Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1906-10-25
SUNSHINE LANDS GOLDEN future
Big Crops Regularity Of Production Fertile Soil and Cheap
Lands Offer Rare Opportunities in the West

To the prospective immigrant seek
ing home in the rich region of the
Golden West, South Dakota offers ex-
traordinary opportunities. 1t is the
land of the future.
And, as 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 10000 square miles, and is
larger than the combined area of the
New England states by at least one
fourth. Within the boundaries of the
state are more than 4S000,000 acres
of land. The population of the state,
as shown by the census of 1905, is
455,1S5. Compare this with the cen
sus of 1900, which calls for 401, $50.
South Dakota is not merely moving
forward, she is springing forward at
Twentieth Century speed. And that
means mile minute, SO to speak.
Taking the population into consider
alton, South Dakota during 1905, for
the seventh consecutive year, produced
more wealth per capita than any other
state in the Union And when the sta
tistics of 1906 are published it will be
seen that there is practically no limit
to the steady advance of the state as
commercial bonanza.
The eastern portion Of the state is
fairly we'll settled, the consequence be-
ing that lands in this section COM
mand pretty high value. The early
settlers found rich farming and pas.
ture land there and were not slow to
take advantage Of the splendid pros
poets in view.
Extent of Land Values.
Yet land values in South Dakota COW
er such wide range that the investor
has nc trouble in finding prices adapt
ed to his pocket. This is especially
the case in the western section. I'M
proved land can be bought for $40 an
acre and from that price up to $35 an
acre, according to the extent of i'm
provements and nearness to railroads.
Unimproved and grazing lands sell at
prices ranging from SIS to $40 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 territory.
The magnates who control the iron
horse" are sending him on his speedy
journey as fast as they can spread
tracks across country which they
are wise enough to see will yield them
golden returns for their enterprise. In
word, the railroads are building fast
er in the western section of South Da-
kota than in any other state in the
Union.
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 railroads the big ranges in the
western section are gradually being
cut up into small holdings.
Lands that were dirt cheap a 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 of Excellence.
Yet the outlook for the new inhabi-
tant is most promising. The climate
of South Dakota is neither hot enough
to be enervating nor cold enough to be
unpleasant. Crops are certain and the
farmer is assured of good returns for
his toll
The whole state is composed of fine