The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1929-03-21
Northern Pacific Sales Show "a
per Cent Increase for
Last Year Over 1927
NEW RAIL LINES ATTRACT
Many Of Arrivals Enter Red.
water Valley, Opened Last
Fall, More Inquiring

the northwest by the Northern Pa
cific Railway Compap..' In 1928 in
creased "a per cent In acreage and
about ITO per cent in money cOnsid-
Grafton when compared with figures
OF 1877, J. M. Hughes, land commits
sioner OF that railroad, mode known
today.
The stimulus given to land settle
ment in the Northwest in 1928, the
increasing tendency by tenant farm
crs in other areas Of the United
States to seek ownership of low
priced, productive farm lands, and
the recognized improved economic
condition Of the northwest gave a
basis for Mr.. Hughes forecast that
land settlement In the northwestern
area traversed by the Northern Pa
cific railway lines In 1929 will be the
most active In any period since the
World war.
Of lands In the Northwest" Mr.:
Hughes said: But qualified, ca
pable farmers are turning to the
Northwest as an area In which they
may insure their future through land
ownership It Is one of the few re-
manning sections of the United States
where land. properly farned, is high
~ productive and may still be pur-
chased at low prices. Statistics just
prepared by the land department for
1928 are significant OF the trend, and
emphasize the growing demand for
western lands. both arabic and graz
ing In character"
Mr.. Hughes compilation showed
that:
In 1928 the Northern Pacific sold
267 900 acres Of land.
The consideration was approx
mately $2.40OO0O.
Statistics show that large amount
Of arabic land was sold to farmers In
western North Dakota and eastern
Montana, but 1t was in the Redwa-
ter country In eastern Montana,
along the newly constructed line Of
the Northern Pacific, that the great
est sales were made. Work on the
construction Of this 62-mile line was
begun In the spring Of 1927 and COM
pleted in the fall Of 1923 in time to
move last years crop. In the 49,
month period from July /, 1927, to
December 81, 1923, the advantage of
this newly opened-up country. where
100000 acres Of agricultural lands
were available, were brought to the
attention Of the nations farmers
Farmers Of the middlewest showed
particular interest In the proposition
Of settling up the lands along the
new line. according to Mr.. Hughes.
The statistics show that 1874 indi-
viduals made personal observations
In conducted parties. The railway
companys automobiles were driven
$4,000 miles on landseekers' trips In
the Redwater valley In that year and
Z half. Many others, driving their
own cars, made their own investiga-
lions.
las q net result OF All this activity
the company sold 7592817 acres Of
farming lands In that district up to
the end Of 1928, and under 283 land
contracts. for an aggregate Of $973,-
1885," Mr.. Hughes continued. I'm
addition, there were outstanding at
the end Of the year 81 short time OPP
tions affecting 23,0l1.42 acres to be
sold for an aggregate Of $275,083.06.
THE population Of the district had
been increased by the end of 1928 to
the extent Of Is new farmer families
comprising 364 individuals, who took
up residence upon railroad lands, and
several other families who moved
onto privately owned farms. OF the
remaining u families, who signified
last year the intention Of settling In
their new homes in 1929, some have
already moved out since the first
Of the year and others are to fol-
low very soon. Indications are ex.
celleut for renewed activity with the
opening Of spring. In fact, the new
settlement Of the Redwater country
should under normal conditions this
coming year, partake almost Of the
nature Of migration.
IAN interesting development Of thu
years business has been the increased
demand for lands Of the grazing type
Nearly 100000 acres Of this class o.
land In Montana, Washington, ant
OREGON were sold ct m average price