Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1855-07-03
Jacob straughn, the great Dvover.

The papers frequently mention this
wonderfully ly successful farmer and drovef,
who emigrated, some time since, from
Muskingum County, Of this State, to
Illinois. In a letter to the Tribune
CORES po ondent thus tells Of him
In the vicinity OF Jacksonville Is the
most noted man in Illinois, not except
ting the "liltle giant" ] am toled that
he is o native Of Muskingum County,
Ohio. and that he emigrated 10 the prair'
les many years ago with money enough
10 buy a quarter section of land. He
is of medium stature, but his frame has
been Of immense power and toughness.
Sometimes whom he has been purchas.
ing cattle he has accomplished the al.
most incredible feat Of riding on hors'
back nine successive days and nights
with no sleep but what he got In the sad
die. His judgment Of cattle is almo
infallible. He will rido into drove OF
cattle, glance over it with incredible
quickness, counting the number, sing
ling out the average OK, computing from
him the whole drove, and Offering price
for the whole more promptly than many
would for single OK. He has the rep.
utalion Of being a fair dealer and will
not hnggls with those who sell and buy
Of him. If his customers like his terms
that ends the matter, and If not it
certainly ends it. He measures out his
plans weeks ahead by the half hour,
never failing in his engagements and
never forciying ths laggard who keeps
him waiting. His cattle business en-.
areed enormously until he purchased
and sold many Thousands year. All the
money not needed in this business was
invested in lands, and it is said that he
has never been known TO sell an acre.
His home farm contains ten thousand
acres, and a gentleman told me that one
field on that farm. planted year after
year with corn, contains three thousand
acres, and another four thousand. Near
La Sale he has tract Of some six or
seven thousand acres, and besides those
many smaller farms Of section, less
or more. His landed estate is said 10 be
worth million Of dollars.
His mode Of dealing with tenants is
characteristic. He assigns them Ger.
tain tracts and tells them he wants them
10 put in so many acres Of corn, agree
ing if they work we'll to pay them SO
much bushel for the crop when ripe
In the fall he brings each man his money
and then drives to each certain mum
Der Of cattle and hogs, and says: 81
will pay you so much head to feed
these this winter all they can eat. and
you are TO have them at my house on
the first day of next May" On the spc
cited day his droves are coming in from
all directions, and buyers from the Eas
and cities are there attending the great
est catlle market in the West, If not il
America. The beef cattle on the grounG
amounts TO thousands, and the drover!
are able TO get just what they want
And what is singular, this man neve
keeps book accounts, retaining lh'
, mlnutest details Of his immense busines.
in his money, and filling up his engage
ments with perfect exactness.
| A few years since such protracted
ia king Of mind and body broke hin
down, and am told that he is showin9
too many signs Of age for q man sale
not 10 be GO. In some respects he il
the most remarkable man in illinois, tht
like of whom will not soon be seer
again. His name is Jacob Straughn