The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1880-09-30
Michigan Letter.

EXTRACTS FROM NOTHBoOKs--Ne.4. a.
This.township and village Iscllool
craft is located on one OF, those small
prairies whiell are nund.ih u,s south-
ern part ofthe State. antE from its
shape, being niue miles tn length aud
seven miles in width, or nearly circu-
lar. was called by the early settlers,
Prairie ROnde, or the round prairie.
Nearly i'm the center was found an is
land Of timber sufrPrlnping a erpall
lake, the timber covering an extent
of about one square mile, and here the
village is located, just east Of the island.
Large blaek-Walnut, maple and elm
trees formerly grew, here. Nature
made this spot most beautiful aud at
tractiye, surrounded as it was by o level
and fertile prairie, while in the dis
tance and on all sides could be seen
thick forests of maple and oak. thus
limiting the view in every direction:
But while the hand of man has con-
verted this natural meadow and1fiower
garden into we'll cultivated farms, this
OCstutilul- StoNS tpC0h uCihCOu oy
large openings and cleared fields. and
the pretty little lake is drained so dry
that it can scarcely be found at this
day. But here, as well as elsewhere.
utility, not beauty, is the prevailing
sentiment, although the residents,
each in their own way, strive to add
pleasant and attractive surroundings
to their comfortable homes. Upon my
arrival at this place L had the good
fortune to meet u with an ".honest
Granger," j. IT, Cobb, a gentleman of
intelligence and culture, who was not
only willing but. anxious to entertain,
me during, my stay in this vicinity.
AS he was the Secretary of the State
Grange of Michigan, and editor of it's
special organ, The Grange Visitor. he
was able to give reliable and valuable
Information concerning the Order, it's
workings and its prospects Throughout
the State. With a membership of 90.
600, and having over 800 Oranges 10
Gated in different sections Of the State,
this combination of farmers, working
for mutual interests and the goOdof all
have succeeded in mot only elevating
and improving the minds, but also ada
vancing the material interests Of them
selves aud all those who are within
reach of their influence The growing
avariciousuess of the gigantic railroad
corporations needs to be arrested by
some such effort AS the" Grangers'' :
seek to employ, and the farmers who
are now being being robbed of their
we'll earned profits should be aroused
to see the wrongs inflicted upoh them
by those giant monopolies. Only by
combination can public sentiment be
SO nodded rs to obtain the reliefsOught
for. The agricultural and commercial
interests should never be opposed to
each other, but both act in concert for
the good Of each and every citizen n Of
the StaIe. stIE. sii , T. no t8&GUu!
l Having completed my visit here. L
turned my steps towards Ohio, and on
the l.. 8. & M. g. r: r. a pleasant ride
of $50 miles through the, Southern
counties of Michigan, passing Three
Rivers, White Pigeon, sCOldwater,
Hillsdale, Jonesvilie, Adrian and many
other thriving villages, reached Toledo
where couple of days were spent
pleasantly and profitably in viewing
the business activity and the thriving
and prosperous condition of that fast
growing city. Thence to Cleveland,
liz miles. was a ride of q few hours
and a pleasant one, all along the way
noticing the bountifuI crops of corn
and fruit and the various evidences OF
the industry and enterprise of the In,
habitants. The journey from Cieye-
land to Mantua was soon accomplished,
and ,nowr after an absence Of fifteen
days. having travelled about 500 miles,
am ready to note in the future, as, in
the past, the doings OF the people AT
HOME. -. -. -. .VERITAS.' =,
Mantua, Sept. ID, 1880. j,jDq 9Ii os
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