The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-01-03
SOUTH DAKOTA
PROGRESS OF THE STATE
The Years Production Of New Wealth
Amounted ia $40 e4e 600.

The Years Production of New Wealth
Amounted to SIZE, e4e, 900.
ABERDEEN, s. Din his review of
the progress of the state for 1902, Secre-
tary Doane Robinson of the State His
torical society says the most striking fea-
ture has been the phenomenal demand for
real estate. From careful approximations
he estimates the total land transfers to
aggregate 100000 acres, involving $780,
100000. One year ago he appropriated
the population at 100000 but from extern
sive inquiry he now thinks that figure
was somewhat too high, 100000 being
more nearly correct, and at this date he
believes, from many evidences that the
states population has reached the half
million mark: The counties east of the
James river have all made some gain in
their farm. population, and there has been
a marked influx of homesteaders upon the
reservation lands west of the Missouri.
Next to the real estate movement, the
characteristic feature Of the year has been
the prevalence of new building in every
section. The building Of homes has been
a prominent feature. 49,.
Wells and Railroads. '.
On Jan. /, 1902, Professor J. e. Todd
the state geologist, reported 1900 arte-
sian wells flowing in South Dakota. Since
that date no fewer than 800 additional
wells have been sunk. The new wells are
chiefly Of small bore, one and onehalf
to two inches, affording plenty Of water
for all ordinary farm purposes and for
driving light machinery. The artesian
territory has also been extended, that is,
wells have been procured in sections for
merly supposed to be underlaid with gran
! lite, which would preclude the possibility
Of reaching the water strata.
4 There has been but little new railroad
building. A branch Of the Fremont, Elk
horn & Mississippi Valley, North West
ern line, has been extended into Gregory
county, terminating at Bonesteel. and af-
fording access to the reservation lands
which are attracting wide attention. The
Milwaukee has extended its line from Eu
reka north across the state line to con-
meet with the Northern Pacific at Lin.
ton, in North Dakota, and some short ex-
tensions in the Black Hills, by which the
standard roads obtain access to Lead City
comprise the sum of this years construc.
ton. s. .-- --..-- 81 - . -F- ..s
Is States Wealth.
The assessment for the year does no,
do justice to the state. nor in any way
I Indicate the growth Of values. For the
two previous years particular effort hae
been made to secure a compliance witt
the statute which requires property to b'
listed at its true value, and though III
substantial compliance was secured, still
the agitation resulted in higher stand
ara, out LnlS year tnefe Was Ao dSltaIiou
and the assessor dropped back to the oil
method of listing at about one-third o
the true value. However,, a gain Of 2
per cent is shown, and it may be safel:
assumed that the aggregate value Of. tn
Estates wealth is $3.50, O0c, 900. ...
The business of the people continue
upon a safe and prosperous basis, an
throughout the state all classes have live
we'll and usually saved something. If tn
bank deposits may be taken AS an indie
of popular conditions, the showing is su
perb The last call for a statement of tn
condition of national and private bank
: revealed deposits as follows:
National banks, Sept. .-..
Is, 1902 ........ SIC, $3.50, l71.OO
{ State and private
'''' Wv NV. --.~----- $50, 41e, s41. 1
:. National banks Octo-
l Der, 1901 ....... $S,11s, 277.35
han1.s net t1ani II 81 52s 81