ
ence in distance from the great markets of
the world, and it is one that cannot be OBJ
waited now or hereafter. The matter of a
| few dollars differencein the cost of making
his settlement cannot be compared with it,
To men Of means, opportunities open for
legitimate investment and multiplication of
capital in the development of these rich
lands. Successful farmers who desire to
branch out into larger operations, or start
their sons in the way of thrifty agriculture,
can here realize their desire. Farmers in
older states who began with little or no cap
ital, and whose lives have been self-deny-
ing struggle to pay for their homes,
which happy result is perhaps
not yet reached, have oppor-
tunity to exchange old, worn farms for new
and richly fertile lands, and have means
left to make themselves independent and
surround their families with the comforts
and even the luxuries of life. Those who
are renting farms in older communities can
for the price of the rent, here become own
ers of the soil they till, and realize large re
turns. To the very large class Of men en-
gagged in farm labor, but who do not owl
land, many of them men of energy and ex
perience, is given an opportunity, by jul
dicious use of their savings, to become pros
porous farmers. To the thousands engaged
in the crowded avocations Of the cities, sub
ject to the vicissitudes of trade and catas
trophies of panics, supporting their familie
upon incomes meagre as ompared with tn,
cost of living, paying money enough fo
house rent alone to buy rich farms here, i
offered the opportunity to exchange a life o
continued routine and drudgery for that o
the free and independent farmer.
Southwestern Minnesota as It's.
Southwestern Minnesota was formerl
known as the Gland of Promise,n but he
promises have been so abundantly fulfille
that more recently she has been styled th
Gland of Plenty"
This division comprises the double tier O
extreme southern counties, extending from
the city of Mankato to the western border o
the state. They are as follows:
Acres Land Water
Counties Farms. Impr'd. Acres. Acres
Blue Earth. 2,745 269,512 475,5S2.34 21,619s
watonwan.. s24 6O,s95 277,O51.9a 1898 o