Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1855-03-01
LETTER FROM AN OLD PATRON.

We know not how it will strike Others, but
for ourself we were quite charmed with the traits
of character which an old Vermont patron has
unconsciously exhibited in the following letter
to say nothing of the liberality he has shown
in support Of our paper. Ed. OF FREEMAN.
FOUNTAIN PRAIRIE, Wis, Jan. %, 1855.
Mr.. EDITOR Il am unable to think of YOUR
name just now, but wishing to make couple of
presents to my friends here, l think l could not
do better than to order couple of copies Of
your valuable paper. Enclosed you will find
three dollars to pay the subscriptions, viz: =
l have lived 6fty-nine years among the Green
Mountains of Vermont. After enduring the
tolls and privations of pioneer life and living to
see prosperous and intelligent community
around me, and enjoying their society for long
time, started West, to see the famous prairies
and my scattered children.
After visiting some by the way, found my
self, at the anniversary of my 18th birth day,
Got. 2Oth,) entering for the first time upon o
prairie. 1t was q beautiful sight, and day
long to be remembered by children, if not by
me. lwish could give you and your readers a
correct description of the country. There is but
little Of dead level land it being generally roll
ing 1t is sight worth going miles to see, to
get on on elevated spot, and look and look till
the eye is tired, and SEQ nothing but prairie and
sky. In other places are groves of much needed
timber.
If any one is afraid of famine send him here
and his fears will vanish. Barns are scarce, but
are increasing. Any thing. from barn to a
rail pen, chinked with straw, serves for u gra-
nary. II is astonishing to sec the amount o.
grain that is raised here, and were it not 70,
spectators, farmers would realize much bottcl
prices.
There is 50 much threshing that ii takes sew
cral months to do it, with plenty of machines
taking eight horses, and from eight to ten men
threshing from 200 to 800 bushels of wheat
and 400 to 600 bushels Of oats, per day. l
there is no granary near the stack, the grain i
frequently put in rail pens.
The pork crop is good. 1 have seen NOR
loads of pork pass in the seven weeks have beef
up here, than ever saw in any one year before
and am told that what have seen was false,
within very few miles of here. One man nea
here killed forty one hogs; another, little far
Their of, eighty, this year, and eighty or owe
, last year and pork is well fatted too. vii
, send paper printed few miles from here, wit
tho weight of some hogs, that tells wells Th
price of pork ranges from 1885 to $3.50 pc
hundred. Wheat now sells at 80 cents to 81 o
for the best; Corn, IS cents; Oats. % and 8
cents Potatoes, Is cents; Butter, Is cents pc
pound.
When my visit is done, my mind tnrns to m
I mountain home, where, when lifes journey
over, [ hope to rest by the side of dear VIII
and two children.
An Old Subscriber, w.G.r.
PS Please send back numbers to Jan. Is,
Enclosed you will find some prairie flowers.
i They are the earliest ones. The blue ones wer
found the 9th Of last April The red ones ofte
grow three feet high. w.G.p.
*The paper was received but has been msaid The ave
age weight OF some twenty hogs bought of two men, was
: 400 pounds each. En-
1.-THE beautiful prairie flowers above named were receive
in line ORDER and will be preserved as memento of OF
iend and his taste for the beauties of nature at su
an age Eli