The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1879-05-13
DON'T LEAVE MICHIGAN.

AS to the people who should come, i
would advise none to leave Michigan
who are settled and out of debt aud
making livelihood; but if any should
come let there be none but farmers
with means TO take piece OF land aud
keep themselves from want until they
will raise a crop. Without means they
will surely come to grief II any
should wish 10 engage in cattle busi-
ness, more money will be required.
Mechanics, blacksmiths, carpenters,
etc, can find employment, but wages
are no higher than with You. Men
with small means can make large profits
from small Investments in groceries,
etc, as prics are higher and credit un-
known. Professional men doctors ex-
cepted) can do no worse than here.
Where there is an opening Il Is over
done, and even where no chance exists
men are waiting living on hope-for
one 10 come. Let me impress upon all
who want to see the folly of it for
themselves, 20 be sure and provide
themselves with enough OF "the root Of
all evil" 10 keep them while here and
to get back with.
/ have not the least doubt tha, a
farmer after starting can do as well
here as in Michigan, but / have my
doubts il he eau do any better, any
further than owning the land he works.
There are those who claim that IL Is
much easier to get "A start on the
prairie than on timber lands. because
YOU can at once go to blowing and put
ting in crops. but on the other lands,
you have not timber for fuel, for fences
aud for the hundred and one things
needed about farm. More than that,
the timber will pay for the clearing in
nearly all cases. The houses inhabited
IN this country arc mostly "dug-outs,
which are simply cellars with hay
roof or sod houses, which are built 10y
cutting sod in strips a foot or so IN
width, laying one upon another until
the required height ~ reached. then
poles are laid across aud shingled with
more sod. A frame house lathed and
plastered, is a novelty Of the first water,
except, Of course. in the towns. The
inhabitants are chiefly from Iowa, Mis-
sour, aud Pennsylvanis; are all good
hearted, honest, and well-disposed to-
wards strangers, and particularly IL
You can pay. In fact, know Of moth
ing that is free except advice. aud that
will usually prove expensive il taken.
There is a certain class Of people called
land agents. whose business is to locate
people. do not wish to say anything
but would advise all new corners to
locate themselves. Land is acquired
by preemption at Sl.25 per acre, six
months residence being required, or
by homesteading. five years residence
and nothing 10 pay, or by making tim
Der entry which consists in cultivating
ten acres OF trees for eight years. In
any Of these cases l60 tcres of land is
the maximum limit Of claim. II the
enterer sEnnld be a soldier. the time Of
service is deducted from the FIVE years
necessary 20 homestead. Quite often
farms OF l60 acres. somewhat improved,
can be bought from 80 TO IS per acre.
At present there is hardly any market
for produce. Wheat sold here last fall
at from 80 TO 40 cents per bushel, aud
this after being hauled from 80 90 20
miles in a wagon 20 a railroad. - Kan
sas Cor. Lansing Republican.