The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1898-07-14
Western Land Agent Cooper Tells
What His COMPANY Has Done.
MANY WASHINGTON SETTLERS
The Yakima Country Reeves a Share OF the
Substantial and Influential Set
tiers for Sunnyside-What 1t
viii Lead to.

the western land agent OF the Northern
Pacific, gave some facts and figures that
will prove interesting to our readers,
many of whom while they realize the
country is filling up with settlers, will be
surprised to learn the rapidty with which
the lands of the west and especially W ash
iDgton are being bought up. The bust
ness in the district under Mr.. Cooper's
charge, comprising the states of Wash.
ington. Oregon and Idaho. for the fiscal
year which ended on June 80, is the larg
est in the history of the company.
The number of acres sold during the
year Just. ended was 6l6,679. In the six
previous fiscal years the number of acres
sold makes total of only sos, 10 acres.
Mr.. Cooper says:
''ln the year just ended there was sold
l0S, $50 acres more than all of the six pre-
vious years together. The largest mum.
Der of acres ever sold in any one year pre-
viously was in the fiscal year ending IN
June 30, 1889, amounting to AS 500 acres.
This was during the boom period and
most of the purchases were by specula
tors, who subsequently allowed their con-
tracts to lapse, so that no one was beue.
flied.
"No lands are now being purch ased for
speculation. Every acre of agricultural
land will be put under cultivation imme-
distely, Grazing lands are being purchas-
ed in large quantities by stock men who
will fence the same, thus conserving the
grass and increasing the stock carrying
capacity OF the range"
Continuing, Mr.. Cooper said: "Of the
total area sold over 100000 acres were in
Washington, the balance in Oregon and
Idaho. There can be no better evidence
OF the material development OF the state
than the business of the Northern Pacific
land department, and the figures given
above are conclusive that the state is
making more rapid progress in the de-
velopment OF it's natural resources than
ever before in it's history.
There is q steady volume OF immigra-
ton into the state, and generally of
class that have sufficient means to get a
good start, and who will make excellent
citizens"
Mr.. Cooper has just received report
from General Manager Granger, of the
Yakima Investment Company, in refer
ence to party of prominent Dunksrds
who have been investigating the lands
under the Sunnyside canal in Yakima
valley. The party referred to came from
the east about ten days ago and included
Elder Joseph Stitzel OF Lanark, Ill. d.
M. Pike of Carleton, Neb. ; H. NJ. Lichty,
president of the Citizens State Bank OF
Carleton, Neb.; Edward S. Hade, su-
perintendent OF schools, Lansrk, Ill.
Prof. A. l.. Spreckler of the Lanark High
school; John Shelter of Lanark; J. w.
Miller and &. w. Lawrence of Waterloo,
Iowa, They are all prominent men and
leaders in their different communities
They spent several days in the Yakima
valley and made extensive purchases,
which is positive proof that they found
the conditions satisfactory.
THE significant feature of the visit
and purchase by these parties" Mr..
Cooper said, "is that they have been for
two years past examining different To-
calities in California, Colorado and Texas,
seeking for a location for a colony of their
people. Through the efforts OF the land
department of the Northern Pacific they
were induced to visit the Yakima valley
with the result stated"
The lands selected are a short distance
east of the town of Sunnyside, and the
purpose is to torn a strong colony in that
vicinity. Another party is now being
formed in the east and will probably
reach this state some time during the
month of August. 1t is so well known
that 1t is hardly necessary to repeat, that
the Dunkards are splendid citizens, be-
ing thrifty, industrious and lswabiding.
Commenting editorslly upon the above
facts, the Ledger said: THE location of
a colony OF Dunkards in the Yakima dis
trict would in itself be cause for con-
graduation, for it promises a thrifty and
prosperous community, who will make
several blades of grass and other things
grow where none grew before. When
this selection of home is made after
two years careful investigation from Col
orado to Texas, it shows the superior at