Morris tribune., 1888-12-19
/" Cheap Lands" Not Always
Cheap.

L L
In selecting lands to cultivate and
make homes upon, settlers, Ia their
anxiety to obtain "eheap lands, are
too apt to overlook one very import
ant consideration, viz: That all cheap
lands are not always really cheap,
when the important matter of trans
portation, fuel and the price OF the
necessaries of life are fully consider
ed. Lands located far away from
market, and where everything neces-
sary for home comfort are dear, are
not cheap, even if those lands can be
purchased at low price, when COM
pared with the price of lands more
favorably located, as regards the mar
ket for produce and the cost OF living.
The TRIBUNE contends that lands
located in northern and western Da-
kota, no matter if they can be had for
a few dollars per acre, or even II made
a gift to the settler, are not as cheap
as lands in Stevens county at $40 and
$40 an acre. This assertion may be
deemed as ''away off " when first con-
sidered, but upon further examination
it will be found to be correct. In the
first place, there is no better land for
general agricultural purposes Lying
out doors" than the land in our coun-
ty, composed as it is of rich rolling
prairie, with it's numerous beautiful
lakes and natural groves, affording
fine and attractive scenery, and giving
settlers an opportunity of selecting
an inviting site for a residence on
every half or quarter section in the |
county. Besides these advantages we
are near the great markets for agri-
cultural products, and where fuel,
groceries, dry goods and other neces-.
sary articles are reasonably cheap. We
have healthy climate, an intelligent
and industrious population, and every |
thing necessary to make residence |
here desirable, and why those who are
seeking new homes should select them
in some far-away locality, where the |
cost of living is nearly double and
the price of agricultural products is |
far less than here, is wholly unac-
countable to us.
Of course it is to the interest of |
railroad corporations to have the Sec
ton of country at a greater distance |
from market settled, that they may |
have the advantage of the ''long haul,
and it is not surprising that the coun-
try is flooded with such circulars as
the following ''fyer'' issued by the |
Chicago, Milwaukee & st. Paul rail
way:
"Outside the frost belt! All parts of
Central and Southern Dakota, along |
the lines of the Chicago, Milwaukee
St. Paul Railway Company, are free
from early frosts, and are therefore
The best section of the great West for
farmers"
It is now in order for the Manitoba
md Northern Pacific to put forth
circular announcing to the intelligent
from the eastern states and
;he old world, and to home-seekers
generally, that the lines of their roads
run directly through the banana belt
and therefore the lands along these
ines are the best in the great West
for farmers"
But still the fact remains undispu-
Jed that more desirable locality for
good homes cannot be found in the
great West than right here in Stevens
county, or where land can be bought
cheaper, when all the surroundings
are taken into consideration; and we
are pleased to be able to state that ne
gotiations are now going on which we
have the best of reasons for believing
will result in bringing next season a
large colony of very desirable people
to our grand little county,