Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1903-02-13
GREAT INFLUX OF SETTLERS.
Special Rates for Settlers in Effect Feb. IS
Minnesota, North Dakota and Can
ada Objective Points.

Grand Forks Herald: Several of
the travelling passenger agents Of
northwestern roads who were DISCUSS
ing business matters in the city few
days ago were agreed on the proposition
that the coming spring would witness
the heaviest immigration busines that
has ever been experienced in the north
west. This is a pretty broad state
ment, but the drift Of the converse.
tion was to the effect that the farmers
in Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri
and many of the other older states
we're possessed with the idea that the
lands in the northwest had started on
shoot upwards that would never
stop till their real value was reached.
One of the gentlemen who is thor
oughly conversant with the situation
said:
II .The farmers in the older states
have been watching the northwest
closely for many years past. Many
of them have come farther north, and
there, is scarcely a community but
what has sent its quota to some por-
tion of North Dakota, Northern Min
nesota, or over into Canada within
the past few years. AS a result they
are more conversant with the condi-
tions than ever before, and have come
to the conclusion that it is growing
more difficult at rapid rate to secure
good lands cheap in the northwest.
As long as the quantity was unlimit.
ed to all, purposes and intents, they
We're in no hurry, but now that there
seems to be an end to the amount Of
cheap land available, they are anxious
Ito get in the game this spring.
The result will be that every rail
/ road leading to the northwest viii
have all the business they can handle.
As matter of fact some of the road,
will not be able to muster rollins
stock to handle the business properly
The Great Northern for instance real
ICES even now that the business viii
be the biggest it has ever handled j,
the spring. Every state farther soutl
will send a big quota. and it is OK
pected that business will start earle,
i this spring than heretofore. Thous
ands Of people will head for Nortl
Dakota, Northern Minnesota ant
| Canada.
i "The substantial farmers of th,
older states as a rule look with mon
favor on North Dakota than tn,
Canadian lands that are being opened
mp. One reason is that it will b,
several years before the people Of tn,
new Canadian country can enjoy tn,
privileges that are available in Nortl
Dakota and Northern Minnesota
The country is undeveloped, and th,
advantages of churches and education
al privileges are restricted and will
be for several years to come. Thel
too the railroad facilities are mo-
good as here. and while the construc
tion Of new roads and branch lines i
being pushed, it will be some tim
before the railroad facilities are any
thing to compared with what are en-
joyed on this side Of the boundary.
In addition to the business in thi
section the cheap rates that will g,
into effect to the coast will attrac
thousands, and tax the capacity 0
the roads in that direction. To TAX
care Of this business the Great North
ern will put on another coast train t,
leave st Paul at 5 o'clock in the after
noon, and reach Grand Forks about .
O'Clock in the morning. This will b,
| as< Ia u