Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1866-01-10
FORREST City, N. T., Dec. 25, 1865.


DEAR EDITOR As you had the kind
ness to give room to a letter of mine, some
time since, | desire to say few words to
such as may wish to emigrate to this terri
tory.
1t is a we'll known fact that all men do
not see alike, and hence have different
opinions as to the advantages of country
they may visit Some will not stop long
enough in place to note the changes OF
seasons, and in consequence one finds 1T too
warm and another too cold. Another says
produce is too plenty to make money out Of
it, while others say it is too high In price
for poor man to make living there, etc.
These objections generally are the result OF
negligence III gaining information from those
residing in the localities which they visit.
But you find men everywhere who are dis
satisfied with their condition in life. They
may have everything that heart could de-
sire and yet grumble, and the unobservant
and credulous traveller is frequently the VIC
tim of their discomfort, believing only ywhat
they hear, and not what they might see, If
they would only open their eyes.
This country, like all others, has its ad-
vantages, as well as its disadvantages.
Timber is not very abundant yet there
is enough for all practical purposes
Stone is not plenty, yet limestone of good
quality can be had by hauling some six or
| eight miles, which is excellent building ma
terial. But the scanty supply of timber
and stone, saves many sore spots to the
plowman as he has not to run against roots
and stumps in tilhng the soil; and their abb
sence alsoincreases the yield of grain per acre.
Farmers here can better afford to sell wheat
at one dollar per bushel, than those in Clear
| filed can at three dollars, and corn pays bet
ter at forty cents here, than at one dollar
and half in Clearfeld. And so with all
kinds of grain and vegetables. The build
ings are not so good here as in many parts
| of Pennsylvania, and yet people generally
are content, and are much more soclable
and neighborly than in the east-each man
striving to enhance the others happiness
and comfort.
| Politically, the late war has not disturbed
the peace of this territory Parties are near
ly equally divided, (the Republicans being
in the majority but the Cops are fast dis
appearing and we expect soon to belong to
the United Brotherhood, and have our star
appear in the National Constellation. 'Tis
true; there are some in Newbraska Territory
who are opposed to helping pay the Nation
al debt, but many are being almost daily
converted to the National faith and [ dare
say, ere another Presidential campaign we
will have the pleasure of poking in our tick
cts for Uncle SAM" and help to pay his
debts; and should it become his unpleasant
lot, in the future, to find any of our cousins
unruly, we will willingly help to chastise them.
If there are those who do not like this course
they can go elsewhere, for the world is large.
Thus far we have had fine weather this
season. with the exception of few weeks.
Several inches of snow fell several days
since, but it has all disappeared under the
warm rays of the SUM- And now. as Christ
mas is drawing to a close, will cease my
scribhling with happy greeting to the
Journal. Yours truly, PILGRIM.