Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1871-09-01
LINDEN.


which we spoke last week, are some Of
the incest farms in the west. They do
not surpass in fertility those Of which
mention has been made, because they are
indispensable; but in point of product
ivenes, they are equal to any. The eye
does not take in that broad expanse OF
prairie, which is to be seen in many local.
tiles Il; but the beauty of the picture is add
ed to by the clusters Of trees, which rise,
here and there, in majestic splendor,
shading the large, substantial houses
which are to be seen on every hand while
away to the south the groves, of oak and
popular trees, covering the slopiag hill
sides. make a picturesque and pleasing
sight.
The locality of which we speak il
known as Number Seven" We should,
if allowed to name it, call it Battanville.
Not that we have objections to the form.
er, but because there are in that neigh
borhood so many good, honest men BY
the name Of Battan.
The farms here are large; the farmers
wealthy and intelligent. Cultivation Of
the most thorough character is practiced,
and, in consequences, the yield of crops is
usually large. Stock-raising, in conse-
quence of the lack of pasture land, is not
generally pracsiced, except in the hog line.
Barley and fax were the principal crops
planted this year; the yield OF both is
very good.
Among the largest farmers Of this Sec
ton are William BattaD, Thomas Battan,
John Brewer, |. G.. Comfort and John
Hoare. To the east of this community
are number of the Rules, who may be
set down as among the ibest men in the
county.
Going still further east, one comes into
section Of country altogether different in
appearance from that of which mention
has been made Wooded hills, crooked
streams and meadows have taken the
place of prairie. There is perceptible
diminuation in the size Of the farms ::
houses are nearer to each other, and there
seems TO be evidences of an earlier settle
meDt than can be found in the western
portions Of the town.
Who has not often wondered ut the
course pursued by the early settlers of
this country in selecting honest Instead
of entering a claim for land that was
clear of brush, and that lay in q healthy
region, which was ready for the pillow at
any time, without the least preparation,
they chose in preference to locate among
the hills, in the valleys, by the side of
streams, anywhere, but on the beautiful
prairie. 1t is a very common thing to
! find one of the earliest settlers Of this re.
gion cultivating a few acres of the most
barren soil to be found in the west.
Wood, water, and shelter from the wild
winter winds seems to have been their
only desire. The idea that in thirty or
forty years the bowling wilderness they
then beheld, would become the grainery OF
| the west, and indeed blossom like the
rose," seems never to have entered their
minds. To have predicted such state
of things as now exists. would doubtless
| 20 ;orsto rsI:o,,1o Rut In
| what changes have been made. The
transforming hand Of civilization and in
tclligence has wrought great and mighty
changes. Where now stand beautiful edi
ifices erected for the worship Of the Great
I Am, few years ago stood the camp Of
the savage, and later, the cabin of The
rough, uncouth, but honest pioneer
where the school house Of to day stands
the battles of yesterday were fought with
tbs red savages of the west, by the daring
white men of early days. Look any
where, and the contrast is indeed great
But the end is not yet. The beginning o
the end has not yet been reached. The
time will come when this county vii
awake from her thirty years letha'gy, and
her untold wealth, her dormant enterprise
and her herculean energy be extended te
bring about the full development of ae'
untold resources. The oldest, richest snt
most highly favored county in the State
she must deuelop; must unfold her re
sources; mast become what she nigh
long ago have been, the banner county o
the State. j. Il. b.