Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1903-01-15
PROGRESS OF THE STATE.
The Years Output Of New Wealth
Amounted to S119,9 GAG, 900.

~SSg - kA~ SAoNO L1lSAOl llul oONlCbyR
says the most striking feature has.
been the phenomenal demand for real
estate. From careful approximations
he estimates the total land transfers
to aggregate S,700, 900 acres, Involving
$3O,000,000. One year ago he approx
mated the population at 500, 900, and,
from extensive inquiry. he now thinks
that figure was somewhat too high,
100000 being more nearly correct, and
at this date he believes, from many ev-
tdences, thatythe states population has
reached the 500, 900 mark. The coun-
ties east OF the James river have all
made some gain In their farm popula-
ton, and there has been a marked, IN.
fiux of honnesteaders upon the recer-
walton lands west of the Missouri,
Next to the real estate movement.
the characteristic feature of the year
has been the prevalence of new build
ing in every section. The building OF
homes has been a prominent feature.
Wells and Railroads.
On. Jan. l, 1902, Prof. j. e. Todd, the
state geologist, reported 1900 ~artesian
wells flowing in South Dakota. Since
that date no fewer than 800 additional
wells nave been sunk. The new wells
are chiefly of small bore-one and a
half and two inches-affording plenty
|, of water for all farm purposes and for
driving light machinery. The artesian
territory has also been extended, that
is, wells. have beer procured in Sec
tions formerly supposed to be under
laid with granite, which would pre-
clude the possibility Of reaching tle
water strata.
There has been but little new rail-
road building. A branch OF the FIRE.
mont, Elkhorn & Mississippi Valley, a
Northwestern line, has been extended
into Gregory county, terminating at
Bonesteel, and affording access TO the
reservation lands, which are attracting
wide attention. The Milwaukee has
extended it's line from Eureka north
across the state line, to connect with
the Northern Pacific at Linton, North
Dakota, and some short extensions in
the Black Hills, by which the standard
roads obtain access to Lead City, COM
prise the run of this years construc-
ton.
The States Wealth.
The assessment for the year does
not do justice to the state, nor in any
way indicate the growth of values. For
the two previous years particular eff
fort had been made to secure a compli-
ance with the statute which requires
property to be listed at its true value,
and though no substantial compliance
was secured, still the agitation re-
suited in a higher standard; but this
year there was no agitation. and the
assessor dropped back to the old meth
cd at listing 1t at about one-third of
the true value. However, a gain OF q
per cent is shown, and 1t may be safely
assumed that the aggregate value OF
the states wealth is $500, 000, 900.
The business OF the people continues
upon q safe and prosperous basis, and
throughout the state all classes have
lived well and usually saved some-
thing. III the bank deposits may be
taken as an index of popular condi-
lions, the showing is superb. The last
call for a showing of the condition OF
national and private banks revealed
deposits as follows:
There were deposits In national
banks, Sept. Is, 1902. $10.S99,177.
In state and private banks, Oct. Z,
1902, $19,517, 165.
A total of $~30,416,341
In national banks, October. 1901,
$8,118,277.
In state and private banks. October,
1907, stt33Ss:
a total of $19,431, sos.
5np-4.s an Increase for the year OF
$40, 94S,5 |.
AT the days of these calls the banks
had combined resources a~ggregating
$40,601.1 ITO.
Most Valuable Industry.
Dairying continues to increase In
Importance and is destined to become
tne leading industry of South Dakota.
The assessment for the present year
accounts for 541,734 cows. but this fg.
ure is manifestly too small. The as
sessment of 1900 gave 0,7sa cows,
but the federal census, taken at the
same time, gave $50, $50, or 81 per cent
more COWS than were returned to the
assessor. Applying the same ratio
and adding the 81 per cent to the as
sessmeDt OF this year, makes the total
number OF cows in the state 709 ,691.
The total value OF the dairy product Is
figured at $6,579, 923.7 6. Only about
one-half OF the creameries reported to
the dairy commissioner-8S out OF 153.
These SO reported the payment to their
patrons, net, 81, 294, 503.30.
Live stock continues to be by far the
most valuable industry of the state.
The census of 1900 placed the value at
$64, 000, 900. On the basis of the as.
sessment the increase since that time
has been 26 per cent, and the average
price this year Is Ii per cent higher
than In 1900. Mr.. Robinson, therefore,
places the investment In the industry
at this time at $S8,510,000. and the
product this year from growth, In.
creased price and sales at $31, 219 900.
Summary Of Productions.
The following figures Of the value OF
the years productions are conserva-
tive and approximately correct:
Bushels, Value.
Wheat 49,. 46,2 58.Oo0 $26. 239, 900
Corn (frosted) 100000 $500, 900
Oats ......... 24,500,000 5000, 600
Barley ....... 9,000,000 3.600.0 900
Flax ......... 10000 0 1000. 900
Rye ........ l,000,UOO 40D,0OO
Live stock -. ......... c1,20s.0Oo
Dairy and
Q creamery .s..-.... 6,579,000
EoQs and