Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1907-11-15
The River is Low.

the It1Ver IS Low.
From present indications the Sioux
river will be lower the coming winter
than at any time since Halvor Mel
son built the first dam at Beloit
away back in the 7Os. This condition
comes from partial obstruction Of
the old dam at the Beloit mill, and
the break in the dam allows the river
to flow without any real obstruction,
thus bringing the water down to a
natural stage which leaves the river
very low at Canton.
The LEADER was in hopes that the
gentlemen who own the water power
and dam site would have arrange
ments completed by this time for the
construction of a new concrete-Steel
reinforced dam. but so far nothing
has been accomplished beyond gene
raj and hopeful discussion of the pro-
ject.
The estimated cost OF modern
dam with electric machinery to con-
vey the power to Canton is about $50,
O00. Experts declare that the volume
of water with available fall represents
fully 24O horse power, and the invest
ment would easily pay Is per cent net,
counting only the electric energy re-
quired for Canton at present. This
wouldn't use half of the available
power leaving plenty for any new
manufacturing plant or plants that
might be induced to locate here.
This dam business should receive
the earnest consideration of every
man in Canton because it means
| much for the future of the city.
Did you ever consider what 24O
horse power represents in money?
And did you ever figure out how
much money is lost every day by al
| lowing that power to be idle? How
much is horse power worth per day?
Estimate that honestly and then
figure out how much money is lost to
Canton and her commercial interests.
Not only what is lost but bow, much
can be made. Is per cent is good in
terest and some of the gentlemen, Mr..
Rudolph and Mr.. Thorson, who have
figured out the investment are conf
dent that it will pay Is per cent and
even higher, but most of us would be
satisfied with II per cent.
We have got the water and the
dam site and all that is needed is
men with money to push the matter
to success. Money is plenty and so
far has never refused to pick up a
safe Investment. Sioux Falls will
spend over one hundred Thousand dol
lars to improve it's water power and
| there is more water in the river at
Canton than at Sioux Falls.
Shall idle capital at Canton permit
this splendid opportunity to pass:
Shall our monied men continue to ig-
more a commercial possibility of such
proportions and refuse to help the
town with a paying proposition.
It takes about $4,000 to buy fuel tC
furnish power for the machinery now
Operated i'll Canton, which could be
operated by power generated by water
that flows unobstructed to the sea.
It's great waste Of a magnificent
power furnished by nature for the
use of man, but man stands idly by
and watches that golden stream roll
peacefully over natural fall and hest
tates to harness it.
If Canton wants to improve hel
condition, Canton must do something
Strangers are not going to come here
and boost our town while our rlct
men stand around and smile ap
proved. Let US do something. Let
us show that we are alive. Let {
meeting be called or in lieu of meet
ing call on Thomas Thorson or Johr
Isakson who are interested in the
dam and are willing to invest thei
own money. Don't say it is splen
did project, safe investment and
sure dividend payer and then grail
your cash harder and firmer and wral
yourself within do-nothing jacket,
sulk and kick because the town dom
boom. Do something for yourself
and do something for your town
The end of the world is not In sight
Canton may be growing and booming
long after the present population
have been gathered unto the fathers
Swallow quart Of western energ.
mixed with prairie ozone and resolv
to do something, that is, do some
thing while you are alive.
The LEADER will continue to re
mind our people that Canton needs
new dam, and will keep it up unit
we g ct one.
DestrOy the Saloon and You De