The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1911-09-06

would indicate that Ignite coal Of
winch 1t is estimated that there are
billions of tons in North Dakota, and
Is much more valuable than the peo-
pie generally suppose. They also
maintain that Ignite coal will be
brlquetted successfully; that some
suitable binder will be found, and
that 1t will be placed upon the mark
ct at reasonable cost.
"Lignite produces large amount
OF gas and this gas burned under
boilers will produce as many units Of
neat as the very best Virginia or Ohio
soft coal. Instances where settlers
secure surface title to the land and
some one would wish to mine the coal
underneath, the settler is paid for the
actual land covered by tho hoists and
other mining machinery and also re-
celves damages for whatever incon-
venience he may suffer. The settler
lis allowed to take all the coal that
he may need for his own use.
THE fact that this land in the res
ervation is placed upon the market
Will stimulate the development of
western North Dakota, make more
property for taxation, build more
homes and mean more schoolhouses
and churches.
Thriving cities and villages will
spring up on the reservation as If by
magic and in few years land which
is now roamed by the red man will
develop from its wild, untamed state
to that of one of the best farming
communities in the northwest.
THE Indians who have been al
lowed the best claims in the reserva-
ton will be encouraged to follow the
example of the white man; to de-
velop the land to the fullest extent
and within a few years all the land
in the reservation will be under cul-
tivation, thereby adding materially
to the resources of North Dakota"
Representative Helgeson, who fol-
| lowed MIR. Hanna, spoke of the tre-
mendous development of western
North Dakota and predicted that
, North Dakota is on the eve of great
! growth.
Mr.. aelsesen said he could re-
member when land in the eastern
part OF the state could be bought for
a song, and now this land sells at
| prices that compare favorably with
land in Wisconsin, Minnesota and
other western states. He stated that
the opening of the Berthold Indian
reservation was one of the most i'm
poItant events in the history of west
ern North Dakota; that it meant the
building of thousands of new homes,
the erection of hundreds of churches
and schools and the development of
! the vast material resources. The
man who draws winning number in
this reservation is lucky man, said
MIR. Helgesen. He will have mine
of inexhaustable wealth.
| The man who owns a gold mine
may wake up some day and find his
mine depleted, but the man who owns
North Dakota farm, If he takes care
of it and farms it on scientific prin-
ciples. will find that every year 1t
is worth more than the year previ-
ously," he said.
| Judge Witten explained the advan-
tages of the new system of land
drawings in comparison with the old
plan of stalking claims. He then Of
fered to give any person in the crowd
an opportunity to draw the first num-
Der if he did not think that the draw
ing was on the square.
"If any one will step forward and
will draw out his own envelope l will
give him claim No. L." said Judge
Witten
| He then introduced Robert Hanna,
tho nine year old son of Representa-
tive Hanna, who walked into the GEN.
ter of the huge platform and careless
ly picked up an envelope which he
handed to Judge Witten, who opened
1t and read the name of the winner.
Perfect silence rested among the land
seekers when Judge Witten took en-
velope No. 1. Eager expectation was
evident on the faces of the home
seekers who had gathered from every
state in the union at great expense
and in some. instances at great per-
sonal cacrit;ce to take a chance in
the government lottery. When the
name Of the winner was announced,
the face: OF the homeseekers relaxed
and pandemonium reigred for sever
al minutes. When the tumult subsid-
ed Douglas Devine. son of former
Governor ]. NJ. Devine drew envelope
40. .. and the drawing proceeded.