The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1907-11-15

undergo hardships, and privation and
insulation of the frontier, for the
saks of a far distant competence.
They do not usually come empty hand
ed, since the average man brings about
500 in specie or exchange.
They have come as individuals or as
families, to make permanent home,
and speculation has not entered into
world.
The most liberal estimate for 1906
places the total Scandinavian popula-
tion here at 100000. In Minnesota
there are no fewer than 225,O00 Sean
dinavians. In Illinois $4,000 in Wis
consin 100000.
In Minnesota 45.5 of all foreigners
are Scandinavians. In both North and
South Dakota 81 per cent in Utah
80 per cent.
They are fewest in our big cities.
Quite frequent in the small cities
and towns, and most numerous in
the country, for which they show a
preference, far above any other race.
That they more than make a good
living is shown by the fact that the
monthly money letters from the United
States furnishes for many small
hamlet in Sweden and Norway, almost
the only cash income.
Authorities agree in placing the
probable wealth of Scandinavian Ameri-
cans at $50 per capita OF a couple
of dollars higher than the average
for the United States.
On this basis it is clear that the
100000 Norweigians in this country
presses $20,0O0,OOO or about as much
ready money as is owned by the p
24C,000 Norwegians in Norway who
have only 5000 per capita or $780,
10000.
The present population of Scandi
navia, counting in round numbers is
100000. The average wealth per CAPT
ia is about $1,000 or total of $780,
00G OOC
The Scandinavians here number at
least 100000 and at $4,000 per capita
they possess $60,0O0,O0O. In other words
though the Scandinavians here only
constitute little over one ninth of
the Scandinavian people, they are five
times richer Per capita and own an
amount equal to three ffths of all
the money in circulation in Scandi
naval
When we speak of the Scandinavian
American his desirability is absolutely
mquestionable. 1t is not even being
investigated like that of some other
people who immigrate here. We like him
because he comes here to live and
settle down and make a home.
AS Swedes, Norwegians and Danes,
they fast disappear, merging not into
Scandinavians but into American citi-
zens, because of their habits of
thought, their respect for education,
and their law abiding principles the
difficulties of adjusting ourselves to
their presence are comparatively slight
In his own country he is a reader
and thinker, and so brings to the
United States something more than
Drawn and muscle.
1t is fair to say that he is more
than fairly equipped with brains and
is able to grasp the possibilities and
the problems of life.
A Mr. Wisely SAYS: 'Tn opening up
the Great Northern railroad James
j. Hill surrounds himself with
greater amount of human material
grown in Scandinavia, than any other
American promoter, and while he has
always been willing to testify to the
innocence of the Scandinavian, he has
never yet remarked upon his ignor-
ance even tho the Swede mispronounce
him 'Mester He'll"
The great adaptability to the Sean
dinavians to the circumstances and
customs of their adopted country is
acknowledged on all sides.
No other nation has so readily learn
ed the languages of its adopted coun-
try. OF course, men who came as
adults, prefer to speak their mother
tongue, but the second generation in
varibly choose the English.
The may not, perhaps in this country
furnish the great leaders, but they will
be in the front ranks of those who
follow, striving to make the United
States strong and prosperous.