The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-08-31
Sun SHINE AND
GOLDEN % !. !. FUTURE III
MANY POINTS IN WHICH SOUTH
DAKOTA EXCELS.
Big Crops, Regularity Of Production,
Fertile Soil and Cheap Lands Offer
Rare Opportunities to Homeseekers in
the West.
BY HERBERT VANDERHooF.

home in the rich region of the Golden |
West, South Dakota offers extraordinary |
opportunities. It is the land OF the |
future a... |
And, as a matter of fact, it Is hard for |
the average man to realize the splendid
resources and vast extent Of the territory
which awaits the settler who Is willing |
and anxious to grow up with the
country"
In the first place, South Dakota has an
area of $4,000 square miles, and is larger
than the combined area of the New Eng
land states by at least one-fourth Within
the boundaries of the state are more
than $4,000, 900 acres of land. The popu-
lation of the state, as shown by the
census Of 1905, is 455, 1876. Compare this
with the census Of 1900, which calls for
4o1,57O
South Dakota is not merely moving for
ward, she Is springing forward at Twen-
tieth Century speed. And that means
mile to the minute, so to speak.
Taking the population into considera-
ton, South Dakota during 1905, for the
seventh consecutive year, produced more
wealth per capita than any other state
of 1906 are published it will be seen that
there Is practically no limit to the steady
advance Of the state as a. commercial
bonanza.
The eastern portion Of the state Is
fairly we'll settled, the consequence being
that lands in this section command
pretty high value. The early settlers
found rich farming and pasture land
there and were not slow to take ad-
vantage of the splendid prospects in view.
Extent Of Land Values.
Yet land values in South Dakota cover
such a wide range that the investor has
no trouble in finding prices adapted to
his pocket This is especially the case
in the western section. Improved land
! can be bought for $40 an acre and from
| that price up to $s5 an acre, according to
| the extent Of improvements and near
ness to railroads.. Unimproved and graz
ing lands sell at prices ranging from IS
to $50 an: acre.
| The surest sign Of prosperity in the
western portion of South Dakota is to be
found in the fact that the railroads are
stretching their steel rails across the ter
; ritory.
The magnates who control the "iron
horse" are sending him on his speedy
journey as fast as they can spread
tracks across a country which they are
wise enough to see will yield them golden
returns for their enterprise. In a word
the railroads are building faster in the
western section of South Dakota than in
any other state in the Union. .. g.. (
From the center of the state to the
western border South Dakota presents
hitherto unheard of opportunities for the
immigrant. With the advent of the rail-
roads the big ranges in the western Sec
ton were gradually being cut up into
small holdings. 60.
Lands that were dirt cheap year ago
are rising daily in value. There, is still
plenty Of room for new corners, but the
later they arrive the more they will have
to pay for their homesteads.
A Climate Excellence.
Yet the outlook for the new lnhabitant
is most promising. The climate of South
Dakota is neither hot enough to be
enervating nor cold enough to be un-
pleasant. Crops are certain and the far
mer is assured Of good returns for his
toll.
The whole state is composed Of fine
farming and grazing lands. It is lavishly
watered by streams and lakes. Surface
wells are secured on all sides and artesian
wells are plentiful.
AS regards the soil, there is plenty Of
natural moisture and South Dakota Is
underlaid with porous subsoil which &C.
counts for the phenomenal crops. The
average rainfall Is estimated at twenty
one inches. More than seventeen inches
Of this falls in the five growing months
It has yet to be shown where the South
Dakota winters proved a menace to the
crops. The severity Of the winters has
been greatly overdrawn by writer's who
are not acquainted with climatic condi.
tions In the Dakotas. 49,
+ South Dakota is the fourth state in the
number of bushels OF corn per capita
raised. Illinois, the leading corn state
with 1872, 900, 900 bushels, raised over forty
bushels Of corn less per capita than
South Dakota.
AS regards the 1--WE stock Industry
South Dakota more than holds her own
Cattle are raised with ease and grow
fat to the market point, with very little
attention. on the luxuriant pastures OF
the ranges. There Is no such thing
stats ana 1t is a Ser1taeie hoYae "a
! for sheep. "-.# .E -.
Growth NJ Erulf Indus+rv