The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1889-11-21

North Dakota's Misfortune.
Having just returned from North
Dakota, we are enabled to speak
somewhat advisedly Of the condition
OF its people. Like the early settle.
ment Of new countries elsewhere, 9
large preponderance Of its inhabi.
tants is made up Of families with the
bloom Of youth in the prime Of life.
With rare exceptions they had scanty
means, relying upon their own strong
arms and brave hearts and untiring
energies to supply their growing
wants with the needs Of simple fru-
gal life.
For the first few summers their
hopes in abundant harvests were
more than realized. But to secure
big harvests, heavy expenses, when
credit is required, are OF its incidents.
The government instead Of lending
its credit to these pioneers in civiliza-
ton and agriculture, has loaned its
credit to the bankers, bondholders
and protected manufacturers Of the
East, who swarm in every town ready
to loan upon adequate security at ex-
tortionate rates Of interest, the money
with which q generous government
has supplied them almost gratuitous-
". Through this means the nbund-
ant harrests vi 1886 and 1887, were
chiefly gasAsred for the use aud bene-
at Of usurers, and the spring OF 1888
found most of the men who had sown
these broad acres and gathered these
bountiful harvests were compelled to
mortgage the crop Of 1888 before it
was planted. An early frost that
year when most OF the wheat in Ram
sey and Nelson counties was scarcely
out Of the milk, 50 reduced the crop
in quantity, quality and price that q
part OF these debts remained to alb
sorb the crop Of 1889.
In the counties named and in those
contiguous north and south, pro-
longea drouth began IN 1850, contin.
uing from July Of that year, with
very little snow in the winter and
practically without rain until about
August 1889. Thousands of acres
were not worth cutting and was left
untouched, and q practical and in
telligent farmer told Us that every
bushel of wheat harvested In Nelson
county represented cost Of ten dol
lars, while oats and barley are atotal
faiiufs,
Hay from 20 long drouth was q
light crop, though of excellent quail
ty, but while the ground remains bare
Of snow, horses, cattle and sheep pick
their living from the nutricious bunch
grass that abounds there.
The mer st ~, IKE the farmers " who
settled there were men Of nerve but
not Of great wealth. They have done
all they possibly can do with their
means, to assist those engaged in
farming to live while growing, harvest.
ing and marketing their crops.
Many are leaving we think unwise-
", % they viii have abandoned what
they have done and will be as destitute
Of means as where they are. But
many more with brave hearts and
willing hands are preparing the
grounds for the crop Of 1880. The
Manitoba railroad il treating the
people there very generously in bring,
ing in wood and coal ut nominal rates
for those in need.
But as the rigors Of winter come on
there IRE many families who will
need clothing, boots, shoes and bed
ding. And further, they will need
seed grain and If their crops are put
In they must have grain toward
spring in moderate quantities to feed
their work animals. They have no
money and most OF them no property
but what is already mortgaged to
pledge in payment.
To aid that people in getting again
upon their feet, they must have some
aid from some source. aud those hlas-
sed with bountiful harvests can per.
form no higher duty than to extend
a helping hand to those who are now
in the valley OF despond. !.