The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1909-10-26

fortunes with South Dakota. He held
the position Of commissioner of i'm
migration In that state until 1891,
when he was persuaded by the Great
Northern railroad to assume the duties
OF general immigration agent, a place
which he acceptalbly filed until his
death in Chicago last week.
Always on the Job.
During the several changes in sue
ceeding regimes Of paymaster and
taskmaster there was no change in
the method of his procedure. He was
out to secure immigrants for the farms
Of the northwest and never for a
minute did he neglect his duty. Any
person who had the strength to Guilt
vate land was an interesting subject
to him. He searched them out from
the congested districts Of the east
and in Europe and brought them to
the wide plains of the west. Many
an influential and wealthy farmer to-
day Is willing to admit that he owes
the bulk OF his fortune to the assist
ance rendered him by Mr.. Bass
A few years ago there were many
religious sects organized in the east.
These all wanted TO colonize some part
of the country where they could wor-
ship in their own communities. Max
Bass was not converted to any of their
beliefs, but he became interested at
once. He began getting acquainted
with the Dunkards, Mennonites and
people OF other sects and was soon
welcomed TO their councils He con-
stantly talked Of the freedom of the
west, and his influence was such that
many Of the churches started colonies
under his direction. He never failed
them, and was always at hand when
wanted. He seemed never to forget
a family that he had located and made
1t a point to visit each one at least
once after 1t was locared, to see II he
could render any more assistance. He
was determined not to have a single
family give up the west and move
back to it's eastern home. Many an
early settler who today 10 prosperous
would have left his homestead If it
had not been for the persuasive power
OF Mr.. Bass.
Bass Old Acquaintance.
An old employee OF the Great North
ern was telling few days ago of Mr..
Bass habit OF renewing old acquaint-
ances.
THE company during the early days
would send out train load Of set
tiers" he said. These were located
along the right of way miles in adj
vance of the settled districts, and Max
was always one OF the party to accom-
pany them. After they had been
located on homes and had a chance to
raise crop. Max would pay them an
other visit. / never knew him to fail
on that second visit, and IL helped to
keep him in touch with his work. The
settlers soon came to know him as
their friend. and have known him to
hold general meetings at small towns
where farming In its different branches
was discussed, and many a settler
would drive in from the farm with his
family Just to meet Max and hear him
tell them how to get the best out of
the ground.
The last few years Mr.. Bass had de-
voted to colonizing the foothills In
Montana. The land, ar an altitude too
high for irrigation, had long been con-
sidered Of no value except for grazing
Old resident OF Montana spread that
belief, and when Bass told them he
could raise good wheat on that arid
land they laughed at him Even his
own company did not believe he could
do what he proposed to do. and IL is
said that j. J. Hill once severely criti-
cised him for holding out such gilt
tering prospects to settlers.
Mr.. Bass cared little for criticism.
He knew what ne was doing, and the
dry farming congress, to be held In
November at Billings, Mont, where the
product OF this starid" land will be
shown, will prove that he was not mis-
taken.
During an interview a couple OF
months ago Mr.. Bass said: There Ia
room for millions Of people in Mon
tana alone. Land QUE there will sup
port the thousands OF hungry people
In the east and IT seems too bad we
cannot force them to come out here.
expect to I've to see the day when the
bread basket Of the country includes
the barren foothills OF Montana"
He always thought OF the good done
TO the country, as well as to the set
tiers. when ne could persuade some one
to locate on an uncuitivated piece Of
land. He never seemed to think that
he WAS making business for the rail-
road which paid his salary: his entire
effort was devoted TO enlarging the
production OF the region he had chosen
a. his special care.
Mrs, Bass was Bismarck girl. ia
miliar with the country which meant
30 much to her husband Their union
was not blessed with children. but the
sympathy Of the wife was given to
the husband fiji the work which he
undertook. and she was a. much inter-
csted In This settlers" ~ he was.
While Mr.. Bass life work was Or d
6ivegaAged character the railroads
claimed him Tor their own AZ MS