The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-03-23
INDIANA'S ADVANTAGES.
Statistician Peelle Proposes to Gather Some
Facts for Immigrants to Consider.

State Statistician Peelle is making prepare
tons to gather statistics concerning the relative
value of improved and unimproved lands in In
diana, together with information regarding
drainage and the general health in different lc.
caiities, the kinds of live stock that can be most
proftably raised, as well as the kinds
of fruit that have been successfully
cultivated in certain counties His
object in compiling these facts is to show that In
diana is desirable place to locate for immigrats.
Indiana has long since ceased TO be regarded
as a place desirable for immigrants Of ali class
es," Mr. Peelle says, 'for the reason that it has
been classed with the older States, where land
is comparatively dear, and that both unimproved
and improved land could be bought at a much
lower rate in the West But this, it is believed,
Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, Wisconsin
and Minnesota, and in fact in some Of the Ter
ritories, are sold at as high rate. and in many
instances higher than in Indiana-although such
lands are further from the market and have not
the unparalleled advantages Of our State
for competition in all matters of trans
portation in every direction. And many
thousands of acres of unimproved
lands as productive, as.healthy, and as desirable
as any in the world can be got at lower rates
than in the well-settled portions of Gil region 9
west of as. for the reason that those lands are
and have been, in active demand by reason of
the perpetual inflowing tide of immigration
which has constantly passed over and beyond
Indiana Our lands of all classes are not and
have not been in comparatively as great de-
mand. The better class of immigrants, COM
posed of our neighbors in States east of ours
who are seeking homes in the West, are not
appraised of the great advantages to be had and
the desirableness of lands in this State. Such
men. with good families, well trained and able
at once to make comfortable homes, and add to
the good society of the neiohborhoodS where
they settle, should have the information that
they can purchase good locations. at reasonable
rates, in healthy regions, IN good communities,
with good facilities for markets. travel. schools,
churches. and social intercourse with settled
and stable state of society, here in our State.
There are many thousands of good men, with
good families, with moderate means, who are
restless and dissatisfied with their surroundings
in the older States, who might, by proper
information, be induced to cast their lots
with us. Ours is largely an agricultu. al State,
and yet not half OF the lands are under thorough
cultivation. We are just beginning to learn the
advantages of small and well-cultivated farms;
they might be, with great advantage, largely in
creased in number l believe that fair and full
statement of the prices Of the various classes of
prairie and pasture, coal-lands and deposits of
stone and clay, with all the varied products Of
grain, grass, food and live stock, and data show
ing increased health by reason of our vast sys-
tenn of drainage and clearing the land, would be
of great use In attracting to Indiana heavy
population of the best class of emigrants. When
the farming community becomes very numerous
and strong, the towns and cities must flourish;
factories, shops, mines, quarrieS, mills, stores
and general business interests increase and null
tiDly. We have been slumbering too long over
the great and exceptional advantages of our
position. of our vast natural resources, and of
the cheap and reasonable values of our great
landed domain"