The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1919-10-31
"What is the Matter With WOOd?''

Iney were Cnree years ago, ana
neither the townsite company or the
county or anyone else can give good
clear title to any of the lots in Wood
formerly owned by the Wood Town
! site Co. BESIDES the back taxes, we
| understand that there is judgment
against the townsite company for
something like $4,000. Before the
townsite company could give clear
title TO any of their lots In this town
they would have to satisfy this judg-
ment and pay the back taxes and
interest on the lots. Had the pro-
ceedings commenced oy Mr.. Kell been
allowed to 60 forward and the county
had taken tax deed to these lots, no
doubt someone could have been found
to take the lots at lump sum and
would have taken care Of the judg-
ment, and thus got them in shape so
that they could have been sold, and In
this way would have added to the
taxable property of the county.
This is deplorable condition that
confronts this town and something
must be done to untangle this mess.
If the townsite company will do
nothing then some other individuals,
or company, should take hold of this
proposition and get these lots In shape
so that people who want to come here
and build may have the opportunity.
At present, If stranger comes here
and wants to build either a residence
or a business house, 1t Is ten to one
that he will not be able to buy a lot
with a clear title OH which to build.
This is really the worst obstacle we
have to overcome for the future
growth of the town. Those who pro-
NOTED the Wood Townsite Co. have
either died or removed to distant
parts and apparently lost all N seTsst
in the future welfare OF Wood and It's
people. We have inquiries every
little while from people who want to
buy lots In Wood and who want to
build, but we have to tell them of the
true condition as it exists in Wood,
and then they have to 60 elsewhere
for location. Within the past two
months we actually know Of three
different people who would have been
glad to build new residences, costing
from $1,000 to $5, 600 this fall and win.
ter had they been able to secure lots
with good title. We also know OF
two or three and possibly there would
be more good business buildings that
would 60 up in Wood in the early
spring II the parties can secure lots
with good title. There is every indi-
cation that Wood is going to enjoy a
substantial growth both in residences
and business houses In 1920, provided
that the title to the lots in this town
are Strengthened up and that the lots
are sold at a reasonable price.
We will soon have electric lights;
our schools this yea are almost double
in size to what they have been any
previous year; land values are
advancing around Wood at a very
rapid rate: there is every indication
of an influx Of new people here next
spring. 1t appears that we are going
to grow as we never grew before and
ii we can read the future Alright we
opine that within very few years at
most the steam cars will be putting
into Wood, and then we will grow
some more.
No. there is nothing the matter
with Wood. We have as good people
as there are to be found on the face
of the earth, and taking into consider
alton our numbers they are among
the most public spirited that you can
find anywhere, as whole. OF course
we have our chroric knockers--can
you show us community that has not
got themp We have the finest loca
tion for town in the entire Rosebud
country. We have good, pure, whole,
some water and plenty Of 10. You
don't have to haul or buy your drink.
ing water If you live In Wood. We
have as rich country surrounding
| Wood on all sides as you will find any
where In the state.
We repeat, there Is nothing the
matter with Wood. but we canno,
help but believe that there is some
thing radically wrong with the Woot
Townsite Co. III it is still In existence
or with the deal the county commits
sioners handed us when they stopped
the proceedings of the states attorney
when he attempted to get title to tn,
lots In this town for the county a yeal
ago last spring, under the county
, t x certificates.
We have endeavored to answer ou
own question at some length. Tn,
! next question that presents itself t.
J our mind. Is, What Is Wood goinl
. to do about its"