Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1886-01-21
GET OUT OF DEBT.
-he Uncomfortable Positio No. which
Western Farmers Find tt hssfves.

Western Farmers find III issiv"s'
A Now Englrud farmcp who has
been spending some time among the
farmers Of the Western States and Ter
ritories reports as one OF the results of
his observation that he found them al
most without exception to be in debt.
A. rule they bought everything ON
credit They had running accounts
with the grocer, the dealer in dry
goods, the seller of agricultural implc-
ments, the blacksmith and the carpcn-
ter. Not unfrequ4ily their wives were
paying for scwinf chimes, and some
times musicM i"4trtiIncnus, H. the in
stallment plan. Many farmers agree
20 pay their hirtd help and to settle
win mefchohts after harvest. With
the low price oigrain and most other
farm products, however, they az, noe
able 10 do thil After selli-s all the
crops they can part with ,,iu uispVsihS
OF some fat stOch ft.y VIII ma lheln-
selves in debt at the commencement
OF q new year. Not unfrequcntly they
are Obliged tc borrow money at a high
rate of interest for the purpose OF pay
ing their taxes in the spring. Some
times. however, they dispose Of young
stock at a sacrifice In order TO meet the
demands of the tax collector This OBJ
server comes 10 the conclusion that the
usual condition Of the farmers in the
Territories and new Western States
was to be in debt. They commence to
get in debt rs soon as they move ON
their places. and rs often rs they dis
charge one set Of obligations they con-
tract some more.
This is very unfortunate state OF
affairs. but that lis general in many
parts Of the West is not to be ques-
toned. The habit Of getting In debt
Is not easily broken OFF. Once con-
1 tractcd and consumed for a series Of
years, IL is likely TO be kept up indeiin-
/ itcly. Few farmers succeed Ia pro-
| ducing as large crops rs they antici-
| pate, and they ordinarily expect higher
| prices than they obtain, The occur
/ cncc Of fire, tornado, a protracted
drought. an early frost, a visitation oi
/ destructive insccts.a contagious disease
among farm animals or sickness IN
] ihe family upscts all the calculations
made Tor getting out Of debt. More
obligations are incurred aud the labor
Of years Is required 10 discharge them
A man constantly harrassed by debts i
ia no condition TO enjoy life. die car
have but few pleasures. He is at the
mercy Of every person he deals with
! lIo must take goods at the price de
manded for them, though II may seen
TO be- cxorbitant Traders who sci
articles on credit are obliged 10 chargl
high prices. 1hry assume risks. place
their own credit in jeopcrdy. aud ar
often put TO great inconvenience IN thl
management Of their business. The
would prefer 10 sell goods for a mucl
smaller profit provided they could re
rciyc cash for them. The high price
for almost every article bought in th'
co',ntry are chieac due 20 the credi
system which generally prevails
Now Is n good lime 20 form plans 10
getting ont ~ debt and for keeping ont
II may be necessary 10 resort to herOii
measures TO accomplish this. but IL !
best 10 resort 10 them after ALL A res
oluti0n 10 contract no new debts is IN
first step necessary 20 climbing Up on
q Tie degraded position in which -
many fnd themselves. The effort /
clearly worth making Observation
shos's that the successful farmer Is on
dimrly the one who has ready mOncl
whcrcwith 10 bny stock aud tools whei
iheY are offered for less than thei
vN|nHfoEl li,e IInrlose Of securing cash
80 A||4 tl| .IlA EQVlsY much chcnpe
tAAN ~ W MAO Nets lrasl6 ~
fn0|n. I| I|INIM |1IIl letlor || |t|| -
~ ~ II|N ||If1I A |||e orclI| system
1i|0 eN|1t eslII ! an III IAinl
I cf' ~ w pafls % lie lycsi, Bas pre
fgHpiI 1'irin from geltir much enjoy
pf their cOie >. f.
-. y. NJ. 90 =. - 80. III