The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1912-02-08
SETTLERS RETURN
TO THEIR FARMS
BEYOND MISSOURI
State Senator Candy
Talks About Corr
ditions
PROSPECT BRIGHT
Ground is Well Soaked and
Few Settlers are I'm Need
of Public Aid
PROSPECT BRIGHT

Pierre, S. D.-So many conflict
ing reports have been given out in
regard conditions in the western part
of this state, that when in this city
State Senator Harry l.. Grady. of
Wasta, was asked in regard the true
situation in Pennington and Meade
counties, and that section of tAe
state generally. He said:
The stories of want and destitu-
ton have been greatly exaggerated,
as has also the stories Of suffering
of live stock" He admitted that in
practically every county west of the
Missouri river there will be some re-
quests for county aid to procure seed
grain for spring planting, but assert
ed that a careful canvass showed that
the number would be much smaller
than had been anticipated. In fact
the number of applications in Pen
nington county would not likely eX-
coed a hundred and while the num-
Der might be larger in Meade county,
it would only be so because that
county embraces a more extensive
territory.
He was asked if any of the people
who left last summer had shown
any indications of returning, and
said:' Every train from the east
brings some of them from points
where they went last year. They
have been at work and have secured
a grub stake and they are now re-
turning to spend the remainder OF
the winter and get ready for spring
planting. The changed situation is
shown by the fact that until about
the first Of November the White Owl
stage came into Wasta loaded and
went back empty, while now the re-
verse is the case, the loaded stages
( going out and the empty ones coming
in" p
In regard to crop prospects for
the year Mr.. Candy said that old tim
ers say the indications We're never
better in western South Dakota, In
the memory of white settlers. Heavy
late rains last fall soaked the ground
deep and the freezing weather which
followed put the ground in condition
to secure the benefits of the melting
snow in the late January thaw. II
| we'll filed lake beds and water holes
means a prosperous crop Year then
! the western part Of the state is in
fine shape.
But little suffering has been re
ported in Pennington and Meade
counties, and the reports of county
commissioners bear out the statement
that county aid has been sought in
exceptionally few cases this winter
Both horses and cattle have wintered
| we'll in these counties, and at this
time are in excellent condition.
In reply to a query as to the abil-
ity and willingness of the counties
to assist those who are unable to 9th
erwise procure seed grain. Mr.. Candy
said: perkins county aided some oil
| her settlers last year, and at least
Lyman, Stanley, Pennington and
Meade counties will render such as
sistance as is necessary this year. The
year 1905 was about the beginning
of the homestead movement into
western South Dakota. That veal
found Meade county with an assess.
ment on lands, Improvements and
personal property of $~1,927,2S6; anG
Pennington county with ~$2,874,966
while in 1911, Meade had increased
to $4,36f,745, and Pennington to So
1G7,391. What is true of these two
counties is relatively true of practi'
cally every county west of the Mis-
souri, river, for the coming Of the
homesteader brought prosperity to
the counties. Now in their year o.
adversely the counties stand ready to
aid those who need assistance to pro
! cure seed grain"
In regard to state aid he said that
state aid is not needed, and except
in d few isolated cases it has been
sought by. those who were either
seeking notoriety or desired to criti'
CHE local officials. The concessions
by the railroads have been of mater
ial benefit, and are greatly a%ppreciat.
ed by the people of the western par
of the state.