The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1903-05-09

Washb,lrn they knocked and said the
road would never be built. After it
was started, they said it would never
be built to Washburn. When they
saw it was surely coming they said
it would hurt the town, that other
towns would spring up and draw trade
from Washburn, and that the road
would be of no real benefit. ALL these
stories the people of WashblMn have
heard time and time again from the
knockers.
Well, the road came and with. it.,
business began to grow. Where be-
fore the building of the road there had
been thousands Upon thousands Of
acres OF vacant and uw1n'oductive land,
awaiting settlement, the road brought
settlers to locate upon the land.
Farmers from other states located in
the rich land belt around Wlshburn
and cultivated the soil. The price of
land began to advance as it was seen
that the land was as good as that in
Iowa and other easter. states. There
was an increased demand for mer-
chandise,, lumber, gr,oceries1 shoes,
and all manner of commodities. The
business of the merchants increased
and new merchants en- cred into busi.
ness Washburn began to grow as
never BEFORE until today it is one of
the ,healthi cities in the state with
as good prospets before it as any city
in the state.
Then the knockers began to shout
that the extension Of this and other
railroads would hurt Washburn. 1t
was the same old cry and will be con-
tinued until the extensions are built
and It is seen That the more towns
there are and the more people there
are, the none business there is for
all. The demand for business proper
~ Ia Washburn was never SO brisk as
1t Is now. The Wasllburn Townsite
company has sold many lots for busl-
ness pun but none Of them for
speculation. II has sold business lots
only onssone street with q view Of
building Up i hflie business street. IT
has unbo bodinded confidence In WASH
burn as have. .,all the men who have
invested their money here and gone
into business.
Now where is tho excuse for any
knocking? Absolutely none. There
was never a time when the prospects
of the town were as good as they are
now. New coal mines are to be
opened up by the Washburn extension.
This means a brioquetting plant In a
short time, employing hundreds OF
people. with Washburn and Mclean
county coal going to all parts OF the
country. New farming territory will
be opened, with Washburn as a
market for wheat and produce. With
it's steamboat facilities, and Wash
burn it must be remembered is now
the steamboat center along the upper
Missouri river. there is abundant trade
to come .llcre from the west side Of the
river, and fcr many miles along Its
length. Ferries and bridges will give
the l,crple of the west side Of the
river easy access to Wa7hburn.
No town in the state has made a
healthier gl' with in the past few
years than Washburn. No town has
better prospects today. Already 1t Is
furnishing coal, brick and other COM
modities to communities up and down
the river. It is the center OF fine
agricultural and stock raising section
When other towns are established It
will be jobbing center. There Is po
railroad extension in sight, nor will
there be for many years to come tha,
will injure Washburn. Those now In
contemplation will help the town and
add to Its growth and prosperity.
So there is NO room or time for
knockers in the Mclean county me-
tropolis. They are like the frogs, q
few of them can do great deal VI
cu,oaking. But like the frogs, their
croaking Injuries no body, although II