The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1884-09-04

large aud prosperous farmers. They |
have farined according to approved
methods, and their culture OF the land |
ls the best the country produces.
Fhey came without money q few
years ago, and now they have abund-
anee. They have eommOdiOus dwell
ing houses. great barns, granaries,
and sheds for storage Of broOmcOrn.
They have horses and cattle. and
money in tile bank. The mortgage
which may have been there ls salts
fed. II was only a few years ago
they were living in the dugout.
What we have said Of the Swedish
people IN this vicinity may be said to
q great extent Of the Swedish farmers
In Saline county. They are among the
most thrifty farmers we have. But TO
return to the trip. Mr.. Collins was
much struck with the change that
had come over the country since he
was buffalo hunting in that direction.
We believe he stated that the late Mr..
Maxwell, living on Sharp's creek,
was the only settler then in oil that
region. Striking the Smoky Hill we
came TO the elegant farms Of Messrs.
Bean and Duncan. And there we
saw houses with front yards that
would be \ credit 10 Salina. Beauti-
f1l maple trees, and IL we mistake not
evergreens shaded q well kept yard,
supplied with flower beds aud shrub
berry, while neat fences eneOmPRssed
the spacious dwellings. Why cannot
our farmers pay more attention to the
front yard Injuries? Trees, shrubs
and flowers are home comforts which
are by no means too good for the farm.
We saw many other attempts at front
yard improvement, upon our trip. It
shows full well that in few years
time = perfect paradise Of enehant-
ment these Smoky Hill river farms
will be.
In due course Of time we arrived at
the pleasant home Of John P. Rodell,
the father Of our host, who located
there in 1855, when buffalo occupied
the land. There we found many we'll
kept acres Of rich farm land |; neatly
trimmed hedges; freshly painted and
vhiteWashed buildings and barns q
fine orchard with the best and largest
apples we have seen this year q grand
little grove Of walnut trees, and beau
tiful lines Of trees on the highway.
It is but fair to accord to Mr.. Rodell
the honor Of being q flrst-elass farmer.
Not only this, but In a great measure
It is to his zeal and persistence that
the honor Is due for the erection Of
the
FREMONT SWEDISH LUTHERAN
CHURCH,
In which he very properly takes so
much pride. Through the courtesy
Of the excellent and worthy pastor Of
this church, Rev. J. Seleen, we were
shown about a church ediflee, the like
Of which we have not in Sallna.
There It stands in that beautiful valley
q wonderful piece Of architecture, with
q lofty spire (some 135 feet high we
believe) which is seen for many miles
around. The building was commenced
In 1881. 1t is constructed in the most
substantial manner of beautiful red
brick manufactured just across the
road from the church. The size Of the
auditorium is 46xs0 feet, and is sur
rounded ON three sides by gallery.
It IL safe 10 say that the seating eapac-
ity Of the church when completed will
be 14OO. II is so near finished that
services are held each Sabbath in the
building. II has thus far cost over
tl7, 900, and il viii cost about s., 900
more 10 complete it, A bell weighing
1900 pounds hangs In the tower, and
It's beautiful tones can be heard miles
away The congregation is now talk
ing Of putting in a $1,000 organ, and
are consulting Mr.. Melbert, Of saIina,
regarding It's construction. Speaking
Of the organ reminds us that Frank
HaWklnsOn, well-knOwn in Salina, Is
chairman Of the organ fund commit
tee. We aseended the tower, and
from its height saw as beautiful a Wis
iOn as those who looked out over the
"PromIsed Land" II was a beauti-
ful panoraina Of prairie, farm houses,
trees, streams and highlands
Resuming our westward course we
passed by many farms whose owners
bear the names Of men who, in years
gone, traded at Salina; for salina was
then before the s. 4 s. w. broke Us
all up) the trade center for all this re-
gion Of country. 1t was 3 rapid and
short drive which took US to the town
Of