The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1886-03-12
Then and Now.

Prof. Bent, Of Du Page county, Illinois, writ
ing to the Prairie Farmer, thus gives his expert.
ence Of pioneering forty years ago:
Forty years ago to reach Galesburg from
Southeastern Indiana 300 miles by land, was
impractible in the spring, Us the unfathomable
mud on the National road caused practical
stoppage of the mails for weeks. I took 40
mile journey to Cincinnati to reach steamer,
and then nearly week on the Ohio and Mis-
sisslppi rivers to reach Oquawka, and then 40
miles more to, reach Galesburg. That feytH
miles I shall ever remember. The WIN.
steady, cold northwest gale all day. Tho region
almost without inhabitant except near Mon
mouth. The prairies just burned off april 19)
were black as desolation, not green thing to
be seen but a few gooseberry leaves in warm
nook in garden. Had there been snow, that
would have made perfect blizzard. The or
dinary style Of farming then was, to raise corn
and feed it to hogs. Pork paid store bills at
$1.50 per 100 lbs. Cotton goods ranged from
II to S5 cents per yard, and other things in
proportion. Money for produce there Xas
next to none. Corn would bring, for new SET
tiers, who had to buy, 6 cents per bushel.
to wait month to get 25 cents to buy the post
age on letter. stayed over night at the
house of the lieutenant governor Of the State.
The upper stery, in one room, served for the
dormitory for several persons. The hole for
the pipe through the roof afforded me an op-
pertunity to witness on my bed tho procession
Of tho stars. To get fsur or meal we had to
take journey of 16 miles to Spoon river; some
times delay for our 'sturn' Of several days.
Apples were hauled, in limited quantity, frsm
older settled regions 100 to 200 miles away;
wheat had to be carried from so to 100 miles
to find a market at so cents bushel, and paid
for in rather unreliable bank bills.
The sioughs would keep full Of water and
the bridges were often gene out, causing heart
sickening delays and great danger'in ferding
streams. Land remained unsold in vast guam
ties, though 10 be had at $1.25 per acre. The
common talk was, II would not have the land
for the taxes.' What held people there? The
trouble of getting back. Then the acclimating
process had be endured. Chills and fever
would rage In harveet time, and many field
was unharvested. At length the day Of pres
perity dawned. The railroads came. As by
magic prices Of produce and land advanced
rapidly. The people were on the highway to
ease and wealth.
How is it now in the new, far-off West2
The pioneer rides on cushioned seats in day
or two to his new home. It is a recreation.
Everything needed to eat and to wear are at
hand, and at prices about as low as in the older
States. There is a market at fair to good
prices for all he can raise. School houses Of
fine style, with all modern appliances, are
near. The country fills up in year or two.
Such is the superior drainage and lay Of the
land, and the purer atmosphere, that nalarial
disorders are almost unknown. Herd laws pre-.
vent the expense and constant irritation Of
poor fences. A few years secures grove and
wind break, and then in comfort the song can
be, "Blow, breezes, blow" But with all these
advantages, some do not greatly succeed.
Some have not the faculty to succeed. Sene
undertake too much. Some drone toe much.
Some buy too much, and then il there is mis-
hap, hail storm, short crop, or prairie
fire, against which they had made no proper
protection, become discouraged But to the
resolute, and really thrifty, even though poor,
success is certain.