Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1882-05-31
Letter from Rev. j. ID. Todd.


WEST SALEM, Wis, May %, 1882.
EDITOR TRANSFORMATIONS useful
sheet has been wonderfully welcome from
week to week at our freside since we
babe adieu to the Austin friends. And it
is fitting, after so long an absence, l
should give some words of our welfare.
We received the most cordial greetings
in two voluntary welcoming parties, the
one day before Christmas, the other, day
before New Year This was followed by
a series Of religious meetings during the
week of prayer and following, in which
God graciously blessed, by the outpouring
of his Spirit and the conversion of many
souls. So the winter has been filled with
busy engagement and blessing.
The winter is now cover and gone, -
and though nature was slow to put off its
night dress, yet at last, the song of the
birds again greets us, nature is clothed in
it's garb of verdure, the air is filed with
balmy fragrance; and though there is
reluctant chill, yet we are cheercd by the
bright skies augcring warmth to cause
vegetation to spring anew.
This large Lacrosse valley, extending
east thirty miles from Lacrosse, is very
fine rich valley, and very densely settled
by those who have learned to flourish by
holding on Through thick and thin"
AS whole, the farmers here are very
prosperous. Not perhaps, because of
their greater prudence in the matter of
debt, but more by their choice of crops,
and their quick adoption of that variety
of tillage and management which the &C.
casion demands, yet, / think there has
been much of the New England careful
ness and rigid economy, which must pro-
duce splendid results, other things being
equal.
Farms and farm houses here in this
whole region, bear the marks of thrift.
Every farm looks almost like hamlet,
with its large dwelling, barns for stock,
hay and corn, creamery, &C., sc. Stock
growing is now very extensive hereabouts
and am reliably informed that by far
the largest shipments of stock have been
made from this place, of any in all this
part of the State Several of the farmers
here ship butter constantly to Chicago
and Milwaukee on their own account.
As to society, it is no better than at
Austin and vicinity. We have no expec-
tation of finding, anywhere, more friends,
or kinder, or better, than at Austin, and
we remember each of you all with CRATE
full impressions. And we shall nowhere
find better or kinder friends than in the
churches to which Twas permitted to min
lister. have INDUCED the fond hope of
dropping in upon you some day the COM
ing summer, and enjoying at least few
minutes Of converse, as in the past, in
your wholesome sanctum.
Our children are greedy of anything in
your locals referring to the school and its
success. Messrs. Keysor and Rankin,
and Misses Sherwood and Shultes, and
others, who taught them, are remembered
with personal interest, and they are very
reluctant to hear of possible change. Our
schools here seem hardly to come to that
acme of completeness which impresses
them. Yet, can say the tesprit du corps"
of teachers here is good, and can assure
you some we'll trained teachers graduate
from our high school.
Kind remembrances to all your inquir-
ing readers. More anon. Sincerely,
J. D. TODD.