The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1897-04-03
MADISON & LAKE CO., S. D.
Their Advantages from the Stand
point of a HomeSeeker.

drifting from the latter 10 the FORMER;
and this migration is likely to continue
until the density Of our western popula-
ton far exceeds that Of the eastern, for
the very good reason that the soil, which
determines density OF population the
world over, is capable Of sustaining far
more people to a given area throughout
the western states, than the eastern.
This being the case, the center OF
population of the United States is con
stantly moving westward. and with this
process of leveling of population, is
coupled a l~eveIing process Of land val
ues. The eastern states have enjoyed
high prices for lands. while far superior
western lands have gone begging at
prices perhaps not one quarter as hlgh.
The inexorable law of supply and de.
mand has fixed these prices, but 10y the
same law, western farm lands are con
stantly advancing in value with the IN
crease of population, and the correspond
ing increase in demand, while eastern
farm lands are, III many cases. suffering
declines in values from reverse causes.
An acre of western lana farmed equal
" as we'll as an acre of eastern land. will
produce mulch more than the latter.
hence it is intrinsically worth more, yet
its market value is now much less. Let
our population increase to the density
of the east, and our lands will advance
accordingly.
Until about fifteen years ago the
greater part of western Iowa was sparse
ly settled, and lands went begging at
two dollars an acre, although the sun
never shown on better or more product
i've lands. To-day these same lands are
well populated, and readily sell at from
$40 to $50 per acre. Those who bought
at these low figures have become veal
thy with but little effort. The same
favorable conditions for investment ex-
list in South Dakota to day. only in a
more marked degree. and many who
nave reaped golden rewards from their
Iowa investments, are now benetitlng
themselves from their Iowa experience
by making similar investments in South
Dakota. The writer Of this is person
ally acquainted with many western
Iowa people who are selling their Iowa
lands to people from Illinois, Ohio and
other states further east. selling to peO-
pie who are afraid to cross the imag,n-
AIRY line into South Dakota. and every
dollar realized from those sales are re-
invested in South Dakota lands. procur-
ing about four acres of South Dakota
lands Of equally as good quality, for
each acre Of Iowa land sold. These
people have lived alongside of us for
years. and known that We have just as
good a country as theirs, and that our
lands ought. and with increase in our
population. will command equally as
good prices. Every indication points to
a large influx Of people, and a.corre-
spending advance in values, during the
coming season.
This is an exceptionally favorable
time for those who have been renting
these high-priced lands farther east, to
come here and secure homes Tor them'
selves. The amount pald out 10y them
as rental during three or tour years.
would buy equally as good lands here.
and who is there who would not eagerly
grasp the opportunity of securing a
home TOR th"ms" YES II they were aware
Of tM"Ir opportunity. Easy terms OF
payment car T." arranged NY those VINO
have not sufficient means 70 pay for a
farm. 50 all can take advantage OF the
prcsolt I"" prices OF lands here ana
they themselves help t. Inc:eas" the
value Of their purchase, ny removal
and Improvement Of thelr tdrm. 10
those who have funds for Investment.
no better on or safer Investment ever
presented itself.
hlIe the eastern portion OF South