The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1906-04-12

While there are many reasons for
the pride with which the people of
South Dakota have in their state, there
are also a few hat possess general in
terest for every American. One of
these is that it is the most American
state in the Union. According to the
state census of 1905 there are io5,lS5
people in the state, and of these ninety
per cent are American born. Here is
another of the facts OF which the state
is proud.
There are SO, $50 homes in the state,
and 57,2SS of these are owned by the
occupants, while 37,4S3 are without
any incumbrance.
These figures indicate a high state
OF prosperity, and justly so. There is
not another state in the Union to-day
that is contributing SO much wealth
per capita to the national board as is
South Dakota. During 1905 the value
of the agricultural products OF the
state, in which is included live stock,
was SIG, Csc, 261. Chief in the items
that go to make up this vast total was
wheat. While there are other states
hat raised more wheat there is none
that raised so mach according to popu-
latiOn. South Dakota produced 43, no
600 bushels, valued at SIS, 02l 500, while
the second crop in value was corn,
with 51,615,S72 bushels and a value of
s15.tSi. 761. OF oats there were f. .0O0,-
900 bushels, barley 10000 600 bushels,
speltz 5000, 900, fax and rye worth
nearly 81, 900, 900. dairy products worth
1000, 600, and hay worth sl4, 800. 900.
The live stock Of the state was valued
at S25, 000, 900 alone.
Yet South Dakota hasn't begun TO be
settled. Its area of 5000 square miles
has only an average of six persons TO
the square mile, and this population is
mostly concentrated in the eastern
portion OF the state. II Is ~splendidly
watered by numerous streams and
lakes. and the mildness Of the climate
makes it ideal for both crops and cat
tie.
South Dakota Is the land of sun
shine. It has more days OF sunshine
during the year than either Florida or
California has. and it possesses an
eQuableness Of temperature that few
states can boast of. Zero weather is
seldom known, while in summer the
average temperature. as compiled by
the United States weather bureau for
a term of years, was only a tribe over
seventy-two degrees for the month OF
July, the hottest of the year.
Extension Of the Railways.
Within the past two years there has
been a steady stream of hOmeseekers
invading the state and either taking up
homesteads on the free lands or else
buying lands in the older settled cOun-
ties in the eastern part of the state.
The worlds fair at St. Louis did much
TO bring the states claim 70 r~ecogni-
ton before the American people. anc
the exhibit of the states resources
made there turned the attention Of
farmers in the eastern and middle
western states toward it. So great has
been the influx Of settlers that the
railways have been obliged TO extend
their lines in order TO care for the
commerce that is being developed. As
a result there are more miles Of line
to be built there this year than in any
other state except N and every mile
Of this new construction will find an
immense tonnage awaiting il.
One Of the counties that is attract
ing many Of the new settlers is Hand.
which is located about midway be-
tween the north and south of the state
ND - Iy.r1- 400. - ~ - ~
soil is a black loan. with Il clay sub
soil and retains moisture. giving il to
plant life with wonderful efficiency. II
IS a land that produces great crops of
corn. wheat. oats, millet, barley. pota-
toes and all vegetables. while fruit of
all kinds yields abUndantly.
stopped al a handsome farmhouse
while riding through this country and
had dinner with its owner. This man
has a farm of three quarter sections.
and his home has all the comforts and
c~onveniences that one looks for in
older settled localities. He came here
from Indiana Ave years ago. and | was
curious to know the reasOns that in
duced him to nov He told me.
VI all III SS!u. II was the
cheap land. | had a farm down in In
diana on which l was making a good
living. but | wasn't making much
Roadway besides. Yet | had a big
family growing IN. and | wanted TO
have something to give the children
for a start when their time came. I
investigated this section pretty thor
oughly before | moved. | found that
I could buy land here-land in every
way superior 10 what | had in Indiana
for about 80 an acre. | sold nv In
diana land and came up here and
bought"
How have You made out?" I asked.
Move Was a Good One.
BEST move I ever made was his
response. From my first years crop.
and with only a portion of my land
under cultivation, | cleared enough to
pay for my land. | tell YOU, a man
can't lose money here If Won sin, Dlv