The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1905-04-05
TWO RICH FARMERS.
ID. Smith and James M. Smith.
St. Louis Republic.

Madison, S. D., March 25.-After
making 81, 800, 900 in the last fourteen
years out Of the soil, 70 d. Smith 81
this place, the richest exclusive far
mer in the United States, has retired
from active life. He has answered
the question of whether one may
honestly earn million dollars in
lifetime begun without capital. Ills
only diversion is peculiar practice
Of giving $4,000 farms to worthy ten
ants.
To this man, and 10 his wife, ,hc
philosophy of lie is simple. To
them the possession of over million
dollars brings no question of travel in
in petted land; no lavish expendi-
ture for uncomfortable toggery; no risk
ing Of limbs in automobile racers; not
even the burden Of maintaining a
place in society. Mr.. Smith made
his money entirely as farmer, and
he is still farmer.
Not day passes that Mr.. Smith is
nos asked by someone: "How did
you earn nearly $2,00O,000 as far.
mer?"
II made money by making it, not
spending it," is his answer.
And this is true. When he began
life it was with few hundred dollars.
With it he made payment on an Iii
nois farm and then earned the money
from the farm to pay off the debt.
Then nc bought another farm, which
was long years later, and earned the
money with the two to pay off the
second debt. Ever declaring that his
profit consisted Of the difference be-
tween the money he received and the
money he paid out, Mr.. Smith proved
himself q home]y master in this true
economy, not alone by keeping his
expenses down, but with equal intel
ligence keeping his receipts at large
figure. Wherever he has lived he has
enjoyed the reputation of getting the
largest possible money crop from his
land each year.
''How did I do it?' Mr.. Smith
repeats. II earned my money by
working, and then when Z made it I
put it where it wouldn't be spent
foolishly."
But it was more than this. Mr..
Smiths fortune is o monument to his
ability as business farmer. Not
only the most advanced methods Of
soil culture were employed, but, un-
like nearly all farmers, he never hes
itated to make investments if he
might thereby save expenses. In
short, he farmed under as accurate o
system as the average manufacturer
has for his plant.
In 1891 Mr., Smith came to this
county. He spent all the money he
had for land. AS fast as he made
more money he bought more land.
This rrairie country was yet untamed
by the plow. The secret of it's crop
wealth had not been unearthed. Mr..
Smith guessed this: and guessing
right, ne found his land rapidly in
creasing in value. He sold and resold
at big profits, all the time making
every farm produce the utmost.
When he came to South Dakota he
was worth 100000. The 500, 900
has grown in fourteen years to 81 GOO,
600, for, besides stock in banks and
other real estate, he now owns ninety
four magnificent farms in Central
South Dakota, and 5000 acres Of
highly improved land in Northwestern
Iowa. IA third of my money earn.
ed with my hands; the remaining two
thirds with my head" Mr.. Smith is
fond Of saying.
In plain, rambling house, not far
from Madison, boastiug none Of the
luxuries that come so readily to those
with fortunes, Mr.. Smith is reaping
his reward and he is perfectly happy.
$3.50