Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1889-10-25

>>N>ASASS"SS
THE past two years have been very drv
ones III Dakota, and IN some parls--up in
the Devils Lake country--there has been
a little hardship. But, without exception,
hardships and disappointment to greater
or less degree have always met the hardy
pioneers in the new regions. The writer
went to Kansas with his parents in 81,
when Sharp's rifle and Colts revolver
were the chief implements of agriculture
taken in by settlers, whether of pro or
anti slavery faith. 1t was 'Bleedlng Kan
sas' then, and largo contributions, not
only in the way of guns and ammunition,
but of provisions and clothing, were sent
in. After "Jim" Lane and his Free State
boys had prevented the saddling of sla-
very upon the new state, and the settlers
began to plant crops in peace, year after
year of drought came. People left by
hundreds. This was in eastern Kansas
too--now vertable. garden spot. Pco-
pie who settled on claims even as far west
as Lawrence and Topeka were laughed at
1t was SAID that crops were not sure a
days journeys west of the Missouri
Two families that came out from Illinois
| with the writer's parents deserted farms
within sight of Lawrence and the Kaw
river and returned to the Sucker State.
1t was Starving Kansas" during those
days. Then came the srasshoppers, and
The state was In still worse plight Re
lief was sent in year after year. Without
such relief Kassas would have been de-
populated. Those who stuck how
ever received their reward Dakota .hah
had little of the misfortune that met the
early settlera in Kansas, and she has never
been compelled to depend upon the,out.
side world to keep her people alive. The
fact is that.most of the settlers'in . new
country go there poor. Had they been
rich they would have remained at home
among their old friends. They find when
they settle in a new country that it takes
hard work and lots of it to open tarm
Money is needed, and as soon as possible
the land Is mortgaged. But still the set
tier is IN no danger, for, the loaning rates
being high, the investment companies
will not foreclose as long as the intcres,
is paid. Then come q couple of seasons
of good crops. the settler pays off his in
debtedncss of a few hundred dollars, has
Il good home, his land is under cultiva.
,ion, he has a small band of stock, rail
roads are built that give him handy mar.
kets, and, if he came out poor man, he
finds himself better off than lifetime ot
toll would have made him had he re
manned at the old home.
W.
North Dakota is all right. The writer
truly believes it; apd he surely has .
right to speak, for every dollar he ha!
made here he has put into farm improve
ment and live stock, and will continue t.
do so. Every hard.worklng farmer knows
that this country will come out with fly
ing colors in the end. 1t cannot be other
wise where fuel is cheap, water plentiful
and good, the soil rich and heath condl
tons perfect; where live stock of al
kinds can be cheaply raised, and wher'
fair average crops Of wheat can b'
produced. Lack of capital makes progress
slow in all new countries. Many faint
hearted ones will fail and depart, O.
course It has been thus in the settlemen
of all new countlias. But those wht
stick will in few years see their lane
valuable, themselves out of debt, thei
neighbors prosperous, the work of al
much lighter. with much more time a
their disposal for reading and social en-
joyment. The history of every new west
ern state will repeat itself in North Da
kota.