Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-05-09
Letter from Illinois.

DIXON, LEE COUNTY ILL.,, May 1, 1877.
hessrs. Editors IL have noticed an article in
your paper copied from the Country Gentleman,
entitled, How it is out West" stating that land
can be bought for less than half II could ten years
ago that more than half the land is for sale tina,
cutthroat mortgages and landsharks are the or.
der OF the day; that our soil is nearly exhausted
ETC., which | think gives wrong impression Of
matters and things in Illinois. Ten years ago
left the green hills of my native state and emf
grated TO Ogle county Illinois, one Of the best ag
ricultural counties in the state After remaining
there two years sold, and removed to Lee county,
where now reside both times settled among
entire strangers. Since that time have travelled
with my own team, and by rail- in nearly half the
counties in the state and think am prepared to
give tolerably correct statement of how farmer
are prospecting here, as far a. land is concerned
II has not very quick sale, money IL clost
here, as well ms with you. II good farms could
be bought for half of what they were worth tel
years ago, think it would all change hands IL
less than six months. There are Speculation
enough here who understand their "biz," to alb
sorb all the good land. Poor land is always deai
Mt any price. By the way, have seen as pooi
land in lllinois-minus the rocks AS ever saw in
Vermont No doubt that land would sell for less
money under the hammer now than ten year.
ago; but for good, well improved land, there Is
but little difference. As for cutthroat mortgages
and andsharks, we have occasionally one, but
You must remember they come from the East
Most of them received their education there. II
is trite saying here, that an Eastern man must
have his eye teeth cut | believe that is true, 70,
not only had mine cut, but came very near los
ing them, grinders and all Thanks for previous
associations and Yankee tact, have few molars
left
The farm now own paid sixty dollars pei
acre for, eight years ago could sell now fo
seventy-ive or eighty dollars per acre think
our people have little more rowing disposition
than in Vermont We are not of the Cinnamon
BORN we left all the associations OF BIRTH child
hood, home and friend, when we bid adieu to oui
father-land This generation never will be 80
permanent; the next will. That is one cause why
so many will sell II we can see chance to
make thousand or two thousand dollars by SELL
ing and locating somewhere else, we do it To
make money is what most of us came here for
We are not apt to let such chance go by Thai,
our soil is somewhat exhausted is partially true
~ 'iN WY VI iaihihB mas uiouent ills Ntttt VI
things about. This everlasting blowing and no
meadow has nearly played out. Beef, butter and
pork is taking the place of those large wheat
fields. Many man has been made poor by try
ing to raise wheat At the present time corn is
king; long may he reign. There is comparatively
little wheat sown here now Clover is the great
cheap fertilizer. 1t works wonders in our soil.
conclude tue writer of the article in question
| Is one Of those unsuccessful, weakened limo.
cents, who could not bear up under the dental
operation, and signed one of those cutthroai
mortgages, and now "squeals " on the country
We stand in the same relation to Chicago that you
do to Boston. Our grain, beef and pork go there,
while St. Louis and the South absorb large
share of our butter Your Eastern farmers may
wake up some morning and find your butter and
cheese monopoly in the same condition as YOU
beef, pork and woo-emgrated West But have
written enough for once. At some other time ma,
write what think about leaving the grand old
state of Vermont, and emigrating West-but will
| defer it at present sc.