Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1892-03-17

tunities to better their condition which
had become desperate in Michigan, and
which is still very unsatisfactory to
very large proportion of the residents Of
the agricultural districts there. Count!
Commissioner Eddy OF this city, himself
one of the Michigan eu'igrants, was re
GENTLY in that state on visit. He says
the reports OF the big crops 10 North Da.
kota last year. have reached every nook
and corner of farming Michigan, and ex.
cited renewed interest in this state. Mr.
Eddy says 1t is apparent to any one that
the country districts have lost heavily
IN population, while the cities of Michi
gan have increased. Real estate has de-
creased from 80 to so per cent in value,
and for many good farms there is no sale
at all. From the regular farming opera.
tions, many farmers have substituted
fruit raising until there is such an over
supply, tina: fruit growing is no mort,
protitshh now than farming. The de-
crease 10 the value of Michigan Il" n
property and the loss Of population il
owing largely to the development Of the
northwest.
There is wide spread dissatisfaction
among Michigan farmers over the pres
ent outlook as we'll as over the prospects
for the future. Many are contemplating
leaving foy now locations and Mr.. Eddy
says that several notified him of theil
intention to visit North Dakota this
summer, and others to move their
families out in the fall. Another such
crop as North Dakota had in 1891, will
be the signal for thousands of Michigan
men to come to the northwest, and not
only will this be true OF Michigan but
OF other eastern states as we'll. In fact
it is not unlikely that another tide OF
Immigration will soon set in from the
east, toward this region. No cock-and-
bull stories about climate and blizzards.
printed in the Michigan press, will deter
the people from seeing for themselves
what is in this new country. The Mlchi
gan press has long DETAINED this state by
printing every exaggerated tale of storm
and suffering that it could find. Where
any favorable Particle appeared it was
only by accident. The country papers
OF that state have been particularly
bitter in their denuncia.ions of North
Dakota. The city press is less interested
but equally venomous, as the above edi
toral in leading paper will show. The
statements made refute themselves by
their own weight, although they are
calculated to impress too credulous
reader with their truth. North Dakota
has storms the same az other states; has
wind and rain, snow and hail. thunder
and lightning the same as other states;
has cold weather and warm weather the
same as other states. But North Da.
kota has what other states do not
always have-the healthiest of climates
the year round. and more sunshine.
more agreeable, growing days, and more
and better weather than people Of the
eastern states have any idea Of.
There is no state IN the union where
Door man has made as much money in
farming as the farmers of this state made
last year. Thousands Of farmers
came here with little or nothing.
Had to settle on government
land, had few horses, or may be
nothing but an OK team. Had to live in
shacks, and get along the best way they
could-which under those circumstances,
was any way.-until they got start.
Last years crop put thousands of such
farmers on their feet. They have ma
chlnery, stock, and land broken for an
other crop, and most Of them are rapidly
getting out Of debt. All the discourage
ments Of settling new country, all the
stories of hardships and poverty among
those who came here to better their condi-
ton, have been fully reported in the east
ern papers. This side of the case has been
frequently dllated upon with thu express
purpose OF preventing further depopu-
lation of eastern counties.
AS to whether people are prosperous IL
North Dakota or not, the results OF last
year in this county alone ought to clearly
show. Stutsman county, with about
100000 acres Of land, valued by the as
SCISSOR at about $500 per acre, has in
round numbers nut 5000 people within
it's borders. One-half of these are living
on farms in the county. Last year this
little band Of farmers, their wives and
children raised in grain live sto.k and
farm products. enough wealth to make,
If divided among all the inhabitants of
the county, over $3.50 for each man,
woman and child. This Is far esti-
mate.
In the entire state the average value
OF grain, live stock and wool product for
1891 wac s274.72 for each man, woman
and child, at q low estimate.
Tho valuo ~ <hoao r,rO6ncfa ia over