The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1905-02-17
A GREAT YEAR IN 1904


The progress OF South Dakota for
tie past year is recorded in an inter
view-the fourth annual-compilrd
hy Dome Robinson, secretary of the
State Historical Society. The record
shows that South Dakotlis still 20
ing ahead caster than any other
state in the union, rclltively. The
marvellous progress ot tHis state has
been the pride of its citizens and
the admiration of outsiders as the
story OF each year mas been told. and
Mr.. Robinsons report as a whole is
license for South Dakota people to
continue to feel proud. For several
years the state has held the some
what remarkable record of producing
more wealth per capita than any
other in the union, and the achieve
ment was repeated during the past
year.
The two unique events of. the year,
the report declares, were the open
ing Of the Rosebud reservation ana
the great campaign for the location
of the capital. 1t is recorded that
the registration books for the Rose
bud drawing were opened July 5 and
closed July %, and that the registra-
tion was 106. 296 for 2,4OO homesteads
of 100 acres each. The vote on the
capital question is given by counties,
and the totals are stated at 81, 500 for
Pierre and 40, 900 for Mitchell. giving
Pierre u majority of 1920.
MI. Robinson figures the popula-
tion OF the state on Iune !, 1904. at
459, 944. He reaches this result by
using the ratio which existed in
1900 between the school population
and the total population of the state.
Minnehalla is credited with the
largest population, , .3lS. while Law.
renee is next with 20, 939. AS here
tofore Sioux Falls leads all the cities,
being credited with a population OF
2,ll4. while Lead is second with
1880 and Aberdeen third with $685..
The assessed valuation of the state
for 1904 was s2l3, 554, 322, which is
a gain OF 81, POP, 500, Or LISP per cent
over 1903. The bonded debt of The
state is found to be almost wiped out
All of 1T has been paid except
$279. 900 in bonds which are not yet
due, ''hut che cash in the sinking
fund and the present levy more than
provide the means of full payments.
lf the bond holders can be induced
to accept such payment, it is Likely
that the treasurer Will arrange lo1
their premature redemption, thus
leaving south Dakota without a
bonded debt
HE citizens OF the state find them
selves IN a condition of continued
b osptrItg. On September sth Inst.
deposits in the banks of the state
Amounted to $40, .S4, S92, which mean
a per capita of deposits of S6G. "A.
The total production of new wealth
during 1904 is estimated at SIG, 192,
tnU, WHICH is an llcraeSp OF Slg2. 40.
000 over 1903. lit is found that dur
inc the year lust ending the per cap.
ita production OF wealth amounted
to 1858. 90, which puts South Dakota
once more at the head of all the
other states in the union for per cap.
tia production of wealth. a position
which she has now held for four sue
~cessive years.
The report discusses the growth Of
the wholesale business, the prospect
OF the development of mining in the
state. educational and religious de.
velopment. and the conclusion i.
reached that the new year finds thu
state surrounded by an abundance
their reserve treasury undepleted
and their homes filled with comfol'
and THANKSGIVING. They are PROUD
of the states history and exceeding
ly hopeful for her FUTURE