Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1904-01-07
NORTH DAkoTA's GROWTH.

NORTH DAkoTA's GROWTH.
An Able Resume OF the Wonderful
Strides Made by the State in the
Past Twenty Years. @".
The following summary of the de-
Ielopment Of the State OF North Da-
kota b taken from paper read at a
meeting Of the Fortnightly club Of
Grand Forks by D. H. Beecher, presi-
lent Of the Union National bank -ot
Grand Forks, who has been a specta-
or Of and participant in the develop
nent of which he writes: ..
That North Dakota has made the
Itrides that it has, especially during
he past fifteen years, is surprise to
he careful observer of the growth OF
he country, but when we come to con-
tder the natural advantages we have,
ind the character of the people that
have toiled to bring about the results
obtained, it perhaps may not be so
surprising.
Our state gained in population be-
ween 1890 and 1900, 1862 or "a 7-10
per cent, and it is generally believed
hat we have gained in the past three
Years more than 100000 in population.
From 1890 to 1900, South Dakota
gained 72.762, or 21 ITO per cent. It
will be seen that North Dakota gained
f1most two in population where South
Dakota gained one. Fourteen counties
n~South Dakota lost in population be-
ween 1890 and 1900, while every
,cunty in North Dakota showed gain
n population all the way from 9,012 in
Cass county to 526 in Oliver county.
The counties that showed the largest
kains at the last census we're: Cass,
1912; Wells, 1908; Ward, $3.50; Rich
and, 6,136; Grand Forks, 6,102; Ben
ION, 5,851; Stark, 5,317, and Towner,
1861.
The last census awards us the homo
f being the wealthiest state in the
Onion and the largest income per cap
ia according to population.
The assessed valuation of real and
personal property for the year 1903
VAS $146,537,444, which would bring
he actual wealth of our state at the
present time to be over $450,000,000,
Ind yet there are no very rich men in
bur state. These figures do not take
nto consideration but small portion
If the vast Ignite coal deposits in the
Western half of the state. whose &C.
,ual extent and value is as yet impos.
nble to estimate.
Estimated value of farm products for
1903, $133, 100000; value of our dairy
Ind creamery industry in 1908 is So,
100000. North Dakota corn won Sec
Ind prize at the Pan-American exposi-
ion in competition with TIE great corn
,tates. One of the largest farmers III
aichland county was SO encouraged
with his corn-growing experience that
he planted 1900 acres in 1902. l have
taken particular pains to observe the
progress made in, growing corn, and
am convinced that as soon as oIr
farmers learn how to develop proper
seed (Which can be easily accom-
plished) we shall be recognized as he-
ing reasonably sure corn-growing
state.
Agricultural Products.
The value of agricultural products
Der capita in North Dakota is the high
est of any state in the Union, being e6
Der cent. South Dakota comes Sec
ond. We come in at the 80 at the av-
craze value of farms per farm in 1900,
which amount was SLIPS per farm.
ana We we'll know that since 1900 these
values have largely increased. We
are tenth in the size Of farms, the av-
erage being $40 acres per farm. South
Dakota comes in at 8 and Minnesota
IL. We are the twenty-tifth in the to-
tai of agricultural products, South Da-
kota twenty fourth and Minnesota
tenth. Estimated that in 1903 we were
fourteenth or better. We are fifth in
the average 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 dou'
bled again since that period. Our last |
census gives us the value of agricul-
tural products per capita in North Da-
kota, $40; South Dakota, SITS, and
Minnesota, $145. This, perhaps, is as
strong an index as we have of the real
earning power of North Dakota farms. |
Our earning power is still stronger
emphasized when it may be remem'
bered that the size of the North Da- /
kota family is much above the average.
In the total value of Agricultural prod
ucts in 1900 North Dakota was ss45.
Minnesota $240, South Da:ota $210 and
Iowa $245, the same as North Dakota.
The average value of farm products
per farm for North Dakota is S1,450. |
North Dakota comes tenth in percent.
sse of population engaged in agricul-