Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-08-21

C0rnwell, who was the father OF Mrs.
/ r. n. Lawton, and her twin sister,
Mrs. Mix. Mr.. Cornwell has been
dead a long time, but the widow Is yet
living, an Inmate Of the "H0me for Old
Ladies" In Toledo. Mrs. Lawton Is liv-
ing In California.
We stopped at La Plaisance bay,
Monroe. In the warehouse there was
small quantity of white wheat from
the crop Of an adjacent farm the previ-
Gus year. II was the most beautiful
wheat ever saw, and want to say In
this connection that, In my judgment,
western wheat has greatly deteriorated
and will not be restored to what IL
should be until farmers interest them
selves In more frequent renewals of
seed from more distant vicinages. In
nature, as well as in animals and man,
II we would improve we must do so by
introducing the elements of higher
and better and stronger life. In Mon
roe county, Michigan, the third crop of
Minnesota No. hard spring wheat Is
growing. The two crops already pro-
duced equaled 25 bushels to the acre.
l have return from one farm this
spring of 28 bushels. It outsells winter
wheat at the mills. 1t will do we'll in
Lucas, Wood and Henry counties. Seed
can be procured at Toledo, If early ap-
plication Is made. Try it on limited
scale next spring.
To return to Manhattan. That ag-
gregation of travelling real estate seek
ers at the hotel is fair Illustration of
the prevailing rage for investment in
this valley at that date. The Maumee
valley had attracted the attention of
thinkers and investors all over the east.
Let us look into the reasons for a mo-
ment. At that date the only instru-
mentality known to commerce was wa
ter. Railroads were not thought of as
means of commercial transit, and wa
ter, 1t was believed, would forever be
the great commercial power. On the
basis of waterltransportation, it was ex-
pected that somewhere near the mouth
of the Maumee would grow up great
city. The canals from Cincinnati and
Lafayette had been projected and were
being constructed. The Erie canal had
been completed years before and these
canals from the west to Lake Erie
were to be part of a great water high
way that was to concentrate the trade
of large extent of productive country
and become the pathway of an inn
mense commerce. Each investor of
land on the Maumee expected to locate
the great city on his own tract, and the
result was a projected city every three
or four miles. Manhattan had nearly
as good a start as any of the
cities. A Buffalo company had COM
menced building docks and warehouses
there to meet the business of the canal.
Long docks were built out to the chan
mel of the river, and three good ware
houses were erected upon them. An
other small city, was projected out of
the bay, and called :Havre. Opposite
Toledo was Oregon: At Delaware creek,
a feeble effort was made. At Rock Bar,
Marengo was the pretentions name of
a city without foundation, and last, but
by no means least, Maumee and Perrys- |
burg. Great investments were made |
from Manhattan to the foot of the rap
ids in lands and lots. Prices advanced |
In Maumee and Perrys- |
burg lots were sold at prices many |
times beyond the value to-day. do |
not believe there is foot of property |
in Toledo, the value of which equals
cost, per cent. interest invested, and |
the taxes. These periodical speculative
fevers are most pernicious. They sap
the foundation of industry and char
acter. Toll and labor is the heritage of
humanity. Labor is the only true
basis of wealth. Look around you, and
zee what labor has wrought, applied to
,he twin sisters, agriculture and min
ng. A better writer than am says:
Both agriculture and mining gather
he treasures of earth. One by the
chemistry of sunlight, the resurrection
If dead organism and the sweat of the
brow; the other, with much labor
brings desicated sunbeams to the sur
face, to light and heat and move the
world. One furnishes the food for man;
both give him materials for manufac-
lure, add to his comfort and increase
mis- wealth."
Let me say to my agricultural friends,
who through good judgment have pur-
chased and retained good farms, do not
be fascinated by inducements to sell
md locate elsewhere-unless you have
gas or oil farms. While purchases of
prairie farms at one period presented
great attractions, we have overdone the
business, and the reflex current has set
n. Prairie farms are liable to greater
extremes of drouth and tempest, and
,reat wide vicinities are lacking in the
element that compactsoeiety and give
Intelligence and worth of character to
your families. AS have said, labor in
agriculture and mining is the great
product of values.
Again, while farming lands in all the
counties of Ohio have declined 10 to 124
Der cent. an acre, northwestern Ohio
las gained in values.
To the young settlers, T want to offer
ny admonition and protest against the
desire to leave the farm for
,ity. Every consideration is against it.
It is too often the inspiration of idle
less, or impatience of tardy results.
But what is the reverse picture? Our
titles are full of unemployed young
men and young women. Only few
Ind employment, and those are select
ID from the most competent, and none
If those succeed but the most tireless
levotees of toll of head and hand. The
are first loungers. and next
hey rot In saloons. If young man
develops taste for machinery, with
levout interest and determination, and
economical and sober habits, the city Is
he place for him. To seek the attrac-
ions ofa town or city for its fancied
,asy life and pleasure, Is the road to
leath.
In my judgment there is no vicinity