Bemidji Daily Pioneer Newspaper, December 10, 1908, Page 1

» THE BEMIDJ1 DAILY PIONEER. VOLUME 6. NUMBER 201. BEMIDJI, MINNESOTA, THURSDAY EVENING. DECEMBER 10, 1908. RINNESOTA HISTORICA SEBCIETY. Historica Society, FORTY CENTS PER MONTH NORTHERN MINNESOTA HAS SPLENDID FARMING LAND| State Immigration Commissioner George Welch, in Speech at State University, Laude d the Future Greatness of North Country for Farming. CUT-OVER BELTRAMI This Kind Will Produce the Finest George Welch, director of the! state immigration bureau, has pre-| pared an address for the Academy! of Social Science of the Minnesota | university, which says great things for the natural resources and future of northern Minnesota. Mr. Welch tells of the oppor- tunities awaiting acceptance at a merely nominal price, in a most con- vincing way. “No greater field for agricultural development is to be found,” says| Mr. Welch, “than is offered by this state, Minnesota has, approxi- mately, 50,000,000 acres of land, 90 per cent of ! is capaple of agri- cultural production. Of this, not to exceed 18,000,000 acres has ever been plowed.” Relative to north-central Minne- sota, he says. ““The northern section of our state is but little known to the people of Minnesota, and not at all to the inhabitants of other states. This region was originally covered with a dense forest, the popular opinion being that it was all pine, but I am informed by our state engineer that not to exceed 10 per cent of north- ern Minnesota ever had pine on it. “I mention this because it is a popular impression that pine grows only upon sandy soil—which is erroneous in the extreme. Pine timber may be found on soil so sandy that it is valueless except for reforestation, and it may be found on the heaviest of clay soil. Tests have been made in this district in the production of all kinds of pro- ducts, and it is today the umiversal opinion of those who know that there is no section in America that equals this northern part of Minne- sota for production of root crops and tame grasses. “Nor do I wish to be understood that this section has failed to pro-! duce cereal crops, for such is not true; but the place to produce any given commodity is where it can be produced the best and the cheapest, and for that reason I state that this region of Minnesota is particularly COUNTY CLEARING. Clover, Potatoes and Root Crops. adapted for dairy products and root crops. I contend that a given tract of land in northern Minnesota will pasture nearly double the amount of cattle or any other live stock |that will be the same area in the more highly developed sections of the Mississippi valley. “We have upwards of 6,000,000 acres of land in this region known as ‘swamp lands,’ all of which can be easily drained; and as a large part of them are now de- nuded of timber, when drained, can be immediately turned into farms. This state _is doing maygnificeat work in this direction, which is aiding in a large measure the settle- ment of this district of Minnesota. | The cheapness of the land, the pro- ductiveness of its soil, the timber thereon which can be wused for fuel and building material by the incoming settlers, makes this a most desirable location for a man of limited means to build a profitable farm home. “No better opinion can be formed of the capabilities of Minnesota to produce agriculturally than by a short review of what she has accom- plished. In 1858 the entire farm products of the state amounted to less than $7,000,000, while in 1907 the combined products of the farms amounted to $265,000,000, notwith- standing the small per cent of land under cultivation. “From the foregoing it will readily be seen that there are two proposi- tions confronting the Minnesota peo- ple to bring her agricultural products to where they should be; first, more people to till the soil; second, a more scientific method in tillage by specializing products.” In giving brief examples of won- derful showings made in north- eastern Minnesota, Mr. Welch says: “G. G. Hartley of Duluth opened up a farm in the swamps of western St. Louis county, and after draining land which was not valued to exceed {$4 per acre, the following year pro- duced on a tract of 10 acres, $10,000 worth of celery. Speaks Well of Bemidji Nursery. Superintendent A. J. McGuire, of the Northeast State Experimental Farm at Grand Rapids, paid a high compliment to Bemidji yesterday afternoon when speaking of the nursery farm near this city which is owned by The Itasca Park Region Nursery company. Mr.- McGuire said, in part: “I consider this section of Northern Minnesota very fortunate indeed in having a nursery in this part of the state. ~What Northern Minnesota needs accustomed to this climate. Mr. Anderson has a nice little nursery in the way of orchards is stock which has become doing a great favor to the people | throughout this section of the coun- p— itl‘)‘. Superintendent McGuire and C. E. Brown of Elk River, who are conducting Farmers’ Institutes in ;tbis section of the country, spent {yesterday inspecting the farms in Ithis neighborhood and giving prac- tical suggestions to the farmers. Messrs. McGuire and Brown drove over to Wilton this morning to hold an institute there. The Donald Land & Lumber Co. Requests all persons having claims against it to make same out in DUPLICATE and mail one copy to the Secretary, Schroeder Block, City and and if he succeeds in raising an apple tree which is acclimated to| he will be Northern Minnesota, the other to - Roger C. Spooner, President. R. F. D. Na. 1., Wilton, Minn. That there is an overwhelming necessity for a sixth grade normal school is becoming more evident every day; and if there wasanything that was necessary to indicate that more room (another school) was absolutely necessary, it has been brought out by the subjoined re- port of Hon. Ell Torrance of Minne- apols, who is president of the State Normal Board, which report has been filed with the governor. A special telegram to the Duluth News-Tribune from St. Paul says of the report: **‘St. Paul, Minn., Dec. 8.—Hon. Ell Torrance, of Minneapolis, president of the normal school board, has filed the report of the board in the office of the governor. The report makes a plea for addi- as tional dormitory accommodations, especially at Moorhead and Duluth. The report says on this subject: ‘At Duluth there dormitory complete in equipment, but less than 50 students, and at both Moorhead and Duluth the conditions are such as to make more ample dormitory ac- is a small sufficient for commodations imperative. ““The feeling is becoming strong- er that influences surrounding the students at these Dormitories, the means of culture provided in them, the safety and protection of the students, the school life and school spirit which they foster are no small part of the educational facilities furnished at these institu- S tions. “‘A teacher, to be ful, should have culture as well as success- learning, refinement as well as men- tal energy, and, while crudeness and an atmosphere’ of the back woods may to some extent be overlooked in a man, they cannot be condoned in a woman. i ““The lodging house is a poor lplace for a poor girl, whose home life has from necessity been deficient, and those who have been more highly favored no less need the helpful and inspiring influence of home life at school,” where under the kindly care, helpfu! ministries, and wise counsel of a cultmed woman, they m1iy outside the b;lass-tcom learn much that is essential to the successful ‘of their chosen life work. “ws prosecution 'Another consideration in favor of dormitories is that-they provide a good home, with good faod;and beds and congenial surroundings_’, at from 50 to 60 per cent of the cost which inferior accommodations ;can be obtained elsewhere, and yq‘t without expense to the state except to furnish buildings. It is doubtful if any better investment can be made by the state in connection with these schools than in the construction and equipment of suitable dormitories.’ “Since their organization, says the report, the normals have turned out over 8,000 trained teacfiers. At the legislative session the total appropriations for normals was $621,000 in excess of any amount ever before granted. During the past two years.', the normals have graduated 2,323 teschers. - The Du- luth normal practice department attendance for 1906-7 was 162; for 1907-8 it was 150. department, the Duluth nomal’s attendance in 1906-7 was 205; in 1907-8 it was 261. 'I_‘_!le Dflu]uth normal’s graduates for 1906-7 num- bered 40, for 1907-8, 34. EX-GOVERNOR JOHN LIND IS FRIEND OF NORMALS In the normal President Board of Regenis Opposes Establishing Department for Teachers at University. Ex-Governor John Lind, who is president of the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota, has taken a decided stand against the proposition which is being advanced to establish a department for teachers at the State University, which scheme has as a rider a request for a $150,000 appropriation from the legislature. A telegram from St. Paul says of ex-Governor Lind: “St. Paul, Minn., Dec. 8.—Former Governor Lind, last night, proved himself the friend of the normal school interests, and the enemy of a SUPERIOR NORMAL WILL Wisconsin Basketball Here With Enviable Reputation as Being Extremely Fast. Ellis N. Calef, Superior Normal football team, has of this week: games (December 11-12). Under no doubt, around. you will, sidered. will say: Whitewater Normal, White PLAY HERE THIS WEEK |« Team Comes manager of the written to manager Heffron as fol- lows concerning the last Normal team which will play two games | with the “Big Bemidji” team in this city Friday and Saturday evenings; Ashland, Wis. Y. M. C. A; Nelson- ““Dear Sir—Replying to your favor of Nov. 10: We are pleased to hear that you have arranged for two This should make it more satisfactory all this arrangement repeat your original offer of allowing us eight men instead of six that we were to take when only one game was con- “Relative to ourlast year’s. record is., defeated all the Normal _——————————— Isclmul teams in the state south of Oshkosh last year, but were de- feated twice by Superior, both times y a decisive score. This gave Superior a clear title to the Normal championship of the state. this city won the high school cham- pionship of the state at the annual tournament at Appleton, Wis. We played two games with this team. In their gym. we were defeated, but in our gym. they were ‘skun.’ Super- jor Normal was the only team that succeeded in turning the trick on ther last season. “We defeated Duluth Y. M. C. A.; | Dewey (Superior) high school and Alumni; Ashland Y. M. C. A. defeat- ing us in their gym., which was much smaller than ours and early in the season.” Sale and Supper. The Methodist Ladies Aid society will hold a sale of quilts and plain sewing and fancy articles on Tues- day afternoon and evening, Dec. 15th at the I. O. O. F. hall and will serve a meat pie supper from 5 to 8 hagty : : ““The Blaine High School team of | A SIXTH NORMAL SCHOOL WOULD FURNISH RELIEF Hon. Ell Torrance, President ,Staj;e Normal Board, Tells of Inadequate Accommodations of Present Schools.-- State Should Provide A:‘_lother Normal, scheme to establish a big college of advanced education for teachers in connection with the state univer- sity. “The meeting which was semi- executive in character and rather informal, was held in Mitneapolis, between most of the regents of the university, and a delegation of normal and high school presidents, and other educators. The visitors were attempting to line up the regents for a request of $150,000 from' the coming legislature for a building for the ‘College for Educators'—so that this department of the university might at once spring into prominence, and have accommodations which would com- pare favorably with the select quarters of the medical and the mining colleges. “The various members of the visiting delegation, including Asst. Supt. of Public Instruction €. G. Schulz, had their say, and then Former Governor Lind threw his bomb. “Governor Lind told them he favored extension, if necessary, of the normal school accommodations; that the normals are doing a great work in creating an army of new and well equipped teachers; that the university is big enough; that if the regents asked for - $150,000 from the legislatures for the pro- posed new ~building, the country would at once say the cities—espec- ially Minneapolis—were trying to “hog” it, and to take away the pres- tige of the normals scattered through- out the state in the small towns. He enlarged on these ooints,and showed very plainly where he stood. There was little more said when Governor Lind finished. Governor Lind prac- tically killed the scheme for the new college building, and there seems little chance that a request will be THE STATE SHOULD AID IN - GIVING CHEAP DYNAMITE Charles S. Carter of Hines Believes State Could Furnish the Explosive at Rates Which Would Be Within Reach of Settlers. Charles S. Carter of Hines (about twenty miles north of Bemidji) has put “forth the plan of asking the legislature to furnish dynamite to northern farmers at cost, Mr. Carter believing that the problem of clear- ing cut-over lands is as important as drainage, good roads, etc. In a communication which he asks | to have published, Mr. Carter says. | “Hines, Minn., Dec. 9.—The writer attended the meeting of the which was held at Blackduck on the 5th state agriculturist experts inst., and noted with much gratifica- tion the = ever-increasing that is being manifested by the set tlers, the business men and other residents of the these meetings. community, in “As surely as great improvements have been made in railroad systems, in manufacturing enterprises and other industries by a close study of economies, of improvement and unity of purpose, just so will the future of northern Minnesota resi- dents be made prosperous and happy by attending the lectures and prac- tical demonstrations of the men sent out by the state for our special benefit. “After hearing the practical experi- ence of Mr. McClernan as he explained by drawings, etc., it is plain to see that we have pursued a more or less expensive method of clearing stump land; and we should profit by his experiences and our own. “It has been clearly shown, and most all residents of a timber coun- try will agree, that the cheapest and best method of clearing stump land is by the use of dynamite. And right here I wish to ‘say that the sole object of the writer in asking that this article be published is for the express purpose of awakening made for the structure.” our representatives to the fact that interest dynamite at cost, to our Northern Minnesota stump land settlers, is more necessary than binding twine from the Stillwater penitentiary furnished at cost to the prarie farmers. ) “We want the State of Minne- sota to furnish, at the lowest pos- sible cost, to actual settlers, dyna- mite enough to transform this coun- try, in five years, from a wilder- ness of stumps #nd slashings into one of the richest farming and idairy countries on earth. | * “The great bugaboo of a hard- wood timber country has always been the cry, ‘It costs too much to get out the stumps.”’ A stand all ’alang the line in northern Minnesota for ‘dynamite at cost to the settlers,’” would solve the problem, and a movement of this kind should occupy in state politics a place as import- ant as that of drainage. “This action would be the great- est advertisement to bring results in the shape of settlers we could have published. It would please the farmer close on the heels of the lum- berman, and this country would never experience the expensive lapse of time, both to the business man and the settler, that exists between the going of the lumberman and the com- ing of the settler that has been the result in other lumbering countries, while the land becomes overgrown to brush and weeds, which increases the cost of clearing ten per cent, per year. “In closing, I would like to hear through the press the sentiment of others who are interested in the development of our agricultural resources by the adoption of ‘cheaper dynamite.” I have lived in nortlLern Minnesota for thirty years, and I have greater enthusiasm concerning this section and more faith in it from an agricultural point of view as the years roll by; and I am backing my faith with perman- ent improvements.” $1.00 to $2 Smoking Jackets Bath Robes Si k Lined Gloves Silk Underwear Handkerchiefs 10c to 81 Dress Shirts Cuff Button - $4 50 to $6.00 each $5.00 each $1.00 to $2.560-a pair $8.00.a suit Neckties 25¢ to $1.00 each Hose 25c to $1.50 a pair .00 each $1.00 to $l. Suspenders | pair in box 60c to $3. Stick Pins, 50 each CHRISTMAS GIFTS Our stock contains a large variety of merchandise suitable for Christmas presents. appreciated. Make your selections from the following list and you will get big value for your money. Gifts for Men Fancy Night Robes Useful gifts are most Gifts for Women Hosiery 50c to $5.00 a pair Gloves 50c to $3.50 a pair Handkerchiefs 5c¢ to $1,00 each Neckwear 25c¢ to $1.00 each Furs $1.00 to $25.00 each Coats $7.95 to 835 Skirts $4 to $22 each Silk Petticoats $4.50 to $10 each Silk Kimonas $5 to $8 each Dress Goods 50c to $2.50 a yard 50 each Pillows, 00 each Cut Glass, Fancy China, Pendants, Fancy Work, Combs, Hair Orna- ments and Perfumes. TOYS FOR THE CHILDREN O’LEARY & BOWSER