Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-11-24
A Yankee Achievement.

Among those exhibiting at Territorial
Fair this year is James II. Johnson, a
farmer of the Prickly Pear Valley, whose
rancho lies seven miles north of Helena.
He has splendid collection Of grain and
vegetables-among the latter a squash
of nearly forty pounds weight, which
has history too remarkable to pass I'M
recorded. 1t is of the California Mann
moth variety, and considerably the
smallest "bulb" of several OF the same
kind shown in the same collection. Some
six or seven weeks agO-when little more
than ten pounds weight-this squash
was accidentally severed from its vine
bv the tread of farm emplOye. Mr..
Johnson deplOred the accident, the veg
etable being a favOrlte and the first TO
set from the blossom, and he entertain
cd great expectations of it. The hired
man, seeing his distress, suggested that
the squash be taken andraised by hand.
johnson confessed he did not know
what that meant. 81 will grow and
mature il il YOU will furnish the milk
was the response. eco ahead and do
it," said Johnson, who smiled
grimly, thinking the Yankee hired
man vas disposed to play Josh ON
him. The orphan vegetable with the
stem and few inches OF the vine lett
intact, was taken to the house and depos-
ited i'm a secret room, where it could get
a sun bath part OF each day. The stem
was wound with several layers OF cotton
cloth. and this was submerged in dish
of new milk morning and evening The
squash fed huugrily on the lactael fluid.
ON the start il absorbed a pint OF milk
i'm a few hours. This was presently in
creased TO a quart, and twice day 1t
was thus ratiOned To the first day OF the
fair. on Monday last. 1t thriyed wonder
fully on its novel bringing up, and neigh
bors who dropped in from time to time 10
SEE it expressed their surprise and aston
ishment at this singular mode OF vege-
table production. They watched 1t
nurse, and could easily detect the
healthy appetite draining the nutritious
drink. Every one gave the squash re-
poated shakes, and pressed their inves-
t.gations To learn whether there was any
internal evidence of all the milk which
that Vegetable had consumed. The
squash prospered amazingly, expanded
i'm size continually, and when taken
away for exhibition weighed within a
traction of forty pounds. There were
many al the fair whose curiosity was
greatly excited about this squash, and
Mr. Johnson promised to cut the
vegetable in the presence oil witnesses
and exhibit 10 them It's true inward
ness" This was done this morning be-
fore 4 large concOurse of people, and the
amusement of the multitude may be
pictured but not described when it was
1pened to the wandering eyes. Divi-
drd carefully in tine middle, the top hall
was removed, disclosing globe OF beau
tiluI. golden-hued butter, with plump
filled seeds pCepiug ont from all sides OF
tine misunderstanding bail. Its weight was
estimated by many OF the best judges at
ten pounds, and WAS rs fresh and trag-
rant 10 the smell as spring blown daisy.
In WAS the unheard-of novelty more than
the surprising beauty of the sight that
raised the enthusiastic Outburst OF the
crowd rs they viewed this remarkable
blending Of farm and dairy products.
The meat of the squash, IN richness
ol color. c,,ua.ed that of the butter ball,
and after everybody has had a ialr
chance To see and satisfy themselves oil
the gcuuineness OF both, and investigate
to their hearts content the unique eX-
hibit. il will be divided up and parceled
ont 10 a dozen OF more parties, 10 whom
also will be giyed portions OF the butter
for trial. Mr.. Johnson received from
the citizens Of Helena special premium
of so ior this rarest specimen Ola but
ter surash' ever raised by hand OF ioF
that matter bv natures own process.
We think 10 will be generally acknowl-
edged wondrous product, the coun-
terpart Of which has probrhly never be-
tore been seen or heard OF in Montana
or any other part OF the world.-He'e"a
HrryH