Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1905-07-14
WESTERN CANADA.
Free Homes for Millions in the Best
Agricultural Country in the
World.

There are to-day millions Of people
in the countries of Europe and the
United States of America who are liv-
ing on small worn-Out farms, and even
farms that are productive and valu-
able in so far as market prices are con.
cerned, and millions more without
properties altogether, but who would
use them to advantage if they had
them, for whom the Canadian North
west offers inducements that can hard
ly be reasonably estimated. That coun-
try has in the aggregate an area of
1856, 100000 acres, and as not more than
100000 farmers are on it to the pres
ent, unprecedently rapid as has been
the settlement, the homes that still
await the settlers are up in the mil
lions.
AS the entire country is inland Who'll
ly without water communication with
the outside world, the nearest point
of connection being Port Arthur, at
the head of Lake Superior, 450 miles
distant, it can be readily understood
that no matter how fertile It's soil or
favorable its climatic conditions for
of lack of ingress and egress, was out
of the question until rail communica-
ton was fully established.
1t was not until 1880 that a railway
tapped the country; then with a popu-
lation that could Nave been easily num-
bered on four figures, and now, mark
the change, a population of 100000, a
city of 100000 people, and an annual
production of over $60,OO0,OOO worth of
agricultural merchandise, and an ex-
port of over $50,00O,O 900. These figures
most eloquently show that the country
has long since outgrown everything in
the shape of prejudice against it, and
is long distance on the road to un-
limited advancement and uniform
prosperity.
1t was, of course, to have been eX-
pected that as Manitoba was created a
province in 1870, and given full
provincial autonomy, and had the only
access to the outside world in the Red
River to st. Paul, in the United States,
it would have made the first advance
ment in settlement, and have had its
lands taken up the earliest. Still it is
estimated there are 100000 acres of
free homesteading land in that prov.
ince, one-half of which at least is fit
for cropping, and many millions more
in the hands OF the Hudson's Bay com.
pany, the railway companies and many
other public and private corporations
1t is, however, with the country further
west we have to deal now
Early Progress of the West.
In 1882, the first year the railway
touched that country, 1t was divided
into four territories, Assiniboia, Sas
l1atchewan, Alberta and Athabasca ant
given primitive form of government
which prevailed until this year (19O5)
when the four territories were con
verted into two provinces, Alberta anC
Saskatchewan, given full provincial
autonomy and admitted as sisters int
the Canadian Confederation. The en-
tire growth and development of thu
country are all the result Of these ..
years. In 25 years no less than 6,00t
miles of railway have been built in thu
west country Two of the systems
have transcontinental lines the C. P
r. and the G. n. r. and the third th'
Grand Trunk Pacific is now under way
Each of these main lines has branche
In many localities. The companies ar
vieing with one another to extend thei
systems to every point where there i
settlement, so that as matter of fac
every settler of three or fours years
: residence has road within a reason
able distance of his door
What is of equal Importance to th
farmers is there are buyers at ever
railway depot for everything they hav
, to sell. which at the newer points
: wheat only. At the close of last yea