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Don't Eat Your Seed Corn: The Story of Big Maddock, North Dakota

Calvin Fisher

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Published in Don T Eat Your Seed Corn : Big Maddock #1

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The story of Big Maddock, North Dakota, is a cautionary tale about the dangers of overspending and not planning for the future. In the early 1900s, Big Maddock was a booming town, thanks to the influx of new settlers and the construction of a railroad. But the town's leaders spent money too quickly, and when the economy took a downturn, Big Maddock was left with a huge debt. The town was forced to sell its assets, and many of its residents left to find work elsewhere. Today, Big Maddock is a ghost town, a reminder of the importance of planning for the future.

Don't eat your seed corn!: Big Maddock #1

by Jenni L. Walsh

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3892 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	34 pages

The Boom Years

Big Maddock was founded in 1902, and by 1910, it was one of the largest towns in North Dakota. The town's population had grown to over 1,000, and it had a bustling downtown area with several stores, restaurants, and hotels. The town's economy was also booming, thanks to the influx of new settlers and the construction of a railroad.

The town's leaders were optimistic about the future, and they spent money accordingly. They built a new school, a new courthouse, and a new city hall. They also invested in a new water system and a new sewer system.

The Bust

But the boom years didn't last. In 1914, the economy took a downturn, and the price of wheat plummeted. Big Maddock was hit hard by the recession, and many of its residents lost their jobs. The town's leaders were forced to raise taxes to make up for the lost revenue, but this only made matters worse.

In 1918, the town defaulted on its debt, and it was forced to sell its assets. The town's buildings were sold off, and the railroad tracks were torn up. Many of the town's residents left to find work elsewhere, and by 1920, Big Maddock was a ghost town.

Lessons Learned

The story of Big Maddock is a cautionary tale about the dangers of overspending and not planning for the future. The town's leaders spent money too quickly, and when the economy took a downturn, they were left with a huge debt that they couldn't repay. The town was forced to sell its assets, and many of its residents left to find work elsewhere.

The story of Big Maddock is a reminder of the importance of planning for the future. It's important to live within your means and to save for a rainy day. If you don't, you may find yourself in a situation like Big Maddock, where you're forced to sell your assets and leave your home.

Don't eat your seed corn!: Big Maddock #1

by Jenni L. Walsh

5 out of 5