The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1915-07-01
MADE A FORTUNE
BY HOLDING FARM
Two Sales of South Dakota Land
One at 5000 Per Acre

ported in eastern South Dakota.
One piece sold near Bridgewater,
McCook county, 60 miles east and AZ
miles south of Hand county. The
other was IN Minnehaha county.
The first report follows:
The Robert nj. Pringle farm. con-
tanning LEO acres. located near
B~ridgewater. was sold on Saturday
to Julius Jensen. a well to do farmer
of that place, for a consideration of
SIC. 900, or $125 an acre. Eighteen
months ago this farm brought SIP :
SO an acre"
Mr. James Bard. of Miller, was a
former resident of Bridgewater. and
he saws that 1t is only a few years
ago, about 10, that the farm land
there went begging at 500 to $25 per
acre. No one there believed that in
fifteen years or so it would sell for
over 500 per acre. OF course. No
one, scarcely, ever believes the land
about them will double or treble its
value! That's why so many older
men look back in their lives and say
why didn't | buy that property and
keep it,"
Twenty thousand dollars for one
quarter of land in South Dakota is
not the highest, by any means. AS
high as $50. 600 has been received.
Of course. it was an improved farm,
but the chances are that the man
who improved it first sold it at a
very small price.
And here is a report of South Da.
kota farm land selling for 5000 per
acre:
"Garretson. June ~. Probably
the highest price paid for farm land
in South Dakota was paid yesterday
when a gentlemen named Eiterman,
who lives near Booge, purchased the
Mike Germ farm of 2O5 acres near
Garretson, paving 5000 per acre for
the land.
This land is two miles and more
from any town and 1t can be used
only for farming purposes. The
land was purchased a number of
years ago by Mr. Germ and held
through hard times. He had faith
in the future of this section of the
country and he said today that he
was even sorry to let loose of the
land at 5000 per acre"
Don't these things lead US to an
important lesson in life show US the
way to what every person desires?
1t takes some grit. some patience,
some determination to stay with it
in fact nerve to act and enough will
power to face obstacles. and still
hold on. Here's the lesson. often
told. like all good lessons: The above
item does not give the price Mr. Germ
paid for his land, but all old timers
can remember when he could have
bought land there for SIS or 500 per
acre. Call it $40. and saw the POS
acres cost him 81, 100. He sold for
SAL. 900. a raise of nearly $37. 900.
That vas fine-a result which brings
a thrill Of interest to any man. But
so many men go no further. because
they think it is out of their class or
no such opportunity will repeat it.
self, ~or-or-just Il can't" There
are a number Of these MEN, now
grown old. or III middle age, living
nes Mr. Mike GERMS farm. They
didn't buy any land when it was
cheap. What possible profits have
they had in the raise of the price of
land about them? Germ made him.
self moderately wealthy because he
had the nerve to take hold and stay
with it.
Any young man. and perhaps any
middle aged man, can make his old
age comfortable and independent by
getting and keeping one quarter of
good cheap land. 1t is to be had in
central South Dakota-in Hand
county--and the fact that he may
have to 60 into debt and struggle to
pay for it, should be an incentive to
both thrift and energy. This is the
sure road to moderate wealth.
There is nc royal road. We may
well forget that ancient fallacy about
spending all one makes to .'enjoy
life while one is Young" if the ex-
perience of successful men is worth
anything. For they tell us that the
possession of at least moderate means
gives more real solid comfort and
pleasure in later life. than the care.