The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1905-03-31
A man WHO MADE
$|,600,O00 FARMING

little town boasts the richest farmer
in the United States, l. d. Smith, a
man who has answered the question
of whether man may become a mill
lionaire honestly. In the last IA years
he has added 81 100000 to his fortune
and every dollar has come from the
soil.
To this man and his wife the phil
osophy of life is simple. To them the
possession of $1,000,000 brings no
question of travel in foreign land;
no lavish expenditure for uncomfort-
able toggery; no risking of limbs in
automobile racers; not ever the bur-
den of maintaining a place in society.
Their only diversion is giving $4,000
farms to worthy tenants.
Not a day passes that Smith is not
asked by someone, How did you
make your money!?
II make money by making it, not
spending it," is his answer.
And this is true. When he began
life it was with a few hundred dol
lars. With it he made payment on
an Illinois farm and then earned the
money on the farm to pay off the
debt. Then he bought another farm
which was long years later-and
earned the money with the two to
pay off the second debt. Ever declar-
ing that his profit consisted of the
difference between the money he re-
ceived and the money he paid out,
"a hntnnlv m c.
ter in this true economy, not alone
by keeping his expenses down, but
with equal intelligence keeping his
receipts at a large figure.
How did l do it?" he repeats
scornfully. 81 earned my money by
working, and then when l made it I
put it where it wouldn't be spent
foolishly."
When Smith came to South Dakota
he was worth 100000. That $780,
000 has. in IA years, grown to $500
OOO for, besides stock in bank and
other real estate. he owns "a magnif-
cent farms in central South Dakota.
"a third of my money l earned with
my hands; the remaining two thirds
with my head" Smith is fond of say
ing.
In n plain, rambling house not far
from Madison, Boosting none of the
Injuries that come so readily to those
with fortunes, Smith is reaping his
reward and he Is perfectly happy. In
the broad rooms of that home are 10
be found no plush carpets. no dancing
floors. no reception halls, no mahog-
any furniture. The home shows that
the last dollar needed for comfort
has been spent, and not one cent
more. About that home spreads no
cleaning lawns, no spouting foun-
tains. no winding drives. Instead
loom up great red barns. where the
| echo of tramping horses resounds
day and night; long rows OF hay
stacks. and low, spreading sheds for
his cattle. To Smith contented
| horse is more pleasing than a lap
| dog
Two years ago Joel Harris, ten
ant who had never failed to pay his
rent promptly. who had kept every
| fence well in repair, received through
| the mail deed to the farm he occu-
pied. lie took ii over to Smiths
home.
Here is something you sent me by
mistake" he explained.
eco on, YOU fool, don't ask so many
questions" was the stormy reply.
Thus did Smith take his own way
| If rewardinG what he considered
| worthy industry; because the mar
farmed as he had farmed he sent him
the deed. Since then two other ten
ants have Jared equally well.
The only other known benefactions
of Smith are farm to Sioux Falls
cemetery and another farm and $500
to the Odd Fellows lodge, to which
| he belongs.
II has been said that women spend
two-thirds of the money In America,
II this be true. Mrs. Smith does not
10 her part She is not unlike her
husband. She cares not one whit for
society. She doesn't even read n
fashion paper. Her clothes are of
coed quality. but never expensive. and
four dresses "A year are considered by
her an abundance. on fine day she
nay be seen driving in a substantial
out plain carriage. At other times
she will almost certainly be found at
homo. where she still performs many
II the duties of a housekeeper. To
her. M well as to her husband. money
IL It's own reward.