Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-11-07
Northwest Canada Today.

OMAHA. Nov. ito the Editor Of The
Bee; A year ago, after my return from
Canada, ! wrote you n letter. That was
by request of my friends. You had the
kindness to publish all Of It. It cor
rected some mistakes. To write in the
same line now seems unnecessary. At
present want to give some interesting
facts. Few people have adequate con-
oeptlons of the extent and possibilities
OF our northern neiRhbor.
The territory is vast Three provinces
are especially attractive. The rush Of
settlers into these Is incredible to such
as have not seen. Saskatchewan inter-
ests me most of the three 1t Is five
times the size Of my native Pennsylvania,
plus 24.0Oo square miles. Yet Pennsyl-
vania has 100000 people. This year Sas-
katchewan produced 200, 100000 bushels Of
grain-mostly wheat. These crops can be
raised even 600 miles north Of the United
States line. Only one-tenth OF the arabic
land was as vet cultivated. Fifteen
months ago husband. In our Lutheran
colony started. The railroad had Just
opened for freight. II carried no pas
seAgers yet. The town has become the
county seat. All lines Of business prosper
in it. People. come TO stay. The colony
had option on over $4,000 acres OF land,
covering seven townships. 1t is all sold.
Prices have advanced. When the Hud-
son Bay railroad is finished. these peo-
pie will have only 700 miles to reach the
ocean steamers. They'll have European
markets nearer than we have them.
Wonderful growth Of cities! Winnipeg,
capital OF Manitoba, was only trading
post in 1870 II numbered 2l5 people In
1900 It had 5000o-now. with its suburbs.
It counts 10000 The building permits
for 1911 were over S7000OO0 Only two
other towns OF any size are in this
province, Portage La Prairie. 1000 and
Brandon, l5Go. Both are west of the
capital. Tho latter / never saw. The
former several times. All activities are
booming.
Reglna, the capital ot Saskatchewan, Is
S15 miles west Of Winnipeg. It's popula-
ton In 1901 was 2ei5; In 1911 Il counted
over ls,00G Saskatoon. $50 miles north
west OF Regina. has 1900 people. IL Is
in the midst Of ono of the very best
agricultural districts OF the grsat west.
Everything grows luxuFiantly. Farmers
become independent speedily. Near there
one OF my old friends has suddenly
landed In affuence. Ia Nebraska he sup
ported his large family on the square.
He always had a decent hving--nothing
70 LAY up" Five years aso he went 20
Canada Like Isaac of old. HE sowed
and his field produced 100 fold" He
Is In danger Of the Carnegie disgrace of
dying RIGHT North OF Saskatoon, ninety
miles. on the bluffs Of tho Saskatchewan
river, Is Prince Albert. It used to be a
trading post OF the Hudson Bay com
pany. II Is a beautiful city Of 5000 peo-
pie. Quite q number of scsndinavians
live there
Edmonton capital Of Alberta. Is 80
miles west o. Saskatoon, By a little north.
1t has 4l.0o0 people
The Saskatchewan river runs through
the city. Until lately there We're two
cities, two corporations, They united and
the name Stratheona disappeared tie
capital Is simply Edmonton.
About 200 miles. nearly south a little
cast. from Edmonton. is Calgary. The
population Is over 5O-0la II Is beautiful
fer situation It's site Is on what used
&C. be the bottom OF lake. Il Is near
the loot hills Of the Rocky mountains