Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1879-07-21
LETTER FROM IOWA.


We are permitted to copy the follow
ing from letter written by Rev. Aaron
Ball, who is well known in this county
and vicinity:
Having decided to visit the West, on
account of failing health, I came to
northwestern Iowa some time since,
and here find an abundance of pure air
and much invigorating and healthful
exercise. Being preacher of the Cos
pei, was invited by the Presiding Ell
der to take work. which l consented to
do, if I could be assigned to a small
charge. was accordingly sent to the
Belmond circuit, which I find to be
twenty-five miles long, from north to
south, and to extend westward indef-
nitely. My preaching places are widely
apart, and it requires ride of twenty
five miles each Sunday to meet my ap-
pointments. But l find this pleasure,
as l have two good horses and covered
carriage, and it is pleasant in ordinary
weather to ride over the fertile prairies.
If my Vermont friends should make me
visit, and l wish they might, will
| give them free ride over this section
of country, and show them the beauties
and natural richness Of this comparative.
ly new western country. My lady friends
would be able to gather the richest bou-
quets of wild flowers, and to behold
scenes as lovely as nature produces !;
those of my masculine friends who would
like to use the rod or gun could find op-
portunity to satisfy themselves 10 fish,
ing and hunting; others would be sur
prised at seeing the immense fields of
grain that our enterprising farmers are
growing. We have many Vemonters
in this section, some of them from Or
leans county, and they are among our
most thrifty families. Mr.. Devereaux,
formerly of Barton, has large farm
and is growing 200 acres Of wheat, 100
acres of corn, beside other crops. He
wintered, last winter, $50 head of cattle
and large number of hogs. A Wiscon-
sin man came on last year, bought a mile
square GAO acres) of land, and CON-
menced operations by breaking up zoe
acres of land, and now has it all in
wheat, and is blowing as many more
acres this season. He wintered zoo
head of cattle. 1t is true, all farmers
are not doing so great stroke of farm
ing, but 100 acres Of wheat with 81
f acres of corn is common with us for ;
single farmer. purchased l60 acre
of land when l came here. which
e about two and half miles from thriv
: ing village. built good house. 70
/ this section, on it with convenient GU
e buildings. About 20 acres of this
e now in wheat and corn and other crops
= At the present writing crops look ez
!, ceedingly well. Wheat is almost read
# to be cut, and the corn stands wal
l. high. We are using new potatoes, an
# have had green peas and beans for
d long time. The markets here are rath,
If low but are improving Wheat 45 to !
re cents; corn 80 to 35; oats 20 to 81
Is hay So per ton butter 6 to cents
lie pound; eggs cents a dozen; hogs, Ii
lg weight, So per hundred; wood So
d cord F; coal S., ton.
ID do not feel like urging people
D. come to this country to live, who fe
W that their eastern homes are the be
y, homes for them, but there are mai
o. things about this country that are to I
much better and more agreeable TIL
&c my beloved Vermont The climate, t
er inexhaustible soil, the thrift and ents
b, prise, the lack of deep SHOWS, and t
ue absence of billy and rough roads a
b. advantages that are great in my estim
of ton. | should be much pleased to w
ey come any of my Vermont friends to L
n home, and to assist them in looking
IT. themselves through this country, if tn
lie are seeking new homes.
he AARON BALL.