1885: "Good Agricultural Land"

The following notice appeared in The National Tribune on January 29, 1885. Many Union veterans read this newspaper, and former Lieutenant Rudolph Kost of the 6th Connecticut Infantry offered an idea for western settlement in Dakota Territory. 

COLONIZATION PROJECT FOR SOLDIERS AND OTHERS.

To the Editor: Much has been said and written throughout the country in the interest of the soldier, but I have neither heard nor read of a good plan for combined action to provide homes for such soldiers and their families as have no homes of their own, and little or hardly any money. Good agricultural land is being taken up so rapidly, that our soldiers will have to hurry up to secure before they die a part of Uncle Sam's farm, for which they fought so hard, or else there will be nothing left for them and their families, except a lot 6x12 for burial.

While on a prospecting trip last October and November along the Northern Pacific Railroad in Dakota for the purpose of selecting a good location for myhself and other soldiers to locate our claims, I met a number of ex-soldiers from different States who were out for the same purpose. We examined and selected a fine tract of land a short distance from the railroad, and came to the conclusion that if a large number would settle together and consoldiate their little capital and their labor, more could be accomplished with half the capital than could be done if every man was doing his work alone. We therefore invite, through your valuable paper, all ex-soldiers and others who would like to join this colony to send their names and address, with two stamps inclosed for return mail of sectional maps and circulars to — R. Kost, Lieut., Co. H, 6th Conn., Bridgeport, Conn. 

Source:

"Colonization Project for Soldiers and Others," The National Tribune, January 29, 1885, Page 3. (Accessed through Newspapers.com)