Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1904-12-09
THE ENLARGED HON ESTEAD.
Fall River County Sentiment Practically y
Unanimous for the Measure.


The petitions that we're circulated
from the various postotfices in Fall
River county asking congress to extend
the provisions of the kinkaid law to
this portion of South Dakota, we're
signed by practically every one who
saw them. We believe there was but
one person who refused to sign the Pc
tition that was circulated at Hot
Springs and he was against land own
ing on general principles. 1t may
therefore be safely stated that Fall
River county is almost unanimous in
favor of the G4O acre homestead law.
1t has remained for one lonely fell
low, living somewhere oyer in the Bad
Lands we imagine, to take up the cud-
gel against the measure and in COM
munication to the Sioux Falls Press,
signed 'Farmer," he berates Congress-
man Martin and blames him for having
the petitions circulated. We positively
know that Mr.. Martin had nothing to
do with the circulation of these petit
tions, but if he had that is not to his
discredit in the least. What better
method could be adopted for getting
the sentiment of the people upon that
question? But it is not surprising
that one person has been found who is
opposed to this measure. Some peo-
pie seem to be SO constituted that they
rs
pie in Pierre voted against their own
town for capital, so also did some
Mitchell people vote against Mitchell.
There can be no reasonable objection
advanced against that law being APP
piled to the western half of South Da-
kota. The conditions are the same
here, and in fact worse, than in west
ern Nebraska. Residents of this part
of the state who have resided here up
wards of twenty years know that every
rancher must have more than l6O acres
in order to make u livelihood. The
earlier settlers of the west, where the
land was valuable-land that now sells
for $50 an acre in eastern Dakota
conld acquire $50 acres through the
preemption, homestead and timber
culture acts, and they really did not
require SO much of that character of
land to make a living, but now with
only the arid lands left, where only
have been curtailed until man can
only acquire 100 acres, which is INSULT.
cient to feed but small bunch of cat
tile, and in the interest of the home
it is most essential that he have more
than 100 acres or leave the country.
Such becomes a pitiable fact just as
rapidly as the range becomes fenced
away from the rancher
1t is estimated that there are 10000
desirable homestead sections west of
the river, and under this law they
would doubtless be settled upon within
six months, which with five to a family
would give our state an immediate in
crease of population of 100000 people,
end within seven years would put this
land on the tax list, to say nothing of
the immediate increase of personal
property taxes, which is certainly
very desirable condition for a citizen
of South Dakota. Fall River county
would derive great benefits from this
law, as it would eventually place most
of the real estate upon the tax list,
thereby increasing the revenue as vel
as reducing the individual taxes.
But the greatest of all to the indi-
viduals would be the assurance that
each might acquire sufficient range of
his own to run a bunch of stock with.
out fear of someday being driven out
of business entirely by the possibility
of the government leasing the land to
larger stockmen.
These are some of the arguments
advanced in this locality and it is hoped
the senators and congressman from
South Dakota will actively take hold
of the proposition and secure the
passage of the law so as to include
South Dakota with Nebraska.
Souvenir postal cards at Fargo's.
The Fair always has the best stock
of Holiday goods.
Call at Fargo's for Malaga Grapes,
new California Figs and Heinz's Mince.
meat
Many 10 cent articles on our bargain
counter. The Hunter Co.
The Baptist Ladies' Aid Society will
serve Nmas dinner and supper on
Dec 81. Fuller announcements later.
A s65 Gasoline Range in good order
for $40, at Richer's.
Louisiana Purchase Exposition.
The Northwestern offers the follow
ing rates to st. Louis: