Morris tribune., 1888-08-29
A TRIP THROUGH THE COUNTY.
A Pleasant Day and Pleasant Drive
Fine Farms, Fine Stock, and Fine People.

Last Monday was fine day. The
roads were good, there was a delight
full breeze, and a fine drive we had
through the county. On our way
down to Hancock we stopped at River
side and took a good look at I'll. w.
Stones fine imported Red Polled cat
tie, which he is getting ready for ex.
hibition at the state fair, and which
took first prizes last year. Rarely If
ever have we seen finer specimens OF
that favorite breed of cattle.
BY the way, we wish to say right
here before we forget it that the vii
lage of Morris onght to have been at
Riverside, instead Of where 1t Is. A
more beautiful site for town could
not well be found. 1t is indeed de-
lightful spot.
At the Jefferson farm weWeceiyed
hearty welcome from Mr.. E. p. Wat.
son, the gentlemanly lessee of that
extensive and well known place. This
farm was formerly under the manage
ment of Mr.. Watson, who superin-
tended the construction of all the
fine and convenient buildings on the
place, and had everything about the
premises in the best possible shape;
but the party who had control OF the
farm from the time Mr.. Watson left
1t until he returned this season allow
ed it to .srun down. and when Mr..
w. took possession again he found
almost everything in bad condition.
and of course it will take some time
for him to put the place in as good
shape as it was when he left it. But
give him time and he will do it. He
is man who thoroughly understands
farming and believes that it can be
made profitable, if those who engage
in it understand the business and will
attend to it. That's it; they must at
tend to it. Mr.. Watson will have in
his barns this season $50 tons of fine
hay. He has 100 acres of wheat and
feels confident that it will yield %
bushels to the acre. He has some
very fine Jersey cows and calves and
will have other breeds of cattle. Our
visit at the Jefferson farm was a
pleasant enc, and we only wished that
we could have remained longer.
At Hancock we met Messrs. Thorpe,
Helgeson, Wilcox, Brevig, Newton of
the Olive Branch, and other promi-
nent citizens of the place. On our
informing Mr.. Thorpe that we de-
sired to visit the widely known Bull
or Hancock farm and also the Cotton
wood Grove farm, he kindly offered
to take us out to those places, and
soon he came around with fine span
of trotting mules and two.seated
wagon, in which was Immediately de-
posted H. T. Bevans, the editor OF
the Olive Branch and the editor of
tn TRIBUNE; Thorpe held the crib.
bons,' and away we went. 1t was in
deed a pleasant drive. AS we ap-
preached tho Hancock farm, its pala.
tial residence and large number of
other buildings, partially hidden by
the beautiful grove, we were remind
ed of some old English castle and its
surroundings. General Manager Dick.
inson gave us information in relation
to operations on his l2,0OO.acre farm.
We did not have time to interview
him at length, but learned that he had
1000 acres of wheat and 1890 acres
of oats this season; run thirteen har.
vesters; grain all cut and there will
be fair yield; makes $50 pounds of
butter a week; has 200 hogs and a
large number of horses and cattle,
and has recently purchased 200 more
sheep.
From this farm we drove down to
the Cottonwood Grove farm, where
are located the fine stables of the
Pope and Stevens County Breeders
Association. Mr.. Dickinson, presi.
dent of the association, accompa-
MED us to the stables. We were
sorry not to meet Secretary Dresser
at the stables, as we saw him only a
few moments on our way back to
town. We were shown some Of the
finest imported English Shire, French
Draft, English Coach, Cleveland Bay,
French Coach and Percheron horses
that we ever saw, and we have seen a
good many. We will not attempt to
describe all of these magnificent ami.
mails, but those which particularly
struck our fancy were Brown Stout, .
an English Shire; "Superbe," French
Coach; '.salerno." a.Percheronl "Ooun
| ty Member" Cleveland Bay, and ''Bi
jou." a 4-year old French Coach.
Surely 1t will pay those WHO wish tt
purchase fine horses or improve the
breed to visit these stables, three
miles from Hancock village.
After returning to Hancock and
partaking of dinner we took a look a
Thorpe and Helgeson's fine young
colts. They are beauties,
| About 4 o'clock we started for Nor
ris, and after driving roundabout
way, arrived home short time befor'
the sun disappeared in the west, hay
ing driven over some of the bes
farming lands and enjoyed some O
the finest views In the great state o
Minnesota. There's no mistake abou
that. Stevens county against tn
world for fine land, fine lakes, fin
groves and the place for fine homes
and these facts should be publishes
far and wide for the benefit Of thos
| who are seeking new homes in tn
| great Northwest.