The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-09-02
a Dinner At The End
OF The Line

appears on some undergraduates
platform, or begins to dispose Of his
wares from the back of q lumber
wagon, the bidding is lively.
In some cases the premium on lots
makes total Of several thousands Of
dollars and the town comes into being
with the knowledge that it has on hand
of public improvements. ~
Helping the New Town Along.
| There are several other ways in
which the TOWNSHIP department. of
railroad shows it's interest in the future
of the town to be built along it's
tracks. Lots are decided to future
boards of trustees for the bull limo If
public schools and to the extension de-
part1nents of church organizations. re-
CARELESS Of creed, for the building Of
churches. In these two cases it is pro.
elaed, OF course, that in the case Of
f I to use the lots for the purposes
a ;u, they shall revert to the donors.
rms Is also true Of the lot given for
me town site department also goes
into the bonus business somewhat. Lots
are gwen !,, to builders Of creameries.
nourmlils and other minor institutions
ca aG az to build up, the town and
make ;, 1t an active trade center. Dur.
Ing the entire proceeding there is a
aecloed spirit Of good, nature on. the
part Of all participating, and while
there may be some lively bidding for
certain business lots, bad blood and
petty Jealousies seldom follow. -.
/ The Men Who Make the Towns.
Most of those who make investment
are small merchants from neighborine
states or counties or citizens Of mod.
crate means Who are dissatisfied with
the strenuous life and small profits Of
more metropolitan existence. These
investors pay, usually, one-third cash,
one-tnlrd IN six months and the bal
ance IN one year, or one-half cash and
the other half in one year, the town
site department getting per cent in
terest on all loans. There are no mort
cages. After the issuing of the con-.
tract the buyer either makes his pay
ments until all is paid and title is de-
Hvered to him-or he surrenders his
| contract and loses his money. The lat
ter cases are decidedly rare under the
present prosperity of the country, and
| one railroad that sold 1000 lots, hand
ding 100000 in twenty seven new
towns thus started during the past year.
| has had only two defaults of contract.
No sooner has the sale been com
pleted as far as immediate demands 90
than the purchasers either move in with
their original squatters' buildings, or
begin the erection of permanent struc-
! lures. 49,"
|. When the Railroad Comes.
The railroad, so far as track
many weeks and miles away, and
in some cases lumber for the
new buildings is hauled across
country twentyfv and fifty miles. BY
the time the new community numbers
300 souls there is generally started a.
movement which results in the incorpor-
alton Of the. village, the election Of
town council and the selection Of
president who acts as the executive
head Of the corporation. This is also
| about the time the town marshal
heaves into view. BY this time, also.
the grain elevator, the lumbervard. the
stores and the bank are "doing bust
ness at the same old stand,'' and work
has begun on the town hall, the school
house and the church. Out of the TWEEN
ty-seven new. towns mentioned about
twenty reached the three hundred mark
within the year and most of them with
in three months.
Activity in every line is the watch
word OF the new community Village
life is in full sway and by the time the
steel gang arrives it finds itself official
ly welcomed by the governing board Of
a brand new and self respecting little
city, backed by an enthusiastic popu-
lace, with the keys to the city ready
for presentation and a great pride in
its present and profound faith in its
future. l> s