Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-01


tain road proposed to build certain ex-
tension In a somewhat northwesterly d.
rectton from q certain North Dakota
town. Northwest Of that town there was
no railroad or village Of any size for
more than eighty miles But 1t was q
prospecting farming country and the ex-
tension was certain to build up eight or
ten towns. The banker wanted to have
ness when the elevator and lumber yard
were laid out, SO he could handle the
farmers and builders money. 49,
1t Is only under the present town site
lish themselves in business would be able
to give such advance notice Of their
grand opening" It Is one OF the most
significant signs Of Improvement over
town lots. Every one knows just what
the lots in each particular part Of town
are worth, for the advertising matter is
sued by the railroads town site depart-
of each lot plainly marked on it.
In the case OF towns recently started in
North Dakota the lots around the plaza,
the center OF the business section. are
quoted at $500 each. Lots near those are
generally sold at $500. and as the loca-
lions get farther and farther away from
the center. or the railroad, the prices are
reduced to as low as 500 or $50 for tho
common garden" or residence lot.
There Is something of the old style auc.
ton system about the manner in which
the business block sites are sold, how
ever, and 1t serves as another illustration
looks after the welfare of the new towns.
The town site survey has purposely
made tn, central plaza smaller than a
park would be in the hope that the prop
erty will be cared for and made beauty
spot Those desiring to purchase lots for
business blocks are allowed to bid against
each other. but the premiums, instead Of
going into the pockets of the town site
promoters. go into public Improvement
fund for the town.
A town site sale often takes on the
character and color Of a Fourth Of July
celebration. People como from miles
around, and there are picnic parties bred
from tho crude conditions surrounding
the attendants upon the sale and from
the lack CT accommodations incident to a
village yet unborn. There are ball games
in the wheat stubbie or on the virgin
prairie. Foot races and other events"
common to village gala day are often
arranged by the crowds, which, with char
acteristic good nature are able to COM
bine pleasure with business, and the town
has sort of barn raising of its own. This
SALE" and when the town site man ap-
pears on some rudely constructed plat
form or begins to dispose of his wares
from the back Of a lumber wagon the
bidding is lively.
Inducements offered.
In some cases the premium on lots
makes a total of several thousand dol
lars. and the town comes into being with
the knowledge that it has on hand a very
respectable fund for the conduct Of pub
lie improvements.
There are several other ways in which
the town site department Of railroad
shows its interest in the future of the
town to be built along its line. Lots are
decided to future boards Of trustees for
the building Of public schools and to the
extension departments Of church organ
izations. regardless of creed. for-the
building Of churches. In these two cases
1t Is provided. Of course, that in the case
desired they shall revert to the donors.
This Is also true OF the lots given for a
town hall site.
The townsite department also goes into
the bonus business to q limited extent.
Lots are given to builders Of creameries,
hourmills and other minor institutions call
culated to build up the town and make It
an active trade center. During the entire
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.
Most of these who make investments are
small merchants from neighboring states
or counties citizens of moderate means
who are dissatisfied with the strenuous life
and small profits Of a more metropolitan
existence. These investors pay. usually.
one-third cash, one-third in six months and
the balance in one year; or one-half cash
and the other half in one year. the town.
site department getting per cent interest
on all loans. There are no mortgages.
After the issuing Of the contract the buyer
either makes his payments until all is paid
and title delivered to him, or he surrenders
his contract and loses his money. The lat
far nova nd <I,nv
ent prosperity Of the country, and one rail-
road that sold 1000 lots, handling 500, 900.
in twenty-seven towns thus started during
the last year, has had only two defaults Of
contract.
No sooner has the sale been completed as
far as immediate demands go than the
purchasers either move in with their origi-
nal squatters' buildings or~begin the erec-
ton of permanent structures.
Village Awaits Coming Of Railroad.
The railroad. so far as track and grades
are concerned. Is still many weeks and
many miles away. and In some cases 1um-
Der for the new buildings is hauled across
country twenty-five OF thirty miles. BY
the time the new community numbers say
300 souls. there Is generally started g. move
ment which results in the Incorporation OF
the village, the election Of town council
and the selection Of a president who acts
as the executive head Of the corporation.
This is also about the time the town mar
shall heaves into view-and 1t isn't long
before he struts about with blue coat, brass
buttons, a shining star pinned over his
heart and a stout club in his hand. The
lumber yard is doing a big business; the ele-
vator, though not yet finished and painted,
is receiving grain; the stores and bank are
open for trade: work has begun on the
town hall and the school mouse and posi-
bly, church, though frequently the school
house or town hall serve as a meeting
house" for many months. OF the twenty
seven new towns mentioned above, twenty
reached the 800 population mark within
the year, and most of them within three
months.
BY the time the steel gang arrives 1t finds
itself officially welcomed by the governing
board of a brand-new and self-respecting
little city, backed by an enthusiastic popu-
lace and possibly village band-or what
will be one some day, maybe-with the keys
to the city ready for presentation and a
great pride in its present and a profound
faith in it's future.
According to figures supplied by railroad
officials, 1876 new towns have been built in
the north central section within a year,
most of them in the Dakotas. Twenty
seven have been built along extensions of
the Minneapolis and st. Louis railroad;
thirty three along the Great Northern:
seven on the Chicago, Milwaukee and St.
Paul; forty-nine on the 500 lines; twelve