The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1875-08-11
VOL. u.
?. = q - 81
CORRESPONDENCE T.

KENYON, July 30th, 1875.
Editor OF The Grange id ~n-e:
AS letters from this little place seem
to be considered the thing, it moves me
to try my pen, not expecting, of course,
to equal, in the field, GA Passer By"
or "Sycorax," of the Pine Island Citi-
zen notoriety, but to try and give the
readers of your journal some informa-
tion relative to Kenyon and it's citizens.
Everything in nature looks we'll,
wheat and the other small grains prom
ise to yield a good harvest. Hay is per-
haps light, but there seems to be plenty
Of it. Having been but very little about
the country, know not Of myself that
crops are as heavy all over Goodhue
County, as here, but am so informed on
good authority. Wheat seems to run
rather h;g gher in figures than many ex-
pected, but many were fortunate
enough to get from ST. to $l.15 per
bushel: and we call that a good price.
We Grangers ought to be happy at both
prices and prospects. Harvesting has
scarcely commenced here, except in
barley, of which there was but little
raised in this part of the county.
Most farmers are busy haying, or else
coming to the village for repairs of
Reapers, Mowers, &C., consequently the
Blacksmiths are the busiest men in
town, at present, excepting, perhaps,
the saloon keepers. We have one who
is disgrace to the whole community.
He shows no respect either to the peo-
pie, the laws or his own family. But a
day or so ago noticed four five men
drunk. Even our smiths are ruined by
his supplying them whisky or alcohol
to any extent. 1t is no uncommon
thing for farmer to come in for some
repairing at the shops, and find two out
of the three smiths in condition easier
imagined than described. It seems a
greater disgrace to those who indirectly
uphold him, for some of the Oldest and
one Of the most highly respected men
Of the town, who but a few years ago
were so firm in denouncing both the
liquor and those who sold it, and were
ready to do anything to check its use
in our community, now refuse to do any
thing but aid him in a roundabout way !;
the better to keep his influence (which
is very little indeed, on their side. It
is just now needed to vote down Fall
term Of school, which some wish to have
after harvest. They had been so well
satisfied with the Summer school that
they desired to continue for a couple of
months after harvest with the same
young lady cs teacher. But to my
theme (the baleful burden Of this honest
song): this priest of Bacchus has brok-
en- his promise to citizens, twice, about
selling alcohol. Twice have they had
him or could have had him in the clutch
es Of the law, and have let him off upon
the condition Of his selling no more.
just think of it, ye Kenyon readers of
the ADVANCE dirty, drunken saloon
keeper as your school treasurer IA man
who is not content with anything less
than swilling all day.
In and around Kenyon the McCor-
mick Harvester seems to be the favor.
ite, for l notice Blinn sending them out
in all directions, but have not noticed as
yet any of the other makes leaving the
village. I had grave doubts Of their be-
ing as good practical machine as some
of the others, until l saw them tried and
then / was convinced, as were most
who happened TO be present. DR..
Hewitt, Of this place is going (Mr.
Blinn informs the writer) to buy two
Mccormick Haryesters. of bis firm.
Kenyon is going to have a MILNE,
shop, at last. Madams Greaves and
Close will open one in few days in the
Drug Store of the husband Of the for