The Minneapolis journal., 1903-09-17
A MEXICAN COLONY
What Ex-senator Pettigrew and
Others Are Planning to Do
for the Beers.
Corporation Capitalized at a Million
to Provide Homes in Old
Mexico.
anaoial to Tho Journal.


Sioux Falls. S. D., Sept. 17.-What is
destined to be one Of the greatest coloni-
zation companies In existence has been
organized with headquarters at Sioux
Falls. one OF it's principal objects being
to provide homes In America for those
Of the South African Beers who do not
desire to remain in the Transvaal under
British rule. The company has purchased
a large and valuable tract of land in
northern Mexico on the gulf coast and will
commence active operations at once.
Tx Senator r. F. Pettigrew is one of
the ruling spirits of the company,
and from him 1t is learned that
the tract of land owned by the COM
pany comprises 900 acres in the state
of Tamaulipas. in the republic of Mexico.
1t Is agricultural land except 100000 acres
Of hard wood forest. 1t is In the same
latitude as Palm Beach, Florida, but has
q cooler summer climate. The winters
are delightful and the country is health
ful all the year round
Corporation Formed.
For the purpose of handling this tract
. corporation has been organized under
the laws of South Dakota. The corpora
ton will be known as the "Boer Colonial
tion and Improvement Company of Mexi-
CO." and is capitalized at $1,O00,O00. A
contract has been made with General
Joubert, General Bresser, General O'Don-
nell and other prominent Boer officers,
by which they purchase 100000 acres of
the tract and bind themselves to locate
200 or more families on the purchase with
In the year.
General Joubert, who spent the month
Of June on the property, says that 1t
is all very fertile and will produce two
fine crops Of Indian corn year without
irrigation. The land will also produce all
kinds Of semi-tropical fruits such as
lemons, oranges, etc. All Of the tract
which Is not forest Is covered with very
fine growth Of sweet and luxurious grass
There are no swamps and no fever OF
malaria, and the whole tract is capable
of supporting a very dense population.
Railway In Prospect.
The tract Is $50 miles south of the Texas
line on the Gulf of Mexico, and on its
coast Is one Of the best harbors in the
republic. A railroad is being surveyed
to run thru the tract from Tampieo
Mexico. to Brownsville, Texas. Wher
this line Is completed it. will shorten the
distance from New Orleans to the City
Of Mexico more than 800 miles.
The tncorporators are ex-senator r. F
Pettigrew of Sioux Falls, s. D.: ex.
Senator Marion Butler of Elliott, N. c.
G. D. Joubert of the City of Mexico
who commanded one of the divisions ir
DeWet's army In South Africa; R. J
Bright OF Washington, D. c.; G. H. Fay
Of New York city, and H. w. Sawyer
E. P. Beebe, F. s. Pettigrew and Arthur
l.. Pettigrew Of Sioux Falls. The pripci
pal office will be In Sioux Falls.
The articles Of incorporation set fortl
that the object Of the company Is t,
improve and develop 100000 acres Of lant
IN the state Of Tamaulipas, Mexico; t.
assist colonists to locate thereon; to bu,
and sell real estate; to construct canals
reservoirs and dams for water power; tt
construct saw mills and to cut and shil
lumber and to develop the mineral re
sources Of the country. .w'
c.t5. Varied Resources. ,ets-.a..
The timber in the forests consists o
mahogany, Spanish oak, hickory, ebon,
and dyewoods. The rivers running thr,
the tract to the coast are navigable tt
the forests for large sea going craft ant
there is In the smaller streams an abun
dance Of accessible water power. TIL,
company reserves all the timber land
which Mr.. Pettigrew says is undertake
with one OF the greatest petroleum de
posits In Mexico, and It Is the purpose t,
develop these oil fields.
The Mexican government has locke,
with favor from the first upon this en-
terprtse. and has granted liberal conces
sions Among these Is exemption from al
taxation of the property OF the compan,
and Of the Beers for ten years and from
both import and export duties for ;sh
same period. ~ NJ
The colony besides offering hom
for the Beers affords opportunities 70
young men from this country and unde
the direction Of the able incorporation
will without doubt become an importan
settlement and center of industry.