The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1881-07-22
WALTON, HARVEY Co., kANs.. 2
July 9Th. 1881. 4

July 9TH, 1881
Ed. C0uRlEn:-Wc have not been
silent 50 long altogether from choice,
but sickness in onr family, and work III
|our school combined. have commanded
|our almost undivided attention, and. AZ.
we are now beginning 10 enjoy little
spare time. we will devote portion OF
liz TO writing from observations and
hcarsay, some things with regard lo this
and q part Of the surrounding country.
Two weeks ago, this section OF the State
was becoming uneasy over the prospects
|of repetition Of last years dr0uth. No
rain had fallen for over four weeks; tho
Temperature was ranging from 95~ 10
over 100; strong hot winds from Tie
south had prevailed for fully two week
wheat had ripencd suddenly, too much
so, indeed, for much OF the grain il
corn was willing. and tho
sum of an the evils was being 0verpow-
cred By the ravages Of the chinch-bus, III
corn, wheat and oats fields. Still, 40
great damage was done III some localities
as yet further than shortening somew I4at
the yield Of wheat. Farmers were driy-
ing all the machinery and hands thrv
could obtain in saving the harvest. when
4 turned suddenly cold one afternoon.
II generally does that in this scc,ion
preparatory to rain. The following
morning fine rain fell, which was re-
pcated the following night, folIowo.
the next night by still heavier one.
The wind blew in furious gales. but
thn greater damage was did South
West OF Ills. in Scdgcwick county.
where destructive hail swept 4 fearful
road Of devastation entirely through that
county, doing incalculablc damage, The
greater part Of which was in the western
part ofthc county, covering strip OF
country tcn miles wide and twenty miles
lon@. On which il Is said All Standing
grains and growing crops and frlils are
destroyed. This makes the fourth year
the western part Of that county.has bccii
the months of May or June. The last, III
IL destruction a.d extent, i said 70 have
been greater than any Of the others. N
side the belt Of hail, crops Of all kisis
Nrc good. In t'ls locality we have lad
plenty Of RAIN llic past two weeks, and
corn has made splendid growth. Tho
crops are large, both in acre and growth,
ind promise 10 be the best ever nisNl
In this part Of the State. Wheat ~ ncal
in liz the stack. No thrcshing done yel.
ind the estimate Of the yield cannot w
made. Wheat on sod will bc good.
while on old ground II will be shrusk
and tho yield cut short Oats will br
good crop. The hay crop il good and
farmers have already commenced cutting
and shipping-bailing with wire.
The little village Of Walton, in which
We reside, is very pleasant one indeed.
near four hundred inhab-
tants; il situated on the line or the
Atchison. Topeka and Santa Fee II. r..
seven miles East Of Newton, the county
,cat. Four schools In the county have \,
rradcd schools. Newton employs eight
teachers under tho supervision of ono
general superintendent. Schools have
.loscd until the first Monday IL Septem-
Der. We arc well pleased with the pub
ic school system of this State. lii many
respects Il Is similar 10 that OF Indiana.
Here, the law Of compulsory cducaticn
" on the book, and X enforced cilrctivoi~
l'hc health Of Mrs. Puett, though byit n
means good. u gradually improving, "
hink, and have strong hopes NJ tl.s
Innate bringing her through. AS tDl%
,ur own self, we enjoy equally ~ soc
health here as We did in Dubois.
Will. y, pur,y