The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-07-12
Many Have This Year Located
Fine Farms in Washington.
LAND SALES ARE INCREASED.


The present year. at its close. In the
several passenger departments OF
railroads doing business In Seattle.
will. II the present rate Is kept
up. show a remarkable increase Of
settlers throughout the agricultural dis
Uscts over any year since the railroad
land companies first began TO Sell farms
Ia this state The homeseekers excursions
this year have been more popular than
ever before. and while no authentic In
formation regarding the percentage OF set
tiers IL obsafnable. the land companies Of
the different roads expect an increase OF
over ~ per cent over any previous year.
These excursions are not yet ended and
promise TO bring many more agricultural
Investors TO Washington before the season
Il over. The rates will be in force uns:i
October next. after which they will close
Tor the year.
This year the rate for homeseekers has
boen exceptionally low. which In given as
Z reason for the increase IN travel. A bas-
Ing rate Of IS from 81. Paul. with the
local 10 common points added. for iirsi-
class ticket. and reduction Of SIS on sec
ond-ciass tickets. has been sufiicient In
ducement.
The Northern Pacific and Great North
ssn have brought the greater number here
from points IN the East. where cold ci-
mate and periodical severe winters. fol-
lowed by late springs. have forced the
farmer to seek q new location. During the
three months ia4t past the Northern Pa
cffc reports the sale Of railroad lands ag-
gregatins Sz.0D while the Great Northern
fooss up almost an equal amount At the
price railroad lands are now on the mar
kst. the number OF sstslery Ii easily
apparent.
The number Of land sales. I. IL EXPLAIN
ID. Ia not certain criterion. and
many persons who examine the state this
year and resolve 70 move are not able 10
do 70 for twelve months at least The
twenfy-one days allowed by all railroads
on round-trip tickets for persons intending
10 settle AFFORD ample opportunity for q
thorough investigation Of lands for sale,
and fair per cent. are taken by the nat
uraI advantages TO be obtained from farms
and ranches located m the valleys and on
the water coast. where severe treats and
hard winters arc unknown.
Tho people arriving here during the past
few months are mostly from states west
Of the Missouri. although many are re-
ported from Indiana. Ohio and Michigan
Immigration from Idaho IL n remarkable
thing noticed by railroad men. During the
past year Idaho has furnished more set
tiers Ia Washington and Oregon than any
other state In the Union. and most OF
these have purchased farms along tho line
doing business.
Al this season every year IL IL custom
Ary for a rumor 10 gain currency that the
Dunkards are about TO remove to Wash
tnxton and establish coiony. While as
yet this year no such Information h had
not more than two weeks ago representa-
i've OF this religious organization paid a
visit 70 Washington In the interests OF a
colony whose present home is In South
hsaf tfrto hN IS. tnI
colony. composed of i2.0u persons. was
Almost universally dissatisfied with the
cold winters In Dakota and was contem-
plating renewal 10 some other part OF the
United States. where the climate would
he less severe. Many OF the homes Of the
eoiontsis are located along the Great
Northern Mt the present time, but they
want 10 come farther West A tour was
made over the lines Of the O. r. N
and into Washington. where an extended
examination of the lands offered was made
On leaving here he informed the represen-
atives OF the railroad land companies that
he was more pleased with Washington
than any other state. and would make a
favorable report on establishing a colony
here.
In speaking of the matter yesterday. a
prominent railroad man said: They are
very desirable class OF people for such a
purpose. and l would NOT be surprised il
No should get several thousand Of them
N Washington. | understand that IL IL
nsir Intention 10 divide the colony which
mas grown % he large body into sew
egA parts. Some viii remain i'm Dakota
others so 10 more suitable places. and a
Gooa percentage come 10 Washington
There Will be no movement II, this dsrcc-
tsen for year at least. That they will
move West eventually. however. Is an as
sarei TACT"