Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-05-19
FEMALE HoMEsTEADERs.
How the Smart Girls of Nebraska Help
Themselves to Homes and Farms.
Nstr York Sun

Themselves to Homes and tarnlSs
NsIs York Sun.
| saw an article some time ago IN the
Sun about girl who had been bookkeeper
for some firm in Chicsgo and saved her
wages until she had enough money to come
West and buy sheep ranch in Montana.
This story reminded me Of the enterprise
and good common sense Of many Of the
girls in Nebraska where young women, es-
pecislly those who live in the country, have
few opportunities Of earning large salaries
as this Chicago girl had; nevertheless, they
earn what they can, and it is surprising
what some will accomplish, even with small
earnings.
The majority of farmers daughters teach
school at salary of from $lS to $50 per
month, and, after deducting enough for
board and clothes, they save money TO pay
their way at some good school or college for
a term or more, and then teach again.
Their fathers never think it necessary to
mortgage the farm in order to send their
girls to school as some fathers do for their
sons.
These girls teach, not only a. . means Of
obtaining an education, but they have home
steads and timber claims, aud improve them
as much as their scanty wages will allow.
| know two girls who are in college. Both
are teachers and both have homesteads,
When in school they work faithfully, for
they know the value Of time and money
better than those whose parents send tAem
to school
Some girls learn all there is to be learned
at district schools, and then, instead of GO
ing to college, they invest all the money
they can spare in cows or calves, which they
hire kept. This is usually good invest
ment, as cattle can be sold readily at almost
any time.
Young women as well as young men see
the importance Of obtaining land and ma
king homes for themselves; therefore they
take advantage Of Uncle Sans generosity,
and gets as much land as the law will per
NIT, which is 800 acres, a homestead and
timber claim, l60 acres in each,
The average female homesteader is bust.
ness-ike and not afraid to do any work that
falls to her lot. She can help NOW aud
stalk hav, is coed housekesper can milk
cows and harness team as easily as her
brothers. and have known few girls who
have built the shanties on their homesteads
These shsnties, you must understand, are
cbesp. easily constructed houses, Of prim-
tive pattern, and usually called q claim
holder"
When girl of this kind marries she gen.
orally considers herself as capable Of man
aging her property as she wss before she
married, and for this reason she does not
make as desirable wife as one who is not
cutie so strong-miuded and does not know
q bad bargain from q good one.
fla girl who has homestead marries 9
man who has not, the law says she may
keep the land and perfect the title in her
own name. How much more independent
a married woman is when she has some
property, be it much or little. She does not
feel as though she was working merely for
! her board and clothes, but IS though she
had a share in the firm, and some rights
equal with her husband. In Nebraska il is
supposed that woman has evoluted far
enough out of the state of imbeciGty to be
allowed to vote on su questions relating to
the public schools, providing that she has
taxable property or children Of q school
age. She can also be elected to any school
Office. Several years ago knew young
woman who, when she married, had 800
acres Of land and several head Of cattle.
She was only 3 country school teachsr, but
what little she earned she used judiciously.
Not only young women avail themselves
of homesteads and timber claims but wild
ows and old maids have the same right.
| Some real old ladies' take claims and after
many trials and hardships receive deed
| therefor.
Near one Of our thriving little towns is a
creamery conducted BY q maiden lady.
She is half owner Of the creamery and, in
addition, owns homestead and timber
claim. On the homestead she has asmsn
store and postofice. In her absence this
4 business is attended to by lady deputy.
I When she goes out she drives fine horse
and carriage, carries 9 gold watch, and il
quite aristoeratie.
Any girl over 81 years Of age. who has q
fair education and the ability to use it, can
les . home Of her own, If she chooses. in