Jasper County Democrat, Volume 2, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 April 1899 — PLEASED WITH ALBERTA [ARTICLE]

PLEASED WITH ALBERTA

An Excellent Report from Wiaconaiu / ' and Minnesota Delegatee. The opinion of five delegatee from Minnesota and Wisconsin, published by the Edmonton Bulletin 'over their names, Is very complimentary to Northern Alberta. The report says: “We must say with all sincerity that driving all over the country for six days, we have not found one settler who was not more than pleased with the country and its productions, and will not return to the land he left. We have seen people here from all parts of the States and all doing well. We met a Dakota farmer by the name of McLean, who has informed us that be has raised more grain here in three years than he did in thirteen where he came from, on half as much ground. We have seen a number of others, both men and women, and all speak In the same strain about Alberta. They all look well and contented; even the children are Ijappy. In our drive over the country, in passing the countless school bouses we cQUId only see happiness in the faces of the little ones. We noted them all well dressed, equal, if not better, than the same class of children in the State of Minnesota. “The wheat that Is raised here is just bexutiful, the kerne) full and plump, and may well be termed golden grain, yielding 30 to 55 bushels to the acre. This statement is not from one farmer, but from hundreds who tell the same tale. Oats yield from 70 to 100 bushels to the acre, barley from 40 to 60 bushels and potatoes from 300 to 400 bushels to the acre. “We have taken particular notice of the climate In regard to the difference between this country and our own. When we left Ada. Minnesota, we were in the midst of a real Dakota blizzard. When we arrived at Edmonton we found the people on the streets still wearing summer clothing, no mittens on their hands and far less use for them. The country is simply more than we ever dreamed of. The printed matter sent out by the Government does not half tell of the grand country in Alberta, open for millions of people to make Tieautiful homes for themselves. Too much cannot be said in praise. It is all and more than the greatest eulogist ever thought of giving to the publie. “We saw cattle and horses in herds grazing on the prairie like in summer time, all sleek and fat. We were informed by several farmers that most of the stock run out all winter. We also found the market extra good here for beef and pork. Hogs fetch 4%c live weight. A 3-year-old steer will bring from S4O to $45 right from the prairie. Coal and wood are here in abundance. Coal is sold in the town of Edmonton for $2 per ton and farmers can secure coal at the mines ’hemselves for 75c per load. “Before closing we say to you one and all, come to Alberta, where there are homes for millions and a promise for something to lay by for an old age. We are well satisfied with this country and as evidence have each bought a half section of C. P. R. land in township 55, range 21 west of the fourth initial meridian, and will return next spring to reside. “Hoping this may be of some benefit to the overburdened farmers of the United States.” Setft by Floyd Dean, son of E. S. Dean of Deanville, Mich., who is now in Alberta, and has taken up 160 acres there.