Jasper County Democrat, Volume 11, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 October 1908 — RETURN FROM LAND DRAWING. [ARTICLE]

RETURN FROM LAND DRAWING.

Emmet L. Fidler, who with N. A. Hendrix and A. F. Shesler went ta Presho, So. Dak., to register in the Rosebud Indian Reservation land-drawing, returned Thursday at 2:04 p. m., well satisfied with his trip; and in hopes that he drew a price in the way of a quarter section of land. All three registered while there and Mr. Shesler looked for a place to rent over in the ' neighborhood of Larimore. From Presho the trio drove to. Larimore across country last Saturday some 65 miles, covering the distance' in one day.

Although it was very Mr. Hendrix stood the trip in fine shape, much better than he would have done in this climate, Mr. Fidler thinks. The country in this part of Dakota is rolling, with the hills very abrupt, so much so that Mr. Fidler thinks if a steer was to lose his footing he would be a goner—would roll to the bottom and be killed in the tumble. O® soil is very deep in the low land and very rich, the hills however are not so good, being covered with the blue stem grass so common in this country. The fact that the Indians have first choice in the lands, and select that near water, and the further fact that each male or female over 21 gets a half section and each child a quarter section, and the further fact that there are many “kids'* in Indian families, there is not so much good land left for white men. And there is a great many white men for what land there is. Many white men lease Indian lands. Mr. Fidler tells of one who had leased eight quarters and had raised a good crop of wheat and some corn although he was 40 miles from a railroad and the nearest threshing machine was 15 miles from him.