The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-09-07
FACE OF COUNTRY
RAPIDLY CHANGING |. [.
GREAT. CATTLE RANGES GIVING
H PLACE TO FARMS. : f.. =.
State Has Proved Its Adaptability to
General Agriculture and Many Years
of Good Crops Have Made It Rich.
BY HERBERT VANDERhooF

could visit the scenes of their early en-
beavers they would be mighty surprised
to see the results Of less than 800 years
or development, but they would be equal
~ aston1shed If they could be an inter-
ested spectator Of the progress which the
states or the West and Southwest are
making. Events move so rapidly now
that the things which took fifty or sixty
years to accomplish formerly can be done
IN less than quarter Of that time. Mod
ern railroads afford fine transportation
facilities; electricity. the telegraph and
the telephone have brought remote dis
trlcts In touch With the centers of ac-
tfv1ty; modern machinery has not only
reVolutionized manufacturing industries,
but also farming. mining and road build,
Ing as well. When formerly it was
necessary for the settlers slowly, with
unremitting toll and great. hardship, to
clear away the virgin forests and; pre-
pare the soil for crops, to build crude
houses. which afforded hardly any of the
comforts Of life to the inmates to sacri-
nee schooling for the children and social
intercourse for older members of the fam
lily. and be deprived Of almost all COM
munication with the outside world, the
settler on new farming lands In South
Dakota today finds himself In very Diff
ferent circumstances. The work of pre-
pairing his land for his crops, whatever
they may be, IS accomplished in a very
short time by the aid OF machinery, the
railroads make it possible for him to
secure lumber for the erection of a COM
Portable home and outbuidings for his
live stock, railroads put many Of the
comforts Of life on the market within
his reach, railroads keep him in COM
munication with the great world, and
they afford an opportunity for him to dis,
pose of the produce of his farm The
fine system of public schools which South
Dakota maintains, and Of which she is
justly very proud, makes it possible for
his children to obtain good education,
and the many churches Of all denomina-
lions which are scattered all through
the state in the villages; and outlying
districts, as Well as in the towns, give
religious and moral support to the peo-,
pie. All these advantages make it Dos
sibe for the home seekers to accom-
cessors in Eastern states could in five,
and with infinitely less toll
Changes Of a Few Years.
1t is wonderful to see the changes
which ten or fifteen years have wrought
In South Dakota, especially in the cen
trail and western portions, which were
not settled as early as the eastern Sec
ton. because they were largely taken
up with the great Indian reservations.
The chief industry of the early white
settlers who. did venture into these
sections was not agriculture, but stock
raising. The native grasses. were very
rich and nutritious and grew In the
greatest - abundance. Many varieties !
food for cattle all through the winter
months, and as the weather was not
usually severe enough to prevent winter
grazing, it was not necessary to house
the cattle.
AS the years passed by stock men
were attracted to these sections Of South
Dakota in large numbers. and their ranch
houses appeared in favorable spots, from
1t was lonely life, with many hardships,
but the men had their, reward in the
wealth which they accumulated, for
South Dakota range fed cattle brought
more and more lands were opened for
settlement, but the men who took them
still kept to pastoral pursuits and their
cattle and sheep wandered over acres
With the advent, Of the railroads
through the central and western regions.
these conditions began to change. Home
seekers came. who took up small parcels
OF land and began to experiment with
grain and vegetables. They soon found
that the soil and the climate were adj
epoch in South Dakota's history was in
augurated. The day of the predominance
of the cattle men was past and in its
stead rose the mighty power Of the
husbandman, the tiller Of the soil.
Opening of Sioux Reservation.
Early in the year of 1890 vast tract Of
land between the Missouri river and the
Black Hills and north of that great min
eral region, was thrown open for settle
ment. 1t comprised in all nearly $780,
900 acres. which were part Of the great
sioux reservation. and much of it was
rich and fertile we'll suited for agrcul-
ture. Since that time there has been
a steady influx Of homesteaders, and the
development has been truly marvellous:
Towns nave sprung up and are doing
tnrlvlng business, new lines Of railroads
are constantly increasing the transporta-
t1on facilities, schools and churches have
been built throughout the counties, roads
have been constructed and where for
for the herds of cattle, are now thriving
farms, In many instances fenced with
barb wire with comfortable houses and
large, roomy barns.
In sections where in former years de-
velopment was hampered for the lack Of
water everything Is now changed. Arte-
sian wells and cation furnish the
needful supply. Oftentirnes the surplus
little lake. and it is impossible to esti
mate the effect which these bodies Of
water will have upon climatic conditions
They are undoubtedly causing in
crease in the amount of rainfall and
lessening the hot winds which used to
blow and parch the vegetation.
Travelling through Lyman county re-
Gently, I became Interested In the con-
versaton of two of my fellow travellers
seated near me. The older man was
describing to his companion the condi-
settled there about eighteen years ago.
Rapid Appreciation In Values.
This country through which we are
passing was very sparsely settled You
could go miles without seeing house or
sign of human habitation. Look at i.
nowhere are unmistakable indications
OF prosperity on every hand. People who
were fortunate enough to buy land then
can sell today for three or four times
agricultural land in a growing country is
the finest kind Of investment"
What Is the average price for decided
land?' the younger man inquired. Z"
FROM S12 to SIS an acre would be a
fair price. but in my estimation It Is a
gilt edge investment even at prices
triae higher
DO you own much land here?''' was
the next question. =. - 80 ~, .
Not as much as I wish that had
was the quick reply. You would hardly
believe me if told you what deposited
% IN the bank last year from my wheat and
corn crops, and this year l. expect even
a larger yield. In addition to my grain
nelds own a few acres of rich bottom
lands near small. river, and from that
tract l cleared last. year more than isuffi-