Finally, seeking wider opportunities for his activities than could be obtained in the populous district of Michigan, he came to Kansas. Here he invested in lands in Franklin Township of Edwards County and began developing his holdings. He bought the entire section 3, township 25, range 17. The land had no improvements, and he employed tenants to work it and develop it. On this land he has since built two large granaries, a barn 38 by 42 feet, fourteen feet to the square, also a residence of seven rooms.
Windmills supply the water for home and stock.
Of the section all but eighty acres have now been brought under cultivation and are devoted to wheat and corn. In wheat production Mr. Smith's best crop has ranged between twenty to twenty-five bushels to the acre. The smallest yield brought nine bushels to the acre. He has had some large corn crops. The land in his section of the county is well adapted to the growing of the yellow cereal, and his own farm has produced many thousands of bushels.