1912-01-08-sc-p3-josephine-ditmar-wheat-queen-of-reardan

January 08, 1912 Spokane Daily Chronicle Page 3:

DAME EORTUNE HAS SMILED OFTEN ON THIS REARDAN WHEAT QUEEN

Mrs. Josephine Ditmar Has Accumulated a Fortune in Valuable Grain Land.

From comparatively nothing to the ownership of over 1900 acres of excellent wheat land In Lincoln, county in the short period of 10 years is the remarkable record made by Josephine Ditmar, the “wheat queen” of Reardan, The story of Mrs. Ditmar’s rise in the world is all the more remarkable when the fact that she accomplished her rise to affluence solely by her own efforts is taken into consideration.

Thirty-two years ago the Ditmars left Oregon settled near Davenport. At that time there were not many houses in Spokane. After a few years spent near Davenport. The family moved near Reardan, where Mrs. Ditmar has lived ever since.

In 1902, without funds, but believing in the future of the Big Bend country, Mrs. Ditmar purchased 720 acres of land under contract. She was not able to pay a cent down, but by hard work, good management and abundant crops she was able to pay for the land in three years.

From 1905 to the present time she has gradually acquired land until today she owns more land than any other woman in the state.

Luck Was With Her.

Not only has she been able to ac- cumulate a modest fortune, but in the last 10 years she has been able to take care of her land holdings and look after her duties at home.

The history of Mrs. Ditmar's business life for the 10 years reads like a romance. Everything that she acquired more than doubled in value. Her land at the present time is estimated at a value of $150,000.

She has a fine home and likes nothing better than riding over her estate looking after the business end of the large farm. Next year she expects to average at least 40 bushels per acre, which will give her a return of something over $53.000. Modern methods of farming will leave at least half of the amount as profit.

Mrs. Ditmar is spending, a few days in the city on business and is a guest at the Halliday.