Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1904-01-21
THE TWO pAKorAs.

years more than 100000 in population.
From 1890 to 1900 South Dakota gained
72,762 or % ITO per cent. 1t will be
seen that North Dakota gained almost
two in population where South Dakota
gained one. Fourteen counties in South
Dakota lost in population between 1890
and 1900, while every county in North
Dakota showed gain in population all
the way from 9,Ol2 in Cass county to
526 in Oliver county. The counties that
showed the greatest gains at the last
census were: Cass, 9,O12; Wells, zoos;
Ward. $3.50: Richland, 6,l36; Barnes,
6,115: Cavalier, 6,109: Grand Forks,
6,1o2: Benson, 5,317; Towner, 5,05l.
The last census awards US the honor
of being the wealthiest state in the
union and the largest income per capita
according to population.
The assessed valuation of real and
personal property for the year 1902 was
s146.5377. 444. which would bring the &C
tual wealth of our state at the present
time to be over s45O,OOO,CO0, and yet
there are no very rich men in our state.
These figures do not take toconsidcra-
ton but Il small portion of the vast lig-
mite deposits in the western half of the
state. whose actual extent and value it is
as yet impossible to estimate.
Estimated value OF farm products,
1908. S132.CCOWO: value of our dairy
and creamery industry in 1903 is 1892
100000. North Dakota corn Won second
prize at the Pan American exposition in
competing with the great corn states.
The value of agricultural products
per capita in North Dakota is the high
est of any state in the Union. being &C
per cent. South Dakota comes second.
We come in at 30 in the average value
of farms per farm in 1900. which amount
was 81, 125 per farm. and we we'll know
that since 1900 these values have been
very largely increased. We are tenth in
size of farms, the average being $40 acres
per farm. We are twenty-tifth in the
total of agricultural products. Estima-
ted that in 1903 we are fourteenth or
better. We are fifth in the percentage
of farmers who own their own farms.
Seven states have less money invested
in manufactures than we. The value of
our manufactured products doubled from
1890 to 1900 and it is estimated that
they have doubled again since that period
Our last census gives us the value per
capita of agricultural products in North
Dakota 500. South Dakota $40 and
Minnesota $40. This perhaps is as
strong an index as we have of the real
earning power of our North Dakota
farms. In the total value of agricultural
and manufactured products in 1900
North Dakota was $40. Minnesota $40.
same as North Dakota. The average
value of farm products per farm for
North Dakota is $3.50 North Dakota
comes tenth in percentage of population
engaged in agriculture. South Dakota
twelfth and Minnesota twenty fifth.
These facts may be sufficient to show
where we are as to the earning power of
our lands compared with our central
western agricultural states and with
these fact, before us. it is not surprising
that remarkable growth during the past
few years has been made in our state.
\ pleasing feature of our recent growth
Is the character of the people that came
here to make their home. being very
large percentage of not only thoro far
mers with considerable capital. but good
talent along commercial and professional
lines. 1t was not so very many years
ago that the idea very generally prevail
ed thru eastern communities that most
any kind of professional man who was
the owner of a diploma could come to
North Dakota and rise like rocket. |
little thinking that the professional
and business talent of this state is made |
up of as good material and as well train
ed as in the greater portion of the east.
Railroad facilities are unexcelled in
any state of its population and state of |
development. Nine different lines in |
1899 had combined mileage of 1858
miles. In 1902 the mileage had increased
to 2.938 and at the present time it is
said to be :5.48O miles The farmers are
even building railroads. The general
manager of the famous Farmers road
north of Devils Lake, twenty six miles
in length, states that even though it
was built under the most unfavor-
able conditions, yet it was paying hand
somely on the actual investment and its
business was constantly increasing. In
1886 North Dakota had 1913 miles of road
for every 10000 population. South Oak
ota " miles for every 10000 population
and Minnesota AZ miles for each 10000
population which shows that our state
has decided advantages in railway facil-