The Sisseton weekly standard. (Sisseton, Roberts County, S.D.) 1892-1929, 1907-03-08
GREAT STATES ONWARD STRIDES
Growth OF the Cities and Towns in Sovth Dakota Is One OF the
Substantial Evidences OF a
Good Example.

A great deal has been said and writ
ten o 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 different trading
centers; of the vast mineral
of the Black Hills; of the manufacture
ing enterprises in the large cities-all
these taken as separate facts are per-
haps not SO significant. but put them
together and they certainly form a
subject we'll worth deep consideration.
If South Dakota has accomplished
all this in less tina fifty years, what
will be lone in the next fifty. when
all conditions are so very favorable for
development? Three years ago one of
South Dakota's prominent men, in
writing of his state, said:
cit is now conceded that the present
generation will see South Dakota rank
with the great States of Wisconsin,
Minnesota and Iowa in population, in
wealth, and in superb citizenship"
If any n has watched the progress
which the state has made in these last
three years since his was written he
would have no doubt of the truth of
this prophecy. The census Of 1905
showed that South Dakota had within
its area of 10000 square miles a pop
ulation of 455 ,1S5, and it's new wealth
amounted to $27S per capita. There
were 1886 homes in the state in 1905,
and 57,2S8 were owned by those who
occupied them, while 37,4S3 were Ell
tirely free from all membranes.
Probably few of the older states could
show a better prop%ortionate record
than that.
What is the secret of such phenom-
email progress?" may be sked.
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 often
times very warm, but not sultry, as
there is usually a light breeze; the
fall is long and wonderfully pleasant.
Character of the Soil.
The soil is a rich loan, with a sub
soil of clay, and this is a most ideal
combination. The rainfall over most
of the state is ample, but wher mois-
ture is lacking it can be supplied by
means of artesian wells, from which
flow enormous quantities of water.
The educational advantages are IN
usually excellent, for the state has
provided an ample school fund and
throughout all the cities, towns and
villages and country districts we'll
built school houses are to be found,
under the management of trained
teachers. The opportunities for adj
vanced education are equally good, for
there is the state university at Yer
million, 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
denominations where instruction Of a
high scholarly grade is offered.
Every community supports at least
one church, and in almost all the viii
llages there are several. The cities
and towns have most of the different
USl1Oul1ldG!OAo lSPA SoSANStS o'N
many instances the church edifices are
fine examples of the architectural art,
and most ~emphatically demonstrate
the prosperity of the community.
The state debt is so small that the
tax amounts to less than 50 per capita.
The law provides that the limit of the
state tax shall be 2 mills on the dollar.
In county affairs an equally favorable
condition prevails, and in many the
debt is merely a nominal sum. In
many others the debt has been entire
" extinguished and cash is paid for
warrants issued from time to time to
carry on the county business.
Can Grow Everything.
When it comes to a consideration OF
the products of this great state one
can make the sweeping statement that
anything which can be grown in any
country situated in the same geo.
graphical 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.
One of the most substantial proofs
Of the progress and prosperity of the
state is to be found in the growth of
the cities and towns and the general
atmosphere of success which prevails
in all of them.
Watertown is an excellent example
of the development which has beer
made in the last few years. 1t is the
seat of the local government Of Cod
lngton county, and has a population OF
about 5000. From a small village,
where the houses were plainly built
and many of them without paint, the
? stores of the more primitive character,
La u.horo most of the modern com