The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-07-20
EDUCATION FIRST
IN SOUTH DAKOTA
VAST DOMAINS SET ASIDE FOR
TEE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Other Advantages that the State Pos
sesses and that Account for the
Great Tide Of Immigration Now
Pouring Into It.
BY HERBERT vANpERHooF.


is constantly repeating ITSELF" but prob
ably few Of us stop to consider just how
this applies to what is going on around
us or in other portions OF this great
country Of ours We all Of US know in q
vague, indefinite sort Of way that tho
government from time to time Is throw
ing open to homesteaders new tracts Of
land in the west. and that there is a con-
slant stream Of immigration into these
territories, but probably not more than
one in ten knows about the nature Of tho
soil, the crops which it will produce, or
the facilities for reaching these districts
from older communities.
immigration into new territory now is
q far different matter from what 1t was
fifty, or even thirty years ago, tho the
pioneers who first pushed their way over
the mountains from the coast settleme nts
or entered the valleys Of our great CEN
trail rivers by the natural water ways.
Three or four decades ago the seekers
after new homes in the middle west ana
the far west could make only part Of
their Journey by 1ail, and after they left
the train which had brought them from
their old homes they were obliged to
travel many weary miles on horseback or
in the huge canvas covered wagons, con-
tanning their worldly possessions.
Today the worst Of these hardships
have been banished by the enterprise OF
the railroads in establishing branch lines
thru the desirable sections Of the states
where public land or cheap but good
farming lands are to be secured by the
energetic, venturous homeseeker. In
South Dakota the service rendered to
= he By yea ae new rpedp By
can hardly be correctly estimated. Thirty
ing towns have sprung into existence
the centers Of supplies Of all descriptions,
50 that the newcomers whose destination
is the farm lands in nearby sections can
the implements to be used in cultivating
is ism made " to Keep the prices on all such
and in this attempt the railroads play a
prominent part, for, should they choose
to place the freight charges at an exor-
bitant figure, the goods must o. ,neces-
present arrangements settlers find to their
surprise that they can buy many OF the
staple articles Of the house or farm ct
former market, and the advance on other
articles over the familiar sum is compar-
atively slight and easily accounted for.
Ready Markets for Produce.
The advantage of. all this is certainly
very great to families whose means are
limited. Then these new towns form
market for the produce Of the out outiy dias
P Penst 81 t the o hey were Obliged to
negotiate with dealers in large cities
roads are an Important factor, for by
their moderate freight charges they en-
able the farmers to sell their grain or
fruit or livestock at a much better hgure
facilities were limited and costly.
There are many other ways In which
the settlers in South Dakota today are
other young states One Of these is in
the question Of taxes. A few months
$50 I met friend who. had, recently
been travelling through this enterprisine
state. ana he told me that one Of the
most surprising facts, he had learned in
his journeying was that state could
keep its debt 50 small ana yet be forging
ahead at the pace which South Dakota
r was amazed when told that IL
debt OF the state amounted to barely 81
per CAPITA" he said. "A farmer of the
The 1nilAsnnium had surely come II he
sum-" ~ ~.
The same friend was deeply impressed
source Of admiration with me- .wheneve,
/ have had occasion TO- travel through
r. educstionsl faoili{4ei to s. found al
PORTION, where the lands are Just Being
taken up by the homeseeRers, you viii
find school houses, well built and rea
sonably well equipped. 80 that the chill
denied the elementary education, which
means 50 much in their lives. The lacl
OF such q system was one of the grea
e nsN States Of the ssd f. bs se e
has so carefully provided for the educa
tional welfare Of those who seek homes
withtp her borders certainly rebound
gfTe tts to her credit: The p96lic schools
srabie sections. and thsrefore ne con Use ~
increasing in value.
set apart for educational purposes ex
ceeds ESQ, 900, and in addition to TIL
over es5. 900 acres have been given to tn
the normal Schools r. tRs seheol 81 o @GsKe
and the various asylums for the unfor
tunate.
Has Cause for Pride.
Certainly this is a record Of whic!
SSpta Daseta can Justly feel very proud
sosR It & 2 I'll fftss1 See e tn
South Dakota, located at Brookings
has some very fine wen appointed build
ings and its courseE Of study are planne
] ALL practical basis. that It cannot hel
but have 4 large and enthusiastic STU
dent body. IN fact, 1t at present stand
third on the list Of agricultural college
I in the yariqus states Ia the number or
rolled as students. From the Unite
States government this college derives a
! income Of $4,000 year, and this Is
great aid in the carrying on 81 It's e1
periments. Such q college as this is {
inestimable worth in q state where Their
is so much diversified farming, for tn
farmers sons are taught the most scien
tifc means Of cultivating the soil, an
in this way they can get the largest re
! turns for the money which they are in
vesting. The soil turnout the state
so fertile that the most varied grains an
fruits grow well, and the experiment
yearly tried at the agricultural colleg
1 are constantly opening new lines Of prod
ucts for the ambitions farmer. Especis
attention has been paid there during tn
growing and the results have been maj u
Vicious In many instances. Staple fruit.
apples, pears and plun1s, also strawber
ries, have been developed In variety {
ways and in hneness OF flavor, as well q
size. they are unexcelled Already thes
South Dakota products have gained q
enviable reputation and are readily ma
ketable in the northwestern states Muc
assistance Is also given these fruit farm
ers by the state horticultural societ,
whose reDorts show inst what hair