Rensselaer Union, Volume 6, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 May 1874 — Excellent Prairie Land. [ARTICLE]

Excellent Prairie Land.

Of the excellent prairie land in eastern Jasper and western Pulaski counties, quite extensive tracts of which are still uncultivated, the Home Banner,^ published at Francesville, says: “There is much of this land that was bought in early days of the settlement of these counties by speculators, and held for an advance in price. The high price asked for these lands deterred settlement to a great degree, and drove emigration past them to the cheaper lands of lowa and other portions of the West. It is true that the beauty of the country, mildness of climate, fertility of soil, and contiguity to market offered great inducements, but the figures were entirely too high, and we were thus prevented from being, even now, the center of a dense and thriving population. But these things have undergone a change. — Through the march of events many of the old land-holders have passed away and are succeeded by those who wish to realize. The lands have been assessed as other lands and are taxed up to their owners; prices have been reduced to a just standard, and, as the choice accessible lauds of the West are mostly taken up, there are great inducements to purchasers to try their chances here. We honestly believe that they cannot do better, for reasons given above, and for others not mentioned here but which will be obvious on investigation. Better inducements are offered to the working farmer here, than can be found elsewhere this side of the Missouri river. To persons who wish to invest in lands, either improved or unimproved, for actual occupation, we would say, come, look around awhile, and see it we can not offer you sufficient inducement to settle among us.”