ho for dakota!
Circa 1879, the following was published in newspapers "back east" to entice men and women to take a homestead in Dakota Territory. It is a variation on "Go west, young man":

A few statements which can not be refuted.

Come west out of the grinding dependence of the shoe town and factory village, from behind the dry goods counter, and the entry clerk's desk; from the barren hill farms of the eastern states, and the winter storms and sleet of the Great Banks, "Come to Dakota, young man."

Leave it to those who prefer it, a life of labor, often granted as a favor, and too often issued as a warning to too independent spirits, or in punishment for boldly asserted manhood; let those who are willing to pay the price, enjoy the cities' pleasures and refinements, at the cost of all true success, and stalwart manhood; let those who lack energy and courage continue to truckle to their fellow men, for God's common boon of the right to live free and happy.

Remember that to this generation is open an inestimable gift; the present of a tract of good land, clear of encumbrances, exempt from attachment, and adequate to the support of all who may now, or will in time to come be dependent upon you. Not in the wilderness, or away from railroad, church and school, but where labor is well paid, food plentiful, and the iron horse preceded and does not follow the footsteps of the pioneer.

Remember that men of every tongue are pouring in, from across the ocean, to seize this gift, which you are so negligent in grasping; that ignorant of our tongue, or laws, or our traditions, leaving home and all its ties; braving the perils of the sea, and the vicissitudes of fortune, they are swarming in by myriads to grasp eagerly at the gift you seem to despise.

Are you an artisan? For carpenter and mason, blacksmith and jeweler, tin-man and boat builder, painter and decorator, printer and binder; aye, for every man that has skill or strength to employ in the development of these new lands, there is room, and labor enough; aye, more of demand than supply.

Are you a professional man? Every village must have its doctors, editors, lawyers, architects, engineers, ministers and teachers, and should you have to take to the plow and harvester at last, you will not do more than hundreds of men have done, who have found the change although not contemplated at first, the road to great gain in health and fortune.

Are you ambitious? Strike out then and seek a new country where all meet on common ground, to show by their deeds who is most worthy of the popular esteem and trust. Let old fogies drag out their little favorites to weaker men; come where you will not have to mould the laws under which you and your children must live, to make richer and stronger the men who grudge you even the right to be men.

Cast away and leave behind you, the apprehension of failure, the dread of disease, the weakness of homesickness, the longings for amusements. You will find health, strength, courage and opportunity to use all the talent you may possess; it will rarely be anything but your own fault if you do not succeed, and rejoice that you came to Dakota.

- posted by pioneergirl at 7:59 PM