Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1880-08-12
Kansas Letter.
Northampton. Rocks Co.. Kan

Northampton, Rocks Co., Kan.
DEAR HERALD Thinking little
information from this part of the
globe might interest some of your
readers, | will jot down some points
that interest all in common. The
weather generally claims first place
in trancient conversation. | have
lived in this part of Kansas nearly
one and q half years, and have been
familiar with it for about two years.
This Rocks county is 120 miles east
OF Colorado, 80 south of Nebraska.
There are three streams that run
through the county nearly east and
west, Bow Creek, South Fork Sal
ONION, and Saline. Then there are
numerous small creeks emptying
into those. Water is easily got if
care AID good judgment is exercised
in selecting the place to dig, as the
water runs in veins it is almost
useless to dig for water hap hazard,
as | can attest from well 40 feet
deep and no water, and another
eight feet deep with water enough
for all Lancaster Township, and /
guess stock, too. % Nov. 10th last
we had 8 good rainfall, and not
enough after that until May 4th to
lay the dust from that time on we
have had abundance.
Wheat, in consequence of contin,
ued dry weather, was very light,
oats also, millet, turnips, corn and
grass never saw fner prospect,
Corn Gas we'll as most all grain does
not grow as tall as in Wis
now stands about eight feet and as
finely set as | ever saw in my life.
IT'S refreshing to travel through
our Co., and see such noble fields of
corn. Garden sauce must have pro.
lection from the south, if planted
early, owing to winds and drouth.
Later in the season does not require
any protection, and does finely. A
large number of fruit trees were set
out last spring, and owing to dry
weather about one-fourth were lost.
Those that lived are doing well.
Many have left the country temper
arlly many fer good. Some have
cause and many none. Many
thought if they could get into Kan.
sas by hook or crook their fortunes
were made. Ills not so; although
tits the easiest country to 1.-Two ia l
have seen, if one has little made
money to 60 on. But unfortunately
1920 are poor, or with very limit
ed means. So nobody wants to hire,
and when one gets through with
what little ready money thoy
brought with them, are really hard
up, for there is not a ghost Of
chance to turn out and work . few
days to make small raise. SO tits
the poorest paid county for labor
probably of any State 10 the Union.
Farmers will turn out with team
and go to the railroad and bring q
load of goods for $50, distance
both ways so miles, and yet there
are those 90 blind as to raise o war
between capital and labor. If there
is country on the face of the earth
where capital and labor ought 10
work hand in hand, It's Kansas.
Kansas to-day probably contains
more intelligent poor people than
any state in the Union. | can go
any direction from homo, say 20
miles, and stop and talk with every
resident, and | will find doctors,
lawyers, merchants, druggists, me-
chanlcs, farmers, (and almost all
trades and occupations are repre-
sented and now tilling the soil. and
all or 80 per cent. at home failed in
some eastern state. They have
brought with them much iDforma.
ton, good manners, educated fami>
lies. and but little money. Kansas
las been the asylum for the op-
pressed, and to day is suffering from
an overplus of brains, willing hands,
and dearth of money. This describes
the case as nearly SIS my obser-
vation can take in the situation, and
Kansas, two, is strictly Republican,
and tor that reason, to- day, there is
not stone left from being turned,
to propagate communistio green
backism. The mails are flooded
with greenbaek speeches and figures
and theories. Organizations have
begun in every town and are pres.
sed vigorously too. Who can't see
the dark horse behind all this? Can
you ind in states nearly evenly
balanced between the two great
portions any such energy2 think
not, and | think | know where the
money comes from, and one thing |
am pretty sure tits not all from the
gseenbaoke
A belt of our state has been af.
tlioted with drouth, starting from
Sumner, Rice; Russell, Baxter, Ellis,
Rock, Trego, &c., running out at
northwest corner of our state, and
in some places to complete the work,
ball has done its full share. | think
Kansas will still live, and become
famous for its large crops, and pros
porous communities as almost any
state in the Union. Still L am no
prophet or prophets son. We are
anticipating corn to sell in Rocks
county for 10 cents per bushel
this year, from the fact there is not
stock enough to feed, nor are the
people yet able to go and purchase
1t, so, much will be carried over, if
no unforeseen circumstances over.
take Us.
L have omitted much | Intended
to write you but have already made
this too long.
Long live Wisconsin and espeo-
tally Old Grant, and ever will memo
rvs pages be kept green and bright
OF things said and done in Old
Grant. Yours truly,