The Ronan pioneer., 1913-12-12
APPRAISED VALUE
DRAINED HOMESTEADERS

One hears considerable talk
these days Of losing confidence
in the country. 1t is becoming
common to hear of MIR. So.and-
So going away, and the remark
always brings up the cause Of
his leaving. Many times the
real reason is overlooked and the
country gets the credit of being
to blame when such is not the
truth. The Pioneer has never
lost faith in the country or it's
resources and believes the blame
should be placed where it really
belongs.
As has been said in these COL
umns before, the transformation
now going on here is typical of
all new countries. Those who
came as pioneers in the move
ment to improve and cultivate
the Flathead were of that type
of sturdy Americans who have
been the advance guard in the
development Of all the great
west. They came with only
their ambition to sustain them,
in many instances, and this was
not sufficient to keep them above
the tide which always comes and
goes and claims its quote. Those
who have succeeded in their ef-
forts to establish a home for
themselves and families are the
exception, and there are good
and sufficient reasons why this
has been the case. Without suf-
ficient means to build their
houses and barns, to fence and
break their land and to provide
something to eat during the un-
productive period, they of neces-
sity ran behind, and debts ac-
cumulated. To meet these OBJ
legations a mortgage was the
only refuge, and as they proved
up on the land, money was bor-
rowed to pay obligations then
due. This process of liquidation
brought new conditions as it
added the interest charge to be
cared for each year, and this
item is always an embarrassing
one. There is much money due
this fall for interest on loans and
when it is paid some other bills
remain unpaid and it works an
embarrassment to those who have
trusted him during the past year
as we'll as to the farmer who can
not pay.
Some were far sighted enough
to get a start in stock during the
first years of their sojourn on the
Flathead. Of them it can be
said they are just beginning to
get their heads above water and
will not much longer be depen-
dent on receiving credit at the
stores. They will soon he mar
keting sufficient produce to more
than meet their needs. Those
who were unable, or did not take
advantage of this means of pro-
viding a revenue, are the ones
who now find they are compelled
to seek other means of making
a living and are selling out and
leaving the country.
There is another feature which
has been overlooked in the
causes which have brought hard
times to many. AS proof has been
made on the homesteads, it has
taken from $3.50 to 81 per acre
out Of the country, this money
all being paid to Uncle Sam for
the land, in addition to the usual
homestead fees and commissions
exacted of all who take up public
land. Computed in the gross the
amount is amazing. Up to Jan.
l, 1914, there will have been
made at the Roman commission
er's office alone, 436 commuta-
tion proofs, to say nothing of
those made at Poison, Dixon, and
the land Office in Missoula. The
grand total will be in excess of
600 and everyone of them have
sent out from $1.50 to $500 per
acre for the land. 1t can be
.r>l.. >.As.>.k.I kl>A - ...:1l