The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1900-03-30

SlOU,UOO. Inc SC0OOl U1SCf1cC meets
on the call of not less than five
citizens, six days notice being given in
writing by posting four notices in pub
lie places, one on the. school house
door; and by personal notice on not
less than three-fourths Of the citizens
as to the object of the meeting, with
SIX days notice. If the farmers ap-
prove Of borrowing the money, they
say so by ballot. At the same time
they levy tax on the district to pay
the principal and interest. The ap-
plication is forwarded to the commits
siOners; and, if regular, loan papers are
filed with the secretary of state. Each
year that official notifies the county
clerk, and he in turn notifies the clerk
of the town; the installment of princi-
pie and interest is collected from the
district along with other taxes and
thus the money loaned to build the
school house eventually gets back into
the school fund. The school house is
built, the debt is paid, and the money
is ready to be loaned to some other
district.
Paying Interest After Thirty Years.
In addition to the something like l.
100000 acres which came to the state
by getting every section No. 16, the
government added 100000 acres for
school uses. and the university lands
and agricultural tract and other addi-
tons have enriched the states hold
ings. Of course, these lands have been
largely sold off during the intervening
years. At this time some are still be-
ing sold on contract to settlers who
pay about one-fourth down and enjoy
almost an indefinite time to pay the
balance, provided they keep up inter
est to the state and pay taxes. Some
of these settlers, after thirty years,
are still paying interest to the state.
AS, however, the constitutional rate is
per cent. most Of them who have not
paid for their farms in full have Dor
rowed the money elsewhere at a lower
rate and wound up business with the
state. If the settler does not keep up
his interest payments the land is sold
as forfeit by the state, but the settler
has six months after that time to re-
deem his property If he can pay the
charges.
Thad Pounds State Park Dream.
The last Legislature took out Of the
market all of the state lands except
what is known as the state park in
Iron and Villas counties. Up there were
some $4,000 acres. valued at $346 00O
Congressman Thad Pound had a splen-
did idea of adding to this federal land
in those counties for a state park,
where forestry could be cultivated,
where the deer could bound unmOlest-
ed and the trout beat the shimmering
pool into a frenzy with his little tail.
But this really noble plan fell through.
Since the last legislature some of this
land has been sold for $93 900 to lum-
bermen and persons who would pitch
a restful tent, bearing the inscriptions:
"No ImprOvin' Convursashun Allowed
Hear" There are lands still for sale
in these counties, and you can get
book Of description from the land de-
partment with notes as to the timber it
bears, the nature of soil and the price.
One tract Of forty acres. is appraised
at $10O-$2.50 an acre. Another forty
is listed at $500, and still another for
81, 100. This means that there is pine
on such a choice tract.
When Millions Came.
In the early days these millions of
acres Of choice pine lands were on the
market Any one could buy them, oft
en- for $1.25 an acre. AS a matter of
fact here was the origin Of a number
of the millionaire estates and fortunes
which give rise to SO much envy on
the part of good people and to so much
political success. The records show
that the great bulk of this pine land.
(some Of the quarters lately yielding
ST, 900 and $8,0OO0 went to a surpris-
ingly few individuals. In this was
nothing dishonest. They were on the
ground and they had the ready money.
The state, however, was of course
very remiss. The university was es-
pecially sadly robbed Of what might
now be a princely inheritance. It's
lands were sold for a song. The hui
initiating part is that to a cOnsidera-
BILE extent they were sold to Cornell
university, in the effete but shrewd
east; and that big school is now roll
ing in the wealth that President Ad-
ans might have to build schools of
college of poetry, which Professor
Henry has set his heart upon.
How To he Pioneer and "Grow Up"
If one wishes to buy Uncle Sans
land in Wisconsin he usually takes it
out under the homestead act, pays his
fees, which are something less than
$15, and by living on the land and
making the necessary improvements
he gets title in five years. He secures
from one of the three federal land Of
ficers a diagram of the vacant lands
in the township where he would live.
Then he visits the spot with a survey
or who runs out the lines; he builds
his cabin and clears out the under
brush. or, perhaps cuts the trees on his
little empire, and is happy. At least,
he may be if he is content with small
things.
AS a matter of fact clearing land in
northern Wisconsin means Oftimes a
lifetime of hard work and is said to
bend the back and whiten the hair Of
many man who undertakes it. How
ever. his children have cleared farm
to show for his enterprise.
Only e6oe. Geo in Lands Left.
A recent annual report indicates that
the unsold lands land hence unproduc
tive to the state) are worth about half
a million dollars In other words, this
orange is about sucked dry.
4el@ e1 10