Bemidji Daily Pioneer Newspaper, March 27, 1909, Page 51

! | I ! BEMIDJI, BELTRAMI COUNTY AND NORTHERN MINNESOTA. OUR REPRESENTATIVE This is the legislative representative from this district—the Sixty-first. Mr. Opsahl is now serving his second term. and the manner in which he has com- ported himself, the credit he has received for his unflagging faithfulness to his con- stituency, the important work he has accomplished since his incumbency, and the important committees to which he has been assigned, all portend his re- tention in office so long as he conduects himself along the lines he has observed since his election. { Mr. Opsahl’s popularity is reflected by . ,the fact that in his contest for er-election last fall he vanquished his party op- ponents in a three-cornered fight, at the primaries, and polled practically 75 per cent of the votes cast at the last general clection. Mr. Opsahl has been a resident of Be- midji since 1901, whence he removed from Clay county, this state, where he was an extensive merchant. Perceiving the alluring opportunities of Bemidji and Beltrami county, Mr. Opsahl disposed of his interests in Clay 'county, bought up farm lands and timber tracts in this sec- tion, purchases which finally culminated in the organization of Selkce Land Com- pany, a concern owning and controlling an endless number of farming and tim- ber lands, and one which is noted for its conservative and progressive business policy, : Representative Opsahl also proved the depth of his conception of the value of this section as a pleasure resort when he platted Lavinia, a beautiful hamlet situ- ated on the Minnesota and International road six miles from Bemidji, ornamented with a number of palatial summer houses. . While has has disposed of much of his property in Lavinia, he retains a few choice locations which will bear inspec- tion, and such as will increase in value at no far distant day. Mr. Opsahl also platted out Riverside addition, forming, while so doing the Bemidji and Mississippi Improvement Company. Riverside is another spot for recreation and healthful living, and, like Lavinia and Bemidji, is destined to be- come a popular rendezvous for sojourners from other climes., It is said that Mr. Opsahl has consummated more transac- tions relative to realty than any one man’ in Beltrami county, and the material benefit these sales have bDeen to this section is mirrored by ‘ncrease in Be- midji’s population, develrpment, industry and thrift. As a legal representative from this district, although he is now serving his second term, Mr. Opsahl is to be extolled for the lasting work he has accomplished and for the recognition he has achieved at the hands of the powers that be. As a member of the House Committee creat- ing the State Board of Immigration, of Mr. Opsahl it may be sald that he was one of the influential mentors and fathers of that extremely important -bureau. As all are aware, the State Immigration Bureau consists of men highly versed in the science of agriculture, horticulture, dairying, live stock interests, vegetation, timber, water and all other subjects re- lated to geological conditions and survey. This bureau has earned millions of money for the state since its establish- ment, and the advertisement it has disse- JENS J. OPSAHL, Representative Sixty-first District. minated is incalculable in value and ex- tent. It can be truthfully asserted that the State Bureau of Immigration is the most important department Minnesota can claim, inasmuch as it gathers statis- tics, after ithe most careful research, pertaining to soil, growing plants and trees, water, mineral wealth, the propa- gation and proper care of every living thing, exports, imports and consumption, and in fact every economical subject of interest to every -citizen of ‘the state. This board has developed territory, previ- ously considered practically valueless, to a paying degree, while the effect of its general existence is of the greatest im- port to all interests, regardless as to their number. : Mr. Opsahl, along with the many other brainy and resourceful men of Beltrami county, is also entitled to warm praise SEANIGES ST LR RS ey g i S e T E S s e for the increase in farm and city realty values his efforts have brought about. Working in harmony with our leading business men and capitalists, Mr. Opsahl has fully done his share toward develop- ing this territory, with the result that city and town property has increased from 100 to 500 per cent,.according to location, while farm lands have been enhanced fully 100 per cent. This ma- terial showing in realty values and the rapid development and growth of Bel- trami county is of extreme einterest to every person in the county, and Mr. Opsahl can be congratulated upon the part he assumed in bringing about of these happy and profitable conditions. In closing, let us say this: Representa- tive Opsahl has won public favor without currying it, and he is willing to rise or fall by the records he has made.