Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1869-07-13
lWraaf ddulltnE fjeraios !
Letter from Kansas.

- Mdgswsy, Kansas, Jun. Oath, asso.. ~,
Mr.. CovER:--In giving you very
superficial view ofmatters in general,
be pleased to bear in mind that we
Jaw a very limited portion of the
States of which we purpose. now to
write.s ssaiaag.o @ ssasd 'sai5a1 % ssilts r.
The roads, have been in remarka-
bly, good condition, favoring us with
the chance of speedy Journey; and
here letsme make this remark that
better method is followed in Iowa
to make and repair roads than is
commonoin western Wisconsin: sim
ply to give, on hilly roads, the surface
q smooth even finish, thus giving the
water q chance to flow over ali the
surface at once making, no deep ruts
or bitches. What dunderhead ever
invented CD the humps and bitches
now made across the roads in Grant
county, turning ell the water in one
place to make On some hills such
dangerous gulleys. 1t is no uncom-
mon thing to make fifty to seventy
i've miles per day over the grand
old prairies of Iowa and Kansas by
horses of good qualities. gstA -
Speaking of horses reminds me to
say, no horses / have seen as vet
equal those of Wisconsin in any re-
spect, fact the people who own
them are just as ready to admit to
those having them to sell, the west
affords the best market and will for
some years to come.
Whilst we'surpass them in horses,
they as fully surpass us in cattle,
In size and-in milking qualities Of
cows. Why, in Benton Co., Iowa,
the cows are SO large and women so
small, fellow who marries there
may rest assured he has the milking
to do. Cattle is the main reliance for
Kansas at present-pasturage being
50 abundant and the feeding time so
short, say three months or less.-.
Mich cows are higher here than in
wisconsin, ranging from $35 to $75
each. faslao'4 eraaazlaq.s ~
Sheep out west are ut present very
scarce and high, from four to six doll
lars each. Hogs, although corn is
enc of the staple crops, are not num-
erously raised, ia fact scarce enough
for heme consumption. la,.a
Zine soil of Iowa was beyond all
companion the best for all purposes
and if the State was as fully supplied
with timber CT coal, would soon SUR
pass the country below notwithstand-
ing the colder climate. The soil of
Kansas is good but will not weld the
crop of wheat or oats equal to Iowa.
The rich black loan three and four
feet deep makes Q man, used to farms
ig, covstous Of small portion. -
This portion of Kansas is we'll
supplied with coal, one mine of which
can be seen from here, men and teams
working the bed for railroad purpos-
es. Good rock quarries are plenty
on the highest mounds of the prai-
ries, affording good building and
fencing material, Ed. says, dts too
easy, hauling rock down hill instead
of up, as we do at home" In Iowa
the best timber also grows upon the
highest knobs. - ~
A more important item to the gen.
eral reader will be the price of land
wild land or unimproved, rates
from 81 to $40 per acre in the more
thickly settled portions, as Benton
and Buchanan Co.'S, Iowa-Douglass
and Usage Co.'s, Kansas-Gentry Co..
Mo. Improved land in the same
counties will rate from SIS to s25 per
acre. In the new or later settled
places, as good land as ever lay to
sunshine can be had at present from
two to five dollars per acre. Tho
restrictions thrown around the pur-
chase of public land is the cause of
prices ruling as high. Who would
suppose there could be any impede
ment thrown in the way of any seek
ing q homestead or wishing to buy
government land? but such is the
case. To any one seeking q farm or
a good location for any mechanical
business, let me offer this advice
follow the line of some railroad.
The prices paid journeymen will
vary from three to four dollars
per day, of which there is scarcity
and demand. will here hazard this
opinion also, not so much from en-.
quiry as from observation, namely
that female school teachers would
find both Kansas and Missouri good
field for occupation, wages from $50
to $50 per month, according to abili-
ty as teachers. Men are mostly en-
ployed at present. So 80 alai ,.-a..ss
Of fruit, let me add, the climate
and soil are suitable and are vet but
planted in small orchards. Good
wide awake nurserymen will make
fortunes here when started. Peaches
have failed this year. The young
cherry trees bearing have done quite
well. Apples not yet old enough to
bear. The chief need of these young
States, and in fact overy other, Is
mind. muscle, and money. There
are enough here at present seeking
an easy life. Kansas: should::at once
advertise as follows, ",Wanted q man
for every quarterscction of land in
the State; no gentlemen need apply.
To friends. let me add that our little
party are well, are JOLT are pleased,
are paid for their Journey, as we
plunge through The magnificent
streams or sweep over this broad
and beautiful prairies, to each new
lease of youth. is granted, to feel
"once more boy again" Our thanks
are due people everywhere for kind
ness, but more especially will, we re-
member Mr.. G. Bronson and lady,
formerly of Grant Co., Wis, from
whose beautiful residence l send this
too long letter. Yours Res'py,
J. W. BIDwRLL