The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1879-08-06
AMrsH. JOHNSON Co, Iowa.
Inlv 9th 1874 4

S1tAB ~
! EDITOR HERALD. DEAR SfR You
will perhaps be surprised on receipt Of this
letter. l have had the pleasure OF being a
reader from childhood up TO the present OF
that ever increasing fountain of news, the
HERALD. Thinking that a few lines from
the old Hawkeye State, which is nov past
forty years old-it being organized as q
Territory in 1SSS-will probably not come
amiss. Her record Is one to be proud of.
and is scarcely tqualed by any other of the
sistcrhood Of States Some OF her land is
still occupied by Iowa Indians. who have
become civilized and are at present indus
trious and energetic farmers.
The first Governor of Iowa. Ansel
Briggs. is yet alive. iooks hale and hearty
we'll preserved lie resides at Council
Bluffs. having crossed the State ms he has
also SPAWNED lis history. while still beyond
his domicilc the lrun-horse puffs his way
westward.
Our busy farmers are done with their
extensive harvest, and the voice OF the
reaper is no more heard in our broad acres;
and farmers have ceased ihrusting their
sickles into the bearded grain. Wheat, oats
and rye are already stacked. Barley is be-
ing threshed out of the shock it yields
forty bushels to the acre, and is sold at
20 cents per bushel. Farmers seem to be
well satisfied with all their crops except
spring wheat, which was partly taken and
harvested by the chinch bug, it having
been their tavorite hash. There has been
a large acreage of fall wheat harvested.
The productions Of oats and rye are good.
Prospect for corn has never been better,
and yUa will houo q N ohsfndanf oNrn .-o-
1t nothing happens it. Hay is being made
in abundance and is an extra crop.
Tho Eastern farmer labors hard in cult.
waiting his crops among rocks and roots,
while the Western farmer pleasantly rides
on his sulky pillow, tilling the fertile soil
and securing his crops. Young men who
expect to engage in agricultural business
would make a favorable move for them
selves 10 come West where there are still
hundreds of acres of unimproYed land that
can be purchased at reasonable figures and
time. The climate is pleasant and health
full the soil very productive. This is not
. good season for fruit, and yet we have
plenty 10 supply the home demand. The
independent school districts are adop-
ted and school interests are yearly ncreas-
ing. Quite a number of our good citizens
are from Somerset county.
The sermons and a briet biography of
our sleeping preacher, Mr.. Noah Troyer,
who is so widely known for his preaching
while in al unconscious state, will be
ready in g few days for distribution. Hun
dreds oil persons went to hear him preach
every night, and many can testify to the
accuracy of the sermons reported. For
than three years he has been subject
TO these commissions almost every day
not speaking every time he is sick.
The spells still continue to come on every
but. on an average, he does not
speak oftener than twice q week.
What the result Of the phenomenon may
is not known, and the cause may con-
to be developed in mystery for sew
,ral years.
These pamphlets can be had by remit
ing 20 cents TO the Iowa City Republican.
Yours truly,
J. III. Y.