Griggs courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., Dak. [N.D.]) 1885-1902, 1885-11-06
Cooperstown Il College Town,

COoperstown IL College Town.
Why not? When there is a college,
not yet materialized. floating about over
these expansive prairles of our noble
Northwest. seeking Il suitable resting
place. Fortunate. the place that pos
sesses the qualities, and offers the in
ducementS that shall secure it's settle
ment within its limits. The great ques-
ton of the recent Congregational assoc
citation. at Fargo, was the organization
of the college that has been the promi-
nent topic for three years. From the
earnest, determined way in which it
was handled, the evidences are very
convincing that it is gong to take form
ere loug and "light" somewhere.
Jamestown has been extensively talk
ed of as the probable location, but on
account of other claims, that has been
abandoned. Now the opportunity for
competing in securing it is thrown open.
Ii thu re are those who ridicule the idea
of Cooperstown entering the field, why
do they? Does not Cooperstown pos
sess desirable qualifications for such an
institution? Let us see IT we haven't
them. We are the most centrally locat
Ell in the country it IS designed to
benefit. Our town was spoken of ut the
association, as a possibly successful
competitor for this prize.
We may not greatly appreciate our
town--people seldom value what is
their own,-but we hold no meager
place in the respect of our neighbors.
We have another qualification that is
desirable and sought after in the loca-
tion of a college, in the good, thriving
and intelligent community, of which
our town is the center; and one upon
which President Strong, of Carleton,
laid particular and weighty Importance
in his talk to the association, alleging
that money will never build a college:
there are other things of greater import
ance. Tie atmosphere surrounding it
is of the utmost Importance. lie gives
the preference to the smaller places,
rather than to large commercial centers.
His expressed conviction was that Far
S go was not the most desirable location
for it. These words and opinions of the
venerable DR. Strong, proceeding from
the rich fund of experience of one who
has served SO long in college work
should be given due consideration. and
arouse us to the fact tilat Cooperstown
o is not necessarily out of the contest, be-
:, cause she is not us rich in cash as some
of her nelghbors. Fargo, in respect to
y capital. is the most formidable compet-
: itor; but the serious disadvantage III
% that case is the, fact that it would take
}, the college to the extreme edge of the
territory; which would be the same OBJ
lection to Wahpeton. Fargo, as yet.
does not seem to he alive to the oppor-
tunity. 1t was stated there was twenty
r acres of land offered, in the south part
4 OF the city, which originally cost $1,000.
Rev. G. b. Barnes said little Wahpeton
g would do better than that; he thought
there would be bonus given of about
@lV,UUV, Will otlluClCHC lttIu AOl IIlC
buildings. Looking forward to future
p requirements, when it would doubtless
!, be crowded for room, he considered 160
acres of land better offer than $4,000.
We have the land here. What better
. investment could we make than to do
nate liberal share of it to secure the
location of college. Where is the pos
> sibility of estimating the value of such a
; possession to any town or community
value in the power it exerts in the intel
, lectual elevation and advancement of
the society in which it exists, to say
nothing of the capital and influence it
e would attract as a natural result.
8 Is it worth the effort to secure? One
{ thing is morally sure, it will not be Sc
e cured without an effort. Let Coopers-
town offer section of land, and what
bonus she can afford, and see what will
come of it. Ono OF our citizens-E. w.
Barnard,-is one of the committee of
!. . nine. who were appointed and empow-
= cred to solicit bids for the location of
the college. Will Cooperstcwn let this
, prize slip out of reach without trial to
procure it? Let her make bid. at
least, andif Fargo takes it, let us help
in making her pay for it: Let the
would-be benefactOrs give this matter
attention. and voice it. \.
We would quietly call the attention of
, the farmer to the fact that our goods