Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1901-03-12
WESTWARD HOTTIE CRY
Homeseekers Rates on Western Rail-
roads Being Largely Taken +,
Advantage of.

St. Paul, March 12-During the three
weeks this season that reduced colonist
rates have been in effect, the tide of
Immigration into the northwest has
touched point above high water mark
for the same period in more recent years.
And its volume is increasing. The
coming week gives every indication
of developing tremendous movement.
Officials who know thoroughly the ter
ritory that is being drawn from are ad-
vised that the work of their agents and
their literature has acted as powerful
leaven, and the cry is westward"
Strange as it may appear, the move
ment from the southwest, embracing
Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas, continues
to swell the business. So pronounced is
this that strong pressure, is under
stood to have been brought to bear on
the Great Western to induce it to with
draw its published $25 colopist rate from
Kansas City to north coast points through
this gateway. The lines of that terri
tory do not relish the sight of we'll to do
homeseekers moving away to other states
Of the union.
AS the weather grows warmer the
railroads look for greater business of
this character. Many who take their
families with them to spy out new
home in strange section of the country
hesitate to make the move until assured
that no biting cold snaps will overtake
them before they are located. Nearly all
take young children and the trip is a
trying one even when climatic conditions
are favorable. AS rule the children
are hardy specimens, however, and with
stand the rigors OF the journey as we'll as
the parents.
1t would be difficult to estimate the
full number of colonists who have gone
through the twin cities during the past
three weeks. The roads are unable to
tell accurately until after the business
has been checked up, and only estimates
can be given. All concede, however,
that it is in the thousands. They have
scattered themselves along the three
great coast lines, but the greater number
went through to the coast states. They
made trip on through colonist tickets
and figured that as therates allowed them
to 20 through to Washington, Oregon,
British Columbia and surrounding terri
tory it was well to take the trip.
Certain western cities sent agents to
the twin cities last week to meet and
greet prospective settlers and point
out to them the particular advantages of
the country surrounding the towns in
question. In years gone by the same
idea was followed by Seattle with profit.
Spokane business interests have shown
great ardor in this direction of late and
not without results.
The business is being well divided.
The Northern Pacific is generally con-
ceded to have handled more than anv
one other line up to this SINE. The
Great Northern presses the former for
honors, however. The number of home
seekers who show an affection for Cana.
dian soil is surprising, and 500 officials
are thoroughly pleased with the extent
their traffic. or the lines in the Chica
60 territory the Omaha is more inter-
ested in retaining settlers than others
on account of the vast sections of un-
titled soil offered in northern Wisconsin
and that road has carried a great many
up there. Its land sales SO far this
season are away ahead of last year.
Late this month it is understood that
the influx of settlers to comparatively
local points will be heavy. The recent
sale by the Northern Pacific of all its
holdings east of the Missouri river to
syndicate of capitalists was officially
closed last week when the contracts
were signed. This land will now be
doomed. 1t will be rendered to settlers
at low rates, and being Of an exception
ally rich nature there is good reason to
assume that sales will be speedy.