The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1884-02-26
KANSAS LETTER. J
MORTON Tp., 0frAwA CoUsrY, KAs)
81 february IL, 1884. "

february II, 1884. |
EDITOR Spirit 1t has been something
over two years since / landed In the ga.
line valley, Kansas Many Of the old
citizens of Monroe county will recog-
nize my signature, and it is for them 1
that ] write this letter, to answer in gen
eEal, several communications received
ftbm them In regard to this country
] would say that / am satisfied and
think it good place for poor, man,
and better for a man Of capital. AL
though a large amount of the high prai-
rle is not suited to farming, yet it has
1 ieeming qualities, which are para
Dunt to all others, that is, good pure
crystal water, and good health. and will.
|sland any amount Of grazing The.
grass does not become discouraged X
the sheep does nip it close to the ground
every time it peeps out, but keeps on
coming. Our best land is the river and
creek bottoms which l suppose is the
case in almost any country. We have
as good soil as any other country and
erly put in and cared for. There is one
trouble, as rule our farmers undertake
too much and in many instances fail to
give the corn crop the amount of cult.
vating it should have, although that
being the case we raise a vast amount
of corn from 80 to so and some times
as high as 100 bushels to the acre. Our
wheat last year 10 this neighborhood av-
eraged about 80 bushels to the acre.-
NY nearest neighbor had so acres that
averaged Al bushels to the acre. Well,
enough OF that.
Business is transacted much the same
as in old Monroe. It. takes good
country, after all, to make good thriving
towns, which think we have. All kinds
of farm products grow and mature we'll.
The hills and valleys seem to be adapted
10 the raising of horses, mules. cattle.
sheep and hogs These ranges are des.
tined to be paradise for sheep raising.
Politics: The county is about two
thirds Republican, balance Democratic
and Greenback. Our Representative is
a Greenbacker. \
Society: The people stand on that
grand and noble platform of humanity
always ready % contribute by their
presence or means to those in need or
distress regardless of creed or politics
The nand of charity is always open.
After you read this you will no doubt
think strange that so many have come
here and become dissatisfied and return
ed East. But you must take into con-
sideration that all people don't see or
think alike. There are, few of the
faithful who remain and are doing we'll.
Robert M. Barber, Of Green township
is getting on fine and says he can beat
the Green township boys bagging birds
He Just came in with forty-eight birds
killed at four shots.
In order to give some idea of the
prosperity Of Ottawa county will give
population which is nine thousand eight
hundred and nine (9.S09). Square miles,
seven hundred and twenty (720). Pop.
ulation per square mile thirteen and six
ty hundredths (13 60-1O0). Value Of all
property one million seven hundred and
seventy-four thousand FIVE hundred and
seventy mine dollars (S1,774.573) Val.
ue per capita, three hundred and sixty
one dollars and eighty-two cents (S36l
S2) No. OF bushels of wheat last year
603, ,020. Value at average price $440,
204 so No. of acres corn planted 6l,-
06S. No. of bushels 2,442, ,760 value at
average price S537, ,407.
Other crops in proportion. Now re-
collect that it is very short time since
the wild Indian and the Buffalo had pos
session of this country. Ottawa county
is hard to beat as to soil and climate AMI
hard working, earnest, energetic farmers
stock and business men. We have had
fine winter No rain and only four
inches OF snow and but very few days
that the thermometer marked as low as
zero. Have good schools. Wages are
good, either by the day or month tor
good hands.
TIE SPIRIT is an ever welcome visitor.
ALI well. Hope this may find you and
the SPIRIT corps the same. .l6
+, Nat. Fl. EDDY.