The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-11-09
'ON'N ARD STRIDES
OF A GREAT STATE
PRODUCING NEW, WEALTH AT A
MARVELLOUS RATE. N
Growth ofsSthe Cities and Towns IN
South Dakota Is Ono Of the Sub
stantial Evidences Of wealth
WATERFOWL Good Example.

WATERFOWL. s. D., Nov s.-A great deal
has been said and written about South
Dakota during the last few years, but
many people seem to be- slow to realize
the true meaning Of the reports Of the
big wheat and corn crops produced in
this state; Of the enormous number OF
cattle shipped to market from the differ
ent trading centers; OF the vast mineral
resources of the Black Hills; of the man
ufacturing enterprises in the large cities
all these taken as separate facts are
perhaps not so significant, but put them
| together and they certainly form sub
1ect We'll worth deep consideration.
II South Dakota has accomplished all
this in less than fifty years, what will be
done in the next fifty when all condi-
lions are so very favorable for develop
| ment? Three years ago one Of South
Dakota's prominent men, in writing Of
| his state, said: '& '|..a.s - +
| 1T Is now conceded that the present
generation will see South Dakota rank
with the great states of Wisconsin, Min
nesota and Iowa in population, in wealth.
and In superb citizenship" &, & 1#s,
II any one has watched the progress
which the state has made in these last
! three years since this Sswas*@written he
| would have no doubt of the truth Of this
prophecy. The census of 1906 showed
that South Dakota had within its area of
10000 square miles a population of 1885,
1856, and its new wealth amounted to s27s
per capita There were 1888 homes in
the state in 1905, and 1928 were owned
! by those who occupied them, while 37,4S3
| Wnr anti fro,
Probably few of the older states could
show better proportionate record than
that. go - < g. . - -"
What is the secret of such phenome-
nal progress?" may be asked.
1t would be impossible to single out one
cause as most important, for there are so
many which work together to evolve
! these magnificent results The climate is
! delightful, the winters are not severe, the
summers are oftentimes very warm, but
4 not sultry, as there is usually a light
breeze; the fall is long and wonderfully
pleasant.
1 Character Of the Soil.
The soil Is q rich loan, with a subsoil
OF clay, and this IS Almost ideal combi
nation The rainfall over most of the
state is ample, but where moisture is
lacking It can be supplied by means Of ar
tesian wells. from which flow enormous
T quantities of water EolE-.<@ ... E.ssr
The educational advantages are unusu-
ally excellent, for the state has provided
an ample school fund and turnout all
the cities, towns, villages and country dis
trlcts Weli,built schoolhouses are to be
found. under the management of trained
teachers. The opportunities for ad-
yanced education are equally good. for
there is the state university at Vermil-
non, the state agricultural college at
Bookings, four normal schools, and a
school of mines. In addition to these
there are a large number of colleges
maintained by. the various. religious de-
nominations ncan a where instructtonsof ahigh
Every community supports at FEAST one
church, and in almost all Of the villages
there are several. The cities and towns
represented. and in many instances the
church edifices are fine examples of the
architectural art, and most emphatically
munity. ' S'' -
The state debt is so small that the tax
amounts to less than 81 per capita The
law provides that the limit of the state
tax shall be mills on the dollar. In
dition prevails. and in many the debt is
merely a. nominal sum. In many others
the debt has been entirely extinguished
and cash Is paid for warrants issued from
tlme TO time to carry on the county bus
! mess. 49,
.. ,4,.. Can Grow .Everythina.~ !.
h: When 1t comes to-; Reconsideration sof
the products of this great state one can
Il make. the sWeeping statement that any
thing which can be grown in any coun-
try situated in the same geogra phical
zone can be raised in South Dakota, and
feel sure that he can prove the truth of
his assertion. by actual demonstration. {;
| Growth Of Cities and Towns. { 4
one OF the most substantial proofs 81
the % progress and prosperity Of the state
Is to be found in the growth Of the cities
ana towns and the general atmosphere
OF success Which"prevans in all of them
WATERFOWL Is an excellent example of
the development which has been made in
the last few years. It is the seat Of the
local government Of Codington county,
and has a population of about 1000. From
small village, where the houses were
plainly built and many of them without
paint, the stores of the more primitive
character, and where most Of the modern
comforts of life were, wanting, it has
grown within a marvelously Short time
to be thriving city, with good streets
line buildings, comfortable and, In MANY
instances, luxurious homes, good bankine
4 Faculties, modern lighting and heating
equipments in stores and houses, tele-
phone service, and everything that per-
. tains to a modern p-to-date.~ enereetic
city. -.... - . e '>2'
1t Is the railroad center for the county
and for the surrounding territory. The
Chicago & North Western, the Great
Northern the Burlington, Cedar Rapids
g Northern, the Minneapolis & St. Louis
all enter the city, so that there is direct
rallroad communication with all the i'm
portant cities of the middle west There
Is a large amount of shipping from
Watertown, and each year the trade in
creaseS, for the market offers exception
ally fine advantages. :