The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1905-05-19

What the Railroads Have Done For
South Dakota
Mn Sioux Falls, S. d., Nav 1.-THE rea
son the people of South Dakota have
a decidedly friendly feeling toward
the great railroads. to whose efforts
was largely due the present develop
ment Of the state, are not difficult to
find.
In addition to the liberal manner in
which the early settlers were treated
by the railroad corporations, notably
the Chicago, Milwaukee s. st. Paul
railroad and also the Chicago &
Northwestern railroad company, the
railroads since then have never failed
to respond to requests for such assist
ance as they could give to individuals
or localities.
AS has been the case with all new
countries. what is now the prosperous
and growing state of South Dakota
habits periods OF partial crop failures
and the resulting depression. The
transformation of a desert waste into
n OF the most productive states in
the union, was not accomplished with
out such discouragements as com to
the pioneers in any new region.
The vast area of non.productiye land
into which the new railroads were ex-
tended, and into which tens of thou
sands of homeseekers we're enabled to
swarm because of the low rates grant
ed them by the railroads, had been
swept for ages by billiards during the
winter and by prairie fires during the
spring, summer and fall months. To
take this land, where the rainfall was
meagre by reason of its non-cultiva-
tion, and transform it into the rich
agricultural region of the present day
was no small task.
During these trying years the rail-
road corporations, with the welfare of
the settlers and the residents of the
new towns closely at heart, did every.
thing within their power to tighten
their efforts, There came a period in
the early DAYS when successive crop
failures rendered the tasks of the
pioneers well-nigh hopeless. Ruin
was staring them squarely in the face.
The rainfall had been deficient for
two or three seasons. Their grain was
put into the ground IN hopes that the
long for and needed rain would come
at the right time to mature their
crops. But they we're compelled to
see their crops turn yellow and shrivel
up because the much needed ram did
not come. In addition to the failures
of their crops, many of the. pioneers
were also confronted with that grim
STANDARDIZATION.
During this discouraging period the
railroad corporations with lines in the
state were the firm and true friends
of the men who we're engaged III the
giants task of making the desert bios
som like the rose. There came a time
when the heart-slck and discouraged
pioneers were compelled to call upon
their more fortunate brethren in
other states for temporary aid in the
way of provisions and clothing. Here
again the great railroad corporations
stepped in to the assistance of the
pioneers, for they transported the pro-
visions and clothing free of charge, in
addition aided in distributing the con-
tributions among the people who were
most in need of them. Agents of the
railroads were untlring in their efforts
to ameliorate the condition of the
pioneers and their families.
Throughout that period of despai,
the railroads did everything possible
to aid the Dakota settlers and encour.
age them in continuing their farming
operations, confident that things
would change and that their efforts
ultimately would met with success.
Following the drought years, 1t wa!
like rebuilding South Dakota all owe
again. In this work the railroads once
more materially aided. Thousands O.
farmers were without seed grain, ant
without this could, of course, do moth
ing. The railroads lost no time il
coming to their rescue. Seed grair
was secured In the older states ant
carried free by the railroads to thu
farmers of what is now South Dakota
The farmers, thus substantially en-
couraged, took hold of their worl
with renewed courage, and Thousand!
of those who in those trying day!
scarcely knew where the next meal TO.
themselves and families was coming
from, are now numbered among tn,
wealthiest residents of South Dakota
Had an inflexible railroad rate, sucl
as is now proposed in some quarters