Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1883-08-23
ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS RICHER.

KALAMAZOO, SEDGwICK Co., Aug. 10.
To the Editor IF the Eagle.
Ii competition is the life Of trade" u
little mild rivalry between neighboring
settlements may conduce to stimulate, as
it were, the pulse Of society. This idea
formed itself in our brain on seeing that
some one over the signature Of "Una' had
lately contributed a poetic "wail' from
Peotone. II aroused our sympathy, and
brought to mind the annoyance caused us
by flies lighting on our nose, and buzzing
in our eyes when we were mixing up corn
bread down in the Territory. Now, II
permitted by the worthy editor, we will
try to represent our part Of the country,
known as kalamazoo.
Centrally located is the store OF +. r.
Baird, than whom 1t would be hard TO find
more suitable person for the position Of
country merchant. Through bis enter
prise and perseverance, We were enabled
to have postofice established in our midst
last spring, and, of course, Baird is post
master, though our friend +. +. has for a
long time kept the best store this side OF
Wichita. He intends branching out this
fall. His stock of dry goods, groceries,
boots and shoes will probably run up to
so, 900, and outside OF the store Baird's
prophetic vision takes in fair chance for
"spec," so he proposes to build plenty Of
cribs and buy corn extensively. 1t is
whispered that the Santa Fe will run a
branch down from Marshall. 1t is quite
likely that the contract for crib building
will fall to our popular carpenter, e. Davis,
whose ''little white cottage" is opposite
the store. Charley committed matrimony
last winter for which he has been freely
forgiven. Our "village blacksmith" Job
Alfield, finds plenty to do, and the ringing
music of the "Anyil Chorus" greets the
ear of passers by almost any hour Of the
day. Our crops Of wheat and oats have
turned out well, and the sound OF the
reaper has given way to the thresher. The
faculty for skulking out of night, lately de-
veloped by certain fat old denizens OF the
poultry yard, may be due to the noise which
il (tho thresher) makes in the land. Though
the frequent rains Of late may have dam
aged some of our millet, we are jubilant
over the crops already harvested, and the
prospect for an unusually large yield OF
corn. Squire Smith is said to have the
best corn in the neighborhood. A part Of
il, at least, appears to be out of the way oil
frost. The query comes up what are we
going to do with all our corn!
And now has subsidized, among the femi-
nine portion of our community, the mania
for s.plumming," or else it has yielded to
some other mania. We have learned to as
sumo a blank expression of countenance
when our coat sleeve has been laid hold OF
and persuasive voice whispers, MARX,
just look here minute" We ''follow the
leader" to the pantry shelves, laden with
the rosy product OF Minnesota sand hills,
put up in every conceivable style to tickle
the palate land disturb the stomach) in the
"good times coming" We may think 1t
much nicer to see these ''goodies" on the
table beside the flaky, white biscuits and
golden butter our ..guid wives" know SO
we'll how to make, but we discreetly keep
the thought hidden, and, after using up all
the adjective clauses at our command, beat
q retreat.
Among the farmers generally blowing for
wheat is the order Of the day, and the
ground in these parts is in excellent condi.
ton to turn. Our prosperity rs farmers
naturally elates US, but we have additional
causes for buoyancy Of spirits, |. e. the rise
in prices of land. Quarters that could be
bought last fall for $500 to $500 will now
bring rs much again. In fact, 1t Is nothing
! uncommon for man to waken In the morn
ing and find himself $500 to 81 900 better
off than when he went to bed. Many OF
our far-sighted men, with an eye to specu-
lation are investing in swine, and the
grunt of the Berkshire, and squeal Of the
Poland China are heard in an directions.
Rev. John McCrae, Of Peotone, who, by
the way, has been in the hog business some
time, considers the Jersey Red the most
profitable. Not knowing anything about
that particular breed, we can neither rec
ommend nor condemn 1t.
At this time OF the year many Of our
young folks attend the Normal drill, conse-
ouently our local society is dull. There Is
an occasional arrival, however, a. was the
case lately At Mr.. Johnny SmalPs, In the
shape OF a ten pound boy. Five SOLVE
branches'' make 1t email family only In
name.
injecting in wahrs Grove, over In Sum-
ner, next week, has for Its object the en-
joyment OF picnic and conference over
the proposed union Of the various ortho-
dox churches.
Meeting our old friend and neighbor, the
genial Ben Forrest, few days since, We
were reminded that time is on the wing.
Ben 10 one OF our most euterprising men.
and though be is not Of our church persua'
sion, we take an interest In his welfare.
We hope to see him ut the grove meeting
next week. We understand that Wahl has
a few nice spring calves for sale. In mercy
To editor and readers, we cry, halt! to our
pen, and IL yields Already obedience TO TIE