Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1886-06-05
RAILROAD
What Towner County Has to Say
on the Subject.

on the Subject.
AT a mass meeting of the citizens of
Towner county, OAK, held at the school
house in Cando, May, 26, 1886, the fol-
lowing proceedings were had
The meeting being called to order, on
motion, the following officers were elect
ed A. B. Mcdonald, president, and Ed
F. sibley, secretary.
The president stated the object of the
meeting to be to ascertain and give pub
lie expression to the desires of the peo-
pie regarding the construction of a rail-
road through the county, and what in
ducements, if any. they were disposed to
extend to such an enterprise.
In respone to calls from the meeting,
Messrs. Mcdonald, Hardee, Parker. D.
w. McCanna, Landers and Ellis ex-
pressed their views, in accordance with
which, on motion, a committee COM
prising Ed F. Slbley, P. P. Parker, ]. w.
Hardee, ]. S. Landers. D. W. McCanna
and G. G. Ellis was appointed by the
chair to draft a preamble and resolutions
expressive of the sense of the meeting.
After q brief recess, the committee re-
ported the following. which on motion
We're UNANIMOUSLY adopted:
The citizens of Towner county, OAK,
assembled in mass meeting at Cando, on
the Goth day of May. 1886, present tn
following facts for the consideration of
all parties interested
That the first settlement in the county
was made in the spring of 1883, during
which year there were no farm crops
cultivated.
That in the following year 1854, the
county was organized, the government
lands therein were opened to entry and
settlement, and that during hat year
1.-THE first season of cultivation. over 49,.
600 bushels Of grain were raised, and 20.
horses, 81 mules and 70 head of cattle
were owned in the county.
That the official returns for the year
1885 makes the following showing of the
industrial resources of the county upon
the basis of a fair cash valuation for tax
alton
Assessed value of real estate, 1882, 1872;
of personal property, $sss2,9S4. Number
of head of live stock owned in the coun-
ty: Horses, 14o; mules, 70; cattle, 14s.
That this rapid increase Of production
and material wealth has steadily con-
tinded during the year 1886 in q much
greater ratio, and represents an intelli-
gent, progressive population, Of a much
better class than is generally found in
newly-settled districts 80 remote from
from centers of commerce and civiliza-
ton, and is a guaranty that the prosper.
ity thus indicated is of a permanent
character, and will continue to increase
steadily.
That the census Of 1885, carelessly and
rapidly made in this county, gives it a
population of only S66, which is fur be-
low the actual population at that time,
as will readily be seen by an apportion-
ment per capita of the wealth of the
county for that year and hat an ap-
proximato estimate of the present fixed
population Ito which should be added
the large emigration now pouring I'M
may be made in n like manner from the /
valuation of 1856.
That when it is considered that the
above showing is made with but about
one-fourth Of the public lands in the
county entered and occupied, 1t is ap-
parent that these lands are very prolific |
and easily cultivated, and that with the
immense emigration now steadily pour
ing into the northwest, the unsettled
portion can not long remain unoccupied.
That the above showing dem o~nstrates
not only that the county has sufficient
carrying trade to necessitate the con-
struction Of a railroad through its terri
tory, but also that with its present pop
u%lation, together with that invariably
following railroad construction, such an
enterprise would prove Immediately re-
munerative.
Therefore, in consideration of the
above facts, be it
Resolved. That w hereby pledge to
any railroad company that will, during
the year 1886, construct and regularly
operate a line Of road through this coun.
tty, connecting with any Of the trunk
lines of the territory, the free right of
way over and through the lands owned
by us, and guarantee the donation to
such road of sufficient ground for depot,
machine shops, etc., at any one OF more
points within the county, as the necessi-
ties Of such road or the public interests
may require.
Resolved, That all land holders and
business men present at this meeting
are hereby requested to append their sig
natures to these resolutions, and that a
committee be appointed by this meeting
to obtain the signatures of such land
holders and business men in the county
as are not represented in this meeting.
Resolved, That the secretary be in
structed to forward q copy of each of
these proceedings 10 the heads of the
various railroads companies supposed to
be interested in the traffic of Towner
county, and also to supply the Towner
County Tribune, Minnewaukan Siftings,
Devils Lake INTER-OcEAN and News,
Grand Forks Herald and Plaindealer,
and Fargo Argus each with a copy, with
a request for publication.
On motion, the report of the commit
tee was received, unanimously adopted,