Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1888-03-08
WESTERN LETTE r.
MULLINvILLE, KANs.,
Eah 02 1893

MULLINvILLE, kANs.,
Feb. %, 1888.
EDITOR NORTHWEST OF late we have re-
ceived many letters of inquiry in regard to
the conditions, prospects, ETC., of this part of
the State, and seeing articles in every East
ern paper that comes to our notice of the
terrible times Southwestern Kansas is hav-
ing this winter, said to be caused by drought,
severe cold weather and coal famine, we re-
spectfully ask space in your valuable paper
to fairly answer both letters of inquiry and
exaggerated statements. While it is true we
have six weeks of what is considered severe
winter weather in this section, in Ohio it
would have been the incest kind of winter.
With more than the usual amount of snow
and less high winds, the balance was dry,
steady cold-the thermometer registering be-
low zero oftener than in many years past.
1t is also true that in many localities there
was partial failure of the corn crop, due
more to the hot winds than lack of rain,
and the hot winds we're caused by the whole
of Western Texas and Kansas being burned
bare the winter and spring before. So far
there has been no prairie fires and not likely
to be any of any consequence.
1t is also true that in few places coal was
scarce for a short time in the early part
of the winter, but as long as any person had
any it was divided around, and once or. twice
cars were raided and as the railroads were to
blame for the shortage, there was nothing
fhnu oh Of II hu IT. ic olS fr,1o hot
under these circumstances there were some
persons in every neighborhood who needed
some assistance; under similar circlmstan-
ces anywhere, would it not have been the
same, if not greater extent. In all our wide
range of observation there was not a single
case thrown on the township or county,
and as to persons starving or freezing to
death, that is fabrication. We know were
of we speak, for we are in the midst of the
section where that awful suffering is alleged
to have occurred
Farmers, who deserve the name as such, are
few, and those that tried mixed farmer in
stead of depending on corn alone, and those
that have cattle have no reason to complain,
for all raised enough to see them through the
winter, and keep their stock in good shape
and are all ready and willing to try again
with the true Kansas grit for which they are
noted and which has placed our State SO
near the head of agricultural States in such
short time.
We have been here for some time and
know that this country is no more subject to
drouths than any other section, and that il
has better soil for agricultural purposes and
equally as good for stock raising as the east
ern and older portions of the State which has
flourished for many years, and which bad the
same and other difficulties to contend with in
earlier times. We will say to all who have
written for information in regard to the pros
poets of this country with view of coming
here, thatwe cheerfully say that they never
were better. There is no boom, no fictitious
volumes; land is cheap and within the reach
| of all.
This is not out of civilization, having two
of the great lines of railroad paralleling each
other, the Sante Fe and Rock Island, which
insures us competition in that way, with tele-
graph and express companies; with schoo
houses every three miles, and many churches
and social societies.
We will say to all who contemplate seeking
new homes, to those of limited means wht
want homes of their own, and to all young
men and FARMERS, more especially to thos'
who have grit and staying qualities and pa
tience to wait for kind fortune to smile OF
them, and the will to meet it half way, ant
not turn back at the first obstacle; come tC
southwestern Kansas and before many year
you will bless the day that you did 80. You viii
find many Buckeyes here, and all that have
been here for any length of time you will fint
prosperous, and there will be ahearty vel
come awaiting you. j. A. SoHNEIDER.
The newest joke of the day is for one mar
to ask another "Have you seen the new coin
| tfe one and three eights?" OF course the
/ ansyvar il hNo.n whereunon the rFonoundar